Itineraries Departing from Cairns
Overview: The Great Tropical Drive (Cairns - Cairns) Eastern Escape Drive (Cairns - Brisbane)
The Great Tropical Drive (Cairns - Cairns) Recommended duration: 10 days
Pick up depot: Cairns
Drop off depot: Cairns
Section distance: approx. 1337 km
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The Great Tropical Drive is a self-drive route that will take you from Cairns and Townsville to some amazing places in Tropical Australia - less than a few hours away! Follow the Great Tropical Drive and 13 discovery trails to some of Australia’s best known attractions - the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Hinchinbrook Island and Undara Lava Tubes - and be prepared for many unexpected discoveries along the way.
Touring Route Summary
Day 1 - Cairns to Mission Beach (137 km)
Day 2 - Mission Beach to Townsville (236 km)
Day 3 - Townsville to Charters Towers (138 km)
Day 4 - Charters Towers to Greenvale (208 km)
Day 5 - Greenvale to Atherton (327 km)
Day 6 - Rest Day
Day 7 - Atherton to Palm Cove (93.2 km)
Day 8 - Rest Day
Day 9 - Palm Cove to Daintree (87 km)
Day 10 - Daintree to Cairns (111 km)
For a detailed Touring Route please visit Tourism Queensland
Eastern Escape Drive (Cairns - Brisbane) Recommended duration: 14 days
Pick up depot: Cairns
Drop off depot: Brisbane
Section distance: approx. 1952 km
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Sun yourself on the golden sands of
Mission Beach, snorkel through the technicolour treasures of the
Great Barrier Reef and take a four wheel tour to
Fraser Island. Explore the magical
Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide or charter a yacht to the pristine
Whitsunday Islands. Enjoy resort style relaxation in
Noosa, frolic on the beaches of the
Capricorn Coast and see dinosaur footprints near
Winton. Go diving from the gracious town of
Bundaberg and bushwalk through national parks near
Mackay. Visit wineries and rodeos in
Southern Queensland Country and go horse riding on
Townsville’s Magnetic Island. However you experience Queensland, the landscapes and lifestyle will never leave you.
Touring Route Summary
Day 1 - Cairns to Atherton(81 km)
Day 2 - Atherton to Townsville (350 km)
Day 3 - Townsville to Airlie Beach (273 km)
Day 4/6 - Rest days: The Whitsundays
Day 7 - Airlie Beach to Mackay (149 km)
Day 8 - Mackay to Yeppoon (346 km)
Day 9 - Yeppoon to Hervey Bay (436 km)
Day 10 - Rest Day: Hervey Bay
Day 11 - Hervey Bay to Sunshine Coast (190 km)
D 12/13 - Rest days: Sunshine Coast
Day 14 - Sunshine Coast to Brisbane (127 km)
For a detailed Touring Route please visit
Tourism Queensland Back to itineraries overview