north qld road trip

North Queensland Road Trip Itinerary (One for Your Bucket List)

Buckle up your seatbelts as this guide shares all the must-see places, the best activities and practical advice for a North Queensland road trip.

The towns and cities in Tropical North Queensland are bucket list destinations for many, with the opportunity to witness lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls, sublime beaches, and remarkable natural beauty in not one, but two World Heritage-listed sites.

As the second-largest state in Australia, there is a lot to discover in Queensland. Often the hardest decision when planning your North Queensland road trip itinerary is choosing the places to visit as many interlacing roads connect you with dreamy locations. 

Within this guide, you will find places to stop from Townsville to Cooktown, practical information you will need on a road trip, sights to see and activities you won’t want to miss. I have also included a FREE map to help plan your trip.

Continue reading to find out all this and more.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclaimer for more information.

Featured Image: Great Barrier Reef Drive © Tourism and Events Queensland

Table of Contents

Far North Queensland Itinerary

Townsville to Cooktown Distance: 649 km (one way)

How: Car or Van (4WD required in some areas)

Where: Townsville to Cooktown

Date: All year round

What to Expect

Driving from Townsville to Cooktown can be broken up into three road trips. The Great Green Way is between Townsville and Cairns and where you’ll discover many national parks, stunning beaches, incredible waterfalls (including the tallest in Queensland), natural rock pools, and fascinating tourist attractions, including a castle!

The next part of your journey is The Great Barrier Reef Drive , which covers 140 kilometres (one way) between Cairns and Cape Tribulation. One of the prettiest drives in Queensland, and where you will find popular beachside towns, including Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Explore the coastline, take a day trip to the outer reef, visit the Whitsundays Islands, or detour inland to explore the unspoilt countryside, and mountainous rainforests.          

The final leg of the road trip is from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown on the Bloomfield Track . This scenic drive is nestled between ancient rainforest and a pristine coastline. It is also a stretch of road that won’t be for everyone as it requires a 4WD. I have been told the breathtaking scenery is worth the drive, but always check the road conditions before venturing out as it is subject to fallen trees, flooding, and potholes.

Note: The cities and towns along both these stretches of road are big on traveller experiences. To save you money and time I have included in this guide links to all the top-rated tours.

How Long Do I need for a Queensland Self-Drive Trip?

When looking at a map, the distance from Townsville to Cooktown can be quite deceiving, and this drive is not something you would want to accomplish in a few days. Savour the journey and soak up the very best of the region’s highlights.

The below North Queensland itinerary was created to offer insights into destinations that are situated along this part of the Queensland coast. A recommendation if you are returning on the same route is to stop at the places you missed when travelling north. Alternatively, take some of the detours I mention below or take another popular road trip through the Queensland Outback .

Far North Queensland Road Trip – Campervan or Car

If you don’t have a form of transportation for this trip, or if you want to experience a taste of the vanning life, hire a car or campervan. For car hire, Inspire Family Travel recommends Bargain Car Rentals . They are an Australian-owned and operated company with 14 locations and a wide range of vehicles.

Their focus is on exceeding customer expectations, value for money, and exceptional service.

Pro Tip: Always book your car in advance as this is the best way to avoid disappointment, and it will save you time and money. Bargain Car Rentals has kindly offered you a discount code. Simply use the code FAMTRAVEL when you make a booking and this will save you 5% on their best rates.

If you are hiring a campervan, download the Wikicamps Australia app to find caravan parks and camping locations along the route.

Northern Queensland Road Trip Times

To appreciate the length of these road trips, the distance from Townsville to Cairns (alone) is 347 km’s and takes approximately 4.5 hours.

Those figures do not take into account activities, overnight stops, or sightseeing along the way. As I mentioned above I suggest breaking up the drive by exploring different destinations.

As a practical guide, I have mapped out the times and distances between each of the recommended places as a guide.

• Townsville to Ingham: 111 km | 1 hr 24 min
• Ingham to Mission Beach: 123 km | 1 hr 26 min
• Mission Beach to Innisfail: 52 km | 40 min
• Innisfail to Babinda: 30 km | 23 min
• Babinda to Cairns: 60 km | 50 min
• Cairns to Port Douglas: 67 km | 1 hr
• Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation: 84 km | 1 hr 46 min
• Cape Tribulation to Cooktown: 102 km | 2 hr

Tropical North Queensland Map

Map out your adventure along the three road journeys using the below resource that has been created if you are taking a QLD road trip.  

Click this link to download a quick road trip guide and interactive map . Included in the Google map are highlights of what not to miss at the destinations, along with optional detours and day trips along the way. 

When starting to plan things to do in far North Queensland, you will notice there are many places to visit, activities to enjoy and sights to see. If you have the flexibility to travel at a slower pace, you may choose to stop at many of the locations on this list. If you are short on time, use the information provided to assist in selecting the destinations that stand out the most, and add the others to your bucket list for a future far north Queensland holiday.   

Tip: Always check the road conditions before embarking on your journey.

Stop 1: Townsville

The Great Green Way road trip starts in Townsville.

A place where the sun is shining most of the year Townsville is at the centre of North Queensland’s spectacular natural attractions – waterfalls, rainforests, islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

The 2.5-kilometre beachfront promenade known as The Strand was purpose-built with enjoyment in mind. Take advantage of the playgrounds, walking and bike paths, picnic areas and free water park. Enjoy a meal at a local café and finish off with gelato while sitting under the shady palm trees.

Depending on how adventurous you feel drive or hike up to Castle Hill lookout for a 360-degree view over Townsville and across to Magnetic Island. For a closer look at the beautiful Magnetic Island jump on a ferry and in just 20 minutes you can be exploring sublime beaches and eucalypt forests.

Stay: Click here to find all the accommodation options and best rates in Townsville

Related: Read more about Townsville & Magnetic Island here

Stop 2: Ingham

If you are searching for some European culture on your road trip, then stop off in Ingham. Affectionately referred to as “Little Italy” due to more than half the population being of Italian descent. As the heart of the sugar cane industry, many Italian migrants came to work in Ingham, which now has one of the largest sugar mills in Australia.

Whilst in Ingham visit the unique 90-hectare natural TYTO Wetlands . Home to over 245 different bird species, native Australian wildlife and an abundance of tropical plants. The area is easy to explore on foot with four kilometres of walkways with lookouts to stop at along the way. Visit the wetlands at dusk to spot the endangered eastern grass owl, which the TYTO wetlands were named after.

An event that supports the economic diversity within the community which has been celebrated for over 25 years is the annual Australian Italian Festival . Italian food, world-class entertainment, market stalls, and free amusement rides are some of what you may discover at this authentic cultural event.

Just a short 52 kilometres drive southwest of Ingham inGirringun National Park is where you can find Australia’s highest permanent single drop waterfall at an extraordinary 268 metres – Wallaman Falls . The landscape changes from open farmland to tropical rainforest as you travel up the windy mountain road to the falls. Keep an eye out for the endangered southern cassowaries that wander the sides of the road. There are two vantage points to admire the falls from when you arrive. The main lookout is a hop skip and jump from Wallaman Falls car park and where you can gain that birds-eye perspective of this awe-inspiring spectacle. For a closer look hike through the open forest on the 3.2-kilometre track down to the base of the falls.

Tip: The hike down to the base of the falls is a steep 228-metre descent, and what goes down must come up!

A trip to Wallaman falls can easily be turned into a day outing by packing a picnic to have in the day-use area near the main lookout and there are also shorter walking tracks in the area to enjoy. 

Where to Stay at Ingham

Motel Ingham and Tropixx Motel and Restaurant both rate highly for somewhere to stay in Ingham.

While 30 km’s up the road along the Cassowary Coast is Hinchinbrook Marine Cove Resort . The four-star motel offers waterfront accommodation and is highly popular with families.

Travelling north towards Cardwell you may want to consider visiting these wonders of nature:

Hinchinbrook Island

If you love the outdoors and adventure, but not crowds then the pristine Hinchinbrook Island is the ideal place to visit with only 40 people permitted to stay at any one time to prevent damage to the island’s biodiversity. The island has four walking tracks from easy to the more adventurous, including the famous 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail. Hinchinbrook Island is a nature lovers paradise with a plethora of plant and tree species, a variety of mangroves, and many bird and butterfly species, such as the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly.

Practical Information: There is a ferry company in Cardwell that conducts day trips to Hinchinbrook Island.

The Cardwell Spa Pool

Social media can be thanked for this relatively unknown swimming location becoming one of the must-visit destinations in Tropical North Queensland . Another natural delight and a geological wonder around these parts. The pools are located in the town of Cardwell and are a magnificent blue colour due to the water running underground picking up minerals from the sedimentary rocks along the way before flowing into the creek.

Tip: As the pools depth changes depending on the season, it is best to check with the Cardwell Visitor and Heritage Centre to check the water levels. It is also important to note there are no toilet facilities or bins in the area. Enjoy the area, but only leave footprints.

Murray Falls

Another top natural attraction (in fact the top thing to do in Cardwell per TripAdvisor) and sublime swimming area great for families is found 41 kilometres north-west of Cardwell. Murray Falls is located in the picturesque foothills of the Kirrama Range, where lush mountain ranges meet tropical lowlands. It is here where the waters of the Murray River flow over boulders into the pools below. There are two marked swimming zones, or just take in the beauty of the permanent waterfall via the viewing platforms.

Adjacent to the falls is a grassed camping area , public toilets and picnic tables.

Stop 3: Mission Beach

Travelling north of Townsville you will pass fruit plantations, sugar cane farms & coastal towns. Mission Beach is one of those coastal gems people visit to enjoy either some R&R or adventure activities surrounded by a pristine tropical paradise.

The jewel on the crown would be the golden beach that stretches for more than 14 kilometres linking the sleepy coastal villages in the area.

With Mission Beach being located between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics there is natural beauty around every corner.

Treck the 4 kilometre round trip to Bicton Hill in Clump Mountain National Park and be rewarded with incredible views at the summit lookout. If this is more energy than you want to exert take a stroll along Kennedy Walking Track. A 4 kilometre (one way) path where lush green rainforests meet beaches and rocky headlands. Take in the vistas of the Family Group of Islands and keep an eye out for cassowaries and wallabies on land and turtles, dolphins and dugongs swimming in the turquoise seas.

To see the sights on two wheels hire a bike from Mission Beach bike hire and opt for either a rainforest trail through licuala palm forests or venture down to South Mission Beach by either hitting the pavement or soft sand at low tide.

If you are ticking quintessential Queensland Islands off your bucket list then Mission Beach is the best hub for a day trip to Dunk Island. Catch the Mission Beach water taxi and enjoy the walking trails and impressive scenery.

Stay: There are many options for accommodation at Mission Beach. Click here to find the best deals and check reviews.

Stop 4: Innisfail

70 kilometres south of Cairns, sitting at the junction of the Johnstone and South Johnstone Rivers is the rural town of Innisfail. The agricultural township of Innisfail is the Cassowary Coast’s biggest town and the banana and sugar plantations are the major economic driver. Tourism is a growth industry due to the town’s proximity to the World Heritage Area’s and beautiful natural attractions.

Within Innisfail, it is worth taking a self-walking tour of the town. Full of history, Innisfail has one of the best collections of art deco buildings in Australia which were built after the devasting cyclone in 1918 destroyed most of the town.

For a wildlife experience along with an opportunity to learn more about the history and biodiversity of the Innisfail area, board a custom-built Catamaran and cruise along the Johnstone River with Snapping Tours . Enjoy beautiful scenery and spot crocodiles on the sandbanks or underneath the water.

Practical Information: Wildlife Tours operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only at 10:30 am from April to October

Only 20-minutes outside of Innisfail is the unique and breathtaking heritage-listed tourist attraction, Paronella Park . A Spanish immigrant from Catalonia named Jose Paronella was inspired by childhood memories and dreamt of building an impressive fantasy castle including a movie theatre and ballroom for the enjoyment of the public. Opening in 1935 this incredible structure has seen many natural disasters in its time, including floods, fires and cyclones. The new owners see the historic importance of the building and are preserving and maintaining the building and property which boasts over 7,000 plants. Spend the day wandering the grounds, learning about the fascinating history and pack a picnic or stop in at the on-site café for lunch, morning or afternoon tea.

Don’t miss out on visiting this enchanting place. Click here to buy your entry tickets

Another local attraction 30 minutes out of town isthe Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway in Wooroonooran National Park. This is a fabulous place to explore the wet tropics. There is just over one kilometre of walking tracks, a 350 metre long elevated walkway that hovers 15 metres above the ground, and a 37-metre observation tower that offers sweeping views over the homeland of the Mamu Aboriginal people.

Practical Information: Admission fees apply. Click here to purchase your tickets

Swapping green scenery for blue venture 12 minutes outside of Innisfail to the spectacular Etty Bay . Known as one of Tropical North Queensland’s most scenic and unspoilt beaches it is a stunning place where you can walk along a glorious stretch of golden beach with the rainforest on one side and the ocean on the other. Keep your eyes open for the southern cassowary who are well-known in this area.

Stay: There are several motels in Innisfail if you are searching for accommodation . Click here to find the best rates.  

Don’t miss out on grabbing the free interactive map – the best North Queensland road trip planner

Optional Detours

Before continuing onto Babinda, there are more magnificent attractions you may want to experience not far from Innisfail.

Milla Milla Falls

One of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Australia located 60 kilometres west of Innisfail

Josephine Falls

A spectacular waterfall in Tropical North Queensland and another place where you can enjoy a swim in the refreshing cool waters. Located 28 kilometres north-west of Innisfail.

Lake Eacham

Located 90 kilometres north-west of Innisfail in Crater Lakes National Park. Lake Eacham is a 65-metre deep lake that was once a volcanic crater that is now filled with water. The serene blue waters are now a popular swimming area. Other activities at Lake Eacham include bird watching, walking around the lake, kayaking and canoeing.

Stop 5: Babinda

Nestled about 65km south of Cairns is the little town of Babinda. You can’t pass on by Babinda without visiting the beautiful Babinda Boulders.

The cool, crystal clear waters flow down from Mt Bartle Frere, being Queensland’s tallest mountain. You’ll find different waterholes along the creek, which are spotted with huge boulders that have been shaped by the flowing waters. The main waterhole adjacent to the carpark is the best for kids as the water there is shallow and safe. Take an easy stroll along the boardwalk from the carpark to explore Devil’s Pools and the Aboriginal legend that goes along with it, further downstream.

Just 100 metres from the swimming hole is The Boulders Campground . There are fairly limited spots in this free camping area, with toilets and showers onsite. If you miss out on a campground there, just 10 minutes away on the other side of town is the Babinda Rotary Rest Area, where you can camp for up to three days for a donation. You’ll find lovely trees, a park, plus showers and toilets alongside a gorgeous running creek.

Tip: Beware that you’re in crocodile country, so swimming in the creek, although tempting, is not recommended! You are safe to swim further upstream at the Babinda Boulders though as there are no crocs up there.

Although Babinda is not huge, you could easily spend a few days in town relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings and exploring the local gallery, eateries and other businesses. If you only have one day in Babinda, head straight to The Boulders, as that’s the main attraction not worth missing.

Contributed by Emma from MY RIG Adventures

Stop 6: Cairns

Cairns is the ultimate tropical holiday destination in North Queensland. It has an abundance of attractions and sights nearby making it perfect for a combined city and ocean break.

With everything from beaches to wildlife encounters, you will find plenty of things to do with kids in Cairns. From the world-class Cairns Aquarium , and Zoom Wildlife Dome , where you can soar over an indoor wildlife park on a zip line, to the free public swimming pool – Cairns Lagoon. 

The Cairns Esplanade is always a hub of activity, with restaurants serving up the freshest seafood and tastiest cuisine from around the world. 

Cairns is perfect for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors, with many options for day trips within an hour or two of the city. Having your own transport is the best way to experience this region and you’ll need at least four days!

A day trip to Green Island is a popular option to include in your  Cairns itinerary , just 45 minutes by catamaran from Cairns Marina. It’s a great spot for taking kids snorkelling as the reef is right off the beach, with a lifeguard to supervise.

Click here to book a half or full-day trip to Green Island.

Catching the Kuranda Scenic Rail up the mountain is another experience you won’t want to miss when in Cairns. Take the cable car back down or in reverse so you can enjoy both on your visit to the rainforest village. 

The Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail is one of the most popular things to do in this area. Click here to book tickets as you will want to experience it for yourself!

Stay: The Shangri-La at the Marina is the perfect location, close to restaurants, The Esplanade, Lagoon, and of course, the Marina. 

Contributed by Holly from Four Around The World

Stop 7: Port Douglas

Port Douglas sits in Northern Queensland beside the coral sea. Four Mile Beach is the most popular in the area and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast of Australia . There are nets available in stinger season and the lifeguard patrolled area is towards the northern end of the beach.

For a fun way to spend an afternoon head to the Flagstaff Hill Trail. This quick 1.5-kilometre walk has stunning views of the Coral Sea and Low Isles . It also leads to Four Mile Beach so the two activities can be easily combined.

On Sunday mornings you should make a note to visit the Port Douglas Markets. Shop for local produce, souvenirs, and artisanal products. Kids will love exploring the different stalls and picking out things to buy.

Practical Information: The Port Douglas markets are open every Sunday from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm

Another fantastic activity to try in Port Douglas is river drift snorkelling on the Mossman River. Suitable for kids from 4 years this tour is a great family experience. See dozens of different species of fish, turtles and maybe a platypus if you’re lucky. 

Purchase your tickets for this family-friendly activity here.

For an idyllic day trip head to Thala Beach Nature Reserve. They offer activities such as nature walks, star gazing tours, or experiences with local Aboriginal communities. You could even stay overnight at one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the world that are scattered throughout the rainforest canopies. They offer guests a magical opportunity to become well acquainted with the natural world of northern Queensland.

Contributed by Victoria from Guide Your Travel Blog

Stay: Alternative accommodation in Port Douglas can be found here

Have More Time?

While visiting Port Douglas add a trip to Daintree National Park and Mossman Gorge to your itinerary. With spell-binding natural beauty around every corner, you will leave with a new appreciation of mother nature. If you are searching for a tour to experience the Daintree, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation check out this one here!

Stop 8: Cape Tribulation

Known for its remote beaches, unique landscapes and the stunning rainforest in Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation is an amazing place to spend a couple of days. This is quite a remote part of the North Queensland coast and it is just under a 2-hour drive from Port Douglas, which includes crossing on the Daintree River Ferry . The road is sealed to Cape Tribulation but there is a 4-wheel drive track that continues to Cooktown. Exploring the rainforests and beaches on one of the many short trails, like the Dubuji Boardwalk and Madja Botanical Walk, is one of the highlights of a trip here and can easily be done with kids. You can explore yourself or take a guided tour to learn about the diverse flora and fauna that exist in the area.

Several great swimming holes are safe to swim in, including Emmagen Creek and Mason’s Swimming Hole. You can also enjoy horseback rides , tours to the Great Barrier Reef , taste exotic tropical fruit on a farm tour at Cape Trib Farm . 

Stay: An excellent place to stay is Cape Trib Beach House , surrounded by lush rainforest, which has large, air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool to enjoy after a day out exploring with the family. Cape Tribulation feels like a different world compared to many other places in Queensland, and the tropical rainforest is a fantastic place to explore for a couple of days.

Contributed by Luke from Wild About BC

Stop 9: Cooktown

Cooktown sits at the mouth of the beautiful Endeavour River. Both town and river are named for the historic moment when Captain James Cook beached his ship (the Endeavour) onto the beach for repairs in 1770.

With that being said, one of the very best things you can do in Cooktown is to visit the James Cook Museum . This wonderful old building is chock full of interesting facts and memorabilia from the past few hundred years, including a very fun treasure hunt for children – including a small prize at the end! $40 for a family ticket is money well spent.

The Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit – it’s a pretty walk through the gardens, with a nice café for an iced coffee at the end.

From here you can also access a short hike to stunning Finch Bay, or a slightly longer, harder hike to Cherry Tree Bay.

Finish your day with an epic sunset at Grassy Hill Lookout. This lookout offers you 360-degree views of Cooktown, the harbour, the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef out at sea. It truly is spectacular.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can day trip to Elim Beach , stopping in for a refreshing (and safe) swim at Isabella Falls on the way. Elim Beach is owned by a local Aboriginal man (entry fees apply) and boasts many fun 4WD tracks, coloured sand cliffs, turquoise waters. It is also home to a world-renowned kite surfing spot.

Contributed by Joanna Rogers from Dont Wanna Go Home

Stay: Click here to find the accommodation options in Cooktown

Stay Safe When Travelling in North Queensland

Marine stingers are prevalent in tropical waters of North Queensland generally from November to May. The tropical north is also crocodile country and they can live in the oceans, streams, rivers and lagoons.

Some safety tips:

• Always follow the warning signs and only swim where you know it is safe.
• Listen to the lifeguards and swim in the net enclosures during stinger season.
• There is magnificent wildlife in Queensland including everything from feathered to furry and scaled. Some wildlife can be aggressive, so remember this before getting too close.

I hope you enjoyed the above guide! If you need further assistance with planning your Queensland holiday, make sure to check out our other articles as well. Below are some of our travel guides for North Queensland.

• 9 Top Cairns Family Accommodation Options to Suit All Budgets
• The Perfect Cairns Itinerary (Ultimate Guide for 5 – 7 Days in Cairns)

The Ultimate List of Things to do in Palm Cove with Kids

• The Top Planning Tips for a Kuranda Day Trip
• The Most Amazing Stops on a Brisbane to Townsville Road Trip
• 16 Absolute Best Things to do in Port Douglas

Do you have a question about Far North Queensland? Have I missed any places that should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Did you find this post helpful? Why not share it with your friends.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which may reward us with a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase through them.Thanks for supporting the blog in this way as it allows me to continue sharing helpful content with you.

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Far North Queensland Road Trip Itinerary – One To Two Weeks In Australia’s Wet Tropics

Tropical North Queensland is one of my favorite parts of Australia. Especially after driving through the outback, this part of the state is lush and full of life, with spectacular vistas of the green rainforest meeting blue seas by the Great Barrier Reef .

Visitors to this area of the country can enjoy exploring the world’s oldest rainforest, exploring the bountiful hinterland, passing through quirky towns, and seeing spectacular natural sights, including the dramatic waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands.

Let’s get started! This North Queensland road trip, one of the top 10 road trips in Australia, begins and ends in Cairns. Cars can be rented from Cairns airport and the city center; or of course, this journey can be added onto an east coast road trip or a journey traveling eastwards from Darwin.

If you don’t have or don’t want to rent a 4WD vehicle, you’ll have to miss out on the Bloomfield Track from the Daintree National Park to Cooktown – but you can easily loop back around, drive back through the rainforest (the main road is bitumen) and enter the hinterland from the bottom of the Daintree. If you do have a good 4WD vehicle, you could even consider traversing the ‘tip’ of Australia to the top of Cape York – but that’s a whole other adventure in itself!

You could also use Cairns as a base and enjoy all of these destinations as separate trips from Cairns, depending on your time and commitments. Cairns is conveniently situated in the middle of these road trip stops, making them all reachable from the tropical city.

Tropical North Queensland Road Trip Itinerary

Cairns – 2-3 days.

Begin your adventure in Cairns. The city of Cairns looks out over the ocean – however, there’s no beach and the sea is rife with lethal stingers in the summer, so swimming is not recommended!

Cairns is a backpacker town and the start of many travelers’ east coast road trips. So, if you enjoy the nightlife, you’ll love the bars and clubs here. There are also plenty of places to grab a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The main hang-out spot of Cairns is its lagoon. While swimming or chilling in the pool, you can look out over the ocean and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of Cairns town around you. It’s a fantastic place to go cool down in the heat of the town!

But Cairns’ main feature is, of course, its reef. Head out on a snorkeling or diving tour with one of the many operators; whether you’re a diving expert of first-timer, the Great Barrier Reef is an amazing spot to dive on.

True, it’s not quite what it used to be due to over-tourism, but it’s one to check off your bucket list. If you don’t have a diving certification, there are plenty of beginner diving opportunities that you can do with no experience. A recommended tour operator is Ocean Freedom, who do snorkeling, certified and non-certified dives.

Port Douglas – 1 day

As you drive north from Cairns, you’ll see the spectacular views of the green rainforest against the blue ocean – it’s Queensland’s answer to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road! Take plenty of stops to see the best of this oceanic scenery.

Port Douglas is a fun little town with a holiday atmosphere. Some of the best things to do in the area include its markets, viewpoints, various artsy shops, quirky cafes and bars, and watersports on the coastline. Remember to wear a stinger suit if you’re visiting in the summer.

Port Douglas is about half an hour from the start of Daintree National Park. There are lots of hotels and hostels in the area, as well as campsites further out of town.

Daintree Rainforest National Park – 2 days

The Daintree Rainforest National Park is an awe-inspiring place to visit. It is the world’s oldest rainforest and is completely accessible for visitors, meaning that you can get lost in a tranquil world of green tree canopies and birdsong… even though the park is very well adapted for tourism , it rarely feels overcrowded and is a great place to find some zen.

Following the road up from Port Douglas, you will first pass the village of Daintree – where you can go on a crocodile cruise to spot Australia’s most deadly animal, the saltwater croc. After crossing the Daintree River ($14 one way or $26 return) the bitumen road traverses northwards, with various points to turn off for lookouts, boardwalks through the jungle, information centers, beaches, and a tea plantation!

Cape Tribulation is situated towards the northern end of the rainforest, and here is your only chance to purchase food and fill up on petrol. There is also a campsite here.

When you reach Emmagen Creek, the bitumen track turns into gravel and the road becomes unsuitable for 2WD vehicles. If you don’t have a 4WD turn back now and stay at either the campsite at Cape Tribulation or drive back to the Daintree River, cross and stay in Daintree Village – of course, you could also drive back to Port Douglas or Cairns and stay there.  

The Bloomfield Track – 1 day

The Bloomfield Track traverses the Daintree rainforest up to Cooktown. This is where the road gets very rough and bumpy, with creek crossings and plenty of bumps in the road! Watch out with any creeks – saltwater crocodiles do inhabit these areas and they aren’t animals you want to be messing with.

This area of the rainforest is serene and peaceful, with virtually no other tourists and lots of tranquil camping spots. Keep your eye out for the huge and elusive cassowary bird, native to this area of Far North Queensland (but just so you know, this animal doesn’t like messing with either!).

You’ll go past Aboriginal settlements on the way; remember to be respectful of these areas – don’t venture off the path, don’t drink alcohol in dry communities, and treat any local you see with the respect they deserve.

Atherton Tablelands – 2 days

Venturing away from the coast and into Far North Queensland’s beautiful hinterland, the Atherton Tablelands is a stark difference to the Daintree; yet both are impossibly beautiful. Set at an altitude, the tablelands are farming pastures. This area is home to some of Australia’s best waterfalls, amazing trees and other fauna, quirky townships, and great food and wine.

The Millaa Millaa Falls are renowned for being both the setting of Peter Andre’s 90s single ‘Mysterious Girl’ and a Herbal Essences advert – however, they seem to be more well known to the British than the Australians! Other waterfalls on the circuit include Zillie Falls, Ellinjaa Falls and Dinner Falls – a short drive can encompass all of them.

Or drive a little further afield and enjoy Millstream Falls which is near Queensland’s highest pub and Nandroya Falls in Wooroonooran National Park.

If you don’t fancy a dip or are all waterfall-ed out, check out the Hypipamee Crater which has a picturesque lake at the bottom and is home to local cassowaries, the curtain fig tree which is an enormous and unique piece of flora and Lake Eacham, which can be enjoyed with a walk around its circuit.

There are also great towns to enjoy, such as Yungaburra and Kurunda. These tranquil spots have a great local atmosphere, and there are attractions in each – such as the memorial to Afghan war soldiers in Yungaburra and the markets and Skyrail – which looks over the jungle and all the way back to Cairns – in Kurunda.

When you’re tired from all the sightseeing, take a food tour around the area to sample some of the best cheese, chocolate, and wine that the region has to offer.

Mission Beach – 2 days

A couple of hours south of Cairns is one of my favorite hidden gems in Queensland, Mission Beach. While gaining in popularity, Mission Beach – for now – remains quiet and unspoiled. You can hike around the rainforest, up Bicton Hill to a spectacular viewpoint and search for cassowaries – they’re present in this area as well.

If you’re hiked out, there are safe-for-swimming nets around the area and a few charismatic bars and cafes – I loved Bingil Bay Café, which is open from early until night for great coffee, good food, alcohol, and excellent vibes.

Many people skydive over Mission Beach, and I can see why – it’s a pretty spectacular place to do so. Others take a day trip over to Dunk Island where there are walking tracks and unspoiled rainforest.

If you have a few extra days, you can also add Airlie Beach , a bit further south, to the itinerary.

Innisfail – 1 day

The area around Innisfail is nothing short of beautiful – dotted with sugarcane fields, with the jungle standing as a proud backdrop, driving into the town is a picturesque experience. While many backpackers come here to complete their farm work (88 days of regional work gains many backpackers a second working holiday year in Australia) – there’s plenty more that the town offers. It’s well worth a stopover on your circuit drive back to Cairns.

It’s a little-known fact that Innisfail is the art deco capital of Australia; much of its architecture was rebuilt after a devastating cyclone in 1918, during the heyday of the art deco style. A free tour can be taken of Johnstone Shire Hall every Tuesday to learn about this architectural history. If you’re visiting on any other day, just take some time to enjoy the architecture from outside!

Etty Bay is one of Tropical North Queensland’s best beaches and is relatively secluded. Watch out for cassowaries, but make sure to not provoke any. The beach is just 15 minutes away from Innisfail.

The Mamu Tropical Skywalk, situated an hour out of town, is an elevated walkway above the jungle; ideal for those who haven’t quite had enough rainforest during their Tropical North Queensland road trip! There are a 37-meter high observation tower and 1200 meters of walking tracks.

Josephine Falls is located close to Innisfail; it’s a beautiful, photogenic waterfall and natural swimming hole that is perfect for a refreshing dip!

Being eco-friendly in Tropical North Queensland

This area is Australia is delicate and unique; so special steps need to be taken to preserve the environment. When visiting the rainforest, be sure not to leave any rubbish – and go a step further and pick any up that you find.

Don’t provoke, feed or get to close to any wildlife, and don’t disrupt their homes. Doing so will alter their perceptions of humans – it will start to see them as either a threat or a food source – which can significantly disrupt the animals’ life and thus the natural ecosystem.

Special eco-travel care must be taken when diving. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on this planet – but it is on the verge of being no longer living, due to bleaching and over-tourism. Take care to not stand on or touch any coral and do not provoke marine life.

If you’re camping in far north Queensland, make sure you do not leave a trace of your stay by taking all rubbish with you. If you are staying in a hotel, don’t leave lights and air-conditioning on while you’re not in the room; not only will this rack up a bill for the hotel owners (which could cause them to inflate their prices for customers in times to come), but excessive electricity consumption is directly linked to the rising temperatures of the seas and subsequently the loss of the reef.

Lastly, keep on spreading the message about this beautiful, diverse, vivacious area of Australia – and emphasize how, while it welcomes tourists, it needs protection, and should be cherished and respected by all of its visitors.

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Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Queensland © Tourism Australia

14-day Tropical North Queensland drive

Drive from Cairns to Townsville via Cooktown, through World Heritage-listed reef and rainforests to golden outback savannah, taking in tropical Queensland at its finest.

By Alissa Jenkins

Loop around lush Tropical North Queensland from  Cairns , gateway to the  Great Barrier Reef , up to Cooktown, rich with Aboriginal and early European history and down to  Townsville , to explore ancient rainforests, fruit plantations, gold mining towns and secluded hideaways along the way.

What to expect

• Snorkel around the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef
• Walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest to Mossman Gorge
• See the world’s largest collection of prehistoric rock art in Laura
• Time: 14 days
• Distance: 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles)
• Transport: car
• Nearest major city: Cairns 

Day 1: Cairns to Port Douglas

Flames of the Forest, Port Douglas, Queensland © Flames of the Forest

After breakfast at  Caffiend , one of many hip cafés along Grafton Street in Cairns, drive 68 kilometres (42 miles) north towards  Port Douglas . Fifteen minutes out of Cairns, exit the Captain Cook Highway at Smithfield to take the  Skyrail Rainforest Cableway  for an incredible 90-minute ride over World Heritage-listed rainforest. Hop off Skyrail at the Kuranda terminal, stretch your legs with a stroll around the charming village of Kuranda and then board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway  for the 60-minute return trip to Smithfield. 

Back on the road, drive beside a golden chain of beaches to affluent Palm Cove. Hungry travellers should head to Palm Cove's award-winning  Nu Nu Restaurant , which showcases Queensland seafood with a subtle Asian twist and serves lunch until 4pm.

Continuing along the Cook Highway, stop halfway at Rex Lookout for magical views over the Coral Sea beaches, before reaching Port Douglas. Peruse the chic boutiques along Macrossan Street before a sunset stroll along the white sands of Four Mile Beach up to Flagstaff Hill Lookout. Don't miss a truly enchanting meal with the  Flames of the Forest Aboriginal Cultural Experience , where you'll venture into the rainforest near Port Douglas to indulge in a seven-dish banquet as your Kuku Yalanji hosts share music, ceremony and storytelling. Spend the night at  Peppers Beach Club , nestled in a garden setting just steps from the beach.

Day 2: Port Douglas

Port Douglas, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

If you're travelling through Port Douglas on a Sunday, check out the weekly markets which offer everything from arts and crafts, coffee and jewellery. 

Spend the day on board a snorkelling and diving cruise of the Great Barrier Reef. There are several local operators such as Calypso Reef Cruises , Quicksilver Cruises and  Wavelength , each offering daily tours from Reef Marina in Port Douglas. Whichever you choose, you can expect a memorable introduction to the world’s largest coral reef, home to more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays, plus hundreds of stunning islands with sun-soaked beaches. Underneath the water’s surface though, is a kaleidoscope of coral and other aquatic life including tropical fish, dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and giant clams, which you can swim with. After a day on the water, wine and dine amid a tropical garden at the well-known  Nautilus Restaurant .

Day 3: Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Mossman Gorge Centre, Queensland © Tourism Australia 

Continue north for one and a half hours along Cape Tribulation Road and explore the region’s other icon, the  Daintree National Park , home to the majestic Mossman Gorge. Start with a trip to the Mossman Gorge Centre , the gateway to the rainforest. Meander through the ancient forest on your own along the  Rainforest Circuit Track , which begins at Rex Creek bridge and entails a 2.5-kilometre (1.5-mile) loop with incredible views. Or, gain a deeper connection to the rainforest with a guided Dreamtime walk . Your experience begins with a traditional smoking welcome ceremony before you stroll along private paths with your Kuku Yalanji guide, who will share their traditions and culture passed down over thousands of years.

After you've explored the forest, book in for an afternoon Daintree River cruise  through mangrove estuaries and past tropical birds and crocodiles, before continuing the drive for another hour or so to Cape Tribulation. Check into  Cape Trib Beach House  for the night which is set on seven acres (2.8 hectares). Here you can swim in the resort pool, get a massage on the private beach, feast at the on-site restaurant and bar and attend nightly bonfires on the beach.

Day 4: Cape Tribulation to Cooktown

Grassy Hill Lookout, Cooktown, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Wake up with a 45-minute walk to Cape Tribulation lookout on Cape Tribulation Beach, right next to the resort. Next, drive north for an hour to see the sacred  Bloomfield (Wujal Wujal) Falls  with a guide, and learn about the cultural significance of this area for Indigenous Australians. Watch out for crocodiles though, they’ve been known to sunbake on the nearby rocks. Venture into  Black Mountain National Park  and see the imposing mountain range of black granite boulders, stacked precariously on top of another, defying gravity. Then continue north on the Mulligan Highway for 20 minutes to historic Cooktown, and climb to the top of Grassy Hill in the town centre for a breathtaking view. Rest for the night at the four-star  Sovereign Resort Hotel .

Day 5: Cooktown to Mount Mulligan

Mt Mulligan Lodge, Mount Mulligan, Queensland © Mt Mulligan Lodge

Visit  James Cook Museum , housed in a stunning 19th century former convent, for a look into Cooktown’s remarkable history. When you're ready to depart Cooktown, you can choose between driving just over four hours to Ravenshoe, or taking a detour to Mt Mulligan Lodge . Located in the ruggedly beautiful Mount Mulligan, this all-inclusive outback station is all about quintessential Australian experiences combined with effortless luxury. Spend a few days here indulging in the lodge's outback excursions, like private picnics and gold mine tours, or simply relax in the landscape of rolling hills and ancient rock formations. 

Day 6: Mount Mulligan to Malanda

Millaa Millaa Falls, Millaa Millaa, Queensland © Scott Pass

Say goodbye to Mount Mulligan before driving just over two hours to Malanda. Stop for lunch in Atherton, then explore the nearby  Hallorans Hill Conservation Park . Walk 40 minutes to the top of extinct volcano Hallorans Hill to see the tableland’s unique mosaic landscape and geological formations. Before you reach your final destination, take the short detour to see Millaa Millaa Falls , a magnificent waterfall surrounded by lush green rainforest. Drive just 25 more minutes to end the day in Malanda, and spend the night under the rainforest canopy at Sharlynn by the river . Hallorans Hill Conservation Park

Day 7: Malanda to Undara Volcanic National Park

Undara Experience, Undara, Queensland © Rowan Bestmann, Tourism and Events Queensland

Head southwest for 50 minutes to  Millstream Falls , Australia’s widest single-drop waterfall, for a brief stop before spending the morning at  Innot Hot Springs , relaxing in the therapeutic mineral waters that fill its six public pools. In the afternoon, drive just over one-hour to  Undara Volcanic National Park , home to the remnants of the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano. Allow one and a half hours for the Kalkani Crater rim walk, which takes you up the side of a volcano and offers incredible views over the lava plains and fertile pockets of rainforest. Then sleep under the stars at  Undara Experience , with permanent and powered tents that house comfortable bedding.

Day 8: Undara Volcanic National Park to Charters Towers

Texas longhorn cattle, Charters Towers, Queensland © Melissa Findley, Tourism and Events Queensland

Continue 400 kilometres south (249 miles) to the enchanting outback town of  Charters Towers , where the heritage streetscapes hark back to the gold rush days of the late 19th century. Spend the afternoon just outside of town at Leahton Park, home to the largest herd of pure bred Texas Longhorn cattle in Australia. Buckle up for a  Texas Longhorn Wagon Tour  then explore the custom saddlery shop. Afterwards, spend the evening at the historic Civic Club, play billiards on one of two 100-year-old tables and don't forget to make a booking for their famous Friday night barbecue.

Day 9: Charters Towers to Townsville

Museum of Underwater Art, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Follow the Flinders Highway east for 125 kilometres (78 miles) before detouring to  Bowling Green Bay National Park , home to rugged mountains, wetlands, salt pans and mangrove forests. Walk one kilometre (0.6 miles) return to Alligator Creek lookout for a photogenic canopy-level view of the creek, before a quick dip in the nearby swimming area.

Continue to Townsville in time for lunch at  The Beet Bar  for superfood bowls, salads and juices that celebrate local produce. Explore the phenomenal Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) , the Southern Hemisphere's first underwater art museum, before whiling away the rest of the afternoon along the Strand, a palm-tree studded promenade with beaches, bars and restaurants. Later, indulge in some balmy nightlife on Flinders Street East at  Shaw & Co  or  Cactus Jack’s .

Day 10: Townsville to Ingham

Little Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Follow the Bruce Highway north for about an hour before taking a break in the Mount Spec section of  Paluma Range National Park . Walk to McClellands lookout for spectacular views over the islands and coastline. Cool off at nearby Little Crystal Creek before driving the remaining 45 minutes to Ingham, a sugar cane town with a distinctly Mediterranean feel thanks to the Italian and Spanish migrants who came here at the end of the 19th century to work in the cane fields. Linger over lunch at eternal favourite  Casa Pasta  then walk off the authentic Italian fare by joining the signposted Hinchinbrook Heritage Walk, between Ingham and neighbouring Halifax. For a fittingly European-inspired stay,  Villa Veron  is a charming bed and breakfast which also hosts an Italian festival every year.

Day 11: Ingham to Cardwell

Zoe Falls, Hinchinbrook Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia

If time permits, drive about one hour west of Ingham to see  Wallaman Falls , Australia's highest single-drop waterfall. 

Drive just 20 minutes to the coastal town of Lucinda where you can board a  ferry to Hinchinbrook Island  for the day. Australia’s largest island national park is covered in mountains, fragile heathland, tropical rainforest and mangrove fringes. An island day tour takes you down the picturesque Hinchinbrook Channel before arriving at Zoe Bay on the island’s southeastern side. From the beach landing, take a short walk through rainforest to the sparkling freshwater pool at the base of Zoe Falls, an idyllic swimming hole. On the way back to Lucinda, watch out for the six-kilometre (four-mile) sugar loading jetty, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Once back on land, drive 45 minutes north to Cardwell.

Day 12: Cardwell to Mission Beach

Mission Beach, Queensland © Chris McLennan, Tourism and Events Queensland

Pack a picnic and spend the morning exploring tropical  Tully Gorge National Park . From the camping area, stroll along the Butterfly walk (it’s renowned for the Ulysses butterflies that flit along this passage between September and February) through World Heritage-listed rainforest to the gorge. Tully River is popular with whitewater rafters and you can see these thrill seekers take on the rapids from Flip Wilson lookout. Continue east for an hour to Mission Beach and check into  Castaways Resort  before ditching the car for a bike and cycling along the city’s foreshore, including the  Ulysses Link Walking Track , past artworks depicting the area’s Aboriginal and European history. If you're seeking a thrill, take to the skies with Skydive Australia to soar above white-sand beaches, tropical rainforest and the awe-inspiring reef.

8 must-do reef experiences near Cairns

Day 13: Mission Beach to Innisfail

Paronella Park, Mena Creek, Queensland © Mark Clinton, Tourism and Events Queensland

Turn off Bruce Highway to visit  Paronella Park , a labour of love built in 1935 by Spanish immigrant José Paronella and inspired by Catalan castles. Set on five hectares (12.4 acres) of tropical gardens beside Mena Creek, you can peruse the castle’s architecture and ingenious hydroelectric system, as well as a waterfall, gardens, museum and café. Then drive half an hour west to the spectacular  Mamu Tropical Skywalk , featuring a 350-metre (0.2-mile) elevated walkway above the treetops. Finish the day in the bustling sugar town of Innisfail.

Day 14: Innisfail to Cairns

Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park, Queensland © Colyn Huber, Tourism and Events Queensland

Drive half an hour west again into  Wooroonooran National Park , home to fascinating native critters such as double-eyed fig parrots and musky rat-kangaroos, as well as Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain. Follow the signs to Henrietta Creek Campground where you'll find the beginning of the  Nandroya Falls circuit . Allow four hours to complete the walk, which takes you across the ridge between Henrietta and Douglas creeks, before winding down to the spectacular, double-tiered Nandroya Falls. Take the long track back to the campground and enjoy a rainforest dip at Douglas Creek. Back on the road, continue north along the Bruce Highway to return to Cairns, gateway to the islands, rainforest and reef of Tropical North Queensland.

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The Ultimate Far North Queensland Road Trip

Trying to work out where to stay at the Great Barrier Reef? Discover a great selection of accommodation, the length and breadth of the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. Search for hotel rooms and book online.

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Great Barrier Reef's islands are simply enchanting, with the choice of over 100 islands from unique and exotic islands to the world famous Whitsundays.

• Best Islands Near Cairns
• Bedarra Island
• Brampton Island
• Daydream Island
• Dunk Island
• Fitzroy Island
• Great Keppel Island
• Green Island
• Haggerstone Island
• Hamilton Island
• Hayman Island
• Heron Island
• Hinchinbrook Island
• Langford Island
• Lindeman Island
• Lizard Island
• Long Island
• Orpheus Island
• South Molle Island
• Whitsunday Island

Queensland is unique amongst the Australian states in that it has a number of genuine coastal capitals.

• Airlie Beach
• Charters Towers
• Daintree Rainforest
• Mission Beach
• Port Douglas
• Rockhampton
• Shute Harbour
• Whitehaven Beach

Discover a diverse range of experiences in the Great Barrier Reef.

• Reef Experiences
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• Sky diving at Cairns
• Sky diving at Mission Beach
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• Sail the Reef
• Snorkelling The Reef
• Submarine Reef Tours
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The Great Barrier Reef is a gathering of brilliant, vivid coral providing divers with the most spectacular underwater experience imaginable.

• About The Reef
• Northern Great Barrier Reef
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• History of the region
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If you’re looking for a fun and exciting family road trip, there are a lot of iconic places to discover on this great bucket-list-worthy road trip in tropical Far North Queensland.

Starting at the mid Great Barrier Reef town of Townsville and making your way up the iconic Queensland coast, you’ll discover some of the most beautiful beaches, lush tropical rainforests and remarkable reefs and islands in the world.

You have to check out as many of places to visit in tropical Far North Queensland as you can. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, as this guide prepares you for all the must-see places, the best activities along with useful practical advice for a Far North Queensland family road trip like no other.

What to Expect on a Far North Queensland Road Trip

This road trip starts in Townsville and is really several adventures in one. The journey between Townsville and Cairns is where you’ll discover a lot of great destinations to explore, like beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and remarkable reefs.

You can start the trip in Townsville and make your way up the iconic Queensland coast. There’s something for everyone in this region, so it’s the perfect place for a family adventure.

Further up the coast in the area covering the next 140 kilometres or so, between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, there are many beautiful places to explore. This includes popular beach towns like Palm Cove and Port Douglas. You can take a day trip to the outer reef, visit the Whitsundays Islands, or go explore the unspoiled countryside and mountainous rainforests.

The last part of the trip is on the Bloomfield Track, which goes from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown. This beautiful drive goes through some of the world’s oldest rainforest and along a scenic coastline of turquoise and blue. It is also a piece of road that not everyone can drive on if they don’t have a 4WD.

The beautiful scenery is worth the drive, but you should always check the road conditions before heading out, because trees can fall on the road, it can sometimes flood in some areas during the wet season.

When you look at Far North Queensland on a map, it might look like the distance from Townsville to Cooktown is not that far and a fairly easy drive. However, you really don’t want to try and drive this road trip in a few days, especially if you are travelling with kids. You really should take the time to enjoy the trip and take in the best of what the area has to offer.

The Ultimate 2 Week+ FNQ Itinerary

Your should allow two to three weeks for the itinerary to Far North Queensland below, as this was made to give you an idea of where to go and some of the interesting places to see along this part of the Queensland coast.

So, if you’re looking for a family road trip that is packed with adventure, natural beauty and plenty of fun, then be sure to add these great destinations to your itinerary.

Townsville: 1-3 Days

Townsville is the perfect place to start your family road trip of Far North Queensland. If you’re stopping here from a journey further south, allow a couple of days to explore this tow and it’s surrounds. With its central location, you can easily explore the surrounding areas such as Magnetic Island, Hinchinbrook Island and Palm Islands.

For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and camping opportunities in the nearby national parks. And, if you’re looking for some beach time, then head to the 2.5-kilometre beachfront promenade known as The Strand.

The Strand is very family friendly, with playgrounds, walking and bike paths, picnic areas and free water park for you to relax, swim and even try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding. And then drive or hike up to Castle Hill lookout for a 360-degree view over Townsville and across to Magnetic Island.

Side Trip: Magnetic Island

Just a short 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a must-see destination on your Far North Queensland road trip. This beautiful island is home to stunning beaches, rainforests and plenty of wildlife.

Be sure to visit some of the island’s popular attractions such as Forts Walk, the Magnetic Island Forts and the Koala Conservation Centre. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, get out and explore the island’s many hiking trails.

Ingham: 1 Day

Stop off in Ingham for a few days and explore the nearby rainforests, waterfalls and national parks. This town is known as the gateway to the Wet Tropics and is a great place to base yourself to explore this World Heritage listed area

There are plenty of things to do in Ingham, such as swimming in the natural rock pools at Bigge Dam, hiking to the top of Wallaman Falls – Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, or take a leisurely stroll through the rainforest at Tyto Wetlands.

Tully: 1 Day

Just an hour drive from Ingham is the town of Tully , known as the gateway to the Cassowary Coast. This region is home to some of the most pristine rainforest in Australia, as well as stunning beaches and waterfalls

There are plenty of things to do in Tully, such as swimming in the natural rock pools at Bigge Dam, hiking to the top of Wallaman Falls – Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, or take a leisurely stroll through the rainforest at Tyto Wetlands.

Mission Beach: 1-2 Days

A visit to Mission Beach is a must on your Far North Queensland road trip. This beautiful beach town is located between Cairns and Townsville and is the perfect place to relax and soak up the tropical Queensland sun

There are plenty of things to do in Mission Beach, such as swimming, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails to explore. For a bit of adrenaline, take a skydive or parasail over the stunning beaches.

And be sure to visit the nearby Dunk Island for a day of sun, sand and relaxation.

Innisfail: 1 Day

Innisfail is a great place to base yourself to explore the surrounding natural attractions. The area is nothing short of beautiful, dotted with sugarcane fields, and the town is known as the art deco capital of Australia. Much of its architecture was rebuilt during the heyday of the art deco style, after a devastating cyclone in 1918.

There are plenty of things to do in Innisfail, such as The Mamu Tropical Skywalk, situated an hour out of town, which is an elevated walkway above the jungle, a 37 meter high observation tower and 1200 meters of walking tracks – perfect for people who need just a little more rainforest on this road trip!

Hiking to the top of Josephine Falls is also popular, as well as taking a leisurely stroll through the rainforest at Mount Bowen.

Side Trip: Undara Lava Tubes

Ok, so this is quite the side-trip, but if you have the time, its well worth it. Undara Lava Tubes is located inland from Innisfail and is a must-see for anyone interested in geology and natural history.

These lava tubes were formed over 190,000 years ago and are the largest and longest lava tubes in the world. They are a truly unique geological formation and well worth a visit.

There are plenty of tours available that will take you through the lava tubes, as well as plenty of other activities such as hiking, mountain biking and bird watching.

Babinda: 1 Day

Babinda is a small town located in the Cassowary Coast Region of Far North Queensland about 65kms south of Cairns. This town is surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest and is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Australia.

There are plenty of things to do in Babinda, such as swimming in the natural rock pools at Devil’s Pool, hiking to the top of Babinda Boulders -a stunning creek, which are spotted with huge boulders that have been shaped by the flowing waters surrounded by pristine forest. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and camping opportunities in the nearby national parks.

Even though Babinda isn’t very big, you could easily spend a few days there relaxing, enjoying nature, and checking out the local gallery and savoring the local restaurants. If you only have one day to spend in Babinda, don’t miss The Boulders!

And, if you’re looking for some beach time, then head to the 1.5-kilometre long sandy beachfront known as Brampston Beach. This park is very family friendly, with playgrounds, picnic areas and plenty of space to relax and soak up the Queensland sun.

Cairns: 2-3 Days

As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a must-stop on your Far North Queensland road trip. This vibrant city is home to many great restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as plenty of shops for retail therapy.

For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Cairns is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Far North Queensland and for good reason – there is so much to see and do here!

Cairns is one of the best places for exploring the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. There are short tours around 45 minutes to inner reef islands like Green Island and Fitzroy Island, as well as trips further to the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns has something for everyone. Families will love the Cairns Tropical Zoo, the world-class Cairns Aquarium, Zoom Wildlife Dome, where you can soar over an indoor wildlife park on a zip line and the many kid-friendly activities on offer at Cairns Esplanade.

One of the most popular things to do in this area is the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail. When you’re in Cairns, you won’t want to miss the chance to ride the Kuranda Scenic Rail up the mountain. Take the cable car back down to the village so you can enjoy both on your trip.

Side Trip: Atherton Tablelands

Not far from Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands, an area of stunning natural beauty that is well worth a visit on your Far North Queensland road trip. Here you will find beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, crater lakes, hot springs and more.

There are plenty of things to do in the Atherton Tablelands, such as hiking through the rainforest, swimming in the waterfalls or crater lakes, or relaxing in the hot springs. One of the most popular places to visit in the Atherton Tablelands is the Crater Lakes National Park. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails to explore.

One of the most popular things to do in the Atherton Tablelands is visit Millaa Millaa Falls, a series of beautiful waterfalls located in Millstream Falls National Park. The park is also home to Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls, which are also worth a visit. Another popular attractions in the Atherton Tablelands is the Curtain Fig Tree, a massive tree with a curtain of roots that is well worth a visit.

In addition to the natural attractions, the Atherton Tablelands is also home to many great cafes, restaurants and shops. Be sure to check out the local markets for fresh produce and handmade goods.

While here, you can also try an epic sunrise hot air balloon trip departing from Mareeba. There is nothing quite like floating above the rainforest as the sun comes up.

See a homestead from the 1800s at the Herberton Historic Village museum in Herberton, which is about 15 minutes south of Atherton. This village has 8 working displays, such as making billy tea, riding on a heritage train, blacksmithing, and more.

Port Douglas: 1-2 Days

Port Douglas is a beautiful coastal town located on the Coral Sea about an hour north of Cairns. As you drive up the coast from Cairns, you’ll want to stop off and take lots of photos of the spectacular scenery. The lush green rainforest set against the stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and serene blue ocean makes for some amazing, unforgettable views.

There are plenty of things to do in Port Douglas , such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, fishing, and exploring the rainforest. There are also plenty of great restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy in this town.

One of the most popular things to do in Port Douglas is visit Four Mile Beach. This stunning beach is one of the best places to swim or relax on the sand. Another popular attraction is the Daintree Rainforest, which is located just outside of town.

Daintree Rainforest: 1-2 Days

Daintree Rainforest is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world and is one of the most popular places to visit in Far North Queensland. The rainforest is full of amazing plants and animals, making it a must-see for any nature lover.

There are plenty of things to do in Daintree Rainforest, such as hiking through the rainforest, swimming in waterfalls, or taking a scenic drive. One of the most popular things to do is take a cruise along the Daintree River. This is a great way to see crocodiles, turtles and other amazing wildlife up close.

There are also plenty of great places to eat in Daintree Rainforest, such as the Rainforest Cafe, which offers a unique dining experience surrounded by the rainforest.

In addition to the natural attractions, Daintree Rainforest is also home to many great cafes, restaurants and shops. Be sure to check out the local markets for fresh produce and handmade goods.

Mossman Gorge: 1 Day

Mossman Gorge is a beautiful gorge located in Mossman Gorge National Park, about 30 minutes drive from Port Douglas. The gorge is fed by the Mossman River and is surrounded by lush rainforest.

There are plenty of things to do in Mossman , such as exploring the Mossman River, which makes for great swimming and tubing. There are also plenty of scenic drives and hiking to take in Mossman Gorge National Park.

There is a variety of wildlife to see in Mossman Gorge, including birds, reptiles, and mammals and the gorge is home to a variety of flora, including eucalyptus trees and staghorn ferns.

There are several waterfalls located in Mossman Gorge, including Josephine Falls and Mossman Falls and the area is home to the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people – there are several cultural sites to respectfully explore in the region.

Cape Tribulation: 1 Day

Cape Tribulation is a beautiful sandy beach located about 2 hours north of Port Douglas. This beach is known for its dramatic cliffs, rainforest and stunning views.

There are plenty of things to do in Cape Tribulation, such as swimming, sunbathing, fishing, or exploring the rainforest. One of the most popular things to do is take a scenic drive along the Great Barrier Reef Drive. This is a great way to see the reef up close and to experience the beauty of the rainforest.

Cooktown: 1-2 Days

Cooktown is a small town located on the banks of the Endeavour River about 4 hours north of Cairns. It is a great place to learn about Australian history, as it was here that Captain Cook first landed on Australian soil.

There are plenty of things to do in Cooktown, such as exploring the local history, visiting the Captain Cook Museum, or taking a scenic drive along the Endeavour River. There are also plenty of great places to eat in Cooktown, with a variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from.

If you’re looking for a more active holiday, there are plenty of things to do in Cooktown, such as hiking, cycling, or kayaking. There are also several beaches located nearby, such as Finch Bay and Endeavour River Beach.

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Far North Queensland Road Trip Itinerary: Our Honeymoon

If you’re looking for an unforgettable Australian road trip, then look no further than Far North Queensland. This tropical region is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, from pristine beaches and lush rainforests to soaring mountains and coral reefs. And speaking from experience, it’s also the perfect honeymoon road trip destination!

We share our tropical north Queensland road trip itinerary that was our honeymoon. This detailed road trip itinerary will take you off the beaten track and into some of the region’s most amazing destinations . So pack your gear and get ready for an adventure!

Our Honeymoon in Far North Queensland 

This was the big one that made us realise just how important travelling Australia while young is to us. We had our first taste in 2017, but we got lost in the days, weeks and years as we planned our waterfall wedding and our camping trips.

It was 2020 – the year we said, “I DO!”.

Our original plan was to travel overseas, but the big life changer we all know as covid had arrived. Looking back, we honestly couldn’t be happier that our plans had changed! Who knows if we would have prioritised this life if our honeymoon plans lead us overseas?

As we all know, the year of 2020 was filled with restrictions when it came to crossing borders, so we decided to keep our itinerary to our home state – Queensland.

As our camping home at this time was a swag , a gazebo and a pop-up kitchen we decided it was time to make our honeymoon one to remember with a bit of luxury… you guessed it, we hired a motorhome from Cruisin’ Motorhomes.

Regardless of how you choose to do your road trip, there is no denying that this is one of the best QLD honeymoon destinations!

Choosing A Motorhome For Your Queensland Road Trip

After many afternoons researching, we found Cruisin’ was the best pricing with availability for our holiday. The cost to rent the 2-berth “Sand piper” for 17 days was $2,074.30. Please note these prices were obtained in 2020.

I’ve attached a breakdown of this total below:

• Daily hire cost: $86.76 x 17 = $1,474.92
• Insurance: $595.00 (optional)
• Credit card surcharge: $4.38

The Sandpiper came with a full tank of fuel, an outdoor table, chairs, cassette toilet, shower, linen, gas stovetop, air conditioner, fridge, microwave, cutlery and much more. Just the right amount of luxury for us to enjoy our honeymoon in style!

We picked up our rented motorhome the day before our wedding and stayed in the Mantra Hotel at Mooloolaba for 2 nights. Although we didn’t stick to the tradition of spending the night before our wedding apart, it worked perfectly for Nick to get ready at Buderim Waterfall in the motorhome.

The day after our magical waterfall wedding, we said goodbye to our mums, and we headed off on the most beautiful adventure in our rented motorhome with our tin cans rattling away and our “Just Married” sign at the back.

Once we hit Cairns, I fell in love with the size of the plants, the sun, of course, the seafood and the ocean. We travelled a lot over our 14-day tropical Queensland adventure. I’ve added our personal 2-week itinerary below:

Our 2-Week Far North Queensland Itinerary

• Day One – Mooloolaba Mantra Hotel to Parkhurst
• Day Two – Parkhurst to Townsville
• Day Three – Townsville to Cairns
• Day Four – Cairns to Palm Cove
• Day Five – Palm Cove to Port Douglas
• Day Six – Port Douglas
• Day Seven – Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour
• Day Eight – Port Douglas to Daintree National Park
• Day Nine – Daintree National Park to Cape Tribulation
• Day Ten – Cape Tribulation to Paronella Park
• Day Eleven – Paronella Park
• Day Twelve – Paronella Park to Yeppoon
• Day Thirteen – Yeppoon to Town Of 1770
• Day Fourteen – Town Of 1770 to Ipswich (home)

Our Road Trip Food Recommendations

These are the absolute must-stop spots for any ‘foodie’ out there. I am personally a lover of seafood, and we struggle to get anything good quality from our hometown.

• Grunske’s by the River at Bundaberg – We can 310% recommend the garlic prawns!
• Raw Prawn at Cairns – This was hands down our favourite seafood EVER! We treated ourselves to the seafood platter and tried crayfish for the first time. Nick made sure to personally thank the chef, yep…it was that good!
• The Boulders Tavern at Babinda – the food was good, but the best part was watching butterflies casually lay eggs on the plants in the outdoor area (okay, I am definitely one of those weird insect lovers and this may not appeal to anyone else).
• Ramada at Port Douglas for karage crocodile – Look, it’s probably not a very authentic way to try a new protein but it tasted great!

Our Accommodation & Far North Queensland Caravan Parks Cost Breakdown

Having the motorhome, we required power which was something completely foreign for us. It also meant the cost of ‘camping’ was a lot higher than we were used to.

If you do your research, you will find free camping in far north Queensland in places, which will suit if you have a self-contained motorhome or caravan or if you want a few nights off the grid. We mostly stayed at powered sites at caravan parks during our trip since it was our first experience with campervan travel.

I’ve added our nightly destinations below. Keep in mind these totals were in 2020 and inflation has affected almost everything this past year alone.

• Country Club Accommodation at Parkhurst – $23 per night
• NRMA Holiday Park at Cairns – $40 per night
• NRMA Holiday Park at Palm Cove – $42 per night
• Tropical Breeze Caravan Park – $50 per night (our favourite caravan park, the managers were the friendliest couple and super helpful for travellers)
• Safari Lodge at Cape Tribulation – $52 per night + $7 happy hour. Boy did we know it the next morning
• Cape Tribulation Camping – $40ish (did not document this one)
• Paronella Park – $98 (this included a self-paced day tour, camping and a guided night tour – currently this is $52 per person)
• Yeppoon Caravan Park – $39 per night
• 1770 Campgrounds – $40 per night (another guess)

Tips For Taking A Queensland Road Trip

Make sure you have the best possible Australian road trip experience through Queensland and the tropical north with these tips:

• Road conditions can be different to what you are used to. Be sure to take extra care, especially if you are driving an unfamiliar vehicle, such as a rental car or motorhome.
• Be prepared for all weather conditions. Queensland is known for its tropical weather but it can change quickly, especially in the wet season (November-April).
• Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance. This is a must for any Australian road trip!
• Pack good quality insect repellent and sunscreen . You will need it!
• Be aware of the local wildlife. This includes snakes, spiders, cassowaries and crocodiles. Do not approach them, no matter how tempting it may be!
• If it says no swimming or beware of crocodiles, take this seriously.
• Leave a little room for flexibility in your north Queensland road trip itinerary. This will allow you to make the most of your trip and have time to stop and explore some unexpected stops along the way.

Best Places To Stop On A Far North Queensland Road Trip

There is no shortage of beautiful North Queensland attractions and things to do along your way between Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the tropical north.

Here are our favourite places, attractions and top picks for north Queensland road trip stops:

Buderim Waterfall

What can we say, this place holds a special place in our hearts as it’s the exact location Nick proposed and where we became husband and wife!

This majestic spot is home to wildlife, plant matter and of course a swimming hole with a waterfall. You can even stand directly underneath the waterfall by following the path. Of course, the water is icy cold but the perfect location for a summer day swim.

I managed to hike the trek in a wedding dress, so I can confidently say it’s easily accessible by small children.

Airlie Beach

What a view! We didn’t stay here long as the mountain was on fire, and we were concerned about our journey ahead. We would still recommend it as a must-stop over when passing through, just to take in the stunning views of the bay.

If you have longer, this is also the perfect place to base yourself or a day or two to explore the Whitsundays Islands, such as the world-famous Whitehaven Beach .

This is the first town we said, “let’s move here!”.

Once you hit Bowen, you’ll find the Big Mango. It‘s a great stop for a photo opportunity with the ginormous mango and seahorse statues. You’ll also find a little store to buy your touristy needs!

Horseshoe Bay at Bowen

Another “what a view moment”! It’s such a shame that it’s not recommended to swim as the view is out of the world. We absolutely recommend taking the time out of your busy itinerary to check out Horseshoe Bay from the lookout. Maybe even plan for a picnic stop?

Little Crystal Creek at Townsville

This is such a tranquil little spot. You’ll feel lost along the way, but eventually, you pop out into a car park with plant and animal life.

It’s a very short walk to the water where you’ll spot yabbies. As the plant life doesn’t allow much sunlight in, the water is very cold. Perfect for the hot Townsville weather though!

If you have extra time, a day trip to Magnetic Island by ferry is always a wonderful experience too!

Babinda Boulders

This was our second “we could live here” town. One of the wettest towns in Queensland, and gosh you can tell. The green on the mountains can only be explained as neon.

This quaint little town is home to the Babinda Boulders and feels like your own private paradise. First, travel to the lookout to peer down at the boulders magically created by nature. Once finished with this step, follow the path to the swimming hole.

I’m glad we weren’t aware of the Devils Falls Legend until after our visit… Read about the Aboriginal legend of the Devil’s Pool .

Josephine Falls at Bartle Frere

Who else wouldn’t want to visit a waterhole with a natural waterslide? This is a popular day trip from Cairns if you’re looking for somewhere natural to swim.

The waterhole itself is rocky so I do recommend water shoes for anyone else like me with princess feet.

This is another one of these amazing swimming holes in Northern Queensland where you can spot large fish swimming.

Cairns Botanical Gardens

WOW! We were absolutely gobsmacked by the size of the plants in and around the Botanic Gardens. We ran from one set of plants to the next.

Nestled near the end of the walking path you’ll find the butterfly oasis, filled with hanging butterfly cocoons and glorious butterflies gliding all through the greenhouse.

Well worth a stop but be sure to schedule a large slot for this adventure or you might miss something special!

Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas

I feel like I could go as far as to say this is the most beautiful beach lookout, I have ever experienced. We witnessed sea turtles coming up for air while taking in this magical view. It’s a short hike from the car park and well worth a detour.

Don’t forget to pack your camera and sun protection clothes for this hike!

Port Douglas Sugar Wharf for a pontoon BBQ boat (4 hours for $200)

Okay, let’s be real.. This was originally planned to hopefully spot some of those famous crocs everyone talks about…but of course, we didn’t spot a single one.

I did catch a big trevally while fishing and we had a beautiful day cruising on the water. We would hire a BBQ pontoon again in a heartbeat!

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling

This is an absolute must! Swimming with a sea turtle is still one of the top highlights of my life! Additionally the colourful fish, the coral (even when you realise how real the bleaching is), the humongous clams.. who else wouldn’t want to spend the day in the water, living amongst the sea animals!

You can book snorkelling day trips from Port Douglas or from Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef outer reef.

Just don’t forget sunscreen on the back of your legs if you aren’t wearing a full body wetsuit – we learnt this the hard way!!

Mossman Gorge

This is a unique experience. You arrive at the Cultural Centre and pay for a shuttle bus to take you down the track to the car park where you begin walking through the jungle-like oasis.

This location is filled with history and has additional perks of being run by 90% of Indigenous employees supporting the local indigenous community. We loved our visit here and will be back!

If you have extra time, spend the day at Mossmon Gorge River Drifting !

Daintree Discovery Centre

Wow, this place is filled with information and well worth the $60 cost for a visit. If you love learning fun facts about native animals, plants and the environment, this is the place for you!

Your walk includes different circuits and is also home to a canopy tour with a wicked view of the surrounding area. We even spotted our first wild cassowary in the car park!

Solar Whisper Cruise at the Daintree

We unfortunately didn’t spot any crocodiles but the things we learnt about birds and mangroves were well worth the pleasant trip along the river.

Our guide was well informed and made the experience fantastic, featuring a camera at the end of the boat so we could view the birds up close.

Wildlife Habitat at Port Douglas

This was the first croc sighting of our north Queensland itinerary. We knew they existed! We had to stop in just to say we saw a croc.

But the highlight of the habitat would have to be the friendly black cockatoos that casually fly up to you in the food area.

Paronella Park

This place is magic. A castle in the north Queensland rainforest, built by hand and still intact. A visit to Paronella Park needs to be on your bucket list to experience the life of Jose Paronella and his dream that became a reality.

They have their own camping grounds on site, which is perfect if you are planning a motorhome or camping trip as it is a little out of the way otherwise, approximately 120km from Cairns or around a 40-minute drive from Mission Beach.

Take the time to spend the night and experience the beauty of Paronella in the day and night, both magical in their own ways. And if you do stay overnight, there is a light show that you simply cannot miss!

You can get a Paronella Park ticket package that includes camping, self-guided entry to the grounds and the nighttime light show.

If just visiting for the day, you can also get a combined ticket for Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk .

While we can plan our travels down to the last detail, anything can happen on an adventure. To make sure digital nomads stay safe while they explore the world, SafetyWing has come up with Nomad Insurance – it’s like Netflix for travel insurance! Subscription-based and affordable so you don’t have to worry about being covered. Just cancel when you no longer need it. This is what we plan to use when we are travelling full time !

The Highlights Of Our North Queensland Honeymoon

Tropical North Queensland is an amazing place to visit with so many different things to see and do. While our trip was filled with plenty of adventures, these were some of the highlights that made it truly special.

• Swimming with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef
• Spotting our first cassowaries
• Adding to the rock towers between Cairns and Port Douglas
• Paronella Park (day and night)
• Collecting Haig stones on the beach of Bowen 
• The seafood platter at Raw Prawn (yep, it deserves 2 mentions)
• The Fishing
• Pontoon boat cruising through the estuaries in Port Douglas. This is a must!
• Daintree Rainforest lookout
•  “Hearding” sharks towards Shan so she can see some cool reef sharks

Our trip to Far North Queensland was over before we knew it, but we have so many amazing memories that will last us a lifetime. We cannot wait to get back to this magical part of Australia. If you’re planning your own north Queensland itinerary, we hope this guide has helped give you some ideas of what to see and do.

Have you been on a north Queensland road trip? What were some of your favourite places to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

Shannon is the organised half of a travel duo. Camping trips fueled her love for the outdoors, eventually leading to the dream to live on the road full-time. She loves the ocean, crystals, sunrises, and hiking - her happy place is surrounded by nature.

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16 Awesome Places on a North Queensland Road Trip

Tour the coast on a North Queensland road trip. A jam-packed itinerary with Queensland’s dream it, do it list of awesome places will make you want to plan for more! From Townsville, The Great Green Way, Cassowary Coast, Cairns and the scenic Captain Cook Highway to the Daintree. Discover World Heritage National Parks and The Great Barrier Reef. Camp on your very own island, stop off at waterfalls and spot unique wildlife found nowhere else in the world. There’s also good news for foodies. From a tropical culinary scene with fine dining to local food markets, boutique wineries, distilleries and craft breweries.

Magnetic Island

For nature and wildlife lovers, there’s nothing like Magnetic Island . Deserted beaches, secret bays, walking tracks, wildlife and the reef. All of this is a short ferry ride from Townsville. With the main bays of Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay and 19 other bays and beaches to explore there’s heaps to do and see. There’s an assortment of accommodation and a choice of local cafés, restaurants and pubs. Our favourite Man Friday serves the most amazing vegetarian Mexican with unique outdoor dining joined by the local wildlife including curlews and cute brushtail possums.

The island is home to a colony of koalas. You have a chance of spotting them in their natural habitat due to the landscape. A highlight for us was spotting a mum and baby low down in the tree on the Forts walk. For a guaranteed sighting visit Bungalow Bay Koala Village where you can cuddle a koala over a champagne breakfast. At Geoffrey and Nelly Bay, you can see the cute rock wallabies that live around the granite boulders. There are many natural wonders to keep you busy and there are activities such as horse-riding, sunset cruises on sailing yachts and the more adventurous can go diving, hire jet skis and kayaks. Take your own car over on the ferry or hire a car there. You can hire bicycles which is a great way of getting around and the bus service is reliable and constant.

Known for Magnetic Island and Billabong Sanctuary there is more to Townsville and it’s worth spending time here. With its sunshine and perfect weather Townsville is the gateway to natural attractions – rainforest, reef, parks, islands and the outback. The city has an emerging café and coffee culture, museums, galleries and markets. Don’t miss a walk through the Botanical Gardens with its lush tropical greenery and iconic Castle Hill for stunning views of the city. With views across to Magnetic Island, the Strand is a popular spot where you can swim safely in the Rockpool on the edge of the sea.

Our favourites around Townsville

Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary With wildlife experiences, education programs and shows, it’s a great place to spend the day with family, bring your own food or eat at the Blinky Bill Café. The entry fee allows you to use the BBQS and the swimming pool. Celebrate a birthday here and book a WILD function which includes special wildlife interactions and face painting for children. Volunteer opportunities to work with the wildlife offer a great opportunity. Dive the historic SS Yongala Shipwreck The 100-year-old wreck is one of the best dive sites in the world. Over the years it has become an ecosystem and habitat for many marine creatures such as clownfish, eels, rays, sea snakes, sharks and turtles. Town Common Conservation Park Close to the city with walking tracks, birds and wildlife. Brolgas, Jabirus, Rainbow bee-eaters and Agile wallabies are some of what you can see here during the right season.

Paluma Range National Park A World Heritage site with rainforest, crystal clear swimming holes, camping and accommodation like Hidden Valley Cabins . Some of the region’s endangered and unique birds and wildlife live here. There’s platypus in Running River, Victoria’s riflebirds and Orange-thighed tree frogs to name a few. Witness some of nature’s amazing moments at the right time. The male Victoria’s riflebird performs a spectacular mating dance and the juvenile males practice with each other during the breeding season. The Orange-thighed tree frogs live high up in the tree canopies of the rainforest and only leave once a year to mate during the breeding season. At the first rains of the season hundreds of them descend looking for a mate.

Jourama Falls Also in Paluma Range National Park but on the left side of Townsville. Beautiful rock pools and cascading waterfalls are set amongst rainforests with campsites close by. Alligator Creek The perfect place for a swim, picnic and a choice of short and more challenging walks . If you’re feeling adventurous camp on the hike in-site near the Alligator Falls. The hike is 8 km along the Alligator Falls track and you need to be self-sufficient. Adorable wallabies may join you at the campsite. Frosty Mango A North Queensland road trip is not complete without a stop here for a refreshing tropical fruit ice cream. With flavours like chocolate sapote fruit, mango, macadamia, pineapple and passionfruit it’s a hard choice!

Hinchinbrook Island

Hinchinbrook Island is the largest island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Wild and isolated with rugged mountain peaks, cliffs, beaches, swampy mangroves, lagoons, freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls. Though it’s in the Great Barrier Reef no reef surrounds it. Crocodiles thrive in the waters here so no swimming in the ocean. Most people visit the island to trek the Thorsborne Trail; a moderate 32 km hike that generally takes four days. You can do the trail independently or with a tour. Hikers need to be self-sufficient with all supplies; food, water, a tent and a first aid kit. If the trial is not for you another option is to base yourself at Zoe Bay to experience the most beautiful part of the island. Secluded camping areas give you a great place to explore. We camped here for two nights under twinkling stars and a day that began with a violet and gold sunrise from the infinity pool above, a swim in the crystal-clear Zoe Falls and finishing with a dusty orange sunset in front of our camp.

• Though uninhabited and only 40 permits allowed on the island at one time, it won’t feel like a wilderness when everyone stays at the same campsite. The island attracts fishermen and locals on the weekend. If possible, visit through the week or out of school holidays. EPA rangers often do maintenance and permit checks, so make sure you have all your permits.
• The best time to visit is April to September. Outside of these months it’s humid, hot and a chance of rainy season. Closer to April the waterfalls still run with plenty of water. Keep an eye on the weather the week leading up to your stay.
• Remember the insect repellent as lots of sandflies!
• If you plan to trek, stay an extra day at Zoe Bay. Due to time limits, some trekkers arrive at Zoe Bay in the dark and depart the next morning in the dark, with not much time to enjoy Zoe Falls and the infinity pools.
• When booking a campsite online it’s not for a specific site. On arrival you claim an available spot. From the main Zoe Bay camping area head out to the beach and turn left, there are several secluded camping sites hidden away, some with tables. On the trail to Zoe Falls there’s more spots tucked away off the path.
• Transfers to Hinchinbrook generally cater for hikers and go to Ramsay Bay or George Point.
• Zoe Bay requires more planning. The trip is open ocean and reliant on the tide.
• You can negotiate with one of the commercial operators or the best option for Zoe Bay is to arrange with a fisherman from Lucinda for transfers.
• You can also do a seven-day Hinchinbrook Island expedition with Coral Sea Kayaking . It’s one of the best kayak adventures in the world.

Thorsborne Trail and Camping

TYTO Wetlands

TYTO wetlands is a 100-hectare rehabilitated nature reserve near Ingham. Over the seasons more than 200 species of birds flock here. Jacanas, Magpie geese, Whistling ducks, Red-backed fairywrens, Crimson finches and kingfishers to name a few. The area has 5 km of walkways with interpretive signs to help spot the birdlife. The walking tracks integrate lagoons filled with purple lilies, bridges, viewing platforms, an observation tower for a bird’s eye view and grazing Agile wallabies.

The Park is named after the elusive Grass owl, the only Australian owl that builds their nest on the ground under long grass. Sometimes they nest here. The owl was on our wish list, but our visit didn’t coincide with the best chance of spotting it. However, an Olive sunbird swooping down to the water collecting insects to feed his two fluffy chicks and a chick learning to fly made up for it. The Information Centre is helpful and gives updated reports on recent bird sightings and maps of the area. Keep in mind not to have too high expectations as with all nature what you see depends on the season, rainfall, migration patterns and luck.

For latest sightings at TYTO

Wallaman Falls

Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall is a sight to behold as it nosedives into the gorge below, shrouding it in mist with its mighty force. Wallaman Falls in Girringun National Park makes the steep and winding road trip from the town of Ingham worth it. The Wet Tropics World Heritage area has some of the oldest rainforest in the world, deep valleys, mountain peaks, ancient volcanoes, and wildlife. The uninterrupted view of the falls from the lookout at the carpark makes it the best perspective. You can also do the 3.2 km return trek down to the base of the falls that takes you through some of the park’s rugged scenery, eucalyptus woodlands and rainforest.

The walk is slippery, steep and down in the gorge it’s humid and hot so wear shoes and take water. The view of the falls appears at the end of a fenced platform and you see up close the powerful falls pounding into the pool. After exploring the falls sit around the fire at your campsite. Due to the altitude it’s cooler than the coast with chilly nights. Only 200 metres from the fall’s lookout, the spaced-out sites have their own fire pits and picnic tables. With the amenities, fresh water, BBQs, access to walks, swimming holes and a chance to see some wildlife it’s a great place to camp. Camping allows an early morning trip back to the falls or trek to the base to have it to yourself.

Cardwell Spa Pools

The Cardwell Forest Drive takes you to the Spa Pools, Attie Creek, Dead Horse Creek and lookouts with great views of Hinchinbrook Island and the channel. Most people come here to see the Spa Pools. Framed by lime green forest, the turquoise creek with a swirling natural spa is made famous by Instagram. It’s worth seeing the other creeks especially after rain. A long waterfall spills over rock into a deep calm pool at Attie Creek and you can wander up Dead Horse Creek and find your own private swimming spot. Do the complete 26 km loop. Take lunch as the creeks have picnic tables and wooden BBQs. The road is unsealed but OK for regular vehicles with care. The seasonal creeks do not exist during the dry season, usually September to December. Call the Cardwell’s Visitor Centre on 0740662412 for an update on water levels before visiting.

Cardwell Forest Drive Map

Tully Gorge

Tully Gorge National Park offers camping, hiking, swimming, rainforest, rapids, gorges, and deep ravines. Access to different parts of the park is via two locations and you can’t drive all the way through from either side which are 100 km apart. From the Atherton Tablelands take in the scenery of the gorge and hike the Misty Mountains . From Tully, you can access the gorge itself, the camps, walks and swimming holes such as Alligators Nest (about 20 minutes from the highway), a rainforest green pool with a sandy bottom beside amenities, BBQs and picnic tables. Bring plenty of insect repellent as there’s lots of sandflies. Ponytail Falls is off the touristy trail and worth seeing if you’re in the area. Heavy rainfall creates two falls that tumble over moss-covered rock into the river. From Tully Gorge campsite travel about 15 km until you see a white No 11 on the road. From here you will see a path from the side of the road into the rainforest that leads to the falls. Crocodiles inhabit the river at the campsite so best just to take in the views! It’s 50 kms from the highway and due to no swimming, it’s a long way to go. However, the campsite is a nice place to pull up for a couple of days with the amenities, fire BBQs and walking tracks. For adrenaline junkies the Tully River is considered to be one of the best rafting rivers in Australia.

Cassowary Coast Waterfalls

Josephine Falls In the shadow of Mt Bartle Frere, a sequence of waterfalls splash into cool green pools. The return 1.2 km walk through pristine rainforest leads to the large pool where you can swim and slide down the natural rock waterslide. From here the track takes you to the lookouts of the other waterfalls where you can’t swim. Though it looks inviting, it’s not safe. At times the main pool is closed due to unpredictable conditions due to flash flooding so pay attention to the signs. Unless you go early in the morning the falls are usually like a busy city pool during peak season. You can go downstream to find your own little private spot if the crowds get too much.

Babinda Boulders Renowned for the legendry and haunting story from the local Yidinji people about a beautiful woman. Oolana fell to her death in the water when she lost her true love. To this day her spirit remains as she calls for her lover to return. Wandering travellers need to take care as Oolana may call them too close to her beautiful and treacherous waters. According to the Aboriginal legend it explains why so many lives have been lost here. Swimming in the Devil’s Pool is forbidden due to 17 lives lost from being dragged downstream and flash flooding. A short return walk about 1.3 km from the carpark takes you to the platform where you get overall views of the Devil’s Pool. Down below near the car park you can safely swim in the pretty lagoon-style pool scattered with huge boulders. The busy area is a park-like setting with amenities and camping is available not far from the main swimming lagoon.

Babinda Boulders is also the starting point for the Goldfield Trail

Behana Gorge A moderate 3.5 km walk through Eucalyptus Forest takes you past pools, natural spas, and great views until you get to Clamshell Falls. The cascading waterfall flows into a bottomless cool abys and runs most of the year. This is one of the most beautiful places on the North Queensland road trip. Due to the hike up, you most likely will have this to yourself apart from locals that use the track for walking and jogging. Be adventurous and walk up late in the afternoon and have it to yourself. Swim under the falls as the sun sets. It’s magical. Part of the adventure is the spooky walk back in the dark. Remember to take a torch! Use caution during the wet season and after rain. The water can flow and rise quickly so always use judgement before swimming.

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a stretch of coast with palm-fringed beaches hugged by rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s laid back but has its share of accommodation, cafes and restaurants. Though the best of the reef is further north you can avoid the crowds here. It’s a centre for trips to Dunk Island, other surrounding islands and home to Charleys Chocolate Factory and close to Paronella Park .

Populations of the endangered cassowary live here and sometimes wonder the beaches and rainforests. If you’re into walking you will love the Dreaming Trail and the Kennedy Track that takes you on 8 km trails of beaches, oceans, rainforest and stunning views of the islands. For a good chance of spotting a cassowary take the small walk through the high canopy of palms on the Licuala walk. The fallen orange fruit from the licuala is one of their favourite foods. After the walk cool down with a splash in the ocean (enclosed net) or one of the fresh rainforest creeks.

Mission Beach Walking Trails

Kurrimine Beach

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, relax on the beach and tropical sunrises Kurrimine Beach is the place for you. It’s the perfect base when camping on the islands such as Kent Island which is only a 20-minute boat road away. The hidden village sits on a coconut palm edged beach that looks out to the tropical islands. There’s a seasonal stinging net for salty morning dips in summer. At low tide you can walk out and explore the reefs and rock pools. You may catch sight of dolphins, manta rays and turtles. Like other beaches in North Queensland there’s a chance of crocodiles so always pay attention to the signs and check with locals if not sure. The village has a variety of accommodations, a convenience store, café, pub, restaurant, ice creamery and a local winery! Murdering Point Winery is locally owned and operated where master blenders craft award-winning wines, creamy liqueurs and wicked ports. It’s a hard choice between Davidson plum, lychee, mulberry, pineapple or passionfruit. The banana cream, choc mint cream and mocha cream liqueurs are heavenly.

Island Camping

Camping on your own deserted island will tempt you to this part of the Cassowary Coast. Several tropical islands have campsites and some like Coombe and Kent you can book exclusively for yourself. Spend the days exploring the nearby islands or just relax with a good book. Finish with sundowners on the sand dunes watching the sun set over the aquamarine sea with nothing but the sound of the waves and sea eagles soaring above.

• The one and only campsite at Coombe Island guarantees you have it to yourself.
• Kent Island is considered the nicest of the two. You need to book all three campsites to have it to yourself. Due to the lighthouse the island belongs to the Commonwealth and no fees apply for camping.
• You need to bring everything including a shovel for toilet use and take all rubbish back with you.
• The only amenities are picnic tables and pegs to hang a tarp.
• Kent Island is a 20-minute boat transfer from Kurrimine Beach.
• Mobile service works on Kent.
• The best time to camp is in winter due to no stingers and the scorching hot summer.
• Skip weekends and school holidays to avoid the day visitors and fishermen.
• If staying for one night only, a boat transfer from Kurrimine Beach suits.
• Hire a boat if staying for more than one night as you can explore the nearby islands during the day. Due to the closeness, Kent is easy to get to. Michael from Kurrimine Beach Boat Hire puts the boat in the water, gives you directions and instructions and you’re on your way! For your safety during rough weather, boats are not hired out.

A highlight of a Queensland road trip is spotting unique wildlife such as the endangered cassowary. One of the best places to spot them is Etty Bay and you may see them walk across the white sandy beach. Due to most of the land in the area being cleared for farming they need to walk along the beach to get to small pockets of remaining rainforest. In the early morning, we watch one walk along the tideline and another one with his stripey chick. How cute! When arriving we had to slow down for a cassowary crossing the road, so drive slowly and keep your eye out.

Here they aren’t shy of humans and may join and take over a picnic. Though they have notoriety for aggressive behaviour they tend to go about their own business if left alone. Don’t approach or feed them. Dad is protective of his chicks so never get between them.

The picturesque bay has a caravan park with simple cabins, camping and a kiosk with basic groceries, ice-creams and takeaways. The sheltered calm beach, stinger net and local lifesavers make it safe for swimming in summer. Toilet facilities, shady trees, picnic tables and BBQs make this popular with locals on weekends and during peak season so book in advance.

Cairns Food

Cairns has a vast range of accommodation, cafes, restaurants, pubs and so much to do. It’s a great base for trips to the Atherton Tablelands, Daintree and Great Barrier Reef. If staying in self-contained accommodation and doing your own cooking, shopping for fresh local fruit and vegetables at the iconic Rusty’s Market won’t disappoint either.

Beat the humidity and start the day with a fresh tropical juice with sweet local pineapples or an ice-cold smoothie with home-grown mangoes. Pair this with a house-made granola with roasted coconut, berries and nutty granola with nuts and macadamias from the Atherton Tablelands. Or how about a pancake stack with grilled bananas, plump-red strawberries and mascarpone, drizzled in maple syrup. Yummy!

Relax and dine with a choice of multicultural offerings and taste sensations. Asian, Balinese, Italian, Greek and Indian cuisine to name a few. Quench your thirst with craft beer from a local brewery. You can go on a Brewery tour and try all the different brews.

After a meal take a stroll through the Night Markets and finish off with some artisan gelato or sorbet. Whether casual dining while looking out to the esplanade, drinking cocktails from a rooftop, enjoying a burger washed down with a craft beer, you will get into the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of the tropics.

Our favourite cafes in Cairns

• Bombay Kitchen
• Cairns Burger Café
• Two Blocks Cafe

The Great Barrier Reef

Explore the underwater kingdom of the most biodiverse marine environment on the planet. Go on a colourful journey of coral gardens. Have your own Finding Nemo experience. Swim with friendly Potato cod, turtles, parrot fish every colour of the rainbow and maybe a Minke whale too! There are many trips to the World Heritage sites to choose from. Local operators offer introductory dives, beginner and refresher courses for those who haven’t dived for a while. Whether snorkeling, diving, novice, newly qualified, or experienced there’s a trip for everyone. Liveaboards are a great way to dive the best and remote sites of the reef where you escape from the day trippers and not see another boat. You will spend a few days diving at world-class dive sites, eating gourmet food in the company of an awesome crew. If you prefer returning to dry land, accommodation, restaurants and nightlife there’s no shortage of day trips.

Our favourite Dive Operators

• Spirit of Freedom Liveaboard
• Mike Ball Liveaboard
• Frankland Island Reef cruises – Best snorkel day trip
• Divers’ Den – Day trips and Liveaboard
• ABC Snorkel Charters – Port Douglas

Port Douglas

A main street full of accommodation, bars and restaurants make it a stopover oasis while tripping out to the Great Barrier Reef or Daintree. After your day chill out with food, boutique beers and wine. Sip sun-kissed cocktails or jugs of Caribbean Mojito enjoyed with homemade dips and toasted Turkish bread. Watch the sunset at Four Mile Beach or on a sunset cruise with sparkly champagne, icy beers and tasty canapes.

For dinner, we opted for The Mexican. Oregano crumbed stuffed jalapenos with mango ketchup followed by zesty vegetarian nachos with gangster sauce and sizzling vegetable fajitas. This mouth-watering spicy bliss is finished with margaritas, orange punch and a jug of sangria. Divine! If wanting to eat out in Port Douglas always check in advance. Most places require booking and not all are restaurants open seven days a week, especially during off-peak times. A major attraction is the Wildlife Habitat . An award-winning eco wildlife sanctuary dedicated to conservation and rehabilitation of native wildlife. Handfeed kangaroos and wallabies and go on a starlight walk at night and see the nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat. The sanctuary offers special and unique tours including your own private tour where you go behind the scenes and meet the rescued and injured wildlife. Breakfast with the birds and lunch with lorikeets in the Curlew Café is not to be missed for bird lovers. For the adventurous you can swim with the crocodiles in the new CrocArena.

Our favourites in Port Douglas

• ABC Snorkel Charters is unique and has exclusive trips out to the reef with only 12 people which makes for a personal and intimate experience.
• Silversonic departs from Port Douglas. Though it’s a large boat with crowds, it visits three different Agin Court Reef sites and spends five hours in the water.
• Port Douglas Motel is a little gem for accommodation. It’s value for money, quaint and only a minute’s walk to Macrosson Street.

The traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji people is the oldest rainforest in the world. Rugged and untouched as it was millions of years ago. Go on a day trip or stay a few days off-grid in your own patch of rainforest. Explore tropical beaches bejeweled with heritage rainforests. The fascination that the oldest animal on the planet could be watching you from the blue sea makes it exciting and wild.

Cruise the mighty Daintree and see this prehistoric crocodile up close in its natural environment. Spot some of the 430 species of birds found here. Hiking is a true wilderness experience with a chance to encounter a cassowary, tree kangaroos, giant tree frogs and other unique wildlife. Explore creeks, waterfalls, rivers, rainforests, and beaches. Immerse yourself in the culture and Dreamtime stories of the traditional owners of the land that have a history from 50000 years ago.

Taste the tropical sensations of the Daintree on a Fruit Tasting Tour, restaurants with onsite vegetable gardens and homemade fruity ice cream from rainforest fruits. Adopt an endangered orphan baby Flying-fox to help cover the cost of their care. Donate or get involved with tree planting and rainforest revegetation projects that expand the habitat and food resources for wildlife. Visit the Great Barrier Reef from here and explore the pristine reef of the Daintree coast with turtles, reef sharks, rays, corals and other marine life.

Our favourites in The Daintree

• Solar Whisper – Daintree River Wildlife and River Cruise
• Daintree Cascades – Secluded holiday houses located in the heart of the Daintree

Read More of our Australia Blogs

Discover Magnetic Island: Home to Over 500 Koalas and 23 Pristine Beaches  12 Must-Do Activites to do in the Daintree 26 Best Things to Do in the Atherton Tablelands

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3 Best North Queensland Road Trips from Townsville

Embark on an adventure through the hidden treasures of North Queensland on a North Queensland Road Trip! Be amazed by towering waterfalls nestled amid the lush tropical rainforest, inviting you to swim in their pristine rock pools. Wander along tropical beaches, hugged by the Coal Sea. Exted the journey westward to uncover Lava Tubes and open outback scenes.

Read on to discover three of the best North Queensland road trips from Townsville. These trips will get you off the highway while offering stunning scenery. Explore the regions from Mackay’s Cape Hillsborough National Park to Townsville’s Paluma Range National Park, extending to Undara Volcanic National Park beyond the Atherton Tablelands.

• North Queensland Road Trip: Townsville's Rainforest and Waterfalls

North Queensland Road Trip: Tropical Mackay Region

North queensland road trip: townsville and atherton tablelands, uncover the best north queensland road trips and camping.

But first, ensure you are prepared for your adventure with the all-important food, see our helpful meal planning guide ! Also, for a successful journey, see our guide to the best navigation apps . So what are you waiting for? Let’s go! And 4×4 vehicles are welcome!

North Queensland Road Trip: Townsville’s Rainforest and Waterfalls

On this North Queensland road trip, discover towering Waterfalls and tropical rainforests of Girringun National Park and Paluma Range National Park.

Road Trip Overview:

• Distance: 392 km
• Length: 3 Days (off-grid camping)
• When to Visit: April to October

TRAVEL TIP: Waterfalls in this region are best experienced after the wet season, April to July.

Day 1 – Wind up the Paluma Range to Little Crystal Creek. Admire the waterfalls and rock pools framed by the stone arch bridge. Continuing up the range, take in the vista out to the Coal Sea before reaching the small township of Paluma. You can continue through Paluma towards the turn-off to Paluma Dam. Camping is available at Paluma Dam . Stay for one night.

Things to do at Paluma, Townsville, Qld

• Stop at Rollingstone Pub for a cool drink, or
• Frosty Mango before winding up Paluma range.
• Swimming or relaxing at Big Crystal Creek (Paluma Range National Park).
• Little Crystal Creek for waterfalls and bridge architecture. (Paluma Range National Park)
• Paluma Township and McClellands Lookout.
• Birthday Creek Falls and Paluma Dam.
• Be crock wise.

Day 2 – Follow the unsealed road continues to Hidden Valley. From Hidden Valley, turn towards Mount Fox on Breakaway Road. Navigate to Wallaman Falls, a part of the Girringun National Park. View the longest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Camp by Stoney Creek at Wallaman Falls camping ar ea. Camp for one night.

Day 3 – Continue towards Ingham and Townsville. Stop off the highway to Jourama Falls a part of Paluma Range National Park. A scenic walk will take you past cascading rock pools towards the elevated viewing platform overlooking Jourama Falls. Camping is available amongst dry tropical bush at the Jourama Falls camping area . From here, return to Townsville or continue north towards Cairns.

Explore the region south of Townsville towards Collinsville, continuing through the rolling landscape to the back of the Eungella Ranges west of Mackay, North Queensland.

• Length: 6 Days (Off-grid camping)
• Distance: 930 km (Including gravel roads)

Day 1 – From Townsville, take the adventure towards Collinsville. Enjoy the scenic landscape along the Bowen Developmental Road (unsealed road). Turn onto Emu Plains Road, reaching Eungella Dam Camping Grounds . Find an idyllic spot to camp with water and mountain views by Eungella Dam.

Day 3 – From Eungella Dam, continue towards Crediton State Forest to explore the 4×4 tracks. Spot Platypus in Broken River, and enjoy the view from Sky Window Lookout before heading down the range to Finch Hatton Gorge. Stay a t Forest Flying for two nights.

TRAVEL TIP: Visit North Queensland from April to October in winter to avoid elevated temperatures and monsoonal rain.

Day 5 – If you have the luxury of time, why not head to the coast? Cape Hillsborough National Park offers stunning beach scenes to explore. Stay at Smalleys Beach camping area or Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park.

Day 6 – Proceed north towards Townsville. Take advantage of a picturesque lunch stop at Horseshoe Bay at Bowen. Enjoy the view from Rotary Lookout over the Coral Sea and the bay below. Continue to Townsville.

Witness cascading creeks and rivers hugged by rainforest-covered mountains. Enjoy a tropical beach walk along the Coral Sea, before heading west to Lava tube caves and the northern outback country.

• Length: 10 nights (Off-grid camping and Holiday Park accommodation)
• Distance: 1027 km (Including gravel roads)

Day 1 – Depart Townsville City for the rainforest of Abergowrie State Forest! Cool off in the clear waters of Broadwater Creek which flows by Broadwater Campground surrounded by tropical rainforest. Enjoy off-grid camping for one night.

Day 2 – Continue to Tully Gorge National Park. Turn off the Bruce Highway and continue through banana farms towards the forest-covered mountains. Arrive at the lush Tully Gorge camping area by the pristine Tully River. Relax in the rainforest surroundings and explore the Butterfly Walk or experienced walkers can tackle the Mount Tyson walking track. Further, adventure seekers could embark on the Tully River White Water Rafting to discover the full beauty of the Tully River Gorge. Enjoy serene off-grid camping for two nights.

Day 4 – Proceed north along the Bruce Highway to pretty Etty Bay. Stay by the Coral Sea at Etty Bay Caravan Park . Saty for one night.

TRAVEL TIP: When travelling in North Queensland, only swim in clear shallow water and keep in mind Estuarine Crocodiles – be crock-wise!

Day 5 – Malanda Falls Caravan Park . Stay at the ultimate location by Malanda Falls! Relax in the tropical surroundings or explore the nearby historic town of Herberton, visit Atherton, or explore the foodie offerings of Gallo Dairyland. Observe unique natural features from the crater lakes of Lake Eacham, Curtain Fig Tree, Mamu Tropical Skywalk to Millaa Millaa Falls. Stay for two nights.

Day 7 – Undara Volcanic National Park. Pull into U ndara Caravan Park while exploring the lava tube caves. Stay for one night.

Day 8 – Jervoice Station . Book in advance to stay at this outback station near Greenvale. Powered sites are available, or you can camp out on the property by Wyandotte Creek.  Stay for two nights.

Day 10 – Return to Townsville with beautiful memories and a revived spirit, or if time is on your side continue this road trip to Secrets of the Savannah Way …

As this tropical road trip ends, take home the amazing memories and experiences. From the rainforest hugged mountains to towering waterfalls and to the tropical beaches of the Coal Sea, there are many options for a unique escape in North Queensland.

Remember to keep our natural environment beautiful and leave no trace.

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Unmissable Cairns Road Trips To Enjoy the Best of Far North Queensland

Nestled in the heart of Far North Queensland, Cairns is a tropical paradise with a warm climate, many natural wonders, and a vibrant atmosphere.

You will no doubt spend much of your time strolling along the Cairns Esplanade , visiting sites like the Cairns Aquarium and botanical gardens, or exploring the Great Barrier Reef on day trips. But at some point, you should also take the opportunity to venture further afield.

From pristine beaches and lush hinterlands to ancient rainforests and vibrant cities, Cairns offers an abundance of road trip destinations for you to visit. Some are short drives you can complete in half an hour, whilst others might involve an overnight stay. But they all showcase a unique part of the region that many tourists don’t get to see.

So jump in your car, fasten your seatbelts, and join us as we reveal the best Far North Queensland road trips from Cairns.

Hiring a Car in Cairns

1. port douglas & the daintree, 3. atherton tablelands, 4. barron falls, 5. kirrama range road, 6. palm cove, 7. townsville, 8. yungaburra, 9. etty bay, 10. herberton, more australian road trip inspiration.

Before we jump into the details, though, you’ll need a car! Unless you’ve driven, say, Brisbane to Cairns, you’ve likely flown in or taken the train to Cairns to begin your far North Queensland adventure.

Hiring a car in Cairns will allow you the flexibility to embark on self-drive day trips from Cairns at your own pace and not rely on public transport, taxis, or expensive day tours.

Thankfully, several car rental companies operate in Cairns, including the major ones such as Avis, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Thrifty.

Most of these car rental companies have branches at the Cairns Airport, allowing you to conveniently pick up and drop off your vehicle upon arrival and departure.

You can search available options here with our trusted partners Discover Cars.

When renting a car, you will need a valid driver’s license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) if required. It’s essential to review the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including insurance coverage , fuel policy, mileage limits, and any additional fees.

Remember that driving in Cairns and Australia follows the left-hand side of the road, and speed limits and other road rules must be followed. Cairns has well-maintained roads, which are ideally suited for regular vehicles. However, if you plan on going off-roading, you might want to pick up an SUV or 4×4.

10 Best Road Trips From Cairns

(one hour drive via captain cook highway/state route 44).

• Distance: 66 km
• Time Needed: 3 – 6 hours

Port Douglas is a charming seaside town that is the gateway to the iconic Daintree Rainforest .

One of the best short drives from Cairns, the drive up there showcases the natural beauty of Far North Queensland, taking you along the breathtaking Captain Cook Highway that hugs the picturesque coastline.

Leaving Cairns, you’ll be treated to stunning ocean views and glimpses of palm-fringed beaches as you wind your way north. The road is well-maintained, making for a comfortable drive, and there are plenty of lookout points along the way to stop and capture memorable photos.

When you reach Port Douglas , you’ll find a laid-back atmosphere with palm-lined streets, boutique shops, and a vibrant dining scene. Its stunning Four Mile Beach , fringed by swaying coconut trees, invites visitors to relax, soak up the sun or go for a leisurely stroll. A stinger net there offers safe swimming.

From Port Douglas, you can visit the nearby Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. To get there, Cross the Daintree River on a scenic ferry and enter a world where ancient trees tower above and exotic wildlife thrives.

If you don’t want to make the river crossing (adverse weather and low tides can frequently affect crossing), you can still enjoy an introduction to the Daintree at Mossman Gorge. There are plenty of self-guided trails to enjoy or join a Dreamtime Walk conducted by the local Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) Indigenous people (pre-booking essential).

Pro Tip: Be mindful of visiting Daintree during the wet season of November to April, as heavy rain makes the area susceptible to flash flooding. Always check the road conditions there before you go; the ferry cannot be pre-booked and may have long queues, particularly following any closures.

(35-minute drive from Cairns via National Route 1)

• Distance: 30 km
• Time Needed: 3 – 6 hours

One of the best road trips from Cairns is the drive up to Kuranda, the quintessential Aussie small town in the mountains.

The route there offers breathtaking views as you ascend into the rainforest-clad mountains. You’ll travel along the Kuranda Range Road, a winding and picturesque route that provides glimpses of cascading waterfalls, dense vegetation, and panoramic vistas of the surrounding region.

Kuranda is renowned for its arts and crafts markets, offering unique souvenirs and local products – the perfect place to stock up on authentic Aussie souvenirs. You can explore the village’s vibrant shops, arts and crafts galleries, and cafes while there.

For an even more immersive experience, you can also ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway .

Providing you with a welcome respite from the tourist hustle and bustle of Cairns, Koala Gardens , and Birdworld are other points of interest for animal lovers. In contrast, nature lovers can explore several picturesque walking trails.

• NB – this is one day trip from Cairns where you may want to leave the car at home – although the drive is exceptionally pretty, taking the Skyrail or Scenic Railway are also sensational experiences not to miss.

There are advantages of having your own car, though. Once the day trippers have left, you will have Kuranda almost to yourselves and can take in the many attractions at your own pace. There are definitely too many things to see in Kuranda, particularly with the kids, to hit in one day.

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(One hour and 20 minutes drive from Cairns, via State Route 52)

• Distance: 93 km
• Time Needed: All Day

One of the best places to visit on a day trip from Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands .

Located just inland from Cairns, this picturesque region offers a refreshing escape into lush rainforests, rolling hills, and pristine waterfalls. On the way there, the road winds through scenic countryside, offering breathtaking views of rolling hills, fertile farmland, and dramatic waterfalls.

The Atherton Tablelands is known for its stunning crater lakes, including Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham . These ancient volcanic lakes provide opportunities for swimming, kayaking, or simply enjoying a picnic by the tranquil waters.

If you love nature, you will be captivated by the region’s diverse wildlife and vibrant rainforest, particularly the opportunity to explore the Wooroonooran National Park . There, you will be able to hike through dense foliage, spot unique bird species, and even encounter elusive tree kangaroos.

The Atherton Tablelands also boast a rich agricultural heritage. So, why not take the time to visit local farm gates and indulge in a farm-to-table experience, sampling delicious tropical fruits, dairy products, and gourmet delicacies? 

(40 minutes drive from Cairns via National Route 1)

• Distance: 31 km
• Time Needed: 2 -3 hours

Located within the Barron Gorge National Park , just a short drive from Cairns, Barron Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Australia.

You will hear a thunderous roar of cascading water plunging down a steep granite gorge well before you see it; such is its incredible power.

The falls are awe-inspiring during the wet season when the surrounding rainforest is lush and vibrant. The sight of the water tumbling over the rugged cliffs will take your breath away.

Several viewing platforms and walking trails allow you to admire the falls from different angles. Be sure to head to The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway for some of the most spectacular perspectives of it.

Beyond the falls, the Barron Gorge National Park offers opportunities for exploration and discovery. You can hike along the walking trails to immerse yourself in the ancient rainforest, home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. While doing this, watch for colourful birds, butterflies, and even the elusive cassowary.

(3 hour drive away via Bruce Highway/A1)

• Distance: 204 km
• Time Needed: 1 day/overnight

For a real off-the-beaten-path road trip Queensland experience, head to the Kirrama Range Road.

It will take you three hours to drive there, and you’ll need a 4×4 because the road is mainly unsealed. But once you reach it, you will be treated to a scenic drive that winds through the Kirrama Range, offering breathtaking views, diverse ecosystems, and the chance to connect with nature.

The drive is renowned for its rugged beauty, with sections of rainforest, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls dotting the landscape. Watch for wildlife such as wallabies, cassowaries, and several bird species.

One of the highlights of Kirrama Range Road is Blencoe Falls , a spectacular waterfall that plunges over 90 metres into a gorge below. A short hike from the road leads to viewing platforms where you can admire the sheer power and beauty of the falls.

As you continue along the road, you’ll pass through the Kirrama National Park , which offers bushwalking, camping, and birdwatching opportunities, with several trails leading to stunning lookouts and natural swimming holes.

(25-minute drive from Cairns via Captain Cook Highway/Route 44)

• Distance: 25 km 
• Time Needed: 2 – 4 hours

A visit to Palm Cove should be on any Cairns itinerary.

Just a short drive up the road, the main attraction of this picturesque beachside village is its stunning palm-fringed beach, boasting pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

It’s the ideal place to unwind, soak up the sun, and take refreshing dips in the ocean. The palm-lined esplanade offers a delightful promenade for leisurely walks, lined with boutique shops, cafes, and award-winning restaurants.

Nu Nu’s provides a lush beachfront setting with an outside deck that looks directly out to the palm trees and the ocean. Illuminated by fairy lights at night, it is a beautiful place to dine.

For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, Palm Cove is renowned for its luxurious day spas and wellness retreats, where you can indulge in rejuvenating treatments and therapies inspired by the natural surroundings.

There is also a lovely jetty you can fish off and several interesting boutique shops to peruse.

Pro Tip: The Palm Cove markets run on the first Sunday every month. It has an eclectic mix of arts, crafts, and food stalls and is a great way to mingle with locals.

(4-hour drive from Cairns via Bruce Highway/A1)

• Distance: 347 km
• Time Needed: 1 – 2 Days

The longest of day trips from Cairns on this list, Townsville, is known as the ‘Capital of North Queensland.’ 

It is a vibrant coastal city, nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the rugged Outback, and is somewhere you should ideally spend a couple of nights.

One of the main highlights of Townsville is The Strand , a beautiful waterfront promenade that stretches along the coastline. Here, you can enjoy a pleasant walk, relax on the golden beaches, and savour delicious meals at any of the several restaurants and cafes that line it.

Townsville is also home to fascinating cultural attractions, including the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium . These attractions provide insight into the region’s rich history, marine life, and indigenous heritage.

For history enthusiasts, visiting iconic Castle Hill is a must. This massive pink granite monolith offers panoramic views of the city, Magnetic Island , and the Coral Sea. You can reach its summit by foot or by car.

Pro Tip: Hotels in Townsville can be quite expensive. So consider staying somewhere a few kms out of the city, where the prices should be significantly cheaper.

(70-minute drive from Cairns via Bruce Highway/A1)

• Distance: 67 km 

Visiting Yungaburra is undoubtedly one of the best things to do near Cairns.

Located on the Atherton Tablelands, this charming village is surrounded by lush rainforest and serene lakes, making it a pleasant place to spend a few hours. 

One of the main drawcards of Yungaburra is its heritage-listed buildings, many of which house fascinating local galleries or funky cafes. The historic Yungaburra Hotel is also popular for drinks, a meal and live entertainment.

Not far from the town centre, Lake Tinaroo is a large man-made lake that offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and picnicking amidst breathtaking scenery. The nearby Curtain Fig Tree is also a must-visit site, showcasing a fascinating example of nature’s architecture.

For a really cool experience, head to Peterson Creek , where you can spot a platypus in the wetlands of Hasties Swamp .

(80-minute drive from Cairns via Bruce Highway/A1)

• Distance: 100 km

Tucked away along the Cassowary Coast, Etty Bay is a secluded beach known for its pristine beauty and calm waters.

Etty Bay is famous for its resident cassowaries, often spotted roaming freely along the shoreline. It offers a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent birds up close in their natural habitat. (However, it’s important to maintain a respectful distance and not feed or approach them).

The beach is a tropical haven with soft golden sands, clear turquoise waters, and lush rainforest fringes. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply relaxing under the shade of palm trees.

Part of the stunning Wooroonooran National Park, you can also venture along the walking trails whilst here to explore the rich rainforest biodiversity. 

Etty Bay also has picnic areas and a caravan park, making it an excellent spot for a family day out or a peaceful camping retreat, should you want to stop overnight.

Pro Tip: If you plan to camp here, make a reservation in advance of your visit. It can be a popular destination for campers, especially in summer. So you will want to avoid inconvenience and disappointment.

(90 minutes via State Route 52)

• Distance: 96 km

Also in the Atherton Tablelands, Herberton is a quaint historic town that is known for its well-preserved streetscape, incorporating over 50 heritage-listed buildings.

You’ll be captivated by them as you stroll along the town’s beautiful, tree-lined main street. Be sure to visit the Herberton Historic Village , a living museum that provides a fascinating insight into the area’s pioneering history, with restored buildings, vintage machinery, and several interactive exhibits.

A visit to Herberton wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the famous Herberton Roadhouse. If you are hungry, you can indulge in homemade pies, treats, and hearty country meals that satisfy any appetite.

Slightly out of town, the nearby Herberton Range National Park offers picturesque walking trails and scenic lookouts. There you can explore the rainforest, spot wildlife, and enjoy the serenity of this natural oasis.

At Dinner Falls , you’ll be able to cool off from the intense heat and humidity with a swim in its plunge pool.

We hope you’ve found some inspiration amongst this selection of great road trips in far North Queensland to keep you busy during a family trip to Cairns and Far North Queensland , truly one of the world’s most beautiful and captivating destinations.

Don’t miss our complete collection of Aussie city guides for families:

ADELAIDE | BRISBANE | CAIRNS | CANBERRA | DARWIN | GOLD COAST | MELBOURNE | PERTH | SYDNEY

If you’re in the midst of planning your trip to Australia , you may also be interested to check out next:

• Continue your journey into Far North Queensland with our Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip itinerary
• Take your journey east and continue the epic outback adventure from Cairns to Darwin or complete the entire drive along the Savannah Way
• Driving from Melbourne to the Gold Coast , taking the inland route through NSW Riverina and the tablelands
• Our complete Brisbane to Cairns itinerary following the Great Barrier Reef along the Queensland coast
• An Epic Red Centre Itinerary from Sydney to Uluru taking in the best of outback Australia
• Cruise the east coast of Australia with this complete Sydney to Cairns itinerary

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A 10 Day Road Trip Around Tropical North Queensland

by Paula McInerney | Oct 23, 2015 | DESTINATIONS | 52 comments

A 10 Day Road Trip Around Tropical North Queensland is an excellent way to see the World Heritage-listed sites of the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Daintree Rain Forest. It also an opportunity to experience more of Australia’s iconic nature, wildlife, history, culture and its people.

We recently did just this 10 Day Road Trip of Tropical North Queensland. Australia is a welcoming country, and Tropical North Queensland is a friendly area, where people have time to shoot the breeze.

Getting There

• 0.1 Getting There
• 0.2 A Brief Overview of where we went
• 1.1.1 Cairns to Gordonvale 23 kms
• 1.1.2 Gordonvale to Innisfail 65 kms
• 1.1.3 Innisfail to Tully 53kms
• 1.1.4 Tully to Innisfail 53kms
• 2.1.1 Innisfail to Millaa Millaa 60 kms
• 2.1.2 Millaa Millaa to Yungaburra 38 kms
• 2.1.3 Insane (But True) – Your Hotel Booking Site is Not Being Totally Honest
• 3.0.1 Yungaburra to Herberton 28 kms
• 3.1 Gordon & the Historic Village Herberton
• 4.0.1 Yunguburra to Mutchilba, Dimbulah and Mareeba 122kms
• 5.0.1 Mareeba to Kuranda 39 kms
• 5.0.2 Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• 5.0.3 Kuranda Scenic Railway
• 6.0.1 Kuranda
• 7.0.1 Kuranda to Cairns 29 kms
• 8.0.1 Cairns to Mossman to Port Douglas 97km
• 9.0.1 Cairns

Many Visitors to Tropical North Queensland will arrive in Cairns where there is an international and domestic airport.

A Brief Overview of where we went

The road trip takes in the world heritage listed sites as well as the Cassowary Coast, the Atherton Tablelands and from Cairns north to the Mossman and Port Douglas. Each destination can be reached as a day trip from Cairns but also make an ideal road trip.

We are sharing what we did on our 10-day road trip, but it is easy to adapt depending on the time you have.

We arrived at Cairns Airport having traveled by budget airline Tigerair from Sydney, a 3-hour flight. We then picked up a hire care from Thrifty, which cost us $209 for 10 days (no affiliation).

The only accommodation we had organized was at Cairns at the end of the road trip. Part of the fun of an Australian road trip is to stop at a pub or a motel when you feel like it and to have time to wander around.

The Cassowary Coast

The Cassowary Coast is so named, because of the cassowary that frequents this strip of land that runs between Cairns and Townsville. A cassowary is a flightless bird found in New Guinea and in Australia where they are sited from Cape York to Townsville.

It is also a coastline characterised by sugar cane plantations, which line the road, interspersed with groves of bananas. Cane Trains run along the road and are fascinating to watch.

Cairns to Gordonvale 23 kms

We drove from Cairns Airport to Gordonvale. The Mulgrave Central sugar mill is in the centre of the town. There are about 300 sugarcane farms that bring the cane to this mill. You can smell the sugar in the air. There are some beautiful heritage buildings in the town. It is also where you will see Walsh’s Pyramid, the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world, and it is all natural, if not a little disconcerting.

Gordonvale pub

Gordonvale to Innisfail 65 kms

This is a very interesting part of the Cassowary Coast. While it might only be 65kms, we spent a lot of time stopping and watching the cane trains. We also stopped to see the town of Babinda to see the Babinda Boulders and to admire Queensland’s highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere.

Innisfail was a very pleasant surprise. Who would have thought that this is considered to be the art deco capital of Australia. It lies at the junction of the North and South Johnstone Rivers. It has great access to beautiful beaches and is a very popular fishing area, with marlin being sought out by international fishermen.

Did you know that Innisfail is to considered to be the Art Deco capital of Australia, have a read here about it

Innisfail – art deco capital

Innisfail to Tully 53kms

More beautiful countryside, and a town named El Arish. We found it unusual also, but the town was named after the city of Arish in Egypt where the Australian Light Horse saw action in December 1916. The street names are after high-ranking officers, and El Arish has a population of 442 people.

There is an ongoing feud between Tully and Babinda as to who can claim to be the wettest town in Australia each year.

Regardless, the Golden Gumboot stands proudly at the entrance to this sugar town of Tully asserting their claim to this title. The sun shone in both towns when we visited. Go figure.

Babinda claims to be wettest town in Australia

Tully to Innisfail 53kms

We returned to Innisfail and checked into a pub for the night. Clean, basic and welcoming.

Atherton Tablelands

We had coffee and a big Innisfail breakfast at Famishes Café because the publican told us it was a big Aussie brekky. It was good.

Innisfail to Millaa Millaa 60 kms

Millaa Millaa is also known as the ‘Village in the Mist’. It is surrounded by dairy farms and a circuit of waterfalls, Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls. We stopped and went for a walk through the rainforest looking for the platypus but instead got the bush hens, who are quite amusing.

Famous Millaa Millaa waterfall in Tropical North Queensland

Millaa Millaa to Yungaburra 38 kms

As you can see, everything is really close. We went through the milk town of Malanda, stopped and had a walk at Lake Eacham, a volcanic lake.

We explored the Nerada Tea Estates, had a cuppa and some scones, because we could.

production at Nerada tea estate

From there we went to the heritage village of Yungaburra. This is a café town surrounded by crater lakes, waterfalls and World Heritage rain forest. 

We decided to spend 2 nights in Yungaburra as it is so central to everything and booked into a motel. We went to the pub, which is a great example of Federation architecture, with an amazing stairwell.

We found out something quite disturbing about hotel book sites here, or you our suspicions confirmed, when 1 last room, or last room remaining are not true. Read: Insane (But True) – Your Hotel Booking Site is Not Being Totally Honest

Make sure when you do a road trip, to tune into the local radio station. This gives you the local news of the area, the music that is popular and a general feel of the place. We found this fascinating as it changed where we went.

Yungaburra cafe

Yungaburra to Herberton 28 kms

This was the trip to see where Gordon was born in the old tin mining town of Herberton. We managed to talk to the lady in the house where he lived and were able to see it. We then went to the Herberton Mining Museum and spent a long time looking through all family records. From there we went to the open living museum, Historic Village Herberton where the village, as it was in its heyday, has been lovingly restored with many of the old buildings being moved to the site. Read all about it,

Gordon & the Historic Village Herberton

Read more about visiting Herberton in Tropical North Queensland. This fascinating old tin mining town is where Gordon was born.

Herberton an old tin mining town in Tropical North Queensland

Later in the afternoon, we stopped at a rainforest and walked to a most unusual site, the Mt Hypipamee Crater . The crater is 61 metres in diameter, and 82 metres deep. Legend has it that some prospectors on their way to Herberton nearly fell into it. See our guest post Oceania Above 

We stopped at The Curtain Fig Tree and Peterson Creek Platypus on the way back, very late in the day.

Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra

“The curtain effect results from one tree leaning against another tree on a 45-degree angle. The strangler vine then grew along the oblique angle of the leaning tree, dangling 15 metres to the ground to create the curtain affect” Cairns Attractions

Yunguburra to Mutchilba, Dimbulah and Mareeba 122kms

This was a pleasant and easy trip as all of the legs of the road trip have been. We did a few detours here. We went out to the little town that nearly wasn’t a little town, Mutchilba where Gordon had also generic cialis ervaringen briefly lived.

There is a funny story. When the town of Mutchilba declined in population, it was taken off the town register of Australia. No one told the town of Mutchilba and they were pretty angry. After kicking up a real stink, they are back on the map, and this mango town is still small but obviously tenacious. Wait until they bring back the Mango Mardi Gras and they will.

Play on words at Mutchilba

We headed out to Dimbulah because I thought it was Dimboola, as in Dimboola the play by the Australian author Jack Hibberd. I was 2,915kms out, as Dimboola is in Victoria. I posted this on Facebook and immediately got a reply from the little town of Dimbulah, to stop for a cuppa. It may be a remote Queensland town, but they were all over the social media.

Dimbulah not Dimboola

We then headed to Mareeba, famed for its coffee and once a renowned for tobacco growing plantations. The entire area of Tropical North Queensland is multicultural. Initially, indentured labour was brought in to work the cane fields from the Micronesian islands because the white plantation owners found it beneath their dignity to work in the fields. I doubt that much has changed now with workers from all over the world employed in the fields.

Mareeba to Kuranda 39 kms

Kuranda is a welcome rainforest, alternative town. The surroundings are magical, and we head straight to the Barron Falls and the Barron Gorge National Park. The Barron Falls is a steeply tiered cascade waterfall on the Barron River located where the river descends from the Atherton Tablelands to the Cairns coastal plain. This is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Djabugai people and various government bodies have worked together to share these natural and very historic walking tracks.

There are numerous walking trails, and if you walk quietly, you can see many of the animals of the rainforest. You arrive at the Barron Falls, and they are totally spectacular.

Barron Gorge National Park

The village itself is one of the most popular day trips from Cairns where people come up by the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or vice versa.

These are both must do experiences.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

This journey takes you through Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforests as you go just over the rainforest canopy. There are two rainforest mid-stations to explore and learn more about this fascinating environment from the forest floor.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Here you pass through the World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, past spectacular waterfalls and into the amazing Barron Gorge.

Kuranda scenic railway

The village of Kuranda is full of arts and crafts shops, al fresco dining experiences and the Original and Heritage Markets. Of particular interest here is Birdworld Kuranda where we finally get to see two cassowaries as well as many other birds. Kuranda Koala Gardens attract many visitors and is a chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s unique wildlife.

arty Kuranda

A huge recommendation is to go on the Rainforest and Orchard Tour Kuranda, at Barron Falls Estate. This is where you quad bike it around the rainforest, stopping and learning about nature and the bush and see the spectacular Barron Falls from the other side. Here where we saw a cassowary and her chicks in the wild. Totally recommended and read how I was total natural at quad bike riding.

Read about how I became the campion quad bike rider on the  Rainforest and Orchard Tour Kuranda

Rainforest and Orchard Tour Kuranda

Kuranda is one of those towns that people spend a day at, but you can spend a lot more time. After the people go on the last train back to Cairns, it is very quiet. But the rainforest isn’t. This is such a lovely time to take some more of the walking trails, and to see exactly why this is heritage listed.

Read about Kuranda, the 10am to 3pm village

the rainforests surrounding Kuranda

Kuranda to Cairns 29 kms

This is a pleasant drive descending from the Village in the Rainforest to the city of Cairns. We stayed in a beautiful apartment on Trinity Outlet, Park Regis Piermonde, and we recommend this. We went for brunch because Cairns had some amazing eateries and walked around the city.

Park Regis Piermonde, Cairns

Visiting the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is special, and authenticity is the key. It is located in Smithfield at the base of the Skyrail cableway. Tjapukai means ‘People of the Rainforest’. There are displays and cultural dances and a living timeline of the Tjapukai from Dreamtime until this day.

Cairns to Mossman to Port Douglas 97km

It is 75kms from Cairns to Mossman. You drive along the gorgeous Coral Coast with mountains towering on the other side. We are back to sugar canes, and a sugar mill in the village of Mossman and the smell of sugar and rainforest all in one. Mossman Gorge is located in the World Heritage-listed, Daintree National Park. The Mossman Gorge is dramatic; the water is crystal clear, and the area is rich in Aboriginal History. The Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks are an excellent way to get a better understanding of this interaction between people and nature. It is also all about the waterfalls, mountains and the flora and fauna.

We then head back to Port Douglas, 21km towards Cairns.

Port Douglas, Tropical North Queensland

Port Douglas is bohemian chic. It is also the gateway to the two World Heritage listed sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Port Douglas is a cool. Macrossan St, the main street is full of cafes, shops and people.

There are so many resorts in Port Douglas and it has that party feel to all of the time.

Four Mile Beach is a palm tree lined beautiful white beach where you can walk before stopping for a cocktail or a beer anywhere. Many boats leave from here to the Great Barrier Reef, and many tours leave to explore the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

The marina at Port Douglas

Day 9 and 10

We decided to spend the last days exploring Cairns itself as a city and very much liked what we found. We have done the Great Barrier Reef tours some times before and have explored a lot of the Daintree though we could easily have done both again.

Exploring Cairns

Cairns is the gateway to all of the above activities and destinations. People from all over the world start and end in Cairns. They know this, and they have got things done very well to receive all of its guests. I don’t think enough people explore the city proper, which is why we did and have written about it. From the Esplanade to the inlet and the magnificent Cairns Botanic Garden, this is a city that surprised us in a very good way.

The Esplanade, Cairns

If you are coming to Tropical North Queensland, and you will because of its is unparalleled beauty, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much there is to see and to do.

As I mentioned before, each of these can be done as day trips from Cairns itself. However, a road trip is a really unique way to explore the Cassowary Coast, Atherton Tablelands, the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Daintree Forest, all World Heritage-listed sites.

The writers were guests  of Tigerair Australia , and of many places and at other places we paid our own way.

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52 Comments

Wow..what an epic trip! You guys covered a lot in 10 days. Beautiful photos! We were lucky enough to visit Cairns and Kuranda for a few days last year and we knew we need to go back and explore Tropical North Queensland. It’s such a stunning and unique area.

It was actually a very relaxing trip as most places are quite close to one another. It is a beautiful area of the world.

Wow, what an extensive itinerary! I’d especially love to see the Mt Hypipamee Crater.

Mt Hypipamee Crater was quite a discovery that I was not expecting.

What a great post! Cairns to Cairns! My daughter is migrating to Australia starting 2017 and I can’t wait to see all these beautiful places. It is a great place for road trips which my husband and I absolutely love!

I tried to make it quite detailed so that people like you Carol, will have a good trip already done for you.

I traveled around Queensland (and Australia) by bus back in 1980. I loved the reef. Cairns was a nice city, except I managed a severe case of food poisoning. Most of my time there was spent between the bed and the bathroom…ugh. I would like to go back, and if I do, your road trip sounds perfect. I’d do the Kuranda trip, for sure.

Come back and rid yourself of those bad memories. The food is outstanding and you will certainly notice lots of differences.

What a comprehensive guide! And those trees? I have never been to Queensland (or Australia) …one of these days I hope!

We have some amazing tress and flowers in Australia, and I hope that you get to see them soon.

What an extensive and well laid itinerary! love everything about the post!!!

Thank you so much. We saw a lot of travelers from overseas while we were driving around, so I thought that this might be helpful for future visitors.

I loved tropical North Queensland when I visited it, mostly simply because it’s tropical! I wasn’t a fan of Cairns, but I loved the Daintree and, of course, diving the Great Barrier Reef. We had done our in-pool training at home, and finished off the certification on a three-day liveaboard trip. It was fantastic! We flew to Cooktown and took the boat from there.

I was surprised that when we did a lot of exploring of Cairns that we really did like it. I also love the tropics and how big the fruit and the flowers are.

We didn’t make it this far north on our visit to Queensland, but it sure looks like fun! What a fantastic photo of the cassowary. Really enjoyed your post.

Thanks guys, We will have to get you back to Queensland and take you to this area. The cassowary is cool.

What a great road trip! We’ve driven from Cairns to Port Douglas…not far but it was interesting. We’re slowly seeing more of Queensland but it’s a big state and there’s still lots more to see.

It is a big state Jenny, and I have yet to see a lot of it myself. Gordon on the other hand, knows it very well.

Looks like I have a lot more of Tropical North Queensland left to explore! Kuranda was absolutely lovely, and I’m working on a post about it now. Love the shot of the cassowary and the Millaa Millaa waterfall!

Kuranda is one of those great little places, you might also enjoy, Kuranda The 10 am to 3 pm Village https://contentedtraveller.com/kuranda-the-10-am-to-3-pm-village/

Wow, Paula! You put so much work into that itinerary. Thanks for sharing it. It sounds like a great area to explore and you’ve provided a perfect plan for it.

Thanks Laura, I though it might be an easy itinerary for visitors to us and tried to make it as explicit as possible

Paula, it looks like you had a great time exploring the region around Cairns. My parents use to live in Mossman for about ten years and I used to go there regularly for uni holidays and we did a lot of exploring of the local area when I visited.

I think your itinerary is a well paced visit, although I would also recommend for people to also try to get out to the Undara Lava Caves which you can access from Atherton Tablelands. It is a really different experience.

How amazing Anne that your parents lived in Mossman. We nearly went to Undara Lava Caves, Ravenshoe – because we have friendds from Nqzawa Onsen who hail from there but time got away from us.Lots more to explore

D and I are planning a road trip to Cooktown in 2017. I might just borrow your itinerary for this part of the state.

You will love it. I haven’t been to Cooktown but Gordon has and has explored a lot of that area.

Awesome!! Love roadtrips! Definitely looks like an interesting route with lots to see and do.

It was actually a lot of fun and quite easy going, stopping whenever we wanted.

Looks like a fabulous trip, I had no idea how tropical this part of Australia was.

Australia has many tropical areas, it is a very diverse country with very diverse geography.

You really saw a lot in your 10 day roadtrip. I really wanted to see a wild cassowary when we were in North Queensland but never did. Perhaps I should have hung around the Cassowary Coast more. I like that you were able to see Gordon’s old house and hometown while you were there.

It was when we went on the quad bike through the rain forest that we go to the Cass the Cassowary, and we really had to look hard to find him.

What a fun road trip!! I would love to see the Cassowary Coast, the waterfalls and the fantastic scenery! Queensland sounds wonderful–hope to make a trip there sometime soon!

It was a very interesting road trip and we got to see a lot of amazing things in Tropical North Queensland

Wow, you sure packed a lot in, in 10 days! We are planning on going to Aus towards the end of next year and are currently looking up things to do in different areas. Can’t wait to see Queensland!

It was actually a very easy going trip because once we had flown to Cairns, everything was quite close to one another. You will love Australia

I’ve always wanted to do an epic Australian road trip! Thanks for the inspiration.

Definitely do it, and in Australia there are many epic road trips, many of which we have on our site.

This is a super informative post! I loved this region to travel through, but unfortunately never did get to see a cassowary.

The cassowary is so elusive. We were lucky when we went on the rainforest quad bike tour, to get to see it and the baby chicks.

WoW! Queensland is place for an adventurer! I am attracted to any place with waterfalls:) So addictive, here in Asia I got used to swim in any that I find:)

I thought about a swim at Millaa Millaa but the water was icy for some reason.

Wow – what a comprehensive review! Looks like an incredible trip. I love the reference to a “cuppa and a scone.” Scones are delicious, although I’d rather have coffee in my cuppa than tea.

I love my coffee, but sometimes tea works so well.

Great adventure…

Thanks and it was.

Jim and I have road-tripped in Queensland and loved every minute of it! Your itinerary is fantastic. I love that photo of the cassowary, too!

Thanks Corinne, we had a great time and the cassowary was amazing.

You’ve given a thorough recap of your adventure, and your photos are brilliant. Looks like you took your time instead of hurrying as we do too often.

We did take our time and it was a relaxing trip, stopping here and there.

What a fun trip! I love the rainforest and the waterfalls. You took so beautiful shots at Cairns, Paula. I’d love to visit this place someday.

Thanks Anda, one of the Cairns shots was from my iPhone and for some reason turned out beautifully.

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Home Travel Hit the road in North Queensland

Hit the road in North Queensland

This article is brought to you by Drive North Queensland .

Nothing shouts ‘road trip’ more than singing along to your favourite tunes as you head down the highway in your rig. This one is a classic: “Ridin’ down the highway, goin’ to a show, stop in all the byways, playin’ rock ‘n’ roll…” It’s a long way to the you-know-what.

Stopping in the byways is the best thing about a driving holiday. The tiny blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-towns, the truck stops, the sleepy villages, the pubs. Nothing beats a country pub, and North Queensland has a bunch of ‘em – , full of stories, chockers with characters and good cheer, along with good beer of course. And no matter whether you are a grey nomad, adventure lover, beach bum or a backpacker, a cold one after a dusty drive tastes heavenly. 

So if you’ve got your gear ready – your caravan, camper trailer, campervan, motorhome or just your tent or new-fangled swag – start planning your next road trip exploring the wonders of North Queensland. Good on ya, mates! 

Tropical North Queensland

All roads lead to Cairns – well, these four beaut drives do. With a kaleidoscope of colours from that blinding blue of the sea to the velvety green of the rainforest and the ochre red of the outback, nature is front and centre on these itineraries.

The Savannah Way is a true-blue humdinger of a drive, stretching through three Aussie states and territories, on a mind-blowing 3699km of outback. Don’t panic if you don’t want to do it all, just do the best bit – the Queensland section! This part of this legendary road bumps you from Hell’s Gate to Cairns, and there are plenty of bonza places to check out, including Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, and Riversleigh Fossil Fields.

Clockwise from left – Driving through the ruggered landscape in Boodjamulla National Park; Driving along the Savannah Way; Kayaking through the gorge in Boodjamulla National Park. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland ; Tourism Tropical North Queensland

The Great Green Way runs between Townsville to Cairns, and the name is spot on because you’ll go through 12 national parks along the way. Think waterfalls, magical waterholes and cool seaside towns. Oh, and get a selfie at the giant gumboot – complete with frog – in Tully. We do love our big things in ‘Straya, don’t we!

Babinda Boulders, a must-see stop on the Great Green Way road trip. Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Exploring Cape York and the Daintree are true bucket-list adventures, absolute gold for those who like to drive to the back of beyond and then some. Cape York is normally accessible through winter and spring, but it is so popular you’ll often need to book at least 6 months ahead. While the weather had been a little rough last year, parts of the Daintree are back up and running, opening up the wondrous Heritage-Listed Rainforest with its ancient ferns and tangled canopies, fringed by the Great Barrier Reef. You can check the latest travel advice here . The Great Barrier Reef Drive is AOK from Cairns to Port Douglas, with those drop-dead gorgeous ocean views woven into canopies of green just as divine as ever. Chill out in Palm Cove, and linger longer in Port Douglas where you can get snappy on a croc tour, or get wet out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Enjoy the spectacular coastline by car on the way to Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland

Outback Queensland

You won’t have a more Aussie experience than on one of four brilliant road trip options in Outback Queensland. Even the names are awesome: Overlanders Way, The Matilda Way, Dinos, Crocs and Gold, and the Australian Dinosaur Trail . The Overlanders Way is a tad over 1,000 clicks and takes you from Townsville’s idyllic beaches to Camooweal… without leaving the bitumen! Say g’day to locals in cracker towns like Charters Towers, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa, with a whole rodeo of dinosaurs, fossils, and cowboys along the way. Don’t forget your Akubra so you look the part!

Clockwise from left: Wiliyan-ngurru National Park (Camooweal Caves National Park); Directional signage for Overlander’s and Matilda Way; Julia Creek from above. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Matilda Way is another fully-sealed highway, stretching from Cunnamulla on the New South Wales border to Karumba, on the Gulf of Carpentaria – a hefty distance of 1812 km. Go stargazing in Charleville, watch the chicken racing at the Royal Carrangarra Hotel, head to the Black Stump at Blackall, marvel at ‘Machinery Mile’ in Ilfracombe, get your pioneering hat on in Longreach and ‘Waltz Matilda’ in Winton.

Clockwise from left: Exterior of the historic Royal Carrangarra Hotel; Stargazing at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland

If you know your Stegosaurus from your T-Rex, venture out along the Australian Dinosaur Trail , which is a 735km doddle in prime fossil country encompassing Richmond, Winton and Hughenden. In Winton, visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs and learn about the ‘dinosaur stampede’ at the Lark Quarry Conservation Park. Say g’day to Hughie, a Muttaburrasaurus, at the Flinders Discovery Centre in Hughenden, and soak up some amazing country by camping at Porcupine Gorge National Park.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton. Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

For a great combination, Dinos, Crocs and Gold is a round trip from Townsville covering an epic 2934km. Spot freshwater crocodiles on a Cobbold Gorge cruise, be totally wowed at the Undara Experience, and head from Hughenden to Richmond and Kronosaurus Korner – Australia’s premier marine fossil museum.

Guests onboard the Cobbold Gorge cruise; Kronosauras Korner, Richmond. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland

Townsville North Queensland

Get some Ayr (see what I did there) on one of these beaut drives in the Townsville region. Check out the North Queensland Highlights route through the Burdekin from Ayr to Ingham. It’s sweet in more ways than one, with the Burdekin Art Trail, a shipwreck to scuba dive on, the gorgeous Magnetic Island to explore, a host of critter experiences in Townsville, and for something different, check out the largest herd of Texas Longhorn cattle in Australia, at Charters Towers.

Ayr is also the starting point for the North Queensland Island Hopper experience. An hour’s drive north in Townsville, you can embrace your inner aquaman at Magnetic Island. Test out each of its 23 beaches and see koalas in the wild. Flit away from Maggie on a helicopter to Orpheus Island, then head to Hinchinbrook, after a sojourn back in terrific Townsville.

Clockwise from left: Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island; Forts walk on Magnetic Island; Snorkelling on Magnetic Island. Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland

If you love animals, the North Queensland Wildlife Tracker could be spot on for you. From Ayr to Hinchinbrook Island, you’ll see a raft of feathered, furred and scaled critters at places like Cromarty Wetlands north of Ayr, and diving with sealife on the SS Yongala . In Townsville, get your wild on at the Town Common Conservation Park or the Billabong Sanctuary. On ‘Maggie’, visit between May and August and experience the butterfly walk at Horseshoe Bay.

A blue tiger butterfly on Horseshoe Island. Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Whitsundays

Ah, The Whitsundays. The Heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Such a beautiful part of the world, with its 74 islands and many mainland wonders as well. It’s so easy to explore The Whitsundays – either drive your rig up here or fly in and hire a car or campervan. Easy peasy. As to which drive to take, the Adventures in The Whitsundays drive runs from Cedar Creek Falls to Bowen, and you can swim and paddle your heart out in blissful waterholes like the one at the base of the Cedar Creek Falls. Laze at postcard-perfect Hydeaway Bay north of Airlie Beach and knock back a bevvy or two at one of the beachfront resorts there, and in Airlie, jump in for a swim at the massive lagoon or take a dip at Boathaven Beach. Head north to Bowen, where it’s all about mangoes – you can eat ‘em, and tick off another ‘big thing’ – the Big Mango – before washing off those juices at the stunning fringing reefs just off the shore of Horseshoe Bay. While in town, savour the best seafood around – grab some fish and chips at Birds Fish Bar at Bowen Fishermans Wharf. Is there anything better than fish ‘n’ chips by the water? Nah.

Cedar Creek Falls; Airlie Beach from above. Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

For more Whitsundays goodness, check out the Cairns to Whitsundays drive. If you’re travelling from the south, try the Ultimate Guide to Driving the Great Barrier Reef from Bundaberg – hello Bundy Rum! – to Cairns, or strap in for the what-the-heck-let’s-do-it drive from Brisbane to the Whitsundays , taking you along 1268km of tropical coastline to North Queensland.

So you should be all revved up now to drive those highways and byways and dirt tracks, whether in your own rig or in a hired vehicle. Whichever drive you take, it will be a fair dinkum ripper! Cue AC/DC……

Cromarty Wetlands, Burdiken. Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Find your ultimate North Queensland road trip at drivenorthqueensland.com.au

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Cairns, Far North Queensland: A 10-Day Epic Road Trip Itinerary Including Atherton Tablelands, Daintree, and Cape Tribulation

Last updated April 2024

Despite the fact that we have only visited Australia once, the country has already managed to become one of our absolute favorite places on earth. During the four weeks we spent “Down Under,” we had an incredible number of wonderful experiences. Among our fondest memories are meeting the amazingly cute kangaroo-babies at The Kangaroo Sanctuary , staying at a luxury lodge inside the rainforest , and last but not least a 10-day road trip we took starting in Cairns. This trip was so great, we are planning to go back and drive the exact same route again!

Cairns is located on the north-east coast of Australia and is one of the cities closest to the Great Barrier Reef, making it a very popular tourist destination. What is not so well known, however, is that the areas around the reef and city offer a wide range of exciting activities on land as well. With a rental car and 1-2 weeks at your disposal, you can make the acquaintance of spectacular Australian wildlife, hike in one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests with an Aboriginal guide, enjoy some divine freshly roasted coffee on a plantation, get a heart-warming tour of a bat hospital , and step back in time through a visit to a historic village.

We had 10 days to explore the area, and since we are very fond of nature and wildlife , we planned a route focusing on exactly that. When we go on road trips , we prefer to drive short stints each day so that we have plenty of time to stop and experience as much as we can along the way. Our itinerary therefore covers relatively short distances.

Day 1: Drive from Cairns to Yungaburra in Atherton Tablelands

Day 2: Explore the Atherton Tablelands

Day 3: Drive from Yungaburra to Mossman

Day 4: Enjoy the stay at Silky Oaks Lodge

Day 5: Hike in Mossman Gorge

Day 6: Drive from Mossman to Daintree

Day 7: Take a day trip to Cape Tribulation

Day 8: Drive from Daintree to Port Douglas

Day 9: Go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef

Day 10: Drive from Port Douglas to Cairns

Below is a more detailed overview of where we drove and what we experienced each day. All distances are driving distances and include detours to the stops/activities described.

Day 1: Drive from Cairns to Yungaburra in Atherton Tablelands – approx. 80 kilometers 

Stops / activities:

• Lake Barrine Rainforest Cruises & Teahouse
• Lake Eacham
• Curtain Fig National Park
• Peterson Creek

Blue Summit Hideaway

Accommodation:

Link to route in Google Maps

We started the day by picking up our rental car at the airport in Cairns. From the airport, we drove south before turning inland towards Atherton Tablelands.

Our very first stop was at Lake Barrine, specifically at Lake Barrine Rainforest Cruises & Teahouse. We had hoped to go on a cruise on Lake Barrine, but unfortunately we arrived on a public holiday and therefore no boat trips were being offered.

Luckily the café was open, and we enjoyed a delicious Devonshire Tea instead. This consisted of tea or coffee as well as scones with cream and jam. The scones were homemade using a recipe from 1926 and were obviously very popular since the queue at the checkout snaked through almost the entire charming, old-fashioned venue. Despite the fact that there were many guests at the teahouse that day, we were lucky and found a vacant table out on the porch overlooking the water.

Lake Barrine is an ancient volcanic crater which over time has filled with water, and the result is a beautiful lake surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk around the entire lake on a path that is approximately 5 kilometers long. However, we just went for a little stroll in the teahouse garden.

Link to Lake Barrine Rainforest Cruises & Teahouse

Link to more information about Lake Barrine

The next stop was at another crater lake, Lake Eacham. Both Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham belong to Crater Lakes National Park, with hiking trails around both. The one around Lake Eacham is approximately 3 kilometers long — we walked parts of it while admiring the sight of the beautiful blue-green water.

Lake Eacham was teeming with life, and many people were enjoying canoeing, picnicking, and swimming. It was definitely tempting to go for a swim but a sign warning against a freshwater crocodile that lived in the lake made us keep our toes out of the water 🙂

Another creature we were on the lookout for was the cassowary. These large, ostrich-like birds can be spotted in the area if you are lucky, but unfortunately we did not see any.

Link to more information about Lake Eacham

Curtain Fig National Park is only a 10-minute drive from Lake Eacham, and it is definitely worth making a short stop to see the huge fig tree that grows there. The 500-year-old tree is less than 200 meters from the parking lot, and the short walk is rewarded with a sight that’s quite out of the ordinary.

Link to more information about Curtain Fig National Park

The last activity of the day was to search for platypuses. These aquatic mammals are only found in Australia, and one of the places there is a good chance of seeing them is in Peterson Creek in Yungaburra. We parked the car at the overnight accommodation, Blue Summit Hideaway, and strolled the short distance to the creek.

Platypuses are most active at sunrise and sunset, so it was perfect timing that it was about to get dark as we got there. By the creek there was an observation platform and a path along the water. Since the platypus is very shy, we tried to be as quiet as we could. To our great disappointment, the creatures, which resemble a duck from the front and a beaver from behind, were nowhere to be seen.

We spent the two next nights at Blue Summit Hideaway, a nice accommodation with clean and neat rooms. The only thing it lacked was a heat source that did not make as much noise as the electric wood stove in the room. We were surprised at how cool it was in Atherton Tablelands in the evening.

Link to Blue Summit Hideaway

Day 2: Explore the Atherton Tablelands – approx. 60 kilometers

• Gallo Dairyland
• Historic Village Herberton
• Tolga Bat Hospital

The next morning, we decided to have breakfast at the dairy farm Gallo Dairyland. Gallo Dairyland has a café, cheese factory, and animal nursery. Visitors can also watch milk demonstrations and shop for gourmet cheeses and chocolate.

We ate a rustic but tasty meal in the cozy café with wildflowers on the tables, and a slight hint of barn smell made the experience very authentic. After breakfast we went for a walk on the farm to say hello the animals, before we took a look inside the cheese and chocolate shop. When we saw that they sold koala-bear-shaped chocolate, it was impossible not to buy a few.

Link to Gallo Dairyland

With full stomachs, we then took a trip back in time at the Historic Village Herberton. This charming outdoor museum consists of more than 60 original buildings that date back to its days as a mining town. Walking around here felt like being on a movie set with old shops, workshops, vintage cars and tractors, a school, a pub, a bank, and a café that sold refreshments.

Most of the buildings in Herberton are located on one side of the river, but one should also take the trip over the suspension bridge to look around on the other side. Here you will find a strange mix of scrap heaps and works of art that are difficult to describe. It simply has to be experienced. We had a great time in Herberton and spent much longer here than we had originally planned to. In other words, a visit here is something not to be missed.

Link to Historic Village Herberton

The last stop of the day, Tolga Bat Hospital, also surprised us in a very positive manner. We must admit that we walked in feeling a little apprehensive of the stealthy, sharp-toothed creatures, but after the tour of the bat hospital, our fear crystallized into fascination. The tour was extremely interesting and informative, and we certainly did not expect to be totally charmed by the furry bat babies. Tolga Bat Hospital receives visitors all year round, but you must make an appointment in advance.

READ MORE: From fear to fascination – a visit to Tolga Bat Hospital

Link to Tolga Bat Hospital

Day 3: Drive from Yungaburra to Mossman – approx. 140 kilometers

• Jaques Coffee Plantation
• Mount Molloy
• Mossman Mount Molloy Road Lookout

Silky Oaks Lodge

The plan for this day was to drive from Yungaburra to the luxury accommodation Silky Oaks Lodge located in the rainforest at Mossman. On the way we stopped at Jaques Coffee Plantation, where we did a coffee tour consisting of a documentary and a self-guided walk on the plantation.

The documentary was informative, but a little too politically angled for our liking. After the film, we strolled around the plantation a bit, but did not find very many interesting things to look at. Perhaps the longer tour option with a guided walk on the property would have been more exciting.

A cup of coffee and a taste of coffee liqueur was included in our ticket. We opted for a flat white and an iced latte which both were excellent. We didn’t really feel that the tour was worth the money, but we would happily stop here again just for the coffee.

Link to Jaques Coffee Plantation

On the way to Mossman we passed the tiny town of Mount Molloy. We had planned to have lunch at the pub of the traditional Mt Molloy National Hotel. Unfortunately we arrived right after the lunch service ended. This was a shame, because the hotel looked like it had a very cool vibe.

Link to Mt Molloy National Hotel

Instead, we ended up getting a couple of sandwiches from the local gas station, which we enjoyed while taking a closer look at the surroundings. Mount Molloy is an old timber and mining town, and it was fun to get a glimpse of the history there.

We were now approaching the coast again, as confirmed by the sight of the sparkling sea that met our eyes when we stopped at Mossman Mount Molloy Lookout.

A little later we turned onto the road to Silky Oaks Lodge, located in the rainforest by Mossman River. Our expectations were high — but the stunning lodge met them, and then some!

We fell completely in love with the place, its incredible location, fantastic food, and super nice staff. We only spent three nights here, and in retrospect we wish we had booked our last two nights at Silky Oaks Lodge as well instead of at Daintree Ecolodge, which was our next place to stay.

READ MORE: Review of Silky Oaks Lodge

Link to Silky Oaks Lodge

• Rainforest hikes
• Spa treatments
• Spending time in the hammock

We had set aside day 4 to enjoy the area around Silky Oaks Lodge. We were very happy we had done so, because there were plenty of exciting things to experience near the lodge.

In short, we can mention the hiking trails, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming (we liked the billabong called Beach Billabong the best). We also had a couple of wonderful treatments in the Healing Waters Spa. Last but not least, it was an experience in itself just to swing slowly back and forth in a comfy hammock surrounded by lush rainforest. We spent several hours lounging in the hammock on the porch of our cabin, never getting tired of looking at the exquisite flora and fauna around us. Turkeys with bright red heads and large butterflies with metallic blue colors were just a few of the creatures that caught our attention.

Day 5: Hike in Mossman Gorge – approx. 20 kilometers

• Mossman Gorge Centre — Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk
• Self-guided hike in Mossman Gorge

Silky Oaks Lodge is located in Daintree Rainforest. When you stay in one of the world’s oldest rainforests, it goes without saying that you should explore this further.

The perfect place to do this is in Mossman Gorge, just a short drive from Silky Oaks. Here you can participate in a guided walk through the rainforest with someone who knows it inside and out — the Kuku Yalanji. Kuku Yalanji are local Indigenous people, today recognized as the traditional owners of the area.

We booked the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk through Mossman Gorge Center, and found the approximately 90-minute walk under the vivid green canopy to be utterly fascinating. We got to take part in a traditional smoking ceremony, see how paint and soap are made from wild plants, and learn a lot about the plants and trees around us. In addition, we got an insight into the history and traditions of the KuKu Yalanji people.

After a captivating tour that we wished had lasted even longer, we continued hiking on our own. Mossman Gorge has several marked hiking trails of various lengths that meander through the forest and along the river. The crystal clear water with beautiful billabongs beckoned us to dip our toes in, but when we visited the area it was unfortunately forbidden to swim there because the current was too strong. Either way, the place was just perfect for a little picnic.

Link to Mossman Gorge Center

Day 6: Drive from Mossman to Daintree – approx. 40 kilometers

• Daintree River — cruise with Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises

Daintree Ecolodge

The drive from Silky Oaks Lodge to Daintree Ecolodge is not long, so we decided to take a short detour to go on a cruise on Daintree River. We were hoping to see some of the many crocodiles that populate its winding waters.

There are several companies that offer cruises on Daintree River. We booked with Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises which offers environmentally friendly tours with its solar powered boat. The boat is also very quiet, which is an advantage when you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of camera-shy wildlife.

Unfortunately, there turned out to be unfavorable conditions for crocodile watching during our cruise, and we only saw a small crocodile baby. It is therefore worth checking in advance to see when there will be the greatest chance of seeing crocodiles (this is usually when the water level is low and the temperature is not too high). The boat trip was still nice, and we enjoyed looking at the lush nature around the river.

Link to Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises

We spent the next two nights at Daintree Ecolodge. This lodge had very nice staff and comfortable rooms, but we found that we paid a relatively high price for our stay compared to the Silky Oaks Lodge. However, the location was perfect considering what we had planned for the next day — a day trip to Cape Tribulation.

Link to Daintree Ecolodge

Day 7: Take a day trip to Cape Tribulation – approx. 90 kilometers

• Cape Tribulation Beach
• Myall Beach
• Madja Boardwalk
• Thornton Beach
• Daintree Ice Cream Company
• Jindalba Boardwalk
• Mount Alexandra Lookout

Daintree Eco Lodge

The trip to Cape Tribulation was something we had been looking forward to for a long time, and we had the most wonderful day north of Daintree River. The day was actually so eventful and full of experiences that we have written a separate post about Cape Tribulation which you can read HERE.

Day 8: Drive from Daintree to Port Douglas – approx. 60 kilometers

• Trinity Bay Lookout

Lazy Lizard Motor Inn

On our way from Daintree to Port Douglas we did a farm tour. The tour was somewhat disappointing and because of this, we have decided not to include it in our recommended itinerary.

Before settling in for the night, we headed for the Trinity Bay Lookout in Port Douglas. This is a vantage point with great views of 4 Mile Beach. It is possible to hike up to the viewpoint, but we were feeling lazy and therefore drove our car up.

For the next two nights, we had booked a stay at the Lazy Lizard Motor Inn. It had simple, no-frills rooms with all necessary amenities. Most importantly, it was spotlessly clean. The owners were very welcoming and helpful, and we would not hesitate to stay at Lazy Lizard Motor Inn again.

Link to Lazy Lizard Motor Inn

Day 9: Go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef – approx. 6 kilometers

• Reef Sprinter — snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef
• Grant Street Kitchen
• 4 Mile Beach

If based in Port Douglas, you have different opportunities for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. You can either book a tour to the inner reefs that are closest to land, or to the outer reefs that are significantly further away. For the latter, the boat trip usually takes 1.5-2 hours (there are also speedboats that can do the trip in about 40 minutes).

Since we have limited experience with snorkeling far out at sea, we chose to book a tour to the inner reef — more specifically the Low Isles. The company we booked with, Reef Sprinter, guarantees a boat trip without seasickness. With their fast speedboats, passengers avoid the drifting that can lead to queasy stomachs. An additional advantage of the fast boat is that it takes only approximately 15 minutes to get to the snorkeling spot.

Reef Sprinter offers various snorkeling trips, and we signed up for the one called “Option B: Island and Lagoon Tour”. On this trip, the boat stopped at a small island, and we thought it was nice to be able to take small breaks from the snorkeling.

The reef we snorkeled on probably does not measure up to the beauty of the outer reef, and some of the corals there were damaged by pollution and bad weather. We still thought we had a great experience and saw plenty of fish in a beautiful array of shapes and colors. Among other things, we saw reef sharks, a moray eel, and lots of large flat fish that were very curious, not to mention several turtles. Next time we visit the area, however (we just HAVE to go back), we will book a snorkeling trip on the outer reef.

Link to Reef Sprinter

After snorkeling, we were hungry as wolves, and since we had been recommended the Grant Street Kitchen cafe, that’s where we took our empty stomachs. Grant Street Kitchen serves up delicious food, and a visit here is a must if you are in Port Douglas. We loved both the avocado smash sandwich and the almond croissant we ordered.

Link to Grant Street Kitchen

Since we had seen 4 Mile Beach from Trinity Bay Lookout the day before, we thought it was a great idea to round off the day with a little stroll on it.

Day 10: Drive from Port Douglas to Cairns – approx. 70 kilometers

• Port Douglas (Sunday) Markets
• Cairns Esplanade
• Holiday Inn Cairns Harborside

Holiday Inn Cairns Harborside (rebranded to Cairns Harbourside Hotel in 2024)

We were lucky enough that our last day in Port Douglas fell on a Sunday, which is the day the weekly market is held. The market consisted of around 150 stalls that were idyllically set up with the sea as a backdrop.

The stalls offered an incredibly varied selection of goods and services with everything from massage and reflexology to art, handicraft products, clothing, and fruits and vegetables. We even found one full of Christmas decorations. The market seemed to be a popular spot, and it was full of cheerful people busy shopping and socializing.

Link to more information about Port Douglas Market

After a great morning at the market, it was time to hop in the car and drive it back to Cairns to drop it off. The road between Port Douglas and Cairns is called Captain Cook Highway, and is often considered one of the most beautiful rides in the world. The road winds along the coast, and you can enjoy the view of the sea along large parts of the route. We wish we had had time to stop along the way, but unfortunately had to drive almost non-stop to be able to deliver the rental car by the deadline. We recommend you set aside plenty of time to drive this stretch, and that you stop at some of the beautiful beaches.

Holiday Inn Cairns Harborside was our last accommodation on the trip. We were given a room that could use a bit of a sprucing up, but it worked fine for a short stay. The location was very good, with the Carins Esplanade right in front of the hotel. It was great place to end the day accompanied by the sound of the waves.

Link to Holiday Inn Cairns Harborside (rebranded to Cairns Harbourside Hotel in 2024)

Practical information and tips

• Cairns is located in Far North Queensland in Australia. Most visitors arrive in the city by plane. There are direct flights from the largest cities in Australia as well as some international destinations. It is also possible to reach Cairns by sea, bus, or train.
• For those who are wondering how long they should spend here, our answer is: as long as you can! Our 10 days went by much too fast, and we wish we had had even more time. That said, you can also experience a lot in less time than we had available.
• The best time to visit the area is in the dry season between May and November. The period from May to September is often recommended in particular. In the dry season, temperatures are usually comfortable, and there is less chance of encountering dangerous marine stingers in the sea.
• The dry season coincides with the high season for tourists. During this period, you may want to book accommodation in advance.
• In our opinion, renting a car is a must to be able to explore all that Cairns and the surrounding area has to offer. The freedom to stop where you want is simply unbeatable. We rented a car through Avis and got a nice car at a fair price.
• In Australia you drive on the left, something we’re not used to. Fortunately, we quickly got into the habit of driving on the “wrong” side of the road, and we found that most fellow road users drove considerately and safely. Furthermore, it was very nice that the roads had frequent overtaking lanes which made it easy to let other cars pass by. Distances are stated in kilometers, and speed is stated in kilometers per hour. Foreign drivers may need an international driver’s license to drive in Australia.
• It is important to be extra careful when driving in Queensland. The local wildlife can appear anywhere and anytime. One must take special care after the sun has set since many animals are most active at this time of day.
• It is a good idea to get a paper map or download an offline map on your mobile before setting off, as not all areas have mobile / GPS coverage.
• We went on a snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. However, there are countless opportunities to experience the reef from other places as well (ex. Cairns and Cape Tribulation).
• Our itinerary and activities do not cover all the possibilities available in Far North Queensland. Other places to visit include parks, waterfalls, and an aquarium. It is also possible to go on a boat, fishing, or train trip to name a few. There is something for absolutely everyone here!

*We visited Cairns in October 2019. None of the places or tour operators we mention in this post knew they could be featured on our blog, and we paid all expenses ourselves.

The Ginger Wanderlust

The Ultimate North Queensland Road trip – 2 week itinerary Cape Tribulation to Airlie Beach

At over 1,853 million km² Queensland is Australia’s second-largest state. It covers a variety of scenery from city to country to coast to mountain to rainforest. We road tripped over 1200km through tropical north Queensland from Cairns up to Cape Tribulation and down to Airlie Beach going via countless national parks, waterfalls, beautiful beaches and rolling hills. It took a while to plan my trip as I wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything out as well as ensure we took the best route. In order to make it super easy for you all to plan the ultimate tropical north Queensland Roadtrip I’ve detailed out what we did plus tips (and wanderlust worthy photos of course).

We started in Cairns and ended in Airlie Beach but you could obviously do the same route backwards and also go down further to Brisbane, or even not do everything in my list. In this blog post I’ve planned out a two week road trip (but we actually did this over 17 days as we had three days where we didn’t do much) so feel free to alter this itinerary to suit your needs and timeline! The first and last two days of our road trip were without a car, this helped us to reduce costs as the car wasn’t needed.

Book your hotels via my link to get 40$ refunded from your 80$ trip (anyone can book, you don’t need a new account and the currency can be converted!).

Day 1 – Fitzroy Island

A day trip to Fitzroy island was the perfect way to kick-start our North Queensland adventures. This paradise island is only a 45 minute boat ride from Cairns and is a great place to swim with wild turtles (we spotted four!), or even have a closer interaction at the  Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre  on Fitzroy Island.   You can also enjoy various activities like hiking, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking and scuba diving.

There are 3 boats a day heading to Fitzroy Island from Cairns , at 8am, 11am and 1:30pm. You can then head back to Cairns on the 9:30am, 12:15pm or 5pm boat. You will need to  book the ferry  in advance.

Where we stayed: Caravella Backpackers

Day 2 – Great Barrier Reef

Another great day adventure from Cairns  is to the Great Barrier Reef. There are quite a few different companies offering tours, so I would advise shopping around to see what works best for you. We booked with  Silverswift  as our hostel offered us 10% off and so it worked out the cheapest option for us.

Personally I would recommend diving over snorkeling as it allows you to go deeper thus making it easier to admire the reef and marine life. If you haven’t dived before don’t worry! Most tours will offer introductory dives for those who aren’t certified.

You can also explore the Great Barrier Reef in the  Whitsundays . We decided to dive in Cairns and snorkel in the Whitsundays.

Day 3 – Cape Tribulation

Pick up your hire car or van and drive 3 hours up the coast to Cape Tribulation. You can break up the drive with a stop at Palm Cove, Thala Beach Nature Resort (pictured) and Rex Lookout.

Once you get to Cape Tribulation you can enjoy endless palm fringed beaches (just don’t swim as there might be crocs!), plenty of rainforest paths to explore and you can even go on a crocodile cruise along the Daintree River. If you are using your own transport you will need to pay 28$ for a return ferry to Cape Tribulation (there is no other way to get there).

Where we stayed: Dougies Backpackers

Day 4 – Mossman Gorge, Barron Falls, Crystal Cascades, Walsh’s pyramid

Start your day at  Mossman Gorge . Here you can enjoy the wonders of the national park at your own pace, exploring a number of walking tracks including the popular Gorge Circuit. You can also enjoy a refreshing swim in the gorge which is framed by greenery and striking mountains in the distance.

You can access the gorge by a bus from the visitor centre, the $9 return ticket goes towards supporting the local Aboriginal community. At the visitors centre you will be able to see if the water at the gorge is okay to swim in. The current can be strong when the water level is high, so make sure you check!

Then head south with a stop at Barron Falls to admire the gushing water and scenery and the Crystal Cascades to cool off. At the Crystal Cascades take the path to the left of the carpark to find a beautiful hidden waterfall with a fallen tree and rope to jump off!  Find out exactly how to find the Fairy Falls .

Continue your drive to Yungaburra and make sure you stop to admire Walsh’s pyramid, an independent peak with a distinct pyramidal appearance. Head to Behana Gorge Road for the most iconic view.

Where we stayed: On the Wallaby Lodge

Day 5 – Yungaburra and Windin Falls

I felt like I’d traveled back in time whilst exploring the town of Yungaburra, so many cute shop fronts and hotels. Yungaburra is also a great place to spot wild platypuses! I had never seen any before and we managed to see four! You just need to type in ‘Platypus Viewing Platform’ into Google.

Make sure you also check out the heritage-listed curtain fig tree, one of the largest trees in Tropical North Queensland.

I then recommend spending the rest of your day at Windin Falls , the most beautiful waterfall I have ever visited with an incredible view! It’s around a 2 hour return hike, find out exactly how to get there .

Where we stayed: Airbnb in Milla Milla

Day 6 – Tully Gorge and the Milla Milla waterfall circuit

If it’s dry season I personally wouldn’t bother making the drive to Tully Gorge National Park, but during wet season there is an amazing infinity pool you can easily access from Tully Gorge Lookout .

You can then spend the afternoon chasing waterfalls on the Milla Milla waterfall circuit . Did you know that Milla Milla means water water, or plenty of water? That is because this region of Queensland is the wettest in Australia! The waterfall circuit includes Milla Milla falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa falls (pictured).

Day 7 – Waterfalls on way to mission beach

There are a few waterfalls you can stop at on your drive to Mission beach; I definitely recommend checking out Nandroya and Wallicher Falls . These aren’t the easiest to find, you’ll need to park at Henrietta Creek to access Nandroya Falls and then stop halfway in between there and Mamu Tropical skywalk for Wallicher Falls. There are NOT big signs for it so drive slowly!

Then continue your drive to Mission beach (it’s about an hour’s drive).

Make sure you go to the beach to watch the sunset! You can find a nice selection of leaning palm trees near Castaways Resort and Spa.

Depending on how much time you have, you could choose to spend two nights in Mission beach and go white water rafting on the Tully River (or just chill out).

Where we stayed: Mission Beach Resort

Day 8 – Mission beach – Cardwell pools – Ingham

Start your day with a well earned chill out session on the beach. It only takes about an hour and a half to drive to Ingham, so if you can’t stop at the Cardwell Pools then you might want to leave right at the end of the day (there isn’t that much to do in Ingham).

The Cardwell Spa Pool is a naturally-fed, seasonal creek with gorgeous blue water! During the dry season the water levels get super low making it dangerous to swim in (bacteria etc).  So make sure you contact the Cardwell Visitor & Heritage Centre on 07 4066 2412 before visiting to find out the current water level.

Where we stayed: Herbert Valley Motel

Day 9 – Wallaman falls to Townsville

It’s around an hour’s drive to Wallaman falls, with the last 15 minutes going up a windy mountain, so drive slowly (and I would avoid going when it’s dark). Make sure you bring a few bottles of water with you as there is NOTHING there.

Wallaman falls is Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall and you can choose to just enjoy it from the viewing platform, or you can take the more adventurous route down to the plunge pool. This track is quite steep with a number of loose rocks so please make sure you wear closed footwear. You will need around 1-2 hours to walk down and back up again (plus however long you want to stay at the bottom for).

You’ll then be in for quite a long drive to Townsville (around 3-4 hours), so I hope you have a good mixtape!

Where we stayed: Ridgemont Executive Motel

Day 10 – Magnetic Island

Head to the Sealink Ferry Terminal to get a boat to Magnetic Island for the day. The ferry’s are every hour and cost 33$ return (it’s more if you want to take a car).

You can hire cars on the island, or get the bus around (it was around $7 for unlimited journeys). We got the bus around and started at the Forts, this is an amazing place to spot wild koalas so keep your eyes peeled! There are a few beaches you can walk to around here too (make sure you have water on you as there isn’t anything around here).

You can then head to the far end of the island to enjoy Horseshoe bay (there are a few restaurants/pubs here). Make sure you stop at Bungalow Bay Koala Village at 16:15 to feed the lorikeets! It is super fun!

We then headed right other to the over side of the island so that I could fly my drone over the SS City of Adelaide shipwreck, about 300m right of Cockle Bay. The bus will drop you in Picnic Bay and you will need to walk for about 30 minutes to Cockle Bay.

Day 11 – Drive to Airlie beach

It takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive to Airlie Beach from Townsville. We stopped at Bowen on the way (but weren’t that blown away by it). You could spend the morning in Townsville, drive to Airlie Beach and then chill at the lagoon there!

Where we stayed: Airlie Beach Magnums

Day 12-13 Explore the Whitsundays

I would give yourself at least one full day in the Whitsundays, and ideally two (or more if you can), it really is a slice of heaven!

I spent one day on the Great Barrier Reef at Hardy Pontoon (such a cool way to experience the reef, especially if you’re not a confident swimmer), and another on Whitehaven beach. Check out my detailed two day itinerary .

I hope this helps you plan your epic north Queensland road trip! It really is a beautiful area to explore. Try not to drive at night (kangaroos etc on the road), and stay safe!

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Road-tripping in Queensland's tropical north

Home to the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian state of Queensland is a land of beaches, islands and lush rainforests. With a tropical climate that lends itself to year-round travel, the northerly regions of Queensland are best explored by road, providing the perfect opportunity for a family adventure.

Part tropical paradise and part aquatic playground, the northerly regions of Australia’s ‘sunshine state’ are ideal for family road trips. Take three weeks to discover the diversity of the northeast coast, from sailing the turquoise waters surrounding the Whitsunday Islands to exploring the rainforest country of the First Nations Kuku Yalanji people and learning about the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. As the changing landscapes unfurl along the way, keep an eye out for native wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas and prehistoric-looking cassowaries. Over 21 days, uncover the marvels of the vast tropical north.

Days 1 to 4: The Whitsundays

With 74 islands dotting its calm waters, the wondrous Whitsundays region is one of Australia’s best locations for sailing, snorkelling and diving. Perched on the edge of the Coral Sea, the laid-back resort town of Airlie Beach is a great base for exploring. Families congregate around the waterfront lagoon, with its surrounding 10 acres of parkland, or take boat trips to nearby islands. Day-trip to dazzling Whitehaven Beach, a three-mile stretch of pure-white silica sand on Whitsunday Island, to swim and picnic on the beach, or take the more energetic option of a trip to Hardy Reef for diving and snorkelling. If your budget allows, take in the best views of the Great Barrier Reef on a helicopter or light aircraft tour.

Days 5 to 10: Townsville, Mission Beach and the Atherton Tablelands

Head north from Airlie Beach along the Bruce Highway, stopping in the coastal city of Townsville, just over three hours away by car. Castle Hill dominates the city’s skyline, and it’s worth the hike (or drive) up to the lookout for some breathtaking 360-degree views. Spend a day on Magnetic Island, koala-spotting in the national park or taking a jet ski tour of the island’s bays and beaches.

Mission Beach is another three-hour drive from Townsville and is known for its 8.7-mile stretch of palm-fringed beaches. Along the Cassowary Coast, look out for the giant, colourful flightless birds that give it its name — but stay well clear of them, as they can be dangerous. There’s a lot to do here, from whitewater rafting on the Tully River to discovering the ruins of Paronella Park , a 1930s folly of castles, fountains, waterfalls and lush gardens, or exploring the rainforest canopy on the Mamu Tropical Skywalk in Wooroonooran National Park.

At the art deco town of Innisfail, turn inland to meander through the rich farmland of the Atherton Tablelands, stopping to gaze at enormous strangler fig trees and impressive waterfalls. Huge inland lakes provide plenty of opportunities for canoeing, windsurfing and other watersports. Continuing north on the Mulligan Highway will lead you to the coastal resort town of Port Douglas.

Days 11 to 15: Port Douglas and the Daintree

Explore the stunning 165 million-year-old UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park and Mossman Gorge from a base at Port Douglas, a hotspot with plenty of great family-friendly restaurants, long stretches of beaches, and scenic walks. Learn more about the Daintree Rainforest (one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems) at the Daintree Discovery Centre . Then the whole family can join Back Country Bliss Adventures for a River Drift snorkelling tour, exploring the Daintree on a ‘river sled’ over the Mossman River, shooting small rapids and floating under the rainforest canopy.

Days 16 to 21: Cape Tribulation and Cairns

Take the car ferry across the Daintree River to head to Cape Tribulation, a rare place where two World Heritage areas — the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef — come together. For a unique and memorable family experience, join a zipline tour through the rainforest canopy, head out on a relaxing tree-top walk or take a crocodile-spotting river cruise.

Drive back south to Cairns, just over 2.5 hours away, along one of Australia’s most scenic — but narrow and winding — coastal roads. Once you’ve reached the region’s main city, head to the centrepiece of the Cairns Esplanade — a sprawling swimming lagoon and surrounding parkland with children’s playgrounds, barbecues, outdoor fitness equipment, beach volleyball courts and interesting sculptures. Escape the tourist bustle with a day trip to the rainforest village of Kuranda aboard a vintage train , then return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway , or don a wetsuit, flippers and snorkels and hit the water on a cruise with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel , learning about the wonders of the reef through the eyes of experienced Indigenous guides.

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• 8 Road Trips From Cairns

Rachel Holliday

From swimming in wild waterfalls, to exploring hidden coves and outback tracks, it’s time to hit the road to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on these road trips from Cairns.

As a city flanked by two World Heritage sites, it should come as no surprise that Cairns is just a stone’s throw away from an abundance of natural and cultural attractions. Venture outside Cairns city and gear up your holiday with one of these road trips. All you have to do is choose is which direction to drive…

Cairns to Port Douglas

Distance: 67km (one way)

Highlights: Wildlife, beaches & dining

Those looking for the road to paradise can find it in its dictionary definition form on the Great Barrier Reef Drive . Starting in Cairns, this picturesque drive winds its way through a scenic coastal stretch peppered with secret coves and sleepy seaside hamlets. From Cairns, head north to Palm Cove and stroll down the iconic palm tree avenue before fuelling up for your adventure at one of the many cafes and restaurant s . If you’re still craving the feeling of sand between your toes stop off at Ellis Beach , or find your own personal stretch of sand at one of the many beaches between Cairns and Port Douglas.

Take a walk on the wild side at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures , or if jumping crocodiles isn’t enough to get your adrenaline pumping, try tandem hang gliding at the scenic Rex Lookout. If you’re feeling less thrill more chill head to nearby Thala Beach Nature Reserve and enjoy lunch with stunning coastal views at Osprey’s Restaurant.

Pull into paradise at Port Douglas, a high-end resort hub with a barefoot edge. With so many things to do in Port Douglas , it’s worth putting aside multiple days to explore. Venture 20 minutes north to the edge of the ancient Daintree Rainforest and visit Mossman Gorge . Take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear rainforest pools or join a local Kuku Yalanji guide for a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk.

Cairns to Chillagoe

Distance: 204km (one way)

Highlights: Markets, caves, outback

Head from the coastal city of Cairns to the dry bushlands near Mareeba , to the rocky outcrops of Chillagoe, for a drive adventure that offers a smorgasbord of landscapes. A road trip this colourful deserves a rainbow-hued start, which you is exactly what you will find in Kuranda . Step back into the groovy 70s and get your shopping fix at the Original Rainforest and Heritage Markets . Soothe your decaffeinated soul at Skybury Coffee near Mareeba, or if you’d like a natural cold bath to wake you up, take a detour to the invigorating Emerald Creek Falls or Davies Creek Falls .

As the landscape transforms from grassy farmlands to red dirt, keep your eyes peeled for giant termite nests. The pièce de résistance of the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park are the caves themselves, which are best seen on a ranger-guided tour. Join a guide to explore three majestic caves, then bring a torch and live out your Indiana Jones dreams exploring three more self-guided caves on your own.

Step back into the turn of the 20th century with a visit to the historic Chillagoe Smelters. As the sun begins to set, make your way to Balancing Rock and watch as the sun sets the sky ablaze against the rocky landscape of the outback.

Cairns to the Cardwell Spa Pool

Distance: 183km (one way)

Highlights: Beaches, freshwater swimming holes, wildlife

Pick up some local produce from Rusty’s Markets then immerse yourself in the unique flora of Tropical North Queensland at the Cairns Botanic Gardens . Continue your quest for nature and drive south to the aptly named Cassowary Coast , where you may just end up spotting one of these iconic birds yourself.

Waterhole hop your way from Cairns to Mission Beach, beginning with a hike at Behana Gorge to the beautiful Clamshell Falls in the southern Cairns region . Cool off in a crystal-clear rainforest pool at Babinda Boulders , then slide down a rainforest waterslide at Josephine Falls and marvel at this triple-tiered wonder from the various viewpoints. Take a well-worth 9km detour off the main road to Etty Bay , where you may spot one of the local cassowaries wandering along the beach.

If you’re too dry for your liking by the time you reach Mission Beach, drive via the El Arish Mission Beach Road and soak yourself in Lacey Creek . Or if you feel more like just wetting your whistle, pop by Murdering Point Winery to taste an assortment of wines, ports and liqueurs. With 3 beaches, 4 villages and Dunk Island just a stone’s throw from the shore, it’s well worth putting a few days aside to explore Mission Beach .

If the en route rainforest swims have you craving more, head further south to the bright blue queen of all swimming holes, the Cardwell Spa Pool . Whilst you drive your way to the ultimate gem, it’s well worth stopping at other points along the Cardwell Forest Drive, including the beautiful Attie Creek Falls .

Cairns to Atherton Tablelands

Distance: 250m (one way) – via the Palmerston Highway

Highlights: Castle, waterfalls, rainforest

It may come as a surprise that one area can encompass Wet Tropics Rainforest, volcanic crater lakes and historic villages, but you can see all of this and more in the Atherton Tablelands . There are several routes to access the tablelands, however if you wish to add visiting a Spanish castle and exploring the rainforest canopy to your trip, you’ll need to head from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands via Paronella Park and the Palmerston Highway.

Live out your childhood fairytale dream with a 1.5 hour trip south to Paronella Park , a Spanish castle amidst the lush rainforest. Take your rainforest adventure higher at Mamu Tropical Skywalk and wander amongst the tree tops on raised boardwalks. Continue to climb to higher altitudes as you drive along the stunning Palmerston Highway, which has a number of waterfall walks that are well worth pulling over for. Celebrate your arrival on the tablelands with a fuel-up at Mungalli Creek Dairy , which serves up biodynamic dairy products and locally sourced organic produce by the plate.

Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, satisfy your hunger for nature by driving along the iconic waterfall circuit , stopping at each of its residents for a swim. Make way from Millaa Millaa to Historic Village Herberton for a spot of time travelling.  Jump into a volcanic crater lake at Lake Eacham or simply gaze at one whilst you tuck into a Devonshire Tea at Lake Barrine . If you are craving more volcanoes, stay at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat , a private slice of paradise on the slopes of an extinct volcano.

Cairns to Cooktown

Distance: 242km (one way)

Highlights: Museums, pubs, off-road driving

If you’re looking for a drive that is literally off the beaten track, veer north to Cooktown via the Bloomfield Track. Although the 242km drive is beautiful itself, the stunning coastal stretch is home to a myriad of natural wonders that will see you pulling over for an adventure every few kilometres. Cairns to Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef Drive , is one of Australia’s most beautiful drives and is home to world heritage rainforest, Daintree Rainforest boardwalks, scenic lookouts and more

Cool off in Emmagen Creek just north of Cape Tribulation Village and kiss farewell to the sealed road as you head onto the rocky Bloomfield Track for the ultimate 4WD adventure. Marvel at the stunning Wujal Wujal (Bloomfield) Falls and take a tour with the Walker Family to learn about the Indigenous significance of the area. Stop by at the iconic Lions Den Hotel for an Aussie pub feed before washing off the red dirt at nearby Trevathan Falls .

Cooktown itself offers an array of attractions and activities for every kind of traveller. Discover the town’s rich history at the Cooktown History Centre and James Cook Museum and wander through the botanic gardens, Queensland’s oldest regional botanic gardens. Watch the sunset from Grassy Hill or hit the Endeavour River for a sunset cruise .

Don’t have a 4WD? You can still explore Cooktown from Cairns via the Mulligan Highway.

Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Distance: 140km (one way)

Highlights: Freshwater swimming, rainforest, Great Barrier Reef

When it comes to road trips, the drive itself is often a highlight and this can certainly be said of the Great Barrier Reef Drive , which stretches 140km from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. From Cairns, hit this iconic coastal stretch and watch nature’s greatest picture show through your car window, starring sandy deserted beaches and palm-fringed shores. Head to Thala Beach Nature Reserve and for a pit stop at the famous palm plantation, or stay a little longer to enjoy lunch amongst the treetops at Osprey’s Restaurant.

Continue north past the turn offs to Port Douglas and Mossman to the mighty Daintree River and hop aboard Solar Whisper Wildlife and Crocodile Cruises to search for these iconic apex predators in the wild. After you’re tested your croc-o-dial, cross the Daintree on the Daintree River Ferry and continue onto the winding road deep into the Daintree Rainforest. Immerse all of your senses in this ancient rainforest with a 1.2km walk on the Madja boardwalk, which traverses through rainforest and mangrove habitats.

Refresh your taste buds with homemade tropical fruit ice cream at Daintree Ice Cream Company , then refresh yourself with a dip at Mason’s swimming hole, which can be reached via Mason’s Cafe. Stay overnight at Daintree Wilderness Lodge. Rest your head in the world’s continually surviving oldest rainforest at Daintree Wilderness Lodge.

Head to Cape Tribulation beach for sunrise and watch as the first light appears over the only place in the world where two world heritage areas meet. Skip the coffee and opt for nature’s heart starter by jumping into the crystal clear Emmagen Creek , which is located at the start of the Bloomfield Track. Swap the rainforest for the reef and head out to the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Safari . Pull into a private paradise at Mackay Cay and snorkel alongside turtles, tropical fish and an abundance of colourful corals.

Cairns to Atherton Tablelands via Port Douglas

Distance: 317km (one way)

Highlights: Rainforest, waterfalls, freshwater swimming

Enjoy the ultimate resort life at Port Douglas, which is located 67km north of Cairns via the stunning Great Barrier Reef Drive . Browse the boutiques on Macrossan Street and enjoy a slice of the Mediterranean in the tropics with a stay at Villa San Michele . Spend the day soaking in the sunshine at Four Mile Beach and treating your tastebuds to the range of cafes and restaurants. Watch the sunset over the sea from Rex Smeal Park and hit Macrossan Street for dinner and drinks.

Kiss goodbye to the seaside and head south through cane paddocks and up the Rex Range past Julatten and spot the stunning Lake Mitchell. Get your caffeine fix at Coffee Works in Mareeba before heading south to explore Yungaburra , search for platypus at Peterson Creek, browse the stores and enjoy a bite to eat. Wander around the ancient Curtain Fig Tree and cool off with a dip in Millaa Millaa Falls , Australia’s most photographed waterfall.

Head along the Waterfall Circuit to nearby Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls . Venture half an hour inland to the eerie Mount Hypipamee Crater a 70m drop covered with a bright green layer of native waterweed. Nearby Dinner Falls . Continue to Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town and marvel at Millstream Falls and Little Millstream Falls .

Cairns to Undara via Blencoe Falls

Distance: 457km (one way)

Highlights: Waterfalls, lava tubes, hiking

If you’re looking for a roadtrip that offers a smorgasbord of landscapes, this trip from Cairns to Undara via Blencoe Falls is for you. Head south to the lush green rainforest near Mission Beach and cool off in the stunning Lacey Creek in Djiru National Park . If you don’t fancy drying off just yet, head twenty minutes inland to Alligators Nest, which, despite its name is completely croc free.

Drive through a patchwork of farmland flanked by dense rainforest to the winding Kirrama Range Road . Rest up at Blencoe Falls Campground which offers sheltered sites along the creek. Choose your adventure level and either hike or drive to the Blencoe Falls Lookout and marvel at this huge waterfall, which plunges 90m into a pool before falling a further 230m into the depths of Blencoe Gorge.

As you continue to drive inland the bushlands gradually transform into the red outback of Undara Volcanic National Park. Head to Undara Experience and join a guided tour of the Undara Lava Tubes, which were formed by volcanic activity 190,000 years ago. Watch the sunset over the Kalkani Crater and spend the night in a converted railway carriage.

From here you can continue on the Savannah Way or Lava, Gems and Gorges Trail if you had some more time up your sleeve.

Even More To Explore

Extend your road trip with these ideas.

50 must-do day trips from Cairns

While Cairns itself is known for its laid back city vibes and stunning esplanade, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, waterfalls and quirky townships are just a stone’s throw away. Grab a pen and paper and add these day trips from Cairns to your holiday bucket list.

Day trip ideas for Southern Cairns

If you’re into adventure and nature, point your compass south and explore Cairns’ under-the-radar southern corridor – a region of breathtaking natural beauty with a whole lot of country charm.

10 things near Mareeba worth the drive from Cairns

If your ideal holiday involves roaming from providore to providore, seeing 400-million-year-old rock cave formations and exploring waterfalls in between, there’s a town on the Atherton Tablelands you’ll want to get to know.

Mini road trips in Tropical North Queensland

Discover local specialties and hidden gems on a mini road trip through Tropical North Queensland with these one day wonders. Here are eight itineraries to get you out and about.

10 things to do in Cooktown

Welcome to Cooktown, the Tropical North Queensland town whose history and heritage draws 25,000 visitors to it each year.

12 other things to do when visiting the Cardwell Spa Pool

Whether you’re out to catch a barra, hike Australia’s largest island National Park or adventure your way through a scenic 4WD track, Cardwell is the perfect launch pad for an outdoorsy weekend with a friendly local twist.

16 things to do on your first trip to Cairns

If ever the statement “so much to do, so little time” rang true of a destination, Cairns would be it. With the Great Barrier Reef in its front yard and the Wet Tropics rainforest out the back, aside from your bathers, time is the best thing you can pack for a visit to Tropical North Queensland. If it’s your first time in the North Queensland capital, start with these 16 things to do in Cairns.

Things to do in Port Douglas

Don’t let its flop and drop reputation fool you, there are many things to do in Port Douglas. From hunting with Traditional Owners & exploring the Great Barrier Reef, to river floats & wildlife parks. Here’s how to spend your time in Port Douglas.

20 waterfalls near Cairns

Mighty mountain ranges and Wet Tropics Rainforest create the optimum environment for a myriad of extraordinary waterfalls. Fall in love with these 20 waterfall wonderlands only a short drive from Cairns.

Secret Beaches & Coves of Mission Beach

Mission Beach would be better referred to as Mission Beaches with its 14km stretch of sand interlinking three beaches and four villages. Lesser known are the smaller beaches and coves that make up a huge part of its charming appeal.

Your Drive Your Way

Discover more drive itineraries in Tropical North Queensland.

Privacy Overview

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Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Accessibility Statement

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Queensland Road Trips – 11 BEST Drive Itineraries [2024]

• Last Updated: February 2, 2024

We’ve driven all over the Sunshine State to bring you this epic guide to the best Queensland road trips! If you’re wondering what drives in Queensland you can’t miss, this article is for you!

If you’re the kind of person that loves packing the car and hitting the road on an epic road trip, then chances are you already have driving around Australia on your bucket list.

We have travelled the world searching for the most iconic driving itineraries, yet for some reason we never really had the chance to explore much of our home country.

That all changed in 2020, when we were lucky enough to be able to get up to Queensland on the northeast coast of Australia and travel around in our campervan.

After more than a decade on the road, it takes a lot to impress us. But what we found in the Sunshine State was nothing short of spectacular!

We started in the south exploring the rolling hills and forests of the Hinterland and zig-zagged along the coast all the way to Cooktown.

The further north and west you go the greater the opportunity for some great 4WD Queensland road trips that should not be missed if you have the right vehicle and are prepared for adventure.

If you’re ready to find the best Queensland drives, fill the tank and dive into our latest epic guide!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Table of Contents

Gold Coast Hinterland Road Trip

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Here is our list of Queensland road trips that all people can enjoy.

We’ll start from the south and work up north, as most people fly into Brisbane or the Gold Coast before continuing onwards.

Let’s hit the road!

• Route – Surfers Paradise to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
• Distance – 109km
• Duration – 2 hours 30 minutes
• Vehicle – Any
• Road Conditions – Fully sealed
• Highlights –  Lush rainforest, waterfalls, lakes, valleys and headlands, Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park, Springbrook National Park

The Gold Coast Hinterland is an area of stunning natural beauty with ancient national parks peppered throughout the region.

Up here you’ll find plenty of activities for travellers who want some fresh air in their lives, but still prefer to have easy access to the city literally just an hour away.

The Gold Coast Hinterland Tourist Drive boasts plenty of magnificent lookouts out towards the mountains and active volcanic creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes.

This is a short and easy Queensland road trip that starts in Surfers Paradise and heads up towards Toowoomba, making it perfect for a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, or a possibility for a weekend away.

After you’ve ticked off all the awesome things to do in the Gold Coast , your itinerary will see you drive up to Tamborine Mountain then back down towards Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park.

The beautiful Tamborine Mountain offers a variety of hikes through the national park, as well as hang gliding off of the launch site that overlooks an otherworldly valley!

If you’re more into sampling local produce, there are plenty of distilleries, wineries and fruit and vegetable farms all around this scenic mountain town.

After you’ve hiked, ate and drank all throughout the national park, head down to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area .

This is where you’ll find the gorgeous Springbrook National Park, home to the Hinterland’s most iconic site, the Natural Bridge.

This enchanting waterfall cascades through arches in a basalt cave and is a wonderful place to walk around and practice your photography.

Then wind your way higher along Lamington National Park Road where you can enjoy spotting waterfalls while strolling amidst treetops covered in blossoming flowers.

Finish up your drive at the legendary O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat , where you can take part in a bunch of activities, or spoil yourself by spending the night.

• Route – Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warwick, Barcaldine, Winton and Birdsville
• Distance – 1892km
• Duration – 5 days
• Vehicle – 4WD (Can do in a 2WD. Route below.)
• Road Conditions – Sealed at the beginning then becomes unsealed near the end. You can take another route, see below.
• Highlights – Nindigully Pub, Artesian mud bath, Dig Tree’s history, Cooper Creek, Birdsville Pub

The Big Red Bash Road Trip is popular for those who want a bit of adventure in southern Queensland.

The Queensland outback is the place to go if you want some of the best, authentic experiences in Australia.

The landscape offers rolling hills, endless horizons, and quaint towns that will make for a memorable trip, with the possibility of seeing a lot more wildlife than other tourists!

Start off in Brisbane and then head inland towards Ipswich , past Toowoomba and then up to Warwick and Barcaldine.

If you can, time your trip to be on a Saturday, where there is a fantastic little market at Pittsworth. So make sure you stop by for some great coffee and home made cakes.

Then on your way South you will find open grazing land where you can see cattle or even the odd horse if you’re lucky.

This drive is Southeast Queensland’s own road less travelled. Satisfy your hunger for adventure with a journey to one of the most unique events in Australia.

In the midst of Queensland’s vibrant red desert, you’ll find The Big Red Bash–the world’s most remote music festival.

It is an annual rock concert hosted on sand dunes along Birdsville’s Simpson Desert border and usually takes place in July.

Getting there is all part of this ultimate Australian experience as well—you’re going to be traversing across some incredible scenery both before getting there and once arriving at the destination itself.

So take your time, enjoy everything that surrounds you while making your way out into our nation’s far-flung corners, stopping every so often to catch your breath and take it all in.

If you have a 2WD, go through Roma and Windorah. There is another way from Brisbane to Birdsville for those who have 2WD vehicles. You can travel through Roma and Windorah.

A Route Breakdown

• Brisbane to Nindigully, 501km
• Nindigully to Cunnamulla, 340km
• Cunnamulla to Noccundra, 340km
• Noccundra to Innamincka, 311km
• Innamincka to Birdsville, 400km

• Route – Brisbane up the coast to Cairns
• Distance – 1874km
• Duration – 10 days.
• Road Conditions – the roads are fully sealed the entire route
• Highlights – Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Ingham, Mission Beach, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Atherton Tablelands, Cairns

The Pacific Coast Way is a highway that links towns and cities along the east coast of Australia.

The route starts in Sydney, then goes all the way up to Cairns on Queensland’s northeast coast.

Along this path, you’ll find plenty of coastal havens as well as inland hinterland regions with beautiful farming areas – perfect for those looking for an escape from city life!

Keep your eyes open. There are many hidden gems waiting just outside major population centres ready to be discovered off this famous road trip (and they’re worth every kilometre!).

Our favourite side trip took us to Magnetic Island, with which we immediately fell in love! Here’s our day trip to Magnetic Island guide.

READ MORE – Want to learn more about this road trip? Check out our article on Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip .

• Route – Maroochydore, Noosa Heads, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay
• Distance – 419 km
• Duration – 3 – 7 days
• Vehicle – 4WD only
• Road Conditions – Sand Beaches driving. Need to be prepared with rescue gear
• Highlights – Noosa Heads, Double Island Point, Great Sandy National Park, Rainbow Beach, Carlo Sandblow, Fraser Island, 75 Mile Beach, Marcoola Beach

With its endless stretches of coastline here in Queensland, World Heritage listed landscapes and quirky, colourful towns and so many amazing road trips, they don’t come much better than the Great Beach Drive.

This 3-7 day off-the-beaten-track road trip will take you 380km on an adventure from Noosa to Hervey Bay via Fraser Island!

This road trip covers Rainbow Beach, 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island and Marcoola Beach in Hervey Bay. The Great Beach Drive is full of lots of beach beauty.

This one is only for the 4WD, so bring your own or you can rent one. The four-wheel-drive tracks have beautiful views that are worth seeing on a sunny day.

They also lead to beaches with waves crashing against them in the mornings before sunrise. But also at sunset hours after work for people seeking relaxation or adventure from their everyday lives.

This area has plenty of adorable permanent residents like koalas and kookaburras who live alongside migratory birds too such as pelicans, cormorants and fairy terns which can be seen while fishing off one side or another!

Driving on some of the world’s most stunning beaches and through idyllic National Parks, this road trip also connects to World Heritage listed Fraser Island (K’gari) in Queensland’s Australia Nature Coast region.

There’s no shortage of reasons as to why people love the scenic drive along Fraser Island’s famous 75-mile beach. Another one of Queensland’s pristine stretches of white sands and crystal clear waters, this adventure is like no other.

• Noosa to Rainbow Beach – 70km
• Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island – 157km
• Fraser Island to Hervey Bay – 44km

• Route – Cunnamulla, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Karumba
• Distance – 1812km
• Duration – 5 – 8 days
• Highlights – Charleville Cosmos Centre, Longreach museums, Age of Dinosaurs and Lark Quarry stampede site, Karumba.

The Matilda Way is an excellent way to experience rural Australia while travelling 1812 kilometres from the New South Wales border in Tamworth through St George, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Blackall, Mitchell Creek National Park (with over 250 waterfalls), Taroom and eventually Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

So grab two mates along for this extraordinary journey as well your trusty vehicle.

The Matilda Way road trip is a 1,812km highway that is fully sealed, starting from the New South Wales border at Cunnamulla and runs all the way up to the Gulf of Carpentaria .

This road will lead you on an adventurous trip with different experiences each day!

Here is a rough guide

• Cunnamulla to Charleville – 200km
• Charleville to Blackall – 300km
• Blackall to Longreach – 214km
• Longreach to Winton – 180km
• Winton to Cloncurry – 350km
• Cloncurry to Karumba – 445km

• Route – Townsville, Charters Towers, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Camooweal
• Distance – 1097km
• Highlights – Historic Charters Towers, Porcupine Gorge, Kronosaurus Korner, Hard Times Mine, Underground Hospital and Camooweal Caves

On your Overlander’s Way road trip, you’ll get to explore untouched natural beauty and dinosaur discoveries while admiring breathtaking landscapes and interacting with rich Indigenous history – without having to take your vacation days from work!

Once only for the 4×4 vehicles, it is now sealed so everyone can explore this part of Queensland.

Along with seeing some amazing natural sights like the Great Barrier Reef and pristine beaches in North Queensland, your journey will also include all sorts of intriguing historic sites such as architecturally rich towns which showcase Australian history.

The road starts near the city of Townsville (check out our guide to all the great things to do in Townsville ), then you head west where the real adventure begins.

From Charters Towers where you will learn all about the gold mining town to learning about dinosaurs in Hughenden at the Flinders Discovery Centre, which are home to some incredible ancient fossil beds with dinosaur footprints preserved by natural forces over time!

You can learn about the cattle drovers at the Drovers’ Camp Museum in  Camooweal Caves National Park , which also has amazing sinkholes dating back 500 million years.

This land is just bursting full-speed ahead into a new future that shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon – even without leaving the bitumen roads behind!

The Overlander’s Way road trip is a Queensland route that will have you fall in love with the country all over again.

This is the inland route for any vehicle to drive. Here is a route guide.

• Townsville to Charters Towers – 137km
• Charters Towers to Hughenden – 248km
• Hughenden to Richmond – 115km
• Richmond to Julia Creek – 149km
• Julia Creek to Cloncurry – 137km
• Cloncurry to Mount Isa – 121km
• Mount Isa to Camooweal – 190km

• Route – Cairns, Ravenshoe, Undara, Forsayth, Cobbold Gorge, Karumba, Boodjamulla
• Distance – 1493km
• Duration – 5 days (2 weeks to do the whole way across to WA)
• Vehicle – Suitable for both 4WD and 2WD vehicles depending on the route chosen
• Road Conditions – Fully sealed but often closed by flooding streams during wet season. Roads can wash away during these times.
• Highlights – Waterfalls in Ravenshoe, Rainforest walks in Atherton, Undara Volcanic National Park, Mt Surprise, Talaroo Hot Springs, Cobbold Gorge, Innot Hot Springs,

The Savannah Way is an amazing route for exploring the tropical savannahs of northern Australia.

The route winds from Cairns, Queensland to Broome in Western Australia and offers a unique opportunity to see some incredible sights along the way including ancient rock art paintings and Australian wildlife.

The Queensland section of Savannah Way goes from Cairns to Hell’s Gate or vice versa.

Your Savannah Way safari starts in Cairns, the crowning jewel of the Queensland coast. Set your sights south toward Millaa Millaa, a drive of about 1.5 hours where you will find stunning waterfalls amidst vibrant green rainforests and waterways that are perfect for swimming at any time during the year!

Once there, make sure to take in not only the well-known waterfall but also Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls before heading on to Ravenshoe.

• Cairns to Mareeba, Atherton Tablelands – 62.5 kms 
• Mareeba to Undara – 229 kms
• Undara to Cobbold Gorge – 229 kms
• Cobbold Gorge to Croydon – 232 kms
• Croydon to Karumba – 226 kms
• Karumba to Burketown – 281 kms
• Burketown to Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park  – 234 kms

• Route – Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, Mossman, Cooktown
• Distance – 256km
• Duration – 3 – 5 days
• Vehicle – 2WD
• Road – Road it sealed the whole way. You do need to take a ferry over to Cape Tribulation
• Highlights – Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Aboriginal Rock Art, James Cook Museum

If you’ve always wanted to see where the Reef meets the Rainforest, the only place where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites actually meet, this is the road trip for you!

The 327km drive takes four hours and is full of nature, history, and outback characters that will keep your interest for days on end!

You can explore Cooktown’s historical significance as Australia’s first European settlement or enjoy its beautiful harbour with many local attractions in town.

It may not be the most action-packed adventure around – so pack accordingly if you’re looking for some excitement.

But it’ll definitely get your creative juices flowing before heading off into our vast country again!

• Cairns to Port Douglas
• Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation
• Cape Tribulation to Mossman
• Mossman to Cooktown

While Cooktown itself is a bit far to visit as a day trip from Cairns , you can break it up into two days if looking to return back to Cairns.

• Route – Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield, Cooktown
• Distance – 103km
• Duration – 6 – 8 hours
• Vehicle – 4WD only (no caravans or camper trailers)
• Road – Mostly Unsealed. Some areas are sealed. Caution when wet and have had heavy rain. There are river crossings, steep climbs and descends and boggy patches.
• Highlights – Emmagen Creek, Cowie Beach, Bloomfield River and lookout, Bana Yirriji Arts Centre, Wujal Wujal Falls

The Bloomfield Track is one of Queensland’s most scenic short 4WD drives that leads to the coastal town in Wujal-Wujal.

The track passes through a rainforest archway with majestic plants, unexpected wildlife and history.

It was constructed by protestors back in 1983-84 leading up to an important environmental protest known as the “Bloomfield Blockade.”

Nowadays it has become World Heritage protected land thanks to these protesters who were concerned for its natural beauty!

The coast drive from Cooktown down south on Australia’s Northern Territory border all the way beyond Huonbrook Station takes travellers past spectacular views, creek crossings and secluded beaches where they can take some well-deserved rest before continuing their journey inland into more remote areas.

READ MORE: Coming from south of the border? Make the most of the journey with our Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary !

With varying conditions and a mixture of gravel, red soil, or wet weather on the road, driving can be tricky.

With its rugged landscape and plenty of natural creek crossings after heavy rainstorms this drive may become impassable at times as well- so make sure you have your 4WD vehicle always ready!

You can do it in one long day or break it up. Here is a rough guide

• Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield – 39km
• Bloomfield to Cooktown – 64km

• Route – Cairns, Cooktown, Cape York
• Distance – 1964km
• Duration – 14 days return
• Vehicle – 4WD
• Road Condition – Can be difficult in areas. Can flood in the wet season
• Highlights – White sand beaches at Portland Roads, northernmost point of the continent, rock art in Laura

No one can claim to have seen all of Australia without going on a long, adventurous road trip.

One such adventure that you should take in your lifetime is the 1000km journey from Cairns straight up to Pajinka (traditional name for the northernmost point of mainland Australia at top of Cape York Peninsula).

Australians have an adventurous spirit that is deeply ingrained in their culture. In Cairns, you can jump into a 4WD and head off on an unforgettable journey to the top of Australia with cooked towns as your stops along the way.

You will experience creek crossings and corrugations, meet interesting people from various communities while encountering relics of wartime history all throughout this life-changing adventure through Cape York !

Along this breathtaking drive, there are natural treasures like national parks with their bird-filled wetlands and rainforests as well as waterfalls, beaches, and Old Telegraph Track which will challenge even the most hardcore adventurer.

Although it’s not easy driving through rough terrain or crossing treacherous waters during the rainy season beware: the rewards never stop coming!

• Cairns to Cooktown – 244km
• Cooktown to Laura – 175km
• Laura to Coen – 220km
• Coen to Lockhart River – 210km
• Lockhart River to Bramwell Station – 154km
• Bramwell Station to Bamaga – 212km
• The Tip – 35km

• Route – Hebel, Roma, Injune, Emerald , Clermont, Charters Tower, Ravenshoe, Atherton, Mareeba, Cairns, Cooktown
• Distance – 1863km
• Duration – 9 days is you choose to start in Hebel to 16 days if you choose to start in Sydney
• Vehicle – 2WD.
• Road Condition – Road is sealed the whole way.
• Highlights – Cobb & Co. Charging Station, Carnarvon Gorge, learn about the gold rush in Charters Towers, Rainforest walks in Atherton Tablelands, Many waterfalls around Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns, Aboriginal experience in Cooktown

Want to go off the beaten track? Then let’s leave the coast and drive inland through Queensland’s outback.

You’ll traverse some of the most uninhabitable landscapes, steep in history with rural towns as well.

Driving up here is a totally different experience than driving along coastal highways since there are fewer service stations.

But it does offer unique experiences for those who want something less travelled that has many tourist attractions such as red sand deserts or gazing at stars under night skies!

The Great Inland Way is a road trip that follows the Australian coast from Sydney to Brisbane.

The Queensland leg of this journey passes through Dirranbandi and St George before detouring off onto some surprisingly flat, sealed roads leading into Surat, Roma and Injune.

Stop for lunch at Nindigully Pub (if you dare!) in Australia’s oldest hotel-turned restaurant which offers up 1.2kg hamburgers called Road Train!

Journey through Queensland’s Outback from the mountains to the coast. Continue along well signed and flat sealed roads to Surat, Roma and Injune en route to sandstone escarpments of Carnarvon National Park.

Stop off at Emerald for a fossicking permit before detouring on Capella, Clermont, Charters Towers or Undara with plenty of stops in between!

Find an authentic Australian experience by visiting Ravenshoe’s highest pub or enjoy gourmet cheeses at Atherton Tablelands’ luxurious resorts after exploring lush rainforest gardens.

Spend time admiring birds-of-paradise and other native flora from Kuranda’s scenic cable car perspective then visit Cairns where you can explore nature above ground as well as below sea level!

Stop off at the gateway to Queensland’s sapphire jewel fields for fossicking permits, detour through the tropical fruit growing area of the Atherton Tablelands for fresh local produce before navigating the Cairns hinterland, Queensland’s largest protected rainforest.

After heading north all the way to Cooktown to explore the outback and the extraordinary Aboriginal rock art.

This road trip is fully-sealed the whole way weaving its way from Sydney to outback NSW and Queensland, the Central Queensland Highlands and then as far north as Cooktown.

• Hebel to St George – 161km
• St George to Roma – 196km
• Roma to Injune – 91km
• Injune to Emerald – 311km
• Emerald to Clermont – 109km
• Clermont to Charters Towers – 374km
• Charters Towers to Ravenshoe – 465km
• Ravenshoe to Atherton – 51km
• Atherton to Mareeba – 33km
• Mareeba to Cairns – 63km
• Cairns to Cooktown – 326km

There are so many great Queensland road trips. We hope this list has given you some ideas for your next road trip.

There is so much beauty to be seen and so many activities and attractions to fill your days.

There are some that are full of adventure that you need a 4WD. And there are some we are yet to do which are all the 4WD ones. But we hope to do them later in the year!

What is your favourite Queensland road trip? Drop a comment below and let us know!

And while you’re at it, check out all these other epic things to do in Queensland !

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Best road trip around North Queensland

Ready to plan the ultimate north queensland road trip it’s time to pack your swimmers, load up the campervan and hit the open road to enjoy everything on offer in this tropical paradise. , best road trip around north queensland: 7 places you can’t miss.

1. Cairns: Day 1 & 2

2. Palm Cove: Day 3

3. port douglas: day 4 & 5.

4. Daintree: Day 6 & 7

5. Cape Tribulation: Day 8 & 9

6. Cooktown: Day 10

7. undara volcanic national park: day 11 & 12, organise your north queensland road trip with camplify, why camplify.

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Far North Queensland Road Trip: A 5 Day Itinerary

This article on Far North Queensland Road Trip: A 5 Day Itinerary may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase using these links, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting Frugal Frolicker! :)

You guys, I’ve found a remedy for Sydney winters without having to flee to the northern hemisphere!

Even after traveling to the US and Byron Bay this past winter, by mid-August I was still fed up with the cold weather. I was well over having to sleep with a hot water bottle under my sheets and desperately needed some beached whale-ing time (aka how I refer to my habit of sunbathing on the beach without swimming or doing a damned thing).

I don’t know why it never dawned on me in previous years to just head north! Cairns in winter is absolutely glorious – think temps in the 80’s (upper 20’s for you Celsius folk) and low humidity. It does get a bit cooler overnight, but nothing a light jacket or jumper can’t help with.

I flew from Sydney to Cairns and did a 5 day road trip around Far North Queensland during dry season (August). Most items in the below itinerary can be done any time of year, but there are a few that are markedly better during either the wet season or the dry season – for example, I’d only hike to Windin Falls during the dry, and I’d only visit the Cardwell Spa Pool during the wet.

If you  travel to Australia , you can do this Queensland road trip in the vehicle of your choice – but my vote’s for a campervan. I hired a campervan from Spaceships and it was absolutely perfect for this road trip from Cairns

Planning a trip to Tropical North Queensland?

These are the sites I use and recommend for booking travel:

Accommodation in Cairns: Booking.com

Flights to Cairns / Australia: Skyscanner

Accommodation in Port Douglas: Booking.com

Car rental in Cairns: DiscoverCars.com

Activities in Tropical North Queensland: GetYourGuide or Viator

Travel insurance for Australia: Safety Wing or World Nomads

Here’s my itinerary for a Queensland road trip from Cairns:

Table of Contents

Day 1: Cairns to Port Douglas

Assuming you arrive in Cairns by late-morning and go straight to pick up your campervan, you’ll have the afternoon to start exploring. Obviously if you get a later start, you might not have time for all of the things allotted for Day 1, so… pick and choose as you’d like.

Fairy Falls

There are a million and one waterfalls around Cairns, but most of them are south of the city. Since we’re heading north on this road trip, we’ll start with a waterfall that’s somewhat on the way (or at least not too out of the way).

At the Crystal Cascades car park, there’s an unmarked dirt trail that leads to Fairy Falls, which is more of a secret swimming hole sort of spot than the more easily accessible Crystal Cascades. So secret, in fact, that of the 30 or so cars parked here, I was the only one at Fairy Falls. SERIOUSLY.

To find the trailhead, imagine you’re standing in the street looking straight at the car park. The trail should be directly in front of you at the other end of the lot. I got a little confused while on the trail because I noticed a worn path leading up the steep hill going away from the creek and thought that might be the way to go, but NO – it’s not. Stay as close to the creek as you can, on the left-hand side of it, and walk on the rocks right at the edge once the path disappears. Before long you’ll reach the promised land.

After a few months of winter in Sydney, all I wanted was to plop myself on the beach and soak up some 85F/29C weather. I did exactly that at Palm Cove, a semi-bougie beach village with luxury accommodation and fine dining options lining the main street.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a popular luxury getaway destination in Australia, only about an hour north of Cairns. Unfortunately I didn’t have time for anything other than sunset at Rex Smeal Park, but Four Mile Beach is definitely worth a stop.

Port’s also a good place to book diving trips and sailing trips that are less likely to be full of backpackers.

READ MORE: 25 Of The Best Things To Do In Port Douglas, Australia

Camp at: Feathers ’n Friends ($6 per person)

Day 2: Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation

Mossman gorge.

Mossman Gorge is one of those tourist hotspots that I kind of dreaded going to, but equally would’ve regretted skipping.

There’s not a whole lot to do there apart from short rainforest walks and swimming in the gorge (and navigating past slow-moving tourists, of course), so you can make it a quick visit if you want. But WOW-ee, those boulders in that blindingly clear blue water – this sight is well worth the visit, I’d say.

From Mossman, head north to Cape Tribulation. There’s a ferry that you can drive your vehicle right onto, which crosses the Daintree River and drops you off at the start of Cape Trib.

Cape Tribulation is lined with several beaches that all make you feel like you’re on a tropical island. I’ve checked out most of them and would recommend Cow Bay or Myall Beach (which is where you’ll be if you camp at Cape Tribulation Camping).

Cow Bay is gorgeous, yet was damn near empty the afternoon I was there sunbathing. Welcome to Far North Queensland!

Mason’s Swimming Hole

There’s a glorious swimming hole on Cape Trib that’s accessible through Mason’s Cafe, which costs $1 per person to enter.

Putting aside the fact that it seems a little, um, wrong for a business to try to make money off of a natural attraction, once you walk down the steps and glimpse the majestic trees reflecting off the perfectly still water, all aglow from the late-afternoon golden light, you know you’d happily pay much more than a dollar to enjoy this little slice of the Daintree.

Camp at: Cape Tribulation Camping ($17/person for one unpowered campsite)

READ MORE: Livin’ The Luxurious Lagoon Life at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

Day 3: Cape Tribulation to Atherton Tablelands

Myall beach.

If you stayed overnight at Cape Trib Camping, you’d be nuts not to crawl out of bed for sunrise. Even I, a self-proclaimed night owl, managed to rise early and walk two minutes from my campsite to the beach. Sunrise is always worth it!

I lingered for awhile after the sun came up and walked up and down the beach, soaking up that warm early morning light and really wishing I’d brought my hammock to hang amidst the palms here.

Daintree Ice Cream Co.

On your way out of the cape, make a quick stop for exotic fruit ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Co . They make their ice cream from fruit grown on their beautiful 22-acre property, and serve whatever happens to be in season in a sample cup with 4 scoops. When I visited, they had wattleseed, plum, coconut, and jackfruit scoops on offer.

You’ll spend the rest of the day mostly on the road, driving south toward waterfall country.

Babinda Boulders

By happy little accident I ended up at Babinda Boulders around sunset, and I’d actually recommend doing the same on this road trip. This is an excellent spot to float around in at dusk and beyond because you can look up at the stars while doing so.

You can either hang out in the main pool or wander downstream for more privacy; no matter which way you go, there will be plenty of boulders to sit on.

Ooh, and hot tip: there are picnic and BBQ facilities at the car park, some of which are lit up after dark. I knew that tonight’s campground wouldn’t have similar facilities, so I cooked my dinner at Babinda before heading there.

Camp at: Wooroonooran National Park – Henrietta Creek ($6.55 for one person)

Day 4: Atherton Tablelands to Cardwell

Far North Queensland is renowned for its plentiful waterfalls. You’ll likely only see a fraction of them on a short road trip like this one, but that’s ok – all the more reason to return someday.

Day 4 is all about dem waterfalls. This might be the most epic day of the whole road trip, so you’ll want to wake up early in order to maximize the waterfall goodness!

Nandroya Falls

You can walk to Nandroya from the Henrietta Creek campground. A 30-minute jaunt leads you to this gem of a waterfall which, in the early morning, you’re bound to have all to yourself.

Elinjaa Falls

Continuing west on the Palmerston Highway, there will be a turnoff on the right for the Waterfall Circuit Drive. The first of these falls is Elinjaa.

I’d seen photos beforehand of people posing at Elinjaa Falls by what looked like a tree stump jutting out of the creek. However, there was no such stump when I visited. Stump or no stump, Elinjaa’s quite pretty, right?

Millaa Millaa Falls

Millaa Millaa is one of the most popular waterfalls in all of Queensland (possibly even Australia), which isn’t surprising given how beautiful and accessible it is (as in, you can drive right up to the falls).

I have a tendency to turn my nose up at super touristy spots, but this one undoubtedly deserves its hype. Millaa Millaa Falls is an absolute STUNNER. Then again, I’m such a sucker for basalt columns (see: Reynisfjara Beach and Svartifoss in Iceland, Devils Postpile National Monument in California).

Windin Falls

Alright, now things are about to get real adventurous as you head north to Wooroonooran National Park.

Windin Falls is accessed via a dodgy dirt road and an even dodgier dirt track. The best instructions I found for finding the falls are here . A couple tips I’d like to add to that:

• When driving down Old Cairns Track, go alllllll the way to the end. You’ll know it’s the end when you see two gates and can’t go any further.
• When hiking down the fire trail (through the gate on the right, not the gate that says DO NOT ENTER), keep going until you see a major fork in the trail. Go right at the fork, and shortly after (within 10 minutes) you’ll see a tree on the right with an arrow carved into it that points to a path that leads downhill. This’ll be after about 1.5 hours of hiking.

Now you might be wondering: is the waterfall even worth all this effort?

And to that I say, three words: NATURAL INFINITY POOL.

I was there during dry season when the water levels were lower, and it was very safe to sit in the pool without fear of being swept over the edge. Your mileage may vary.

Note: If you hike to Windin Falls during the wet season, allow more time to make it down the road and trail – ideally a full day. The undulating, bumpy terrain will be super muddy and slippery and possibly a bad idea with a rental vehicle, not to mention even in hiking shoes. If you skip this hike, there are plenty of other waterfalls in the area that are easier to get to that you can check out instead.

Camp at: Bilyana Rest Area (free)

READ MORE: Thorsborne Trail: Hiking Hinchinbrook Island (Australia’s Jurassic Park)

Day 5: Cardwell to Cairns

Note: If you’re road tripping during the dry season, I say skip Cardwell altogether and only go as far south as Mission Beach. The glorious rock pools in Cardwell are best enjoyed during wet season, and not really worth a stop during dry season.

I’d previously drooled over some photos I’d seen of the Cardwell Spa Pool (think warm, milky blue water in rock pools), and thought I’d get an early start and drive straight there before breakfast so I’d have it to myself.

I did in fact have a private spa pool experience; however, it was zero appealing in the middle of the dry season. Water levels were low and stagnant, and the water color could barely be described as blue, much less milky blue. I took one look and one quick iPhone shot, then turned on my heels and headed back to my campervan.

Since I’d driven all the way to Cardwell, I figured I might as well see what else was around the Cardwell Forest Reserve . There are a few creeks you can access off the dirt road that winds through the reserve, but again – not really worth a stop outside of the wet season.

The Cardwell Lookout, however, yields fetching views of the town, coastline, and Hinchinbrook Island from above. There are various short trails from the lookout car park that lead to different vantage points of the region.

Mission Beach

I don’t know about you, but for me Mission Beach conjures up images of sweeping palms lining miles of smooth sand. Thankfully the reality wasn’t far off. Guys, this is the spot for anyone who enjoys the proverbial long walks on the beach. The sand is flat and widespread and spans an impressive 14km – in fact, it’s quite popular for cycling at low tide.

Mission Beach is just one of a few different beaches in the Mission Beach area. Whichever beach you decide to check out, you can expect zero crowds, laidback vibes, and island-like vistas. It’s absolutely glorious.

Highly recommend lunch at the Byron Bay-style Bingil Bay Cafe up in – you guessed it! – Bingil Bay, which is the northernmost town in the Mission Beach region.

If it’s the dry season and you skip Cardwell, or if you limit your time spent in Cardwell and Mission Beach, you’ll have time to stop at Etty Bay.

Etty Bay would be “just another beach” in Far North Queensland if not for its cassowary population. You’ll pass by plenty of road signs warning you to watch out for cassowaries on your Queensland road trip, but if you actually DO want to see one in the flesh… Etty Bay is your best bet. There’s apparently a family of cassowaries that live on the beach there.

If you’re like I was and don’t really know WTF a cassowary is , well: they’re the third largest bird in the world, one of Australia’s largest land animals, and kinda resemble a cross between an ostrich and a turkey. So if that’s something on your *Must See In Australia* list, then definitely stop at Etty Bay.

SPENDING MORE TIME IN CAIRNS? READ MORE IN THESE BLOG POSTS:

• The 15 Best Day Trips From Cairns
• Fitzroy Island or Green Island: Which is Better?
• Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef with Divers Den

Frugal Facts

How to get to cairns.

There are direct flights from New Zealand and several Asian countries to Cairns. If you’re traveling from another destination, you’ll likely have to fly through Sydney first. It takes about 3 hours to fly from Sydney to Cairns.

Campervan Hire in Cairns

I hired the Beta campervan from Spaceships and absolutely LOVED it. It makes excellent use of space and has plenty of room for storage, and the bed can be pulled out the back a bit if you fancy an open-air slumber under the awning (this would be ace for hot summer nights). Their rates are super affordable and include all the gear you need for the perfect Queensland road trip.

To find free or cheap campsites while on the road, use the WikiCamps app .

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