From City to Jungle…

Our Mater Prize Home lottery No. 273 really has it all – an exquisite $1.8 million four bedroom home located in tropical Cairns – the perfect place for exploring the fascinating and magnificent Far North Queensland… Let’s take a road trip!

First stop – Palm Cove

Start your trip by heading to the picturesque Palm Cove which is located just 30 minutes north of Cairns. This is a unique and relaxing sea side village which is perfect for unwinding in a tropical paradise.

There’s plenty of things to do here too, such as playing a round of golf on one of the beautiful golf courses, kayaking around some nearby picturesque islands, getting wet and wild with some water sports activities, fishing off the jetty, wandering around the many fabulous galleries and boutique shops or just chilling on the pristine golden beach.

This paradise is perfectly situated between Cairns and Port Douglas…

Next stop – Port Douglas

Just a 45 minute drive north from Palm Cove via the spectacular Great Barrier Reef Drive, a magnificent coastal road that’s surrounded by green lush forest and the sparkling Coral Sea, you will find the tropical and laid back town of Port Douglas. This beautiful town has everything you need for a holiday in the sun – crystal clear waters, outstanding rainforest and a friendly village vibe. The climate is perfection. Pleasant warm days dissolve into tropical evenings with glistening starry skies.

Port Douglas is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage listed jewels exist side by side – the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation. But let’s explore some of the areas in between too…

Four Mile Beach

One of the main attractions in Port Douglas is the famous palm fringed golden sands of Four Mile Beach, which begins at the northern rocky headland and continues for four more miles without any buildings or construction interrupting your immaculate views.

Escape the daily grind and unwind walking along the shoreline of this beautiful beach – enjoying the magical sunrise and sunset. Spend the day swimming, soaking up some sun, splashing around in the crystal clear water or just relax and have a nap under the palms.

With golden sand stretching as far as the eye can see, the glittery water lapping gently against the shore, and palm trees swaying in the cool breeze, it is very easy to lose track of time when walking on Four Mile Beach – you will certainly find it hard to leave this tropical paradise.

Flagstaff Hill Lookout

If you want to observe some majestic, breathtaking views of Four Mile Beach, the Coral Sea, as well as the surrounding mountains, take a short walk up to the Flagstaff Hill Lookout – with gentle sea breezes the walk is quite relaxing. It’s a spectacular cross-section of scenery that sums up what Tropical North Queensland’s environment is all about. Flagship Hill can be walked, driven or ridden up – either way the rewards at the top are well and truly worth the effort. On clear days the view even stretches all the way out to Fitzroy Island.

Mossman Gorge

Next stop, Mossman Gorge – a hidden gem of Tropical Far North Queensland, with a breathtakingly beautiful crystal-clear river, lined by lush tropical rainforest – located in the southern section of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.

Take in the beauty of its pristine rainforest, towering mountains, cool streams, and the spectacular Gorge. Mossman Gorge is home to the oldest continually surviving rainforest anywhere on earth – largely unchanged for more than 135 million years.

Whether you just want to cool-off in the stunning clear freshwater swimming holes, see the flourishing tropical rainforest or experience the special cultural history of local Aboriginal people (the Kuku Yalanji people), Mossman Gorge is a must-do for any visitor to Tropical Far North Queensland.

Daintree Village and Daintree River

Head towards the laid back, tranquil Daintree Village – a quaint historic village that will give you a glimpse into Australia’s colourful past. Head to local art and craft shops such as painting, handmade pottery, textile art, local produce, souvenirs and tropical clothing. Visit an Aboriginal art gallery featuring authentic Aboriginal artefacts and unique artworks.

The almighty Daintree River flows past the Village and is home to many estuarine crocodiles which are frequently spotted from the safety of a Daintree river cruise which leave from the Village jetty – a must do activity! During your river cruise you will see the magnificent beauty of the rainforest and mangrove shores from a quiet, peaceful vantage point as your river guide points out the unique wildlife and of course the resident estuarine crocodiles the Daintree is famous for.

To get to the famous Daintree Rainforest you need to get across the Daintree River on the ferry… and this is where the real adventure begins!

Destination Daintree

The 95km Daintree region begins at Mossman Gorge and continues past Daintree Village, across the Daintree River, through the tropical rainforest of Daintree National Park to Cape Tribulation and along the Bloomfield Track towards Cooktown.

After you cross the crocodile infested Daintree River on an old fashioned cable ferry you are then in deep jungle with no basic infrastructure, water or electricity supply. The beauty of this ancient rainforest and the pristine deserted beaches in the National Park are simply all awe-inspiring.

The Daintree Rainforest is believed to be one of the oldest living rainforests in the world – with the most extensive range of unique and rare plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth – it is truly one of the most diverse and beautiful examples of Mother Nature’s work in the world.

Stroll through the Daintree rainforest, spot local wildlife on a Daintree River cruise, take a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, zip-line through the Daintree rainforest canopy, explore the Bloomfield Track or unwind on an uninhabited beach – plus so much more! This triumph of pure natural wonder and breath-taking beauty reveals hidden riches and inspirational insights in every section of this World Heritage listed paradise. It is the only place in the world where the Rainforest meets the Reef.

The Grand Finale – Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation is the final stop on the Great Barrier Reef Drive that takes you from the city to the jungle. Cape Tribulation is the village where these two spectacular World Heritage sites meet, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Located on the northern side of the Daintree River, at the end of the sealed road, here you can position yourself between the lush rainforest and sparkling corals.

Cape Tribulation has so many activities on offer including bush walking, horse riding treks, diving and snorkelling on the reef, sea kayaking, exotic fruit tastings, river cruises, zip lining through the lush rainforest canopy and even 4WD safaris – or just relaxing on some unbelievable pristine beaches!

If you wish to go further up the Bloomfield Track you will need a 4WD. This is the coastal track linking Cape Tribulation to Wujal Wujal and Cooktown. It’s one of the most scenic short 4WD drives in Queensland and a must-do for 4WD travellers. Here you will find beautiful scenery – the coastal drive to Wujal Wujal on the Bloomfield River and beyond is an unforgettable experience, full of remarkable views, secluded beaches, creek crossings, a rainforest archway, magnificent plants, unexpected wildlife and history.

No trip to the tropical north is complete without visiting this natural wonderland!

So buy tickets today for your chance to win this $1.8 million tropical Cairns oasis and explore all the gems of Tropical Far North Queensland!