Mark Olsen’s passion for Queensland’s tropical north is obvious! He and his wife, Helen Lawie, were married at Paronella Park south of Cairns 20 years ago and honeymooned at Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree. They love exploring the region with their two sons, George, 12, and 11-year-old Ted.
Mark Olsen's favourite places to visit in Tropical North Queensland
We’ve hosted a lot of our family and friends in the region on their North Queensland family holidays over the past two years. Our friends with kids have stayed on the Cairns Esplanade, in Palm Cove, in Port Douglas and places like Kurrimine Beach on the Cassowary Coast, with most choosing to stay in a few locations to make the most of the region’s variety.
Each has its own unique vibe. Sometimes we love just grabbing a couple of poolside rooms in a resort and using it as home base; other times it’s a kid-friendly holiday house that feels like a home away from home. The range of family-friendly attractions means that there is something for everyone, from pre-schoolers through to teenagers.
1. Great Barrier Reef
We always get out on the Great Barrier Reef when people visit. There is always a new way to see it and depending on the family we find the right product and experience for them. Green Island and Fitzroy Island are good options.
We’ve been lucky enough to take a charter to the reef with some friends, which was epic, and they matched that with a quick trip in the helicopter to see it from the air, which is really special.
2. Daintree Rainforest
A trip across the Daintree Ferry and into the world-famous forests is a must — walking on the Rainforest Boardwalks out to where the rainforest meets the reef and lunch at a quiet spot with some games on the beach. The drive is one of our favourites, and we’ve been lucky enough to spot a cassowary on the road, so we always take it slow.
The rainforest is also close to our hearts, so we never miss the chance to take our friends to a crystal-clear stream for a swim and to one of the thousands of waterfalls to soak up the re-energising vibes from swimming under a waterfall.
We also love taking our mates river rafting and tubing, and I’m looking forward to drifting down the river in the Daintree in a cool (croc-free) rainforest stream.
3. Cairns
There are so many great spots to take the kids for a swim in a rainforest stream or to find Fairy Falls. We have done the giant swing with our mates, but only I’ve been daring enough to try the bungy at Skypark Cairns.
Some mates had a great time with the Scuba Kids program with Divers Den. Cairns Boat Hire and Bad Fishy Jet Boat wowed the kids, with some fishing in the Cairns Inlet followed by the heart-racing thrills of the jet boat.
There’s a great range of places to eat on the Cairns Esplanade, including a sneaky dessert or gelato from the night markets.
4. Atherton Tablelands
The crater lakes in the Atherton Tablelands are a favourite, particularly Lake Barrine, with its towering twin Kauri pines, and, of course, a deep dive into Lake Eacham followed by lunch at Yungaburra, in the hinterland. The tour at the Gallo Dairy was also lots of fun.
5. Cassowary Coast
The Cassowary Coast has become another favourite. It’s just so relaxing being in those seaside villages for a couple of days to unwind, and it’s a great base to explore the southern part of the region, including Paronella Park and the beautiful Palmerston Highway drive! Stay in a holiday house or at Kurrmine Beach.
6. Kuranda
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway always get rave reviews. The wildlife parks always make the list. Which one depends on the age of the kids, but we always want our mates to get up close with a saltie! Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is one you can’t miss for a memorable moment with a crocodile.
7. Cooktown
We had a great time with a local family doing the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival and exploring Cooktown – we are really spoilt for choice.
8. Palm Cove
Palm Cove is a favourite for our mates from Sydney and Brisbane, so we always take the opportunity to visit! Have dinner on the beach at Nu Nu Restaurant and then take your pick of the other great spots on the Williams Esplanade for breakfast, lunch and an early dinner.
9. Chillagoe
We are planning a trip to Chillagoe with friends because we love exploring the caves.
What is the best way to get around North Queensland?
We love to mix and match the ways to get around because it’s so exciting to explore the region from different perspectives. Taking to the road is so much fun, because the roads are so picturesque and you are there before you know it — whether it’s counting the corners on the Gillies, or listening to our mates ooh and ahh on the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Port Douglas and across the river into the Daintree. But you definitely have to get out on the water, to the reef, and onto the rivers.
When is the best time to visit Tropical North Queensland?
The patrolled beaches are always well signed to keep visitors safe from Irukandji jellyfish and we always swim between the flags and in the enclosures. Head out to the reef and the islands and swim in the rainforest streams from November to May when it’s a bit warmer.
For more information visit: cairnsgreatbarrierreef.com
Main image: Mark Olsen and his family at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
