Don’t rush by the Cairns Beaches and Palm Cove of Cairns, make a stop for a swim or sip a cool drink in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants along the coastline.
Then head north from Cairns along the Cook Highway; stopping at Rex Lookout – the perfect point to view the Coral Sea and beaches. This is one of the most beautiful ocean drives in the world, with its backdrop of steep mountain ranges, coastal beaches and headlands. Just keep your eyes on the road as well!

On arriving at Port Douglas, enjoy one of many dining places in town or take a relaxing walk along the long white sands of Four Mile beach. Stay overnight in Port Douglas.

Head off early for the drive north. Or, if time allows, spend an extra day in Port Douglas and head out for a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise.

The route between Port Douglas and Cooktown follows The Bama Way - an Aboriginal Journey along story-lines, through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. The word 'Bama' is a Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr word, widely used throughout Cape York to mean an Aboriginal person. The Bama Way map tells you about the area's Aboriginal history and the significance of some of the landmarks you'll see. But for an unforgettable experience, take the Aboriginal tours along the way; you'll make new friends and gain a fascinating insight into Aboriginal history, culture and spirituality.

Just north of Port Douglas are Mossman and the stunning Mossman Gorge, the traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people. Located a short drive out of town, the visitor area features walking trails, a waterfall and swimming holes.

Further north you arrive at the Daintree, where the rainforest meets the reef, one of Australia’s most famous World Heritage areas. Daintree village is a charming tourist centre. The Daintree River is a magnificent waterway, teeming with birdlife, and the area’s famous crocodiles. Allow time to enjoy a cruise on the river and spot a croc or few. Don’t go swimming though!

Use the vehicle ferry to cross the river (operates every day; a fee applies) and enjoy the pleasant drive to Cape Tribulation. If you have time, stay a night here to explore this World Heritage area further, or continue north along a rough 4WD track (The Bloomfield Track) which crosses the Bloomfield River and enters Australia’s last great frontier – the Cape York Peninsula. You will pass by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community, Cedar Bay National Park, Black Mountain National Park and Keating's Lagoon before arriving in Cooktown for the night.

Note: the Bloomfield Track between Cape Tribulation and Black Mountain National Park is accessible for 4WD vehicles only. Alternative route is available via Mt Molloy.

WARNING - CROCODILES
Estuarine crocodiles are present in creeks, rivers and waterholes in this area. Estuarine crocodiles can be dangerous to people.

Explore the sites of historic Cooktown, known as the place where Lt James Cook beached his ship after striking a reef in 1770. Enjoy a walk around town or up Grassy Hill for a great view, and visit the Museum, Cemetery and Nature’s Powerhouse.

Heading south-west from Cooktown, stop at Black Mountain National Park and then travel on to Lakeland. Situated in the picturesque Laura River Valley, Lakeland is home to one of the largest coffee plantations in Australia, you can taste the local brew at the coffee lounge. Lakeland also provides access along 45km of unsealed road to the north to Laura and the world’s largest collection of prehistoric rock art.

Further south will take you past the Palmer River Roadhouse. In the 1870s tens of thousands of miners flocked to this area searching for gold. Today all that is left of the goldfields are legends of the hardships endured and mining memorabilia at the roadhouse.

The small township of Mt Molloy has an important connection to Palmer Goldfields and the development of North Queensland. It is here that James Mulligan, the founding father of the Palmer Goldfields, rests in the local cemetery.

Continue south to the Highlands – the Atherton Tablelands - for the night.

In and around Mareeba, savour freshly picked coffee at one of the local plantations before arriving at the Mareeba Wetlands, a community wildlife reserve with over 2000 hectares of wetlands and grassland savannah.

Take time to enjoy the local produce as you drive south through rich farming and grazing country known as the ‘food bowl of the tropics’ – famous for the variety of tropical fruits and crops grown in the area.

The nearby town of Atherton is built on the side of an extinct volcano – Hallorans Hill. The township is also home to Hou Wang Temple, which offers a fascinating insight into the cultural heritage of Chinese migrants in north Queensland.

Along the Kennedy Highway, visit the historic mining town of Herberton and the Mount Hypipamee crater on the way to Ravenshoe for the night.

Ravenshoe is Queensland’s highest town, at 920 metres above sea level, and home to the ‘highest pub in Queensland’ – a great place to discuss the ecological value of Queensland’s largest wind farm – located on the eastern side of town.

Located just a 40km sidetrip along the Old Palmerston Highway from Ravenshoe township is Australia’s widest waterfall. A 400 metre walk from the car park will take you to the perennially flowing Millstream Falls which spill over an old basalt lava flow.

Along the Kennedy Highway, stop at Innot Hot Springs. The spring is based around Nettle Creek, the source of natural mineral springs that were once bottled and sent to Europe. The springs come highly recommended for their rejuvenating qualities.

Follow the Savannah Way to the historic mining town of Mount Garnet, and down to Forty Mile Scrub National Park for a bush walk through an unusual vine forest thicket, before arriving at the ancient lava tubes of Undara Volcanic National Park. The Savannah Guide Station at Undara Experience offers a variety of tour options. Allow plenty of time to explore Undara. Undara is a unique natural attraction, with 60 caves and arches extending over a wide area in Australia’s largest underground lava tube system.

Overnight camping or lodge facilities are available in the park. Bookings are recommended.

Today’s route is a reasonably long drive, so get up early to make the most of it. Alternatively, if time allows, stay in extra day at Undara to explore more of the lava tubes and enjoy the bush walks.

Either head back to the Kennedy Highway and then south to The Lynd and the Oasis Roadhouse; or if you’d like a more adventurous drive, continue west through the outback town of Mount Surprise, and then follow the road south to Einasleigh, along the unsealed Gregory Developmental Road. Einasleigh is an old copper mining town, set on the banks of the Copperfield River which follows an ancient lava flow. Take a walk through the gorge.

Continue on to The Lynd Junction; with just three residents, Lynd Junction is home to the Oasis Roadhouse – reputably the smallest bar in Queensland! Next stop, Greenvale ‘Slim Dusty Country’ where one can become a part of the laid back lifestyle within the natural bush. Enjoy the stunning wildlife, the history of the area, its outback attractions, local crafts or some golf.

Further south, detour off the highway to explore the Great Basalt Wall National Park, or continue south to Dalrymple National Park. Dalrymple National Park encompasses unique geological formations and features the lava flows of the Toomba Basalt. Ideal for birdwatching, and exploring open woodland. There is no public access to the Great Basalt Wall National Park.

Arrive in Charters Towers for the night. Charters Towers, a city of heritage was built on gold mining, discovered in 1871.

Charters Towers has magnificent heritage streetscapes that are largely unchanged since the gold rush days of the 1800’s. Head to the Visitor Information Centre to obtain a navigational map for the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail or enquire about other attractions such as Zara Clark Museum, the Civic Club and the World Theatre.

Head east on the Flinders Highway to Townsville. On the way, stop to view the ‘itinerant waders’ and other waterbirds at the Mingela Wetlands or call in for a drink at the Mingela Hotel.

Closer to Townsville take a detour to Bowling Green Bay National Park. Bowling Green Bay National Park is the largest park between Bowen and Townsville. Its Rugged granite mountains rise abruptly above the coastal plain in Coastal wetlands, saltpans and mangroves cover much of this coastal park. Alligator Creek flows through the park in a series of cascades, deep pools and waterfalls. Picnic tables, a shelter shed, gas barbecues and toilets are provided. The camping area has hot showers and wood barbecues and is suitable for caravans and motorhomes. Look for brushtail possums, sugar gliders, northern brown bandicoots, wallabies, and rufous bettongs feeding early morning and late afternoon.

On arrival in Townsville, a visit to the Museum of Tropical Queensland or Reef HQ, open daily, will provide an excellent introduction to this northern tropical town. If time allows, extend your stay in Townsville to explore the local region, including a ‘must do’ visit to nearby Magnetic Island.

After spending a couple of days in Townsville and Magnetic Island, head north along the Great Green Way section of the Great Tropical Drive, and take a detour to Paluma. Enjoy the spectacular view from McClellands Lookout that offers views of the islands and coastline. Nearby to Paluma, stop at Big or Little Crystal Creek for a BBQ picnic,and swim or to view the historic stone art bridge (Little Crystal Creek).

Heading to Ingham, stop for an exotic fruit ice-cream and turn-off to Jourama Falls (6km each way; unsealed road) for great views and walking tracks. Upon arrival in Ingham visit Tyto Wetlands. The unique Tyto Wetlands, close to the centre of town, is home to over 200 species of birds, tropical plants and Australian wildlife including wallabies and crocodiles. Overnight in Ingham or surrounding beaches.

The friendly sugar town of Ingham is nestled in the heart of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Listed Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. Beaches, wildlife and access to Australia’s largest national park island, Hinchinbrook Island. Enjoy some wine and cheese at the Hotel Noorla.

After exploring Ingham, head to the coast to visit Lucinda’s longest sugar loading jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Detour west to Trebonne Post Office and visit Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single drop waterfall. In the afternoon, continue to Cardwell where you can catch a ferry across to Australia’s largest island National Park, Hinchinbrook Island. Spend an extra day to enjoy a night or trek the famous Thorsborne Trail or other walking trails in this pristine environment. Protected as National Park since 1932, Hinchinbrook (39,900ha) is an island within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and is separated from the mainland by the scenic Hinchinbrook Channel. Hinchinbrook Island is renowned for its habitats, the extensive mangrove forests are among the richest and most diverse in Australia. They are important breeding grounds for many marine animals.

Visit the historic Cardwell Post Office and Bush Telegraph Centre. Located in the main street of Cardwell, experience a tour of this historical building (1870) and learn about the development of communication services, local government, police and judicial systems. Enjoy the interactive activities and try out the old jail cell.

Overnight in Cardwell or on Hinchinbrook Island.

After seeing the sights of Cardwell, continue north along the Great Green Way section of the Great Tropical Drive, passing through Kennedy.

On the way, don’t miss a detour to Edmund Kennedy National Park, or to Murray Falls (slightly to the west off the highway). Murray Falls is one of the prettiest falls in North Queensland.

Continue north from the falls via the scenic unsealed road to Tully Gorge National Park. On the way, a ‘must do’, is Echo Creek Indigenous Tours and guided bushwalks, where local traditional owners conduct informative guided walks through Wet Tropics rainforest and along the banks of the Echo Creek. The next stop is Kooroomool Eco and Adventure Camp. Here you can enjoy waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes, bushwalking trails and adventure activities, as well as camping (optional).

Head to the Tully River and Tully Gorge for whitewater rafting, a picnic or camping (optional). Make sure you take the 20-minute Rainforest Butterfly Walk at the gorge. Trek the Misty Mountains Trails and continue onto Tully or nearby Mission Beach for the night.

Local Tip: Be at the Flip Wilson Lookout in the Tully Gorge at 1.00pm any day to see white-water rafters negotiate a tricky set of rapids.

Spend more time this morning exploring the natural and local attractions around Tully and Mission Beach. Start the day with a visit to the Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre, browse through the interpretive area, gain more local information about what to see and do, and enjoy a free tea or coffee. The local attraction not to miss is the Giant Golden Gumboot – at 7.9m high you can’t miss it! Climb to the top of the viewing platform to get a great view over Tully and the Tully Sugar Mill.

Stretch your legs at the Lacey Creek Walking Trails just before arriving at Mission Beach. The trails offer a 45-minute circuit walk with an excellent pathway crossing the creek in several places. In Mission Beach, walk along the 1.5 km Ulysses Link Walking Track that winds its way along the breathtaking Mission Beach foreshore or spend an extra night on Dunk Island if time permits.

In the afternoon, head north to El Arish to take the scenic route north to Innisfail. El Arish is an historic soldier settlement where you can browse through old memorabilia and photographs in the local pub.

Take a detour to Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park, a crumbling Spanish castle based around the remains of a Spanish grandiose home.

Continue to Innisfail for the night. Visit the Australian Sugar Museum in Mourilyan, just south of Innisfail. Experience Innisfail’s high concentration of Art Deco buildings and visit the Lit Sing Gung-Chinese Temple (1940). There is a range of accommodation options in town.

North of Innisfail, visit Eubenangee Swamp National Park, an important wetland area that contains a number of rare plant species and assists in the conservation of the region's wildlife. Also not to be missed are Ella Bay National Park and Wooroonooran National Park. If you’re a climber, don’t miss Mt Bartle Frere is Queensland’s highest mountain (1622m).

Spend the day exploring these natural and scenic wonders, before heading further north via Aloomba, Gordonvale and Edmonton onto Cairns for the night. Stay a few days in Cairns and explore. A wide range of accommodation is available in and around Cairns.

For further detailed information visit one of the local Information Centres on the way, or one of the following.

Cairns:
Gateway Discovery Centre
51 The Esplanade, Cairns
Tel: (07) 4051 3588
www.tropicalaustralia.com

Townsville:
Townsville Visitor Information Centre
Flinders Street East
Tel: (07) 4721 1116 or freecall: 1800 801 902
www.townsvilleonline.com.au

For an Aboriginal map of the area, with Aboriginal names, history, stories and tours, visit www.bamaway.com.au

	Complete Information Centre list
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