Head north from Cairns along the Cook Highway; stopping first at Rex Lookout – the perfect point to view the Coral Sea and beaches. This road is one of the most beautiful ocean drives in the world, with its backdrop of steep mountain ranges, coastal beaches and headlands. Whales and dolphins are sometimes seen swimming offshore.

There are half a dozen deserted beaches between Cairns and Port Douglas, including some rare examples of rainforest growing in sand. Pull off the road and go for a walk along the shoreline to look for unusual tropical seedpods and shells - but leave them on the 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, snorkel or dive on the reef to view the amazing underwater creatures and colourful coral.

Just north of Port Douglas lies the sugar town of Mossman and the stunning Mossman Gorge, the traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people. Just 4km from town, the visitor area features walking trails and swimming holes.

Further north lies Daintree Village on the banks of the Daintree River. Allow time to enjoy a birdwatching river cruise - and spot a croc or few. Don’t go swimming though! Travel south again to catch the vehicle ferry across the river (operates every day; a fee applies) to reach the famous Daintree Coast, where the rainforest meets the reef. It’s only another 30km to Cape Tribulation, so take your time and explore the numerous rainforest boardwalks and beaches.

Continue north along the rough 4WD Bloomfield Track - which crosses the Bloomfield River and enters Australia’s last great frontier – Cape York Peninsula. Stop at the historical Lion’s Den Hotel to view the unusual memorabilia before traveling on to 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 Captain Cook beached his ship after striking a reef in 1770. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around one of Australia’s earliest botanic gardens. Don’t miss Nature’s Powerhouse which houses an excellent Cape York wildlife collection and the paintings of botanical artist, the late Vera Scarth-Johnston, who captured on canvas a legacy of over 150 local plants.

Heading south-west from Cooktown, stop at Black Mountain National Parkand to view its jumbled pile of granite boulders, then onto Lakeland. Lakeland provides access to Laura, and Aboriginal art dating back 32,000 years (optional adventure; if time allows).

Further south will take you past the Palmer River Roadhouse and the small township of Mount Molloy - stop – particularly if you’ve been building up an appetite! The local cafe is renowned as providing one of the ‘world’s best hamburgers’!

About 30km south of Mt Molloy visit the Mareeba Wetlands, a non-profit wildlife reserve which boasts 121 hectares of open water set in 2000 hectares of grassland savannah.

Continue south to Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands where there is a wide range of accommodation available, particularly B&Bs. Get an early night, for an early start tomorrow.

Get up early and discover the beauty of the Atherton Tablelands – first stop, don’t miss the Mareeba Wetlands, a non-profit, community wildlife reserve which boasts 121 hectares of open water set in 2000 hectares of grassland savannah.

Spend the rest of the morning exploring the Tablelands natural highlights – start at Yungaburra with the Tour of the Giants - the giant strangler fig on the outskirts of Yungaburra is a reminder of the magnificent forests which once covered this area. The twin Kauri Pines are beside the serene crater Lake Barrine. Take a side trip into the Gadgarra Forest to see the ancient Red Cedar tree felled by Cyclone Larry in 2006 - but still an impressive sight. Next stop is the enjoyable Waterfall Circuit, drive along the back roads around Millaa Millaa to three picturesque waterfalls. Short walks lead to viewing areas and swimming holes at Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Elinjaa waterfalls.

Head west from Mareeba, through Dimbulah and Almaden along the Burke Development Road to Chillagoe. Stay the night in Chillagoe.

Spend as much time as possible exploring Chillagoe’s natural attractions and soak up the atmosphere of this former mining boomtown. Its copper smelters has been uniquely preserved as a drive-around museum. The main attraction though is the limestone caves. Explore the caves; tours are available seven days a week, tickets are available from the Chillagoe Hub & Visitor Information Centre (chillagoehub.com.au)

Leaving Chillagoe you will head back to Almaden (look out for the cows!) before turning onto the Gingerella-Oottan Road. This narrow bush road offers a fascinating drive through the Savannah grasslands. Check local road conditions first – you may need a 4WD.

Head south and follow the signs east to Undara Volcanic National Park, one of Australia's greatest geological wonders. 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 an 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 - home to the Oasis Roadhouse – reputably the smallest bar in Queensland! Next stop, Greenvale, affectionately known as the ‘Slim Dusty Country’ offerring the soft adventure seeker natural bush surrounds with stunning wildlife including black cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and red kangaroos.

Further south, detour off the highway to explore the Great Basalt Wall National Park (no public acces to this 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. Explore and discover these fascinating geological formations, go birdwatching, explore open woodland and immerse yourself in local fauna. Discover the spring-fed creek and enjoy bush camping, fishing and nature at Fletcher Creek.

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 to explore the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail including the view from Tower Hill or stop by a nearby park for morning tea.

Head east on the Flinders Highway towards Ayr. On the way, stop for a walk through the Mingela Wetlands, and view the ‘itinerant waders’ and other waterbirds found here.

Closer to Ayr, take a detour to Bowling Green Bay National Park. Bowling Green Bay National Park is the largest park between Bowen and Townsville. 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 deep pools and waterfalls, have a swim or climb to Alligator Creek Falls. Look for the diverse wildlife feeding in the early morning or late afternoon. Visitors have the opportunity to see brushtail possums, sugar gliders, northern brown bandicoots, wallabies and rufous bettongs Camp here the night, or continue on to Ayr.

Overnight in Ayr.

Enjoy the sights around Ayr in the morning - this agricultural and ethnic community offers the best in country hospitality and lifestyle. Visit Plantation Park, home to Gubullamunda, the totem of the local indigenous group. Stop and experience some excellent barramundi fishing, water sports and birdwatching on the Burdekin River. View the historic ‘Silver Link’ bridge, an architect’s structural delight, and marvel at the floating pylons. Nearby Pioneer Mill becomes a hub of activity during the sugar cane crushing season, and is also home to some beautiful species of water birds. Cromarty Wetlands, emulating Kakadoo National Park, is home to a plethora of bird species including bird aggregations and special birds. These can be found and closely observed nearby to the unique wetlands. Cromarty Wetlands is a must-do for the bird enthusiast.

Head north to Townsville in the afternoon, arriving in time to head over to Magnetic Island on the ferry – with its 23 beaches and bays, wildlife, water sports, and walking trails, this island is the perfect setting for the nature lover. Keep an eye out for the island’s most famous residents – the colony of koalas. This is the largest colony of koalas in Australia.

Spend the night at one of the island’s numerous resorts, backpackers or camping and caravan parks.

After spending a day or two on Magnetic Island (if time allows), head north to Ingham along the Great Green Way. Visit Thuringowa’s Northern Beaches, Paluma Range National Park and Jourama Falls on the way, where you can enjoy one of several walks amongst the beautiful Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Continue north (via Ingham) and spend the afternoon at Wallaman Falls, Australia’s single highest drop waterfall – and the Great Wet Tropics Walk. Starting from the Falls, take a walk that discovers spectacular waterfalls, plunging gorges and fantastic views.

Arrive back in Ingham and take the opportunity to walk through the unique Tyto Wetlands, home to 100 species of birds, tropical plants and other Australian wildlife including the crocodile. Late afternoon is a great time to watch hundreds of wallabies come out and play..

The friendly sugar town of Ingham is nestled in the heart of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Listed Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, beaches and wildlife.

Overnight in Ingham at a variety of accommodation houses.

In the morning take a short drive east out to Lucinda, to view the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The 5.7km sugar loading jetty is quite a sight as it allows the viewer to see the curvature of the earth. Head to Dungeness to travel to Hinchinbrook Island or travel to Broadwater for a swim and to follow the path to view the giant Fig Tree.
Continue to Cardwell where you can take a ferry across to Australia’s largest island National Park, Hinchinbrook Island. Spend an extra day to enjoy camping or trekking the famous Thorsborne Trail or other walking trails in this pristine natural 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.
Overnight in Cardwell or on Hinchinbrook Island.

Continue north along the Great Green Way section of the Great Tropical Drive, passing through Kennedy. On the way, take a detour to Murray Falls (slightly to the west off the highway).

Continue north from the falls via the scenic unsealed road to Tully Gorge National Park. On the way, a ‘must do’, is an Indigenous Tour and guided bushwalk, 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. Here you can enjoy waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes and bushwalking trails, as well as camping (optional).

Head to the Tully River and Tully Gorge to try whitewater rafting, or take time to explore the national park and Wet Tropics scenery. Make sure you take the 20-minute Rainforest Butterfly Walk at the gorge.

If time allows, head to the nearby Misty Mountains Trails. Enjoy wilderness hiking and bushwalking in this special area of the Wet Tropics.

Continue onto Tully for the night.

Spend the morning enjoying the natural beauty of Mission Beach. Spot a cassowary while you are walking around and be amazed by the abundance of butterflies on the Lacey Creek Walking Trails. The trails offer a 45-minute circuit walk with an excellent pathway crossing the creek in several places.

Take a coastal walk along the beach and marvel at the native flora and fauna, the island views and jenjoy this magical place.

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 via Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park, a crumbling Spanish castle based around the remains of a Spanish grandiose home in the rainforest. Mena Creek Falls are beautifu! Take a swim!

Continue to Innisfail for the night. There is a range of accommodation options in town.

Spend the morning in and around Innisfail. Innisfail’s architecture and the art deco buildings of the 1920's reflect the diversity of nationalities that immigrated to this scenic town in the late 1800’s. Visit where the two rivers meet at North and South Johnstone for lovely scenery.

On the way north of Innisfail, via Miriwinni is Eubenangee Swamp National Park. This tranquil area is an important wetland area between Ingham and Cooktown that contains a number of rare plant species and assists in the conservation of the region's wildlife, particularly birds, butterflies, turtles and crocodiles.

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, Queensland’s highest mountain (1622m). Be awed by the beautiful Josephine Falls waterfall. This waterfall is fed by the rains of Queensland’s highest mountain, the magnificent Mount Bartle Frere. While in the area, tantalise your tastebuds with tropical exotic fruits such as Rambutans, Mangosteen and lychees found locally.

Continue further north via Aloomba, Gordonvale and Edmonton onto Cairns for the night. 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:
Flinders Mall Information Centre
Flinders Mall, Townsville
Tel: (07) 4721 3660 or freecall: 1800 801 902
www.townsvilleonline.com.au

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