Gordonvale

Just south of Cairns is Gordonvale's 'Cane Toad World' in Norman Park, turn off the highway at the Gordonvale lights and follow Norman Street until you get to the park. This is a fabulous park with big shady trees and a playground, its right in the centre of town too so you can buy some lunch and cool drinks from the nearby shops making it a perfect spot for an easy family picnic or rest stop.

Bramston Beach

Bramston Beach is east of the little township of Mirriwinni, there's a long sandy beach here where you will find pippies (small shells with creatures inside) which are fun for the children to find in the sand along the shoreline. There’s also a camping area, stinger net, fish and chip shop, picnic tables, barbeques and a playground here.

Josephine Falls

Josephine Falls is only about 45 minutes drive from Cairns city. There is a lovely walk which is quite pram friendly, taking you through tropical rainforest and rewarding you with a spectacular waterfall at the end. The beautiful rainforest through here is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals including brush turkeys, king parrots, butterflies, musky-rat kangaroos and goannas.

Innisfail

Innisfail has a number of parks and playgrounds designed with families in mind. The best one is located on Fitzgerald Esplanade overlooking the Johnstone River, with plenty of picnic tables and barbeques for public use and a fully fenced playground great for children of all ages, especially littlies. There is also a playground right on the highway as you approcah town which is great for older children, (8 and over). Follow the signs to Warrina Lakes for another beautiful spot for families, with a new playground, ducks to feed in the lake and pathways through the gardens.

Etty Bay

Etty Bay is a beautiful sheltered beach just 20 minutes from Innisfail. The rainforest comes all the way to the sand and you’ll often see a range of interesting wildlife here including the cassowary and the rare peppermint stick insect. It's one of the north's best kept secrets and is a perfect beach for children. It features a play area, shady trees, picnic tables, very few people and a stinger net for all year round swimming. Highly recommended if you're in the area.

Kurrimine Beach

Kurrimine Beach is a great place for families, there is a stinger net here so you can swim all year round and a great playground in the park right beside the beach. It's one of the best beaches for exploring and the rockpools always have interesting creatures to find.

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is about 45 minutes drive from Innisfail. This beautiful area is well worth a visit. There are 4 long sandy beaches where kids can run and run - South Mission, Wongaling, North Mission and Bingil Bay - there are lush green rainforest trails to explore too and taking the children for a walk through the forest here is highly recommended. The cassowary is frequently seen in this area, as are a large variety of other interesting rainforest birds and other animals.

Alligator's Nest

Cardwell

Cardwell is a great area to explore, there is a long sandy beach here and a number of walks through the national parks that you can visit too. No trip to Cardwell is complete without spending some time on the water here, the islands are spectacular and the wildlife is really special. Gentle dugongs feed in the grassy shallows of the Hinchinbrook Channel between Cardwell and the island and if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of these mysterious animals while you're in the area. It's a small town and the playground and beach are right beside the highway making it a perfect place for a rest stop if you're traveling between Townsville and Cairns.