How to Escape from the Pressure and Pollution
Tropical living in North Queensland can range from magnificent isolation in rugged mountainous bushland, lush emerald rainforest or pristine coastline – to settling in colourful and growing rural cities like Cairns and Townsville.

It is about leaving the distractions, pressure and pollution of big cities, having the time and opportunity to pursue personal goals and to maintain good health and happiness while exploring some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. The northern Queensland region centres on the cities of Townsville and Cairns and extends south to Bowen and west to Charters Towers.

Magnetic Island is only a 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville and boats beaches, resorts and national park.  To the north are Dunk Island and Hinchinbrook Island while Orpheus Island Bedarra Island are also accessible from Townsville.  To cap off the scenic surrounds North Queensland has to offer, the region has an average of 320 days of sunshine each year.

Around four hours away from Townsville is the far North Queensland coast and the city of Cairns, one of Queensland’s busiest tourist destinations with everything from white water rafting to marlin fishing on offer. Cairns is the international gateway to tropical north Queensland, and it carries the mantle of being the safest tropical city in the world.

Residents of the area are also proud custodians of two of the world’s greatest natural treasures – the Great Barrier Reef and the wet tropics rainforests.  Both are World Heritage listed, and there are few places on Earth where two such treasures rest side by side.

Cairns International Airport is the sixth busiest in terms of international and domestic passenger movements, and the city also is rated the third most popular tourist destination in the country after Sydney and Brisbane.  More than three million international and domestic passenger movements were recorded during 2003-2004.  The Great Barrier Reef is literally minutes away from Cairns and the wet tropics rainforests are close by.

Queensland is Australia’s top growth state – having grown from 14.5 percent of the total national population in 1961 to 19.3 percent in 2001.  The Sunshine State is expected to continue growing much faster than the rest of Australia into the foreseeable future.

The Age