• North Queensland

    We explore Captain Cook country, meeting some Aussie characters along the way, eating witchety grubs and even catching a six foot shark!

About North Queensland

Series 02.

Jen and Clint kick off the 2nd series of Places We Go together exploring their own backyard, the top end of Australia (with their 3 month baby in tow!). It’s a fascinating drive up the old telegraph line to Thursday and Horn Island, home to some of the country's most remote communities with significant war history.

They’re touring Captain Cook country with Bart, one of the most Aussie bushmen you could meet!  We meet some classic Aussie characters – eat witchity grubs, walk out to the very tip of Australia, and even catch a six foot shark!

Did we mention we travelled in T.I. time?  The locals here proudly say they’re living in God’s paradise.

Happy Travels!  PWG Team xox

Must See

Travel Tips

Sun

The far north tropical region has the highest incidence of melanoma (sun cancer) in the world. Wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin. When in the sun, you can to burn in about 20 minutes on a clear sunny day, even in winter.

Swimming

Swimming in Far North Queensland is great year round, but you'll need to restrict your swimming to inside the stinger nets (or wear stinger suits) during summer due to box jellyfish, the world's most dangerous marine stinger. If you get stung, vinegar is the tried and tested remedy and beaches do have vinegar on hand.

Respect

Islanders are very welcoming and friendly, but do like their privacy so they appreciate when you ask permission before taking photographs Some properties are not fenced, so be careful you are not wandering on to private property.

Special rules also apply to the consumption of alcohol within Cape York and Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal community boundaries so be mindful of this.

Lodging

Guesthouses run by the council have modern facilities, but they are self-catering. There's limited grocery and food supplies so you can bring what you need with you to the island, although there’s usually a luggage limit on light planes operating in the Torres Strait.

Crocodiles

Two types of crocodile - the freshwater species and ocean-going or estuarine crocodiles inhabit the far north and are a genuine threat so always be alert and mindful of signs. Freshwater crocodiles are narrow-jawed and grow up to three metres in length. Freshwater crocs are not typically agressive, but can inflict severe injuries if wounded or provoked. The estuarine croc (often called the saltwater crocodile) can grow to 7 metres long and are extremely dangerous. They lurk in rivers, swamps, and floodplain waterholes. Refrain from swimming or fishing where you see warning signs, and don't approach nesting grounds. If you happen to come accross a basking crocodile retreat quietly towards land, do not place yourself between water and a crocodile.
 

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Quick Facts

  • Official Country State: Queensland
  • Capital City: Brisbane (Queensland); Townsville is the biggest city in North Queensland
  • Population: 4.5 million
  • Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Official language: English
  • Major religion: Roman Catholic
  • Life expectancy: 83 years
  • Literacy rate: 99%
  • It holds Australia’s “Sugar Capital” (Mackay), but is also one of Australia’s biggest coal exporters.
  • There have been calls in the past for North Queensland to form it’s own state.

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