Surprisingly, there are actually some people that come to North Queensland to do other things besides fish. I'm led to believe that it's a premier tourist destination in its own right.

This is probably quite true - I know I've seen beautiful prisitine rainforest and stunning islands and coastlines beyond the tip of my rod, but then there's a splash over in the mangroves and.... well... I just get all distracted by the monster barra that's inviting me to go into battle with him.

If you're looking for something to do between fishing trips (or to fill in the time while the other half is out fishing) here's a selection of some of the more popular things to do on the Reef And Rainforest Coast of North Queensland.

• Great Barrier Reef Cruises
• Diving Trips
• Rainforest Tours
• White Water Rafting
• Hot Air Ballooning

If you would like us to include "non-fishing" stuff in your overall itinerary, we have many local contacts and can arrange all bookings and transfers for you.

Cape York Tours

It's not really a tour - more like great way to spend 6 days getting to and from your Cape York fishing experience - but why not combine your fabulous fishing adventure with a leisurely sea voyage to the top of Cape York.

Our friends at Oz Tours have come up with an original concept that combines the excitement of a cargo ship voyage between Cairns and Cape York with the amenity of a Cape York stop-over. In a style reminiscent of bygone coastal steamers, experience the colour and serenity of a Barrier Reef voyage, the magic of the Torres Strait, the magnificent isolation of the northern Peninsula wilderness on this Oz Tours 6 Day Air/Sea Safari.

Birdwatching

The Mareeba Wetland Reserve is located in the ‘golden triangle’ of birding in Far North Queensland and currently boasts a species list of 204! The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is situated on the East Asian/Australasian flyway and provides a unique environment in which to enjoy Australia’s tropical wetland and savanna birds. A series of 12 inter-connected lagoons, creeks and channels weave their way across the 5,000 acre Reserve. The lagoons, which range in size from several hundred acres to much smaller intimate habitats, attract a rich and diverse birdlife and provide a sanctuary for almost all of Australia’s tropical waterbirds.

204 species of birds, over twenty mammal species and a myriad of lower vertebrates and arthropods are testimony to the environmental values of the Reserve. The Reserve also has some excellent examples of open tropical savanna woodland and closely related regional ecosystems, where many species of bushland birds, including such rarities as Black-throated Finches and Buff-breasted Button-quail, have been recorded. It is also the location for a landmark Gouldian Finch reintroduction programme.

At different times of the year, from the bird hide on the shores of this lagoon many of Australia’s species of wetland birds may be seen including ospreys, sea eagles, black swans, magpie geese, brolgas, whistling ducks in their hundreds, pelicans, pink-eared ducks and even Australia’s only stork, the jabiru.

Car Hire

Cruising Car Rentals Cairns is locally owned and operated, and the leading Cairns car rental company for self drive in North Queensland. For price and service, when it come to car rental, no other Cairns car hire company can beat Cruising Car Rental Cairns. They are located in the heart of Cairns and only 5 minutes from the Cairns international and domestic airports.