Far North Queensland region

Adventure awaits in the far north

A location as beautiful and diverse as the students who call it home, Far North Queensland has much to offer you. Covering approximately 275,000km², the region stretches from Cardwell in the south, to the Torres Strait in the north and inland west to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Explore some of Australia's most remote and stunning locations right in your backyard and get a taste for tropical lifestyle and adventure.

Far North Queensland schools at a glance

The Far North Queensland region has:

• 86 primary schools
• 12 secondary schools
• 14 P-10/12 schools
• 1 School of Distance Education
• 1 special school
• 3 Environmental Education Centres
• 2,900 teachers
• 35,300 students.

When you teach in Far North Queensland, you can truly escape to paradise and enjoy a life less hurried while you progress your teaching career.

You can search our schools directory map for a list of the schools located in the region and their contact details.

Teaching and living in the region

As a teacher in the far north you will be able to take advantage of the living classroom right around you; with world heritage rainforest and reef, savannah lands, islands and volcanoes right on your doorstep.

We offer teaching experiences from suburban schools in central Cairns, to small rural and very remote community schools. We encourage you to apply for teaching opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where you'll be supported with professional development (like language pedagogy and cross-cultural awareness) to help you engage students in learning.

Subsidised teacher accommodation and other rural and remote benefits apply to some of these school locations, which could provide you with a financial boost.

Professional development

There are a number of professional development programs that you have access to when you teach with us.

Priority opportunities

We are always seeking enthusiastic, resilient and motivated community-minded teachers to join our schools, especially in:

• remote locations, such as the Torres Strait Islands and the Cape York Peninsula (Aurukun, Bamaga, Bloomfield River, Coen, Hopevale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River and Pormpuraaw)
• rural locations, such as Babinda, Herberton, Innisfail, Mareeba, Mossman, Ravenshoe, Tully and surrounding areas
• Cairns and surrounding areas.

Things to do

Whether you want to dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, four-wheel-drive in the outback, walk through the world's oldest tropical rainforest, or catch a glimpse of the cultural mosaic of the Torres Strait Islands, Far North Queensland has plenty to offer.

Here are 10 ways to explore the Far North Queensland region in your downtime:

1. Explore the reef, islands and beaches.
   
2. Visit the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
   
3. Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture.
   
4. Chase waterfalls, like Australia's widest, single-drop waterfall, Millstream Falls.
   
5. Uncover geological wonders, like the Undara Lava Tubes and stunning Cobbold Gorge.
   
6. Appreciate art and culture and ancient stories.
7. Stand at the northern-most point of Australia.
8. 4WD the Savannah Way and experience the Outback.
9. Taste your way across the Atherton Tablelands.
10. Enjoy the bustling city of Cairns and its northern beaches.