Queensland | Cairns to Daintree Rainforest Road Trip Itinerary

From beaches to bush, discover North Queensland in this 10 day road trip itinerary taking you inland and back to the coast.

It’s not called Tropical North Queensland for nothing. The tropical climate makes for the perfect conditions to explore breathtaking waterfalls, ancient rainforest and world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. You and your travel companions will appreciate the short drives between destinations, giving you freedom and flexibility to explore all that this region has to offer. With adventure, relaxation and plenty of nature, the 10 Day North Queensland Beach to Bush road trip itinerary has something for everyone.

Day 1: Cairns Apollo Branch to Josephine Falls and Paronella Park

Distance: 123km

Travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Pick up your vehicle at the Cairns Apollo Branch and head south. Today you will be exploring Josephine Falls in Woooroonooran National Park before arriving at the enchanting gardens of Paronella Park. Famous for its rainforest fringed swimming hole and waterfall 'water slide,' Josephine Falls is a popular waterfall with travellers and locals alike and is a great spot to jump right in to your Cairns adventure.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 2: Paronella Park

While you might not expect castles and North Queensland in the same sentence, Paronella Park will pleasantly surprise you. Spend the second day of your North Queensland road trip exploring the incredible grounds of Paronella Park. Built in the 1930s by José Paronella, Paronella Park was once the go-to social location for residents of the Mena Creek area. Now, you can wander through the castle ruins and explore the captivating grounds.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 3: Paronella Park to Undara

Distance: 232km

Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Say goodbye to Paronella Park, today's destination is a different type of magic. After just under 3 hours on the road today, you'll find yourself within Undara Volcanic National Park.

Image: Jason Charles Hill

Day 4: Undara

One of the longest lava tube cave systems in the world, Undara Lava Tubes were created some 190,000 years old from a volcanic eruption. Spend the day exploring this natural phenomenon on a guided tour before enjoying the sunset over the savannah grassland.

Image: Jason Charles Hill

Day 5: Undara to Millaa Millaa

Distance: 171km

Travel time: 2 hours

Say goodbye to the outback and hello the rolling green hills of the Atherton Tablelands. Once you've arrived at the quaint township of Millaa Millaa, make your way stat to the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. Once you've taken in its beauty (and had a cheeky swim under the falls!), continue on to Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls, all within a short distance of one another.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 6: Millaa Millaa to Cape Tribulation

Distance: 218km

Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Enjoy the scenery on today's drive as you pass through green rolling hills, to the Australian bush before arriving in world heritage rainforest at Cape Tribulation.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 7: Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest

Just how old is the world's oldest tropical rainforest? About 130 million (give or take a few years!). The Daintree Rainforest is a part of the larger Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is one of nature's greatest triumphs. Surviving world-altering events (the dinosaur extinction and an ice-age just to name a few!), this rainforest is home to the world's first songbirds and flowering plants. Plus, it's incredibly beautiful. You don't even need to take our word on it - it's been scientifically recognised as a place of "exceptional natural beauty!"

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 8: Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas

Distance: 85km

Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Wind down from your time in the rainforest by visiting Port Douglas. On your way into Port Douglas be sure to stop by Mossman Gorge.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 9: Port Douglas

Spend your day in Port Douglas however you'd like. Relax at Four Mile Beach, interact with Australian animals at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, discover the Great Barrier Reef or, if you've arrived on a Sunday, wander through the Port Douglas Markets.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 10: Port Douglas to Cairns

Distance: 67km

Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes

We might have even saved the best to last. The Great Barrier Reef drive between Port Douglas and Cairns is one of the most scenic drives in Australia (if not the world!). Be sure to stop at Rex Lookout on your way back to Cairns for stunning views of the rainforest, beach and Coral Sea!