Far North - Cairns

Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait. To the west lies the Gulf Country and North Queensland is the region to the south.
The region has more than 70 national parks and supports a significant agricultural sector.

Sugar Cane Factory - Tully
Sugar Cane Factory - Tully
     

Various Government Departments and agencies have different definitions for the region. The Queensland Government Planning Department's Population Growth - The Far North Queensland Region 2005 document defines the region as an area comprising the Cairns Region, Tablelands Region and two Aboriginal Councils (Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah). The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines the region as containing most of Cape York Peninsula (excluding the south western quarter, half way up the Gulf of Carpentaria coast) and the Torres Strait Islands and extending as far south as Hinchinbrook Island and the town of Cardwell, but excluding the city of Townsville. This larger definition is also used by other State Government agencies[2][3][4][5] and also encompasses the local government areas of Aurukun, Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, and Lockhart River, as well as the Northern Peninsula Area Region and Torres Strait Island Region. It has a total area of 273147.6 km².

       

The region suffered Queensland's worst maritime disaster on 4 March 1899 when the Mahina Cyclone destroyed all 100 ships moored in Princess Charlotte Bay. The entire North Queensland pearling fleet was in the bay at the time of the cyclone. Approximately 100 Aboriginals assisting survivors and 307 men from the pearling fleet were drowned.
Far North Queensland is the location of the first amber fossils to be found in Australia. The 4 million-year-old fossils were found on a beach in Cape York Peninsula but were probably washed ashore after drifting with the currents for about 200 kmk.
       
 
       

Source: wikipedia