![Snorkellers enjoy the waters around Fitzroy Island that teem with fish, soft corals and the occasional turtle.](/web/20160810191713im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/i/0/p/q/image.related.TravellerThumbnail.300x200.gpi0vz.png/1466579673241.jpg)
Australia's most underrated tropical paradise
It's time to discover this Australian island - before everyone else does.
It's time to discover this Australian island - before everyone else does.
For four days each July, Cairns becomes the ukulele capital of the world, writes Helen Pitt.
Helen Pitt faces the biggest test of her life hitting the thrill seeker's trail in far north Queensland.
In-room fairy floss makers, 'tuck-in' services, even babies can have their own concierge if you're prepared to pay enough.
Though it might not be immediately apparent, the graphs of what happened to air fares 18 months ago were foretelling the future.
James Rose hops aboard the Sunshine state's Sunlander train as it enters its final year of service.
As the southern half of the country shivers and sniffles through the winter months, far north Queensland basks in glorious sunshine.
Lee Atkinson takes in everything from dives on the barrier reef to jet-ski tours of crocodile swamps.
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Swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing; Cairns is perfect for lovers of clear, blue waters as The Great Barrier Reef at its doorstep. With an artificial lagoon, plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, this place has the trappings of a buzzing tropical holiday. For some downtime; escape to the Daintree Rainforest, take a dip at Babinda Boulders and learn about Aboriginal legends.