There’s a magical quality about Tropical North Queensland that feels almost unknowable, maybe even untouchable. The mystique could be due to the rawness of the landscapes, the diversity of ecosystems and wildlife, or the sheer sense of isolation. Golden sand beaches give way to majestic rivers weaving inland through a rainforest unaltered since the time of the dinosaurs. It’s home to crocodiles and cassowaries, pythons and parrots, manta rays and migrating whales, ancient fossils and ancient stories.
It’s also the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Wet Tropics of Queensland rainforest spilling down to the coast to meet Australia’s greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef. Beyond the highland plateau to the west lies a third, lesser-known gem, the sprawling savannah and red dirt of north Queensland’s outback.
While undeniably beautiful, it can be a daunting place to tackle on your own. Having a local guide is probably the wisest investment you could make, and they don’t come more local than tourism trailblazer Cathy Wharton, owner and founder of North West Outback Safaris.
The bespoke tour company specialises in small group tours and private charters, taking guests into the wildest reaches of the reef, rainforest and outback. Every trip is custom-made, and enhanced by Cathy’s knowledge, expertise and stories. It’s a true backstage pass to the tropical north. “It’s a privilege to bring people out here,” Cathy says. “I just love showing off my backyard.”
A certified Wet Tropics guide, Cathy grew up on a northern Queensland cattle station, working alongside the local Indigenous people, and has lived in the rainforest. She’s been leading tours here for more than 20 years and has a team of guides who are just as passionate and knowledgeable as her. Special permits grant access to areas no other tour companies can get to.
Trips depart Port Douglas and go as far north as Cape York Peninsula, where guests can explore the Jardine River and take a boat trip to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Alternatively, the five-day Kinrara Expedition offers an authentic immersion in outback life, staying in a glamping tent on a private cattle station, 250km south-west of Cairns. Peel back the canvas to reveal wetlands teeming with wildlife, paddle a kayak on the lake, then jump in a 4WD LandCruiser for a station tour, watching cattle mustering demonstrations and learning about life on the land, before returning to camp for sundowners and a gourmet, home-cooked meal.
Off-track adventures are a fixture of every trip. Departing Port Douglas, a typical tour could see you skirting sugarcane fields and the mangrove-fringed coastline, before boarding a wildlife-spotting cruise on the Daintree River. A walk through a secret section of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest with interpretation from an Indigenous guide might follow, the Dreamtime stories brought to life under the cool of the canopy. The mutual trust and respect Cathy shares with the local Kuku Yalanji people is evident and facilitates a deeply enriching cultural experience for guests.
At Mossman Gorge, waterfalls cascade over granite rocks into deep gorges and serene swimming holes beckon. During a private wildlife experience, Australia’s most iconic animals come to you, with the opportunity to hold a blue-tongue lizard, bearded dragon, jungle carpet python, squirrel glider and even a baby saltwater crocodile. Guests can also explore their creative side under the guidance of an accomplished Kuku Yalanji artist.
It’s the simplest moments people often remember most, like pulling up for lunch on a secluded beach, then strolling along the sand as tiny islands appear to bob on the emerald ocean and the remarkable rainforest unfurls behind you. “People love discovering how special this place is,” Cathy says. “I want them to walk away and feel these footprints on their hearts.”
