The drive worth taking: a six day Cairns to Townsville road trip

Day 1: Arrive in Cairns (two hours driving time)

Arrive in Cairns, the jewel of Queensland’s tropical north. While you’ll want to get out on the world’s largest living coral reef as soon as possible, there’s a different natural adventure in store today: the world’s oldest living rainforest.

Make tracks a little north on the scenic Captain Cook Highway to Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, and you’ll soon be stepping through the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Here’s how to do Mossman Gorge if you have a full day, but the absolute best way to experience this is on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Walks are led by the traditional land owners, the Kuku Yalanji, who offer insight into their deep connection to this world-heritage listed land.

But your flight didn’t land until the afternoon? No problem. Under 15 minutes’ drive from the airport lies the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: jump onboard for a thrilling journey that’ll take you above the rainforest canopy into Barron Gorge National Park. Along the way you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the national park, Cairns highlands and out to sea. Stop and wander at the two stations to discover Red Peak and tumbling Barron Falls.

This evening, take a twilight stroll along Cairns esplanade and check out Cairns Night Market (here are a few other things to do at night).

Overnight: There’s no shortage of fantastic accommodation in Cairns, and for families, our pick is Mantra Trilogy, which is less of a hotel and more of a self-contained apartment situation. If Mantra’s your base, you’ll be able to take a 2.5km stroll along the flat waterfront boardwalk to watch the sunset over the reef – and reach a handful of these kid-friendly restaurants on foot. The bonus of this waterfront location is that if the kids need a change of scenery from the onsite resort-style swimming pool, you can swap to the 4800-square metre swimming pool at Cairns Lagoon.

Alternatively for couples, our pick is Riley thanks to its modern rooms, huge lagoon pool and sustainable touches. Plus, after a long day you can grab dinner and drinks with panoramic views of the city and Coral Sea at Cairns’ highest bar and restaurant, Rocco, located at the top of the hotel. 

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef (day trip discovery)

Wake up in the heart of Cairns to a fresh breakfast on your balcony, and an early dip in the pool to warm up for the day ahead. Today you’re headed out to meet the reef.

You can’t visit the north without experiencing its technicolour marine life up close, especially when it’s right on your doorstep. Just how? Choose your own adventure; take a scenic flight, spend the day sailing to secluded snorkel sites, discover the reef through the Dreamtime, head to an island, or sign up for a day of diving beneath the surface at more remote reef locations. No matter how you visit, nothing can prepare you for discovering the sheer scale of sealife that calls this part of Queensland home.

Back on the mainland, choose to feast your way through Cairns’ best restaurants, or travel back into nature for Flames of the Forest, an indigenous performance and dining experience that will move and change you.

Day 3: Cairns to Mission Beach (three hours driving time)

The driving really begins today (pack those car snacks), as you travel south to some of the tropic’s most loved natural gems. And you don’t have to stray too far off-the-beaten-track to find them.

Take the Bruce Highway an hour south to relax in the fresh, crystal waters of Babinda Boulders. This is one swim you’ll want to float gently, breathe deeply and listen to the sounds of the rainforest around you. Wander to Devil’s Pool while you’re here to take in the views (only swim in designated pools due to dangerous conditions).

A little further back down the highway, take a 6km hike that’ll reward you with more than views in Wooroonooran National Park. A circuit track winds its way through the Douglas Creek valley to reach spectacular Nandroya Falls. Sit a while or swim, and admire the 50m falls as it crashes into the pool below.

If you’d rather your walk through the forest lead you to a man-made ruin, make your next stop Paronella Park. A dream-like Spanish castle nestled in the rainforest, it’s unlike anything else you’ll find in Queensland.

From here, head to tonight’s destination: Mission Beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive (and endangered) cassowaries on your drive; this is one of the best spots to see them in the wild.

Arrive in barefoot paradise, and you’ll see more people riding bikes along the 14km of palm-tree lined beaches than you'll see wearing shoes. And that’s how the locals like it. If you prefer the quieter side to travel, you really can’t do better than Mission Beach, which always feels a beat behind the rest of the world in the best possible way. In fact, you should stay a few extra days if you can. Here, the days stretch, and distractions fall away.  

Overnight: Beachfront Castaway Resort and Spa is the perfect place to absorb the town’s slower pace.

Day 4: Mission Beach to Townsville (four hours driving time)

Fuel up for another adventure-packed day ahead at community favourite Bingil Bay Café. There’s enough sights on this drive to Townsville to occupy its own five day road trip, but the short and sweet version will introduce you to a few firm favourites.

There’s blue water, then there’s Cardwell Spa Pool. Dive into this vibrant geological wonder, which gets its azure colour from a natural chemical reaction between its rocks and the water (best visited May – September).

Make a coffee stop in Queensland’s Little Italy, Ingham, then take Lookout Road to meet Australia’s tallest single drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls. Take in the views from lookout, and if you have time, it’s really something special to experience the mist rise up from underneath the nearly-300metre drop. There’s a hike to the bottom that will take around two hours to complete, but save time for a swim before you climb back out of the valley.

If you’ve made good time, there’s one more spot to swim: Little Crystal Creek in the misty mountains of Paluma Range National Park. It’s your last chance to cool off before descending into the heat of Townsville. This is Australia’s sunniest city, after all.

Get your bearings at your final destination with a sunset hike up Castle Hill, for 360-degree views over the city, sea and Magnetic Island. Check out a little street art, then do as the local’s do and grab dinner along The Strand.

Overnight: Rambutan; its stunning rooftop pool and restaurant will make you want to stay a while longer.

Day 5 and 6: Townsville to Magnetic Island (20 minutes ferry trip)

If you have more time up your sleeve, head out to Magnetic Island for Townsville's best-kept secret. With so much to explore, two days on (affectionately named) Maggie Island is barely enough to scratch the surface. 

Just a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland, you'll be greeted by natural unspoilt beauty and 23 golden beaches, but this idyllic paradise is far from sleepy.  

Over two-thirds of Magnetic Island is a national park, with eucalypt forests, granite headlands, hoop pines, hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches laced with 25km of bush walks. Get your adrenaline surging with jet-skiing, wakeboarding, or kayaking at Horseshoe Bay, the island’s largest, complete with swimming enclosure, parkland, and a strip of eateries and accommodation.

Summer tip: Between November and January, turtles have been spotted laying their precious eggs.

Overnight: Get even cosier with koalas at eco-resort Bungalow Bay Koala Village. 

Keen to stay longer? Take a look at how to make the most of 48 hours on Magnetic Island or keep going to holiday in The Whitsundays.