CAIRNS TO CAPE TRIBULATION: THE PERFECT ROAD TRIP GUIDE
We have officially made it … we have driven from one side of Australia to the other! Four months ago, we set off on our Big Aussie adventure leaving from our hometown in Perth, driving through red dirt and remote bushland, making our way through Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Outback Queensland. We have finally arrived in Cairns, and it feels so strange to be surrounded by so much greenery!
We could not wait to start exploring the tropical rainforests and stunning reefs this part of Australia has to offer. The Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is only 140 kilometres with only 3 hours of driving time. It was such a nice change having a short road trip with still so much to do and see.
We’d love to share our experience with you, so here's our perfect road trip guide from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. Check out our YouTube video below to watch our full road trip and keep on scrolling for more info.
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Take the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas
En route to Port Douglas, if you take the Captain Cook Highway, one of the most stunning roads in the world, you will wind your way through palm trees right along the shoreline. The Captain Cook Highway is famously dubbed the Great Barrier Reef drive because not only do you get incredible views of the sea, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests, but it also opens into one of the most beautiful and sequestered beaches in Australia.
Speaking of beaches, make sure you stop at Thala Beach Resort Palm Tree Road, where you’ll be surrounded by thickets of lush palm trees-the perfect place to take a few snaps and stretch out your legs.
The highway ends at Mossman, but we took a little detour toward Port Douglas instead since we wanted to reach Cape Tribulation after touching the livelier towns.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a stunning resort town with a lot of cute places to shop and eat. We are currently travelling in our van, so we stayed the night here at Tropic Breeze Caravan Park, but if you’re looking for a hotel or an Airbnb, there are so many stunning options to choose from.
If you happen to be here on a Sunday, we highly recommend heading to the Port Douglas Markets for a coffee and crepe morning picnic. You’re also going to love the markets which hang back quite literally on the Australian shore.
Mossman Gorge
Only 20 minutes north of Port Douglas, you’ll find Mossman Gorge, the end of the Captain Cook Highway route. We spent the entire afternoon here soaking in the fresh rainforest creeks, taking in all the gorgeous Outback has to offer.
Mossman Gorge is home to the Daintree rainforest, where hikes become a surreal experience of learning about the indigenous culture. We absolutely loved taking the hike, occasionally stopping to hear the gurgling of the native waterfalls and by the end, we were convinced that Mossman Gorge offers some of the best ecotourism. We even made some friends in the form of the native flora and fauna, and if you’re at Mossman Gorge look out for strangler figs, Maple Silkwood, Atherton Oak, possums, and other rare animals.
Spend the Night At Daintree Eco Lodge
The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world, and the perfect way to get the full experience is to stay in your own treehouse! The Daintree Ecolodge is where you can book a bayan/treehouse, and spend your time nestled between trees and listening to the chirping of the birds.
One of our best experiences so far, spending the night at Daintree Ecolodge, really brought us close to nature; getting to experience the wilderness ourselves and enjoy a little luxury in the middle of the rainforest. The treehouses are located in secluded portions of the rainforest and decorated with the most lush and contemporary flair, giving you the best of both worlds.
Catch the Ferry Over to Cape Tribulation
The only way you can continue north is to drive onto the ferry crossing, so we parked our vehicle on the ferry and immediately set off toward our newest destination. Luckily, it is only a 5-minute ferry ride taking you deeper into the rainforest, where you can witness the beauty of the rainforest up close. The ferry stopped at Cape Tribulation, and we felt exhilarated to have reached here at last!
Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation is known as the spot where the rainforest meets the reef, and this sums up the place perfectly. It’s one thing to explore the rainforest and another to explore the reef, but at Cape Tribulation, the joy, excitement, and entertainment doubles.
We stayed at the Cape Trib Safari Lodge, which has both caravan/camping and huts you can stay in. Of course, loving the Australian bush, we chose caravan camping, but if you’re more comfortable with indoor lodgings, we assure you, you won’t be disappointed. It is in the perfect location with its own restaurant and walking distance to the beach, a place we were dying to go.
Mackay Reef
Setting off from the nearest beach, we went for a tour of the Great Barrier Reef itself. Cape Tribulation is home to the best snorkelling we have ever experienced! We went out on a tour with Ocean Safari and highly recommend it. We swam with tropical coral, fish, turtles, and sand bathed on our own private sand cay. The day ended with us laughing and playing among the warm sand with the cool sea breeze blowing across our faces, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day!
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