Winter is officially here, which makes it the perfect time to head to Far North Queensland for balmy weather and one of the most picturesque road trips all wrapped up in one! Starting in Cairns we’ll be doing the 140km Great Barrier Reef Drive up to remote Cape Tribulation on the Captain Cook Highway (including a car ferry ride across the Daintree River). It’s the ultimate road trip for stunning Coral Sea and rainforest views along with hidden beaches and lookouts to stop and enjoy!
Best vehicle tyres for the drive
You can do this drive in just about any vehicle (2WDs included) as the road is sealed all the way, however for many Maxxis enthusiasts, a 4×4 is often the preferred way to go. Plus, if you’re planning on heading further afield than Cape Tribulation (and onto the Bloomfield Track), a 4WD vehicle is required!
If you are driving a 4×4 vehicle but aren’t ‘Team RAZR’ yet, this may just be the time to test out a set of Maxxis RAZRs and see why everyone’s loving them so much! Whether you go for the AT811 RAZR all-terrain or the MT772 muddy, RAZRs are a top performing and reliable 4×4 tyre choice, with awesome good looks all part of the cutting-edge deal!
Let’s get started
While about three hours may be all that’s needed to go the full distance from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, make sure you give yourself enough time (a day or two at least) to really take in everything this amazing landscape has to offer. Here are a just few suggested stops along the way that you won’t want to miss:
Palm Cove
Just 30 minutes from Cairns will have you driving into idyllic Palm Cove, where the main street is lined with palms and majestic Melaleuca trees. Do yourself a favour and stop for a walk on the beautiful beach and jetty. If you’re up for a dip, make sure you keep between the lifesavers’ flags (and in the swimming enclosures when they are in place to protect against stingers from November to May). Remember too that this is croc country, so definitely keep a lookout watch for signs about recent croc sightings in the area (as well as daily notes on the lifesavers’ board). There is an abundance of cafes and restaurants (some with Melaleuca trees famously growing within and around the walls) and many with awesome beach views. The caravan park (with both powered and unpowered sites) is in pole position right across from the beach.
Ellis Beach, Wangetti Beach Scenic Stop, Hartley’s Croc Adventures
The drive from Palm Cove to Port Douglas delivers some of the most stunning views in FNQ – with its sandy and stoney beaches fringing the Coral Sea on the one side and thick rainforest vegetation on the other (and sometimes overhead). Stop in at Wangetti or Ellis Beach (popular for its holiday park), or book in at renowned Hartley’s for and up-close croc encounter, boat cruise and plenty more!
Port Douglas
Rolling into Port Douglas is like arriving in tropical paradise. Complete with its distinctive palm trees, golden Four-mile Beach stretching endlessly and renowned marina – it’s the perfect gateway to the Great Barrier Reef if you’re keen to sail off for a snorkel! Port Douglas also has heaps of accommodation (from ultra luxurious to camping sites where you can really get away from it all), so a great place to base yourself for a few days. If you’ve forgotten your bathers or you want to top up your eksy or camping supplies, Port Douglas has a myriad of shops both at the marina and in the main street where you can literally shop up a storm!
Daintree and Port Tribulation
If you think the drive has been sensational so far, from here it keeps on giving as you go the final stretch to Cape Tribulation!
The Daintree Rainforest (the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on earth!) is the place for some serious awesome adventures, with many walks and trails (ranging in difficulty level). For starters, choose from the 30-minute Madja Botanical Walk, Dubuji Boardwalk (a one-hour round trip) through the mangroves or the Jindalba Circuit Track (3km) as well as the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk guided by the local Indigenous people.
The Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre (at the beautiful Mossman Gorge) is a hub of information, with heaps of advice available from those who know the area, its history and culture, inside out!
The Daintree River Ferry is the only way to cross the Daintree River with your vehicle and if you’re wanting to head on to the Bloomfield Track and beyond, you’ll want to factor this easy ferry crossing into your adventure! The Daintree River is home to heaps of salties and a host of fish, ancient plants and birdlife which makes it an adventure all on its own. Once you’re there, Cape Tribulation Beach, where the rainforest converges with the sea, is as you’d expect, simply sensational!
Where to stay
Finding accommodation to suit in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation is a breeze (but best to book ahead for many places), with a great variety of options all adding to the once-in-a-lifetime experience that sets this great area apart! From eco cabins, lodges and forest retreats to camping and caravanning at Cape Trib Camping (both powered and unpowered sites are available) you can make the absolute most of the “where the rainforest meets the reef” surroundings in the way that suits you best.
Before you head off
It’s worth noting that there is currently road work taking place along the way on some sections along this drive (which may slow you down a little) – but hey, what better excuse to take things easy and soak up the views!
Mobile reception in Daintree and Cape Tribulation can be patchy with no reception beyond the ferry. It’s also important to remember that this is big salty crocodile country and although the ocean may look picture-perfect and ultra-inviting on a hot day, swimming should be avoided. Here are some more tips from the Queensland authorities for travelling safely in the area.
And last, (but definitely not least), when it comes to your tyres, don’t leave home without doing a thorough check (including your spare if you have one). If you need any assistance with tyre maintenance, repairs or fitments, our network of professional Maxxis dealers in FNQ will have all your tyre needs expertly covered!
