Tropical North Queensland is heading into the final months of 2026 with new tours, accommodation, dining venues and events spanning the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York and Cairns.
Among the latest touring developments, Coral Expeditions has launched an 11-night Great Barrier Reef expedition combining expert-led exploration with research and conservation projects.
Strait Experience has introduced a three-day escape to Australia’s northern edge, co-designed with Traditional Owners, while Sailaway Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre have created new all-inclusive packages linking rainforest, reef and Indigenous culture in a single day.
The accommodation sector is also expanding.
Ever Bloomfield will welcome its first guests in December, offering a remote retreat accessible only by boat or helicopter with access to two UNESCO World Heritage environments.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has completed a multi-million-dollar refurbishment focused on its family offering, while Mareeba Bush Stays has introduced a private glamping retreat in bushland outside Cairns.
Further ahead, Double Island is set for a major revival after Australian-owned Morris Group took over the lease.
A $40 million four-stage redevelopment is planned, beginning with a public beach bar and restaurant by Christmas 2027, followed by resort accommodation in 2029.
View of Green Island from Big Cat Green Island Cruise
Cairns has also welcomed several new and refreshed dining options.
Japanese whisky venue KOI Bar has opened with cocktails and whisky flights, while Northern Thai restaurant Finn Finn is now operating from Alivio Hotel Group’s Sheridan Street property.
The 116-year-old Grafton Hotel has reopened following an extensive renovation, adding a refreshed bistro, beer garden and children’s playground. Mexican restaurant Nude Amigos has also opened on the waterfront at Shangri-La The Marina Cairns.
Major events and milestones are strengthening the region’s reef and heritage credentials.
The Great Barrier Reef will host the inaugural PADI AmbassaDiver Summit later in 2026, bringing together divers, conservation advocates and content creators from international markets.
Quicksilver Group has marked 40 years of Reef Biosearch, its environmental education and monitoring division, while Kuranda Scenic Railway has celebrated 135 years since it first carried passengers between Cairns and Kuranda.
The 37km heritage railway continues through the Wet Tropics rainforest, crossing 55 bridges and passing through 15 tunnels.
