The best North Queensland road trips from Cairns
It’s easy to think that Cairns is a place that you visit once and move on from. But it’s actually one of the best places to use as a launchpad for some of the best road trips in North Queensland, with almost every road out of town leading somewhere incredible. And, with affordable campervan hire in Cairns, it’s possible to take things to the next level, spending longer in the spots you’ve always wanted to explore with the convenience of heading out from the city.
But where exactly are the destinations you should hit the road and visit? There are almost too many to choose from, and that’s why we’ve done the hard work. Below, you’ll find the best North Queensland road trips from Cairns, each with something different to offer.
Port Douglas
The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is short, taking just over an hour and making it perfect for a weekend escape from the city. The Captain Cook Highway clings to the coastline here, too, with the Coral Sea on one side and rainforest-covered hills on the other, giving you incredible views that make the drive far from boring and offering plenty of opportunities to pull up and snap some photos along the way.
Once you arrive in Port Douglas, make your way to Four Mile Beach, where you can walk along the golden sands and let the worries of city life wash away. After that, make your way to Macrossan Street, where you’ll find cafes and casual spots to grab dinner without needing to plan ahead. And, to end the day, Rex Smeal Park is home to a beautiful waterfront with sunset views over the inlet.
Cape Tibulation
Further north, Cape Tribulation is a 2.5-hour drive from Cairns. You’ll also pass through Port Douglas on the way, giving you the opportunity to create a short holiday and visit two incredible places in one road trip.
Mossman Gorge is a great place to start your trip to Cape Tribulation, especially if you want to experience a rainforest walk and get the chance to swim in the river. You’ll also need to cross the Daintree River by ferry to get to the gorge, adding an extra level of excitement to the whole experience. Or, if you’d prefer to stay closer to the ocean, you can make your way to Thornton Beach, where the rainforest flanks the sand.
Chillagoe
Until this point, we’ve looked at the coast and rainforest. But take a 2.5-hour drive inland from Cairns to Chillagoe, and you’ll find a completely different side of North Queensland. The rainforest thins out on the way here, and the landscape opens into drier country dotted with rocky outcrops and vast skies that are ideal for stargazing once the night falls.
You can easily spend a couple of days bouldering here, but you can also take guided tours through the limestone caves and underground formations that really give you a closer look at this incredible place. There’s also the chance to take a history lesson at the old Chillagoe smelter, where you’ll learn more about the area’s mining past.
Mission Beach
Moving back toward the coast and closer to Cairns, Mission Beach is just under 2 hours away from the city. The Mission Beach Bicentennial Walkway is a wonderful place to start your visit, and it has several beach access points, so you can easily visit multiple beaches with one easy-to-follow track as your guide. Or, just north of town, Bingil Bay is a quieter alternative, and on clear days you’ll get views across to Dunk Island.
Mission Bay is also one of the best places in Queensland to spot cassowaries in the wild, and they’re often seen wandering near the edges of town in the early morning or late afternoon. That close connection to wildlife makes Mission Beach a must-visit destination for any animal lover, and along with plenty of opportunities for relaxing on the sandy beaches, it is a perfect getaway straight out of Cairns without a super long drive.
Final thoughts
With so many varied stops starting from Cairns, it’s easy to plan a road trip that ticks all your boxes. From rainforest walks and waterfalls to outback landscapes and beaches, Cairns is the perfect place to explore everything North Queensland has to offer and create some truly unforgettable memories.
The editorial unit
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