With over 70 stalls and a range of food court options, the Cairns Night Markets are a major tourist shopping hub in Cairns. The market is under cover and operates every day of the year.

Known by a number of names - Kuranda Original Markets, Original Kuranda Rainforest Market, etc - Kuranda is definitely a market town, and the markets are definitely aimed at tourists. If this is your cup of tea, White Hat suggests you allow yourself a few hours to take in what is on offer.

Glide above the canopy of the ancient rainforest in purpose built gondolas that offer a sustainable birds-eye view of North Queensland’s living natural wonder whose prehistoric ancestry is some 60 million years older than the Amazon. Alternatively take the railway journey through the same landscape. You may choose to mix and match the two for a round trip. This tourism experience has won and continues to win numerous international awards. Details at Skyrail

For garden and flower lovers, White Hat strongly suggests that when you in Mackay that you visit the stunning orchid display at the Ken Burgess Display House.

Set amongst the cooling trees and tropical gardens of Queens Park,  The Orchid House contains a range of beautiful and bizarre looking exotic and Australian native orchids. The collection includes some ground-living orchids but consists mainly of tree and rock living orchids.

Monday to Friday:  10 to 11am and 2 to 3pm
Sunday: 10am to 2pm
Admission is free.