Tropical North Queensland Self Drive
The Tropical North is the only place on the planet where two World Heritage areas meet. It is an area that is blessed with extraordinary natural landscapes that will have travellers mesmerised.
This self drive itinerary combines a number of experiences and areas of North Queensland that will ensure travellers See Great and Leave Greater. It is a journey of captivating experiences and memories.
Day 1 and 2 - Cairns, Port Douglas Palm Cove
The journey begins! Collect your car from Cairns Airport and head to your chosen destination of Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. The choice is yours as you choose the vibe of a thriving regional city, a laid back beachside village or a very cool beach and restaurant Mecca, the choices are endless as are the accommodation choices which can range from resort hotel, to fully self contained luxury apartments or the uniqueness of a luxury North Queensland home. Your only task is to choose your adventure for the next day with the opportunity for Bungee Jumping, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, drifting down the waterways of a rainforest river, a standup paddle boarding experience, a guided cycling experience through the world class Mountain Bike trails or a canyoning experience in one of the spectacular waterfalls and crystal clear pools of the Tropical North. Better still, stay for some additional days and experience it all.
Overnight - Palm Cove, Cairns or Port Douglas (Nights 1 and 2)
Day 3 and 4 - Atherton Tablelands
Today you head South out of Cairns. The sugar cane fields are a constant reminder that you are in Tropical North Queensland. You will drive past the two highest mountains in Queensland Mt Bellenden Ker and Mt Battle Frere. As you enter the small town of Innisfail, you will turn left and make your way up the Palmerston Highway to Mamu Canopy Boardwalk. This is a truly spectacular experience as you take in the Johnston River gorge and the World Heritage Wooroonooran World Heritage Rainforest that surrounds it. Keep climbing up with Palmerston Highway and the waterfall circuit is well worth a visit to cool off before you check into some of the unique accommodation properties that the Tablelands are renowned for. Timber pole treehouses are a very different way to engage with the rainforest and there are a number of properties on the Tablelands that offer this incredible accommodation option. Depending on the time of year, light a fire, grab a red wine as you cocoon yourself away from the rest of the world.
Overnight - Atherton Tablelands (Nights 3 and 4)
Day 5 and 6 - Gulf Savannah
Bid farewell to your rainforest treehouse and continue west into the food bowl of the Tropics, the Atherton Tablelands. Green rolling hills start to make way to the ochres and oranges of the Savannah as you make your way through Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland and further west. For some people this is the real Australia, the vast and open landscapes are never ending, the sky is a rich blue and the people and their personalities speak to the brand statement, “There is Nothing like Australia”. The Undara Lava tubes are a must see. Approx 190,000 years ago, a large volcano erupted, spewing molten lava. The lava flowed rapidly down a dry riverbed leaving behind a series of hollow tubes that give an incredible insight into the evolution of our land. Heading further west you will find Talaroo Hot Springs which is Ewamian Peoples Country. Talaroo is a living cultural landscape for Ewamian people, rich with dreaming stories and centred around healing Hot Springs which form a lifeline through the ages. Choose your place of accommodation and don’t miss these incredible attractions.
Continue to head South towards Charters Towers and Townsville or make your way back to Cairns for further adventures and experiences
Overnight - Gulf Savannah (Undara. Cobbald Gorge or Talaroo Hot Springs) (nights 5 and 6)
