If tropical far north Queensland had a capital city it would be Cairns. To get the most out of this diverse region hire a car and pick it up from the airport on your arrival or from Cairns CBD. To get to the city from the airport will take close to 10 minutes and cost around $20 AUD, the shuttle costing about $10 AUD per person. From Cairns you can visit the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef or head further north in a cheap retnal car or 4WD to the Port Douglas and the Daintree. Just an hours drive west of Cairns you are in the Highlands with beautiful national parks and head to Ravenshoe and the Innot Hot Springs.

A rental car from one of Australia's leading companies or 4WD hire is the only way to truly get away into the under-explored ruggedness of the Cape York Peninsula on which Cairns sits. The terrain is often challenging but the scenery and wildlife you will experience on this unique stretch of Australian land make for a collection of memories you just couldn't capture on foot.