Top 5 Locations in Far North Queensland For Landscape Photography (Cairns Region)

Cairns region, Queensland Australia

Cairns is a city located in Tropical Far North Queensland. It is the gateway to the great barrier reef. Surrounding Cairns is unmatched landscape photography opportunities. I spent 8 month living in the region, I had plenty of time to explore the surrounds and find some amazing locations to photograph.

There are epic waterfalls, thick jungles, tall mountains, and blissful seascapes, this region has so much diversity in a relatively small area. Where the rainforest meets the reef the population here is very scarce and there is a lot of National Parks and public areas to be explored and photographed.

For most of these locations the best way to see them is to hire a car or camper van.

It was very difficult to compose a list of my top 5 locations as there are so many. But here are 5 excellent landscape photography locations that must not be missed when visiting the epic Cairns Region.

(In no particular order)

  1. Daintree Rainforest

Located approximately 2 hours north of Cairns lies the Daintree Rainforest. Part of the largest rainforest in the world the Daintree is full of lush jungle and amazing seascapes. The only way to access it is to take a ferry across the Daintree River. The 180 million year old rainforest is a very special place to visit with an abundance of photographic opportunities. Lodging in the Daintree can be quite expensive so I usually camp at Noah Beach Campground.

Noah Beach Campground is only a few metres from the beach and there are several footpaths leading to the beach. I would walk the beach for sunset and sunrise looking for images. I was usually always able to get a few excellent shots. Every time I have stayed, it wasn’t too busy and it was peaceful and relaxing.

2. Palm Cove to Port Douglas

I have driven the 43km drive from Palm Cove to Port Douglas multiple times. It is one of the best drives I have driven in my life. The road winds along the ocean. Heading North you have mountainous rainforest to your left and the Great Barrier Reef and pristine sandy beaches to the right. There are multiple pullouts and beach access areas along the way that present exceptional photo opportunities. Many times I have explored these beaches and have not seen another soul for miles. Though the water looks very inviting swimming is not recommended due to crocs and Irukandji jellyfish being present in the water. If you arrive in Cairns and rent a car, it is definitely worth taking this route for sunrise and sunset to try and find some compositions.

3. Barron Gorge National Park (Stoney Creek Rd)

Located only about 25mins West of Cairns is Barron Gorge National Park. It is a tropical jungle/mountainous National Park with many sights to see and photograph. There are several different access points into the park and each way takes you to somewhere unique. Barron Falls is the main sight to see and it is definitely worth a visit. I do not have any images of the falls as I thought it didn’t photograph well and I couldn’t get a clear composition but it is definitely a spectacular sight to see and possibly photograph. Most of my favorite spots to photograph in this park take a little bit of trekking to reach but they are well worth it.

All 3 of the following locations are in the same general area on Stoney Creek Road.

—Glacier Rock

Starting at the end of Stoney Creek Rd. One of the more popular hikes, Glacier Rock, is a 6km return hike. This somewhat strenuous hike takes you through some thick jungle and up the mountain until you are treated with views of the surrounding towns and the ocean.

Watch on YouTube: Hiking to Glacier Rock for Sunset

 

—Smith Trail

Approximately 1km before Stoney Creek Rd. ends, there is a pullout for the Smith Trail. One of my favorite hikes in the region, the Smith Trail starts with a steep ascent, then follows a river with multiple small waterfalls that are very picturesque.

Watch on YouTube: Photographing Waterfalls on the Smith Trail

—Stoney Creek

Starting at the same trailhead as Glacier Rock, Stoney Creek trail takes you along the river and presents many compositions. The trail ends at a waterfall but if you choose to keep following Stoney Creek off trail for a few more miles you will be taken to stunning Stoney Creek Falls.

Watch on YouTube: Jungle Trekking To Stoney Creek Falls

 

4.Nandroya Falls

Located 120km south of Cairns in Wooroonooran National Park (fun word to say) is Nandroya Falls. A 6.6km return hike through some stunning jungle scenery that will take you to a very photogenic 50-metre drop waterfall. There is an upper and a lower falls with ferns everywhere, this is a truly spectacular location to photograph. Make sure to check yourself for leeches when you get back to the carpark, though not dangerous, I did have a few on my ankle the whole 2 hour drive home and I didn’t realize. I did this hike 4 times and it never got old. The best time to photograph the falls is when it is an overcast day. Since it is deep in the jungle light has a hard time reaching the falls.

5. The WaterFall Circuit (Milla Milla Area)

100km Southwest of Cairns and a few minute drive east from Milla Milla is The Waterfall Circuit drive. The drive is a 17km loop and it takes you to 3 amazing waterfalls. All the waterfalls are relatively accessible and all are very photogenic. You can do all 3 in a few hours. Surrounded by deep green ferns the Milla Milla circuit is a must see.

—Milla Milla Falls

An 18m drop waterfall and is the most photographed waterfall in Australia. It is an easy walk to the falls down stairs to the carpark. This waterfall has also been featured in a few commercials. You can also swim in the waterhole in front of the falls leading to some interesting photo opportunities.

 

—Zillie Falls

30m drop waterfall that the top can be seen from an easy stroll from the carpark. If you feel a bit more adventurous you can climb down to the base of the falls. Of all 3 of the waterfalls in this circuit I would say that this one is the hardest to photograph due to the challenge in finding a clean composition.

 

—Elinjaa Falls

15m drop waterfall down a 200m path. This is by far my favorite of the 3. It is the least busy and I like how the waterfall is textured. There are many opportunities to move around with your camera trying to find a unique composition.

Watch on YouTube: Photographing 3 Amazing Waterfalls

Far North Queensland was on of my favorite regions to live in in all of Australia. It is so diverse and wild. There are so many places to explore and so many locations to photograph. The Cairns region should be on every landscape photographers list. If you visit, you will be sure to come away with several portfolio images.