TROPICAL WINTERS

What winter?

Welcome to the place where your typical idea of winter doesn’t really exist. To locals, 20ºC warrants a jacket, and jeans make their way out of the wardrobe; you’ll often hear the crew announce that wetsuits are available to help keep warm in the “chilly” 24ºC waters on the Great Barrier Reef.

Maximum temperatures remain mostly within the mid-twenties, with many brilliant sunny days perfect for exploring the region from the coast and seas to remote areas.

You may encounter a few nights where the mercury dips into the single digits, especially on the Atherton Tablelands where you’ll find a more mild climate due to its elevation. Romantic bed and breakfasts with cosy fireplaces are peppered throughout these highlands, perfect for those “tropicool” nights.

Small tent “villages” spring up around the abundant number of campgrounds as cooler and drier days make for ideal camping weather. Compasses are pointed due north and many take to the dusty road to tackle one of Australia’s most iconic 4WD journeys to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, or west to explore the ancient geological wonders along The Savannah Way.


AN ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER


Head into frontier country on your journey to “The Tip”. More 4WDs venture through this area than anywhere else in the country and your adventure north is as important as your final destination.

Conquer some of Australia’s most challenging 4WD crossings or cross breathtaking waterfalls off your list as you traverse through national parks, historic townships and stations before arriving at the most northerly point of mainland Australia.

Twin Falls, Cape York

 


OUTDOOR LUXURY


One of the things that everyone loves about the tropics is that you can enjoy the outdoorsy lifestyle any time of year.

While other places are huddled inside around heaters, in Tropical North Queensland you can indulge in cocktails by the beach or laze by the pool.

 


LIFE’S A BEACH


There are not many places in the world that winter is synonymous with beach days but in Tropical North Queensland you’ll find this time of year boasts prime beach weather.

Water and outside temperatures both hover around the mid-twenties (Celsius) making the sandy shores the perfect place to hang out on a warm, sunny winter day.

 

 

TIME TO EXPLORE

 

Surrounded by National Parks, Marine Parks and World Heritage Areas on all sides, adventures are endless in Tropical North Queensland.

With milder temperatures – locals will say “cold”, you’ll say “perfect” – winter provides the ideal time for camping, hiking or Great Barrier Reef adventures.



WILDLIFE WANTING WARMTH


Throughout June and July, the Ribbon Reefs, north of Cairns and Port Douglas, becomes the temporary refuge for the only known aggregate of Dwarf Minke Whales in the world.

Humpback whales can also be sighted as they make their way north through a channel between the coast and Great Barrier Reef offering a safe shelter for mothers and calves.

    

   Tips

  • Due to lower humidity and clearer nights, winter is a great time to stargaze. Head out to Burketown in the Gulf Savannah to learn about the stars on Australia’s largest salt pans with the Gangalidda-Garawa Traditional Custodians.
     
  • Through winter, Saltwater Crocodiles sun themselves on banks for warmth. Keep an eye out for these ancient dinosaurs as you explore the region.
     
  • If you’re partial to wetting a line, Tropical North Queensland in winter is the place for you. Head out to Gulf Savannah, fish your way up Cape York Peninsula or try your hand at catching the prized barramundi.
     
  • Each July, Cairns hosts the annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. While the art fair and market might be the main drawcard, you’ll find workshops, fashion shows and satellite events across Cairns.
     

          Content courtesy of our friends at TTNQ.

MANGO IS ON THE MENU IN CAIRNS!

Ahh, summer. The markets never look more colourful than through summer where weird and wonderful exotic fruits and your favourite tropical produce overflow fruit stalls.

Summer creates the ideal time for tropical fruit to produce so it’s when you’ll often find the cheapest and most diverse produce at market stalls. From the lesser-known, starfruit, soursop, durian, custard apple, black sapote, jaboticaba, rambutan, and mangosteen to your more common favourites of pawpaw, lychees and, of course, the summer icon, the sweet and humble summer classic, the mango.

If you’ve got mango on your mind, here are some places near Cairns to get your mango fix.

Mango beer: Sauce Brewing Co

Enjoy a range of summer fresh flavours at Sauce Brewing Co


The perfect refreshing hot day antidote awaits at Cairns’ newest brewery, Sauce Brewing Co. As well as their core range, you’ll find special batches of beer and seltzers on rotation, with the upcoming summer adding many fruity flavours into the mix. Pop in through summer and you may find the perfect combination of two summer favourites – mango and ice-cold beer – with their Mango Squeak or their Trubble & Squeak, a double mango IPA. These beers incorporate the subtle sweetness of mango, giving a twist on a classic drink that just works.

Mango Shaved Ice: Hayabusa Kuranda

Mango shaved ice


A summer favourite for many Aussies is the humble snow cone. Japanese cuisine puts a twist on the frozen treat with a summer staple called kakigori (shaved ice). In the colourful Original Rainforest Markets in Kuranda, you’ll find a small stall, manned by a Japanese husband and wife duo, called Hayabusa. Here they serve mango kakigori – a generous bowl of shaved ice drizzled with mango syrup, fresh chunks of mango and topped with a scoop of ice cream. It can be enough to share one between two, but with half of it being ice, who are we to judge? #eatup

A light breakfast: Nu Nu Restaurant

Spiced pineapple and coconut cream soaked muesli, Daintree vanilla, mango, seasonal fruits and toasted coconut


Hot breakfasts might be a firm favourite among many, but if you’re going to be swayed by anything, it’ll be Nu Nu’s muesli. With spiced pineapple and coconut cream soaked muesli, Daintree vanilla, mango, seasonal fruits and toasted coconut, it’s the perfect brekkie on a warm summer morning. Dessert for breakfast anyone?

Avo toast with a twist: Moku

Tropical Guacamole with mango and paw paw salsa


Speaking of breakfast, if you’re going to spend your house deposit on smashed avo for brekkie, it may as well be in style at MOKU, located at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. Rest assured, you’ll get bang for your buck with the Tropical Guacamole – a large serving of guacamole on sourdough topped with mango and paw paw salsa on sourdough with roasted tomato. Afterwards, pop down to Novotel’s beach pool for a dip and a refreshing drink. Summer never tasted so good.


Mango cheesecake: Ochre

mango and lime cheesecake with sunrise lime (gel and candied) and scorched mango


Ochre has long been a champion of sourcing locally, with any dish on their menu at least two-thirds from the region. With the abundant produce local growers yield through summer, at Ochre you can expect light dishes that hero local fruit including mango, Tropical North Queensland seafood and meats, and native flavours adding a fresh twist to their summer menu.
For your mango fix, sink your teeth into coconut prawns with mango kimchi and desert lime mayo for something savoury, or mango and lime cheesecake with sunrise lime (gel and candied) and scorched mango for the full mango experience

Mango & Bugtail Salad: Dundee’s

Chilled bugtail meat tossed through a light salad of mango, mixed salad leaves, chilli, cherry tomatoes and shaved coconut coated with lime mayo.


Warm days and balmy evenings call for something light and fresh like Dundee’s Mango & Bugtail salad. You’ll find this on the menu at both their waterfront location overlooking the Cairns Marlin Marina, or at the Cairns Aquarium complete with its own aquarium wall.

Fresh mangoes: Rusty’s Markets

Huge R2E2 mangoes at Rusty’s MarketsFind an abundance of mangoes here


If you can’t go past a fresh mango, Rusty’s Markets is your one-stop-shop for everything mango. Find every species of mango imaginable, little mangoes, big mangoes, green mangoes, pink mangoes and of course cheap mangoes – word on the street is you can nab them for a little as 99c a kilo at Rusty’s.

Mango smoothies: Kuranda Scenic Railway Teahouse

Get your mango smoothie fix while you ride the rails


Riding the rails of the Kuranda Scenic Railway might make you a little peckish. So while you’re in Kuranda, stop in at the Kuranda Railway Station Tearoom for a legendary mango smoothie or traditional Devonshire Tea. Here you’ll also be able to snack on a range of delicious cakes, scones and light meals.

Post by Jilara Kuch
TNQ Writer

WHAT’S BEHIND THE NAME OF OUR PROPERTY?

While Agincourt is a name originally made famous (or infamous depending on which side you were on) by a historic battle in Northern France between the French and the English in 1415 during the hundred-year war, there is a famous reef on the Great Barrier Reef named Agincourt Reef.

Continue reading