Enough queer travellers visit Tropical North Queensland every year to sustain a significant gay presence, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the hotels, resorts and entertainment venues. We've found enough gay friendly options to make you want to come again!
ALL OF THE TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND HOTELS, TOURS, AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ON THIS PAGE ARE PROUD TO BE 'GAY FRIENDLY'. SOME ARE 'EXCLUSIVELY GAY', AND THESE WILL BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED.
PLACES TO STAY
Tropical North Queensland is a beautiful destination for everyone, and gay travellers have made this area one of their favourite holiday destinations. Options for gay holiday accommodation in Cairns and other parts of North Queensland have increased, and cities such as Holloways Beach, Townsville, Palm Cove, Airlie Beach or even Tully offer superb gay friendly accommodation. Port Douglas is one of the favoured destinations for gay and lesbian travellers, and as such, gay friendly and adult only accommodation options are wide and varied.
Air conditioned guest rooms with vibrant, masculine décor. Restaurant, bar and poolside café. Clothing optional pool, jacuzzi, sun-drenched courtyard, sauna and gym. Spa Centre boasting an extensive range of massage and pamper treatments, designed with men in mind. Male spa attendants. Guest Courtesy Lounge with internet station. Wide range of packages and special events.
Mention Cairns Unlimited to receive 10% discount on accommodation at the time of booking. Discount does not apply to Skinny Dips Mardi Gras Recovery Package.
All the comforts of a stylish home in the tropics.
Toby’s Retreat is a gay owned and gay friendly bed and breakfast that has it all to restore and invigorate - laze by the pool, soak in the spa, stroll to the beach and spend a blissful nights sleep in crisp white sheets under the ceiling fan or in air-conditioned comfort.
Wake up to a sumptuous exotic tropical fruit platter featuring fresh locally harvested seasonal delights. All the ingredients are provided for a fully cooked breakfast — when you like it — how you like it.
At Toby's Retreat you can choose from two rooms - each of which is equipped with a queen bed and a private bathroom. And have the house all to yourself, as this bed and breakfast is for guest use only.
This five star luxurious self-contained apartments offering absolutely beachfront and stunning views of the beach and ocean. This stylish resort provides the ULTIMATE in Trinity Beach accommodation. All the apartments are sumptuously appointed and magically complimented by the stunning views of the Coral Sea from your private balcony or roof deck.
An aura of mystique is created with thatched roofs and Balinese water features together with vast Mediterranean style roof decks, resort pool and spa.
BOYZ ON THE BEACH
1 Coogee Close, Kewarra Bech
Phone (07) 4055 6462 / Fax (07) 4055 6472
A gay owned and operated B&B at Kewarra Beach, north of Cairns, Boyz on the Beach provides accommodation exclusively for men. Boyz on the Beach is your ideal accommodation base for your vacation in Cairns.
Surrounded by 10 acres of lush tropical rainforest and only minutes from the charming town of Port Douglas, Mai Tai offers an exclusive adults only accommodation in a secluded, romantic eco friendly environment. This unique property boasts breathtaking views of Thornton's Peak and the Coral Coast, couples can enjoy one of four beautifully designed Balinese influenced suites.
Each suite has its own beautifully hand carved Balinese king size opium bed and luxury mattress and sheets insuring a comfortable night's sleep. Guest facilities include TV, DVD, mini bars, tea & coffee facilities, safe, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathrooms, walk in robes, private gardens and completely screened. Deluxe suites have romantic outdoor tropical showers. Mai Tai also offers on site management available 24 hours a day including night reception and will take care of your every need and provide you with valuable local knowledge.
Seclusion, privacy and an exquisite natural backdrop make Mai Tai the ideal setting for a relaxing romantic getaway.
Australia's only beachfront gay and lesbian resort.
Turtle Cove Resort and Spa is located on a private beach between Cairns and Port Douglas. Discover this beachfront oasis, nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests. After 15 years of service to gay and lesbian travellers, Turtle Cove is one of the best known and most popular gay resorts in the world. Once you get there you will understand why - this is one of the most beautiful beachfront locations in the world.
Relax and be pampered with Australian Holistic Spa Therapy in their private poolside treatment room, sun yourself on their private beach, enjoy a cocktail by the pool, or kick back in the jacuzzi. Dine in the Sandbar, the beachfront restaurant overlooking the Coral Sea, and meet new friends from all over the world. Turtle Cove is also the perfect place for your commitment ceremony, wedding or honeymoon.
PINK FLAMINGO
115 Davidson Street, Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 6622 / Fax (07) 4099 4571
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, the Pink Flamingo offers a unique blend of: Open plan room layouts and bright stylish decor. Relax in your own personal hammock, or indulge in a outdoor bath beneath starlit skies. Enjoy the lush tropical gardens around the heated pool or socialise at the Pool Bar (B.Y.O.) and BBQ area. With just 10 Private Villas and 2 Studios, Pink Flamingo has a sense of space and privacy that few resorts can offer. All rooms offer a unique type of comfort that will surely surpass your expectations.
The colourful and tropical resort is gay owned and gay managed.
Pink Flamingo caters to the Gay and Lesbian market as well as other happy natured, friendly people! You will find no children running around however, the occasional cat or dog might cross your path!
** Winner most unique accommodation in far North Queensland (2008 tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards)
** Winner 2009 TripAdvisor® Travelers' Choice Award for Best Bargains, South Pacific
BOATHOUSE APARTMENTS
2142 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Phone (07) 4099 8800 / Fax (07) 4099 8800
Stylish loft apartments in Port Douglas, located in the North's most exclusive street, a barefoot stroll from the centre of the little seaside town. Eighteen fully self contained 1, 2 and three luxury apartments, unique in their design.
CASSOWARY COAST
THE BUOYS BED AND BREAKFAST
102 Tully Hull Road, Hull Heads (via Tully)
Phone (07) 4066 9669 / Fax (07) 4066 9779
Your hosts, Bruce and Bruce, invite you to share their dream by coming to stay at The Buoys Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Hull Heads - the relatively undiscovered jewel in the crown of Tropical North Queensland holiday destinations.
TOWNSVILLE
THE PALMS BED AND BREAKFAST
6 Martin Street, South Townsville (MAP)
Phone (07) 4724 0665
Trevor and Mark your hosts and owners would like you to enjoy the 1950's style home or the rail carriage at the only gay and lesbian bed and breakfast in Townsville.
The lovingly renovated rail carriage has two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. The carriage rooms have TV, DVD, and private patio.
The carriage has its own private garden, with a grassed area to laze in the sun or a screened gazebo for shaded pleasurable dining or just idling the hours away. Contact Trevor or Mark, or visit their website for more details.
SOVEREIGN HOTEL
807 Flinders Street West, Townsville
Phone (07) 4771 2909
Located in Flinders Street West, right in the centre of town, the Sovereign Hotel has accommodation available at very affordable rates. The Sovereign Hotel boasts a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere and the funky, modern interior complements the grand facade in one of Townsville's most sought after locations.
AIRLIE BEACH AND THE WHITSUNDAYS
WHITSUNDAY MOORINGS BED AND BREAKFAST
37 Airlie Crescent, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone / Fax (07) 4946 4692
Two stylishly appointed studio apartments open onto your private terrace, abutting lush gardens, inviting swimming pool and magical views, that is what Whitsunday Moorings Bed and Brekfast offer their guests. All the rooms overlook Airlie Beach's only marina 'Abell Point ', famous 'Pioneer Bay' and out to the depthless expanse of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.
A highlight of guest's stay is the breakfast served on your own terrace table set with silver and starched linen. Just squeezed juices, choice of cereals, 'a la carte' dishes cooked to order, toasts with home made jams, teas, chocolate, or coffee, all while watching boats crew up in the marina below…a great start to your exciting tropical holiday.
THINGS TO DO
THE BEACH
The local gay/nude beach is Buchans Beach, At the very southern end of Ellis Beach, about 30 kilometres north of Cairns. It's a small, protected beach, popular with the locals and visitors. As you travel north along the Cook Highway, you'll see the carpark on the beach side of the road between Palm Cove and Ellis Beach. It is then just a short walk south to the beautiful sandy beach backed by cliffs and the highway. Although Buchans Beach has been recognised as a nude beach since the 1950's, plese remember that nude sunbathing is actually illegal in Queensland; a recent move to legalize it was blocked by the State Government.
Local buses also run the route north to Turtle Cove and Trinity Beach. Turtle Cove beach belongs to the Turtle Cove resort, but is open to all gay and lesbian visitors.
TOURS
TOURING CAIRNS 4WD TOURS
1 Coogee Close, Kewarra Beach
Phone (07) 4055 6462 / Fax (07) 4055 6472
These exclusively gay tours are designed with you in mind, so you and your friends can feel secure and comfortable with other gays and lesbians, and still see and do all the things that Tropical North Queensland is famous for.
TURTLE COVE REEF AND RAINFOREST TOURS
Port Douglas
Phone (07) 4059 1800 / Fax (07) 4059 1969
Twice a week, Turtle Cove takes guests to the reef, usually visiting two different sites. Enjoy a gay operated, exclusive, and personal tour through the magical rainforests and surrounds of Tropical North Queensland.
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
SAPPHIRE BAR & LOUNGE
39-49 Lake Street, Cairns
Phone (07) 4052 1494
As you walk in the door of the Sapphire Bar you are greeted with the knowledge that you are entering a sanctuary. Gay owned and gay friendly, Sapphire Bar welcomes an ecclectic crowd looking forward to tasting their delicious food. And the relaxed and comfortable environment will make you feel more at home than you have ever felt before. The Sapphire's walls are filled with Contemporary, Modern and Post-modern Art, celebrating all aspects and the colours of life itself, almost giving the feel of a full fledged art gallery.
Dine on Tapas up to 9:30pm during the week and till 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Sapphire Bar has a new dance floor and is now open till 3:00am on Friday and Saturday nights, 1:00am every other night. They specialise in party, coportate functions, and cocktail parties with individual room hire available. Check out their Westend Estate lunch and dinner special.
** $10 lunch specials and $15 dinner special ** free wirless internet **
Headoffice is a Cruise Club (or Sex on Premises venue) for adult men to have sex. You pay a fee to enter and this entitles you to use the facilities. There are a number of themed areas which are diverse and it is this diversity that makes Headoffice unique. Headoffice offers a wide range of sexual activities with playrooms, places for public and private sex, with sling room, cubicles, lounge areas and refreshment facilities. Guys can relax in our lounge rooms while watching movies and having complimentary tea or coffee.
Headoffice CBD is the perfect place to indulge in your wildest fantasies. It is one of Australia's most extensive and best-equipped cruise club for adult gay and bisexual men. Headoffice has been operating for almost 6 years and has accommodated the varieties of men to men sexual experiences. A new section with spa facilities is now available at the club! Headoffice CBD is open Sunday to Thursday from 2:00pm - 2:00am, and Friday and Saturday from 2:00pm - 4:00am.
2TONE TAPAS RESTAURANT AND COCKTAIL LOUNGE
113 Lake Street, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4041 3280
Fax (07) 40416094
2TONE TAPAS BAR HAS REOPENED UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT.
2tone Tapas Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge specializes in Spanish cuisine with modern Australian influences. Centrally located near the City Place taxi rank on Lake Street, this unique, laid back venue is close to everything, yet a world apart.
2tone is Cairns' number one cocktail venue and only traditional Spanish style Tapas bar, also featuring BBQ outdoor dining. On Friday and Saturday nights, 2tone Tapas Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge goes upbeat with entertainment featuring Cairns' best Djs. Offering catering to small and large groups i.e. Birthdays, Christmas parties and hens nights. Open Tuesday to Saturday for breakfast/lunch 10:00am to 2:30pm and for dinner from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Licenced to midnight.
Cairns Unlimited staff have visited and reviewed 2Tone Tapas Bar. See our RESTAURANT REVIEW.
Enough queer travellers visit Tropical North Queensland every year to sustain a significant gay presence, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the hotels, resorts and entertainment venues. We've found enough gay friendly options to make you want to come again! 
SKINNY DIPS
TOBY'S RETREAT
SEA CHANGE BEACHFRONT APARTMENTS
PORT DOUGLAS
MAI TAI RESORT
TURTLE COVE RESORT AND SPA
PINK FLAMINGO
THE PALMS BED AND BREAKFAST
WHITSUNDAY MOORINGS BED AND BREAKFAST
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
SAPPHIRE BAR & LOUNGE
2TONE TAPAS RESTAURANT AND COCKTAIL LOUNGE
