Home » A Year-Round Guide to Tropical North Queensland
A Year-Round Guide to Tropical North Queensland
Some holiday destinations really do have it all – stunning sights to see, amazing experiences to have, and incredible weather all year round – making them ideal places to holiday at any time. Tropical North Queensland is one of those holiday destinations.
The pleasant warm temperatures year-round is one of the best things about this part of Australia. It means you can be out and about experiencing all that TNQ has to offer no matter the time of year. And while you can enjoy the splendour of the region at any time of year, each season brings its own delights and offers you incredible opportunities.
If you’ve been planning a trip to TNQ but you’re not sure what time of year to visit, then keep reading our guide to the seasons and what you can expect when you visit TNQ.
About Tropical North Queensland
Before we dive into the best of the best of each season, let’s talk about TNQ.
Often referred to as Far North Queensland, TNQ is essentially the northernmost part of Queensland, extending from Cardwell in the South, right up to the very tip of Australia, and heading West to the border of Queensland and Northern Territory.
The area has a rich Indigenous history, with it being the only area in Australia that is the Indigenous country of both Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal Australians.
The natural beauty of the region is well documented, with pristine beaches, tranquil waters and luscious rainforests just waiting to be explored. And some of these natural attractions include World Heritage listed sites, like the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
While the weather is warm all year long, the region is not seen as having traditional seasons like Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer, but rather as having a “wet season” and a “dry season”.
The wet season is usually considered to be from November to April, while May to October is the dry season. The wet season is when most of the region’s annual rainfall occurs and it is a little more humid, while the dry season sees the temperatures drop from the 23–31-degree Celsius average to between 17-24 degrees Celsius.
While the seasons are usually referred to as either the wet season or the dry season, we’ve put our seasonal guide together to follow the traditional seasons because there really are some amazing unique experiences on offer in each one.
Your Seasonal Activity Guide
Summer (December 1st to February 28th)
Considered to be the very heart of the wet season, summer in the tropics is unlike summer anywhere else. This time of the year is all about rejuvenation – the rainfall feeds the land, which will soon become an abundant feeding ground for the wildlife of the region. And while the rainfall is at its peak, most of it occurs in the late afternoon and evening, so there is plenty of time for you to experience the region.
Here are some of the best things you can do in TNQ in the Summer:
Explore the Great Barrier Reef: While the Reef is a spectacular sight to see at any time, during the summer with the warmer water temperatures coaxing the sea creatures out from their hiding places and making it even more pleasant for you in the water, you’ll have a hard time getting out. The summer also brings Northerly winds, which can make water conditions a lot calmer and give greater clarity, so even if you stay dry but take a boat out, you’re still in for a treat.
Cool off in the waterfalls: TNQ is covered in waterfalls, there are literally hundreds of them throughout the land and making a day of exploring them is a favourite activity for visitors and locals. The best part is, the heavier rainfall ensures that the waterfalls are putting on their best display, so you can see it in full force. And if you’re feeling the heat, a lot of the waterfalls are safe for swimming, so you can beat the heat.
See rain like you’ve never seen it before: you might be wondering what is so exciting about rain, but rain in the tropics during the wet season is unlike anything else. Providing the perfect soundtrack for relaxation, you can spend your evening listening to and enjoying the scent of the summer rain.
An added bonus: the Australian summertime is usually a little quieter for visitors to the region, so you can enjoy the area with less crowds.
Autumn (March 1st to May 31st)
During Autumn, the transition from wet to dry season starts begins, with the rains starting to slow down towards the end of Autumn. We see the effects of the rain in full force during this time, with rivers, creeks, and waterfalls truly at their peak and the landscape is every shade of green imaginable. For nature lovers, Autumn might just be the best time to visit.
Here are some of the best things you can do in TNQ in the Autumn:
Get your adrenaline pumping: with the rivers, creeks, and waterfalls at their peak, if you’ve ever wanted to try adventurous sports like white water rafting, Autumn is ideal. The waters are flowing fast and in ideal condition. However, if you’re looking to explore but want to do so in a relaxing way, exploring the rainforests, and even cooling off in the various freshwater swimming holes is also perfect at this time of year.
Spot wildlife: with the rainforests now rejuvenated from the rains, the local wildlife starts to emerge to forage on the land’s offerings. From birds to marsupials, reptiles to sea creatures, TNQ is the pace to see it. This is also when koalas tend to have their babies. While you might have some luck spotting wildlife in the wild, there are lots of amazing habitats and sanctuaries where you can see many of the local wildlife.
Explore the rainforests: with the rain a little less frequent, and the rainforests well fed from the rain, Autumn is an ideal time to discover the majesty of the local rainforests – which include the Daintree Rainforest, which is the world’s oldest rainforest.
An added bonus: During the wet season a lot of rare and wonderful tropical fruits are even more readily available, having undergone significant growth during this time. You can find a lot of the local tropical fruits at markets and fruit stands throughout the region.
Winter (June 1st to August 31st)
Winter is the peak of the “dry” season and as the southern parts of Australia sink into the cold winter weather, in TNQ, the lack of humidity, rain and the slightly cooler temperatures makes it one of the most popular times to visit. Offering ideal weather conditions, amazing experiences, and an escape from the cold.
Here are some of the best things you can do in TNQ in the Autumn:
Beach Daze: winter on the beach, a favourite past time for anyone in TNQ. While winter in the tropics does see a temperature drop, it’s still very pleasant, with swimming at the beach being a popular activity, and when you’re in this part of Australia, you’ll understand why. The coastline is covered in spectacular beaches – here’s a guide to the best beaches near Palm Cove.
Outdoor luxury: where else can you enjoy cocktails outside inside winter without fighting off the cold? Winter in the tropics is the perfect time to indulge in outdoor dining, whether you’re sitting on the deck of the Reef House restaurant or indulging in a beach picnic, you can’t do this anywhere else in winter.
Explore on 4 Wheels: If you’re an avid explorer and love a bit of 4WD and camping, then winter is the perfect time to do it in TNQ. The rains have gone, the land has dried a little, but the water crossings are still flowing but a lot safer to cross. With the cooler temperatures and lack of humidity, camping is a lot more pleasant during this time too.
An added bonus: June and July are also the time of year where you can do some whale watching. The whales head north to the coral sea to breed and enjoy the warmer temperatures and abundant feeding grounds. You can take whale watching tours or even be lucky enough to spot them from the coastline.
Spring (September 1st to November 30th)
Spring sees the beginning of warmer temperatures but no signs of humidity until the tail end of the season, making it one of the best times of year to be out and about and enjoying all of the different kinds of water in the area as well as exploring everywhere in this region.
Here are some of the best things you can do in TNQ in the Spring:
Hike the hills: while the temperatures are warming up, the lack of humidity in the air and drier land conditions make it Spring an ideal time for tackling the walking and hiking trails of the area. The rainforests are still looking quite lush, but the walking trails are in better condition due to the lack of rain. And with watering holes all over, you can cool off from your hike.
Calm Seas: During Spring the winds are nowhere to be seen, which means the water is cool and calm. The glassy seas make for ideal boating conditions. Whether you’re an avid fisher or you want to get out and about to explore the sand cays and tropical islands, Spring is ideal for doing so.
See Nature Start to Bloom: In preparation of the summer rains and fruit, the flowers of the plant life start to emerge. When Spring has sprung, the flowers show their true colours, peppering the landscape with wildly tropical colours you won’t see anywhere else.
An added bonus: As the plant life starts to come alive, nature also blooms underwater. Springtime, usually around November, sees the mass Coral Spawning of the Great Barrier Reef. This is when all of the corals spawn simultaneously to allow the Reef to live on. A truly magical experience.
Where to stay in TNQ
No matter the time of year you choose to come to Tropical North Queensland, here at the Reef House, our doors are open to you.
Based in Palm Cove, our beachfront adults-only boutique hotel is the ideal escape from the real world. Join us in our 5-star accommodation and let us help you plan your dream holiday today.
