Winter escapes to Far North Queensland
Motel Nomad pool
It’s that time of year where the summer holidays are long behind us, we’re getting a bit tired at work, and the cold is starting to creep in.
If you’re wondering where to find the winter sun in Australia – look no further than Cairns, Far North Queensland. We may be biased, but here at Motel Nomad we think that Cairns is one of the best places to escape winter in Australia.
Image credit: TTNQ
The weather
Cairns and Far North Queensland is arguably the best place to escape winter in Australia. During the winter months, the temperature ranges between 18-26 degrees Celsius. There’s less humidity, and the days are sunny with our wet season long behind us.
You may notice locals donning a jumper or or a pair of jeans, but for interstate visitors, this balmy weather will be just perfect for your winter escape.
Image credit: TTNQ
Get in the water
It’s far too cold to be swimming in Sydney or Melbourne during the winter months. Make the most of your escape to Tropical North Queensland by stripping off and getting in the water.
There’s no threat of stingers during our winter, but if you’re still a bit anxious swimming in the salt water, many beaches have lifeguards to keep an eye on you.
Just south of Innisfail is the coastal town of Etty Bay, famous for its local cassowaries. While you enjoy a swim in its blue water and stroll along this tropical cove, you may even be lucky enough to spot Etty the female Southern Cassowary! Once you’re in Etty Bay, it’s a short drive to attractions like Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk.
Palm Cove is another idyllic seaside town in the Northern Beaches area of Cairns, famous for its coconut tree-lined esplanade and white sandy beach. Wander down the jetty before taking a dip between the flags. Don’t forget to enjoy a cocktail and some local eats at Nu Nu while you’re there.
It’s a great time to head out to the islands or to the reef, as you no longer have to worry about stretching into a stinger suit. You can try paddle boarding at the Great Barrier Reef, or whale-watch for Dwarf Minke Whales and Humpbacks as they migrate north to warmer waters.
Image credit: Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodge
Pitch a tent
Would you like to camp right on a palm-tree lined beach with views of islands and turquoise water? Look no further than Ellis Beach. With a variety of camping and accommodation options, and its relatively close location to the townships of Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas, Ellis Beach is a great camping option. Even better, the popular Ellis Beach Bar & Grill is located just over the road where you can get some great eats and drinks for breakfast, lunch or dinner, 7 days a week.
Have you ever camped at a drive-in cinema before? (or better yet, when was the last time you went to a drive-in cinema?). The Mareeba Drive-In up on the Atherton Tablelands is a perfect date night or weekend getaway, showing two movies a night on the weekends, with an American diner-style café on-site to supply the snacks. You can stay for both movies and camp for free overnight with your family, friends, and pets before heading off for more adventures around the Tablelands the next day.
If you’re looking for an outdoor cinema that’s more local to Cairns, look out for Starry Night Cinema in the beautiful surrounds of the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
If camping on a tropical beach, or up in the rolling hills of the Tablelands isn’t quite your style, consider another side of Far North Queensland – the outback. The Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodge hosts a range of accommodation options and is less than a 3-hour drive from Cairns. The clear winter nights mean perfect conditions for stargazing, and expansive limestone caves which were once coral reefs!
Image credit: Lovegreen Photography & Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Cultural institutions
Every July the Cairns Show is held, and is the perfect combination of Cairns’ regional and agricultural charm, whilst bringing the best parts of a roadside carnival. Check out some prize-winning poultry and enjoy a round on the dodgems.
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) celebrates culture and offers a platform for cultural exchange between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and visitors to the fair. With an ethical art market, fashion, music performances, cultural dance, comedy, art exhibitions and more, CIAF is well worth the visit. The annual event is usually at the beginning of July.
The town of Laura is a small community just west of Cooktown, about 4 hours drive north of Cairns. Each year, approximately 25 dance troupes from across the Cape York region gather at the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival to showcase stories through dance routines, sharing history and uniting as one. Laura is also home to Australia’s most significant collection of rock art and is a must-see on your travels through the Far North of Queensland.
Have we convinced you yet? Escape and enjoy a warm winter in Cairns. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, consider Motel Nomad your home away from home, ideally located in Cairns. If you need some more ideas for your holiday to Far North Queensland, check out our blog on our top cheap and affordable things to do in Cairns.