WHATS NEW IN TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

Bedarra Island Resort

Bedarra Island Resort update

Although the Bedarra Island Resort is currently closed while undergoing renovations, the resort is now taking reservations for stays from 1 June 2013. Upon reopening, Bedarra will continue to be the ultimate barefoot luxury island destination. Less guest villas, more privacy, renewable energy through solar and wind power, fresh spring water and rainwater from natural sources ensuring Bedarra remains the ultimate unspoilt natural island paradise. www.bedarra.com.au/reservations

Mossman Gorge Centre

A new indigenous eco-tourism development in Tropical North Queensland, the Mossman Gorge Centre is the welcome point for visitors to this Mossman Gorge World Heritage site. When looking for a genuine, authentic engagement with Indigenous Australians, the centre offers walks, an art gallery, a café all whilst hearing about the Dreamtime stories from the local Kuku Yalanji people. www.mossmangorge.com.au

New look for Orpheus Island

Orpheus Island

Following a refurbishment and soft opening late last year, Orpheus Island has officially reopened its doors. Just 80km north of Townsville (25 minute scenic flight), the tranquil island stretches across 11km of turquoise coastline, with fringing reef accessible just a few steps off the beach. Accommodating just 34 guests at any one time, Orpheus offers guests a plethora of once-in-a-lifetime experiences; be it a fishing trip where the day's catch is grilled on an open fire; an indigenous-led tour of the neighbouring islands; or taking a dinghy and gourmet picnic hamper and discovering the many pristine bays and reefs that fringe Orpheus. www.orpheus.com.au

Go eye to eye with salties on new croc-spotting tour

Jump on board a jet ski for a one-hour tour around Admiralty Island, south of Cairns, to spot a croc. Salties lurk below the mangrove channels, which twist and turn around this inlet, making a maze-like link of rivers to explore. While all eyes will be on the water, don't forget to look up to spot ospreys, kingfishers and egrets as they hunt and play in the sky above. Too scared to ride alone? Jump on board with a friend to spot a croc on a tandem jet ski. www.nqwatersports.com.au

Pullman brand in tropical north

Accor's Pullman brand officially became Australia's largest five-star hotel brand following the re-branding Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas. It follows hot on the heels of the re-branding to Pullman of Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove earlier this year. They join two Pullman hotels in Cairns (Reef Casino and the former Sebel) to give the Pullman brand a prominent position in Tropical North Queensland's hotel and tourism industry. http://accorhotels.com.au/press/australia

Reef House Resort & Spa

After undergoing an impressive refurbishment, Reef House Resort & Spa in Palm Cove, a favoured hideaway of Australia's elite has joined the Accor network and become part of its exclusive MGallery Collection of hotels. http://accorhotels.com.au/press/australia

Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome

The Cairns ZOOm and Wildlife Dome now offers activities including Wildlife Entry Mid-ZOOm, Hi-ZOOm with Ziplines PowerJump (with ZOOm-View Internal Walkway), Dome Climb (with ZOOm-View Internal Walkway). Open from 9am to 9pm daily (except Christmas Day). http://cairnszoom.com.au

Rydges Sabaya relaunched as QT Port Douglas

The quirky yet sophisticated QT Port Douglas offers guests a stylish resort escape in the tropics. Channelling the colourful tropical atmosphere into 170 funky rooms and suits, resort facilities, a hip bar, onsite boutique and a restaurant that doubles as an interactive marketplace, QT has injected glamorous fun into the heart of Port Douglas. Dine at QT's Bazaar, an interactive marketplace that takes inspiration from traditional markets with a 21th century twist or stop by the cool cocktail bar Estilo. www.qtportdouglas.com.au

Mount Mulligan Station

Saddle up and experience all the adventure of a magnificent working cattle property at Mount Mulligan Station, three hours' drive north of Cairns. Home to 2,300 head of cattle, bird watching, bushwalking, horse riding, quad biking and crystal clear waterholes, the 28,000-hectare property is set at the foot of the majestic Mount Mulligan - an 18km long sandstone escarpment around 10 times the size of Uluru. Mount Mulligan is also known by indigenous people as the birthplace of the Rainbow Serpent and is regarded as one or the most sacred sites in north Queensland. Previously only open to the public for camping, new deluxe accommodation options and organised tours have recently been launched. Choose from the 'Outback Overnighter' staying in luxury safari tent style accommodation or harness your inner cowboy and take on the five-day 'Mt. Mulligan Cattle Drive' package for a true Australian outback experience. Tours can also be tailored to suit any needs.
www.mtmulliganstation.com.au

Lizard Island Heli Tours

New this year are heli tours to and around Lizard island. Guests now have the option see the island and its surrounds in style following the decision to base two helicopters on the island. Operated by Skysafari Australia, the four-seater Robinson 44 helicopter and the five-seater Robinson 66 helicopter - nicknamed the sports cars of helicopters - operate a range of scenic tours and day tours taking advantage of Lizard Island's enviable location on the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef. SkySafari is also offering transfer options from Cairns for those guests who want to arrive in style. If time allows they stop off along the way on one of the many islands in the area for a look around and a glass of bubbly. w