Boutique hotels in Queensland & Great Barrier Reef
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Bedarra Island by Voyages
- Style
- Rainforest-hugged villas with a view
- Setting
- Great Barrier grandeur
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Wilson Island
- Style
- Cool castaway camping
- Setting
- Tiny sandy cay
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Lizard Island
- Style
- Reef encounter
- Setting
- Rugged island Eden
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Qualia
- Style
- High-end luxury
- Setting
- Tropical reef
Self-catering properties in Queensland & Great Barrier Reef
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6 Beachfront Mirage
- Style
- Thoroughly tropical retreat
- Setting
- Sandy shores of Port Douglas
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Absolute Newell Beach
- Style
- Seafront serenity
- Setting
- Sleek modernity on Sandy Newell Beach
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Bali Hai
- Style
- Remote rainforest refinement
- Setting
- Tropical North Queensland
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Mali Mali
- Style
- Hedonistic rainforest hideaway
- Setting
- North Queensland hilltop
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Meryula
- Style
- Indochinese-influenced mansion
- Setting
- Moments from Port Douglas’ Premier beach
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Plantation House
- Style
- Poolside panache
- Setting
- Ritzy gated estate in Port Douglas
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The (w)right House
- Style
- Moated modernist maritime
- Setting
- Pioneering Port Douglas property
Queensland & Great Barrier Reef
Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Queensland & Great Barrier Reef.
Restaurants
+61 (0)7 3358 1558
Anise
A small bistro-esque wine bar with decidedly Gallic leanings – the lamb brain kievs may only be for the adventurous, but you won't find a better crème caramel or a broader pastis selection anywhere else in Brisbane.
697 Brunswick Street, New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland 4005, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4051 4622)
Bayleaf
Cairns may not be renowned for its cuisine, but luckily Bali is, and the dishes on offer at this bright Balinese eatery are authentically Indonesian, finely spiced plates of deliciousness that blend South-Pacific culinary know-how with native Australian ingredients. This may be the only place in Australia serving crocodile satay.
Gatton Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4099 5350)
Nautilus
Only open for dinner, Nautilus somehow manages to sustain the elegant feel of a glamorous gourmet hangout, while being completely alfresco. The kitchen makes use of locally sourced tropical ingredients to create a sumptuous seafood-orientated menu – to be savoured under the canopy of towering palms.
17 Murphy Street, Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877
(+61 (0)7 4099 4922)
Salsa Bar and Grill
Set in an old wooden Queenslander building, this lively but relaxed place dishes up tropical Modern Australian cuisine and killer cocktails.
26 Wharf Street, Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4051 6488)
The Fermented Grape
As its name suggests, wine is the dominant concern at this bright and spacious spot, with a 'buffet' of over 80 bottles available every day. That doesn't mean the food is neglected, though – the Grape serves delicious tropical seafood dishes too.
Level 1, 34-42 Lake Street, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4099 6350)
2 Fish
Ideal for a casual fish lunch. The scallops with pancetta are beyond delicious but the restaurant's speciality is market fish cooked seven different ways.
Shop 7, 20 Wharf Street, Port Douglas, Queensland 4877, Australia
(+61 (0)7 3831 8344)
E'cco
Australian superchef Phillip Johnson's Brisbane bistro is minimalist in both style and cuisine – an unpretentious converted warehouse where the best quality ingredients are prepared with a no-nonsense approach to create a culinary firework display.
100 Boundary Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4946 9999)
Romano's
A lively Italian eatery on Hamilton Island's marina, Romano's offers a daily changing seafood menu, views over the water and a laid-back atmosphere.
Marina Village, Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4051 4533
Salted Vue
Lip-smackingly good Australian dishes in a low-key but elegant setting – best suited to leisurely lunching.
Level 1, 53-57, The Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4051 0522)
M Yoga
Just because its name evokes lentils and vegetarian fodder, doesn't mean this French/Japanese restaurant doesn't satisfy carnivorous cravings – there's a vast choice of delicately prepared meat and seafood dishes; tiger prawns are a speciality.
Pier Shopping, Pierpoint Road, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia
(+61 (0)7 4055 3000)
Far Horizons
Sitting right on the beach at Palm Cove, this award-laden eatery is a classy joint indeed, with great seafood and slick, polished service. On warm days (and a lot of the days are warm in these parts), staff set up tables on the lawn. Get there in time to catch the sunset.
Angsana Resort and Spa, 1 Viewers Road, Palm Cove Queensland, Australia
123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia
Nu nu
Innovative Asian-inspired cuisine dominates the menu at this largely alfresco restaurant, with slick, polished service and dishes such as sang choi bau of chilli quail to tantalise the tastebuds.
(+61 (0)7 4059 1880)
Cafés
(+61 (0)7 4031 5000)
Chocolat
A cute Francophile patisserie just downstairs from the Salted View restaurant (see below), Chocalt serves everything its name would suggest. In decadent abundance.
Level 1, 53-57, The Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
Bars and clubs
(+61 (0)7 4057 0500
The Blue Sky Brewery
As well as a big woody bar serving the on-site brewery's six blends of beer, Cairns' latest hip hostelry also plays host to a restaurant, where you'll find a menu packed with classic Australian seafood, steaks, burgers and pasta – almost all of it flavoured with beer.
34–42 Lake Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
