Day 1 & 2 – Port Douglas & Cape Tribulation
Begin your drive on the scenic Captain Cook Highway, with some spectacular views of the Coral…
Around Cairns
6 day Self Drive – from £649
Discover ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls and deserted beaches on this circular self drive from Cairns. You will travel through the tropical landscapes of Cape Tribulation, the Atherton Tablelands and beautiful Mission Beach.
Highlights:
- Immerse yourself in the serenity of the Queensland rainforest
- Explore the galleries and boutiques of Port Douglas
- Visit the early pioneer towns of the Atherton Tablelands
- Discover crystal clear lakes and tumbling waterfalls
- Relax on the golden sands of Mission Beach
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can personalise your North Queensland self drive by adding extra nights or places to stop along the way. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Begin your drive on the scenic Captain Cook Highway, with some spectacular views of the Coral Sea. First stop is Port Douglas, a former fishing village which is now a fashionable holiday resort. Nearby is the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, starting point for a fascinating self-guided tour around ancient rainforest.
Once across the Daintree River, the rainforest is all around, and your two night stay in Cape Tribulation will give you time to explore. There are forest walks, river and wildlife cruises and treetop lookouts, all bordered by deserted forest-fringed beaches, where you can picnic and relax.
Cairns > Cape Tribulation | 145 kms
Standard: Ferntree Rainforest Lodge
Deluxe: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
Day 3 & 4 – Atherton Tablelands
Return over the Daintree River today and head inland through the old pioneer towns of Mount…
Return over the Daintree River today and head inland through the old pioneer towns of Mount Molloy and Mareeba, for a two night stay in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. This fertile inland region is a land of rich red soil, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and untouched areas of rainforest. Atherton is at its centre and is home to produce shops, galleries and traditional Queensland pubs.
Nearby is Crater Lake National Park and sparkling Lake Barrine, which you can walk around, keeping a lookout for native wildlife.
Be sure to visit Yungaburra and Herberton, where there is a wonderful Historic Village, covering 16 acres and showcasing the pioneering past and cultural history of this fascinating region.
Cape Tribulation > Atherton | 140 kms
Standard & Deluxe: Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat
Day 5 – Mission Beach
Head east today towards the Coral Sea at Innisfail, making sure to stop at the many…
Head east today towards the Coral Sea at Innisfail, making sure to stop at the many spectacular waterfalls on the way. Milla Milla is the best known and most photographed but, in the wet season, all can be breath taking.
Less than an hour south of Innisfail is Mission Beach, your stopping place for the night. Relax on the golden sands here or dine al fresco at a local seafront café or bar.
Atherton > Mission Beach | 160 kms
Standard & Deluxe: Castaways Resort & Spa
Day 6 – Cairns
With only two hours back to Cairns, you can spend longer in Mission Beach, exploring local…
With only two hours back to Cairns, you can spend longer in Mission Beach, exploring local towns and forest trails. For adventure, head to the nearby Tully River, where several white-water rafting companies offer an exciting, and dampening, experience.
You will pass through more rainforest and sugar plantations as you make your final journey back to Cairns.
Mission Beach > Cairns | 140 kms
Your Itinerary
You can personalise your North Queensland self drive by adding extra nights or places to stop along the way. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1 & 2
| Port Douglas & Cape Tribulation
Begin your drive on the scenic Captain Cook Highway, with some spectacular views of the Coral Sea. First stop is Port Douglas, a former fishing village which is now a fashionable holiday resort. Nearby is the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, starting point for a fascinating self-guided tour around ancient rainforest.
Once across the Daintree River, the rainforest is all around, and your two night stay in Cape Tribulation will give you time to explore. There are forest walks, river and wildlife cruises and treetop lookouts, all bordered by deserted forest-fringed beaches, where you can picnic and relax.
Cairns > Cape Tribulation | 145 kms
Standard: Ferntree Rainforest Lodge
Deluxe: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
Day 3 & 4
| Atherton Tablelands
Return over the Daintree River today and head inland through the old pioneer towns of Mount Molloy and Mareeba, for a two night stay in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. This fertile inland region is a land of rich red soil, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and untouched areas of rainforest. Atherton is at its centre and is home to produce shops, galleries and traditional Queensland pubs.
Nearby is Crater Lake National Park and sparkling Lake Barrine, which you can walk around, keeping a lookout for native wildlife.
Be sure to visit Yungaburra and Herberton, where there is a wonderful Historic Village, covering 16 acres and showcasing the pioneering past and cultural history of this fascinating region.
Cape Tribulation > Atherton | 140 kms
Standard & Deluxe: Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat
Day 5
| Mission Beach
Head east today towards the Coral Sea at Innisfail, making sure to stop at the many spectacular waterfalls on the way. Milla Milla is the best known and most photographed but, in the wet season, all can be breath taking.
Less than an hour south of Innisfail is Mission Beach, your stopping place for the night. Relax on the golden sands here or dine al fresco at a local seafront café or bar.
Atherton > Mission Beach | 160 kms
Standard & Deluxe: Castaways Resort & Spa
Day 6
| Cairns
With only two hours back to Cairns, you can spend longer in Mission Beach, exploring local towns and forest trails. For adventure, head to the nearby Tully River, where several white-water rafting companies offer an exciting, and dampening, experience.
You will pass through more rainforest and sugar plantations as you make your final journey back to Cairns.
Mission Beach > Cairns | 140 kms
This Self Drive Includes
5 nights hotel accommodation
6 days car hire, with unlimited kilometres
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Around Cairns self drive and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- An upgrade to deluxe hotels
- Extra nights in the Tablelands or other places on the way
- Cairns accommodation before or after your self drive
Next Step
Please get in touch with our Australia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Around Cairns
6 day Self Drive – from £649
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.
Map
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