Sight
seeing in the far north need not be an expensive exercise. You could
hire a car out for the day and go driving around the region with just
a map and you can discover a multitude of natural and man made wonders
to fill your time. Alternatively you could take one of many
daily coach tours that take you to all the great places. Man made attractions are well worth the effort to see also. With
places like Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm, Tjapukai Aboriginal
Cultural Centre, The Cairns Regional Art Gallery and The Cairns Museum
also the Maritime Historical Societies museum just to name a
few! So there is plenty to see and do.
Cairns To The Tablelands.
There is something to see and do in every town along the way.
Route 1
From Cairns to The Tablelands via the sleepy sugar town of
Gordonvale will take you up the Gillies Highway through the luscious
rainforest. This route takes you to magnificent Lake Eacham and
Tinnaroo Dam. On to Millaa Millaa and Malanda which is the waterfall
and Crater Lakes district. Make sure you have plenty of film for the
camera!
Route 2
Form Cairns to Kuranda by road or Sky Rail visit the beautiful
Kuranda rain forest and browse through the markets, the Butterfly
Sanctuary & the Wildlife Noctarium. From there it's onto Mareeba
and a short 30 minute trip where the landscape changes quickly from
semi-dry to lush green across the top of the Tablelands to the
Atherton district.
Why not do a complete loop! Start from route 1 and travel right across
the top of the tablelands then back down through Kuranda or vice
versa!
Cairns to Port Douglas
The picture postcard perfect
coastal drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is absolutely stunning. The
68 kilometre drive from Cairns will take you on the road that meanders
right beside the ocean, giving spectacular views. With Rex's Lookout
and Yule point to take advantage of the views along the way. Don't
forget to stop and have a look at Wangetti beach.
Port Douglas is the place to go for those in the know. With
restaurants, bars, and a great marina with daily departures for outer
barrier reef cruises. Who knows, while in Port Douglas you may come
across a famous Hollywood movie star!
