Hit the road and explore the best that Cairns has to offer. From the stunning coast road, to Port Douglas to the serenity-blessed Cape Tribulation there’s so much to see and do in and around Cairns. And of course the best way to see what’s on offer is to hit the road and go exploring. Check out these three awesome road trips which take in some of the region’s best sights.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is the gateway to the World Heritage wonders of tropical North Queensland. It is the closest mainland port to the Great Barrier Reef and only a short drive into the heart of the rainforest.
Getting to Port Douglas from Cairns is an easy one hour drive along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal roads…lush rainforest on one side and the deep blue of the Great Barrier Reef on the other.
Over the last few years Port Douglas has been favoured by A-list celebrities as the place to get away. It is an intimate and relaxed town where food, wine, arts and culture are enjoyed in a laid back manner. You can feel the pace slow as you relax with lazy strolls along the beach or take that boat ride out to the reef to explore nature’s Great Barrier Reef wonderland.
Cape Tribulation
Stepping straight on to the beach from the rainforest is a special experience. At Cape Tribulation this is part of the wonder that is the Daintree National Park.
Marvel at empty beaches where driftwood and shells wash up to form natural sculptures, taste exotic tropical fruits or try them in a locally made ice cream, refresh in a swimming hole or soar through the rainforest canopy on a flying fox.
Cape Tribulation, affectionately known as ‘Cape Trib’, is a bushwalking paradise with many short walks taking in the beaches and the rainforest. One can spend a day hiking to admire spectacular views of Australia’s richest diversity of flora and fauna found in this region. A trip to far North Queensland isn’t complete unless you made the trip to Cape Trib.
Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit – Millaa Millaa Falls
The Atherton Tablelands is famous for its waterfalls. You can find three of the Tablelands’ most spectacular falls just a short drive from the town of Millaa Millaa, which is only a 90-minute drive from Cairns.
From Millaa Millaa travel 2kms east along the Palmerston Highway and then turn left onto Theresa Creek Road. This is the start of the Waterfalls Circuit. If you are in a hurry you can complete the circuit in an hour, but take some time and fall in love with this beautiful part of Far North Queensland.
The first of the waterfalls is the Millaa Millaa Falls, the most photographed waterfall in Australia. The Falls plunge in a straight drop to a large pool 18 metres below. This is the only waterfall on the Circuit where swimming is recommended. Locals and tourists alike frequently swim here.
From Millaa Millaa Falls drive a further 7.5kms along the Waterfall Circuit till you see the sign for Zillie Falls. Follow the signs to the forest track viewing platform where you’ll be able to see the creek before it plunges over the edge. Three kilometres further on from Zillie Falls, you’ll come to the beautifully-named Ellinjaa Falls. From the viewing platform at Ellinjaa Falls you’ll be able to get some good photos of the 15 metre waterfall.