Can you drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation?

Take in incredible scenic views as you drive to Cape Tribulation from Cairns.

The drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is about two hours and 40 minutes. You can do this drive in one day, or you can extend the drive over a couple of days and do a few stopovers. We do recommend taking your time driving over to Cape Tribulation. This way you have plenty of time to see beautiful places and do lots of fun activities.

Palm Cove

As you leave Cairns, a great first stop is Palm Cove which is a beautiful palm tree town with a beautiful beach. You won’t need long here, but it’s worth having a quick stop as it’s only half an hour from Cairns.

Port Douglas

If you stay in Port Douglas, you can do a tour that brings you out to the Great Barrier Reef! Or you can walk down Four Mile Beach along the sand and view the beautiful ocean.

Daintree National Park

Daintree National Park is one of the most beautiful locations in Queensland. You can spend anywhere from a few hours to two days here! Most of the national park is a tropical rainforest with various flora and fauna.

The Daintree Rainforest is 180 million years one, making it one of the oldest in the world! A fascinating way to explore the rainforest is doing the 15 minute Marrdja Boardwalk. You’ll see all the different types of wildlife and plants.

As you’re walking around the rainforest, you may have spotted the Daintree River. You can go on a river cruise through the Daintree River and spot more flora and fauna on the cruise.

Cape Tribulation

Then you reach your target destination, Cape Tribulation. A beautiful place where the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef meet.

Cape Tribulation shows off the natural beauty Australia has to offer with its beautiful scenery.

You can either go out on an adventure during your stay at Cape Tribulation or soak up the time and relax with a unique view.

Because you’re near the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll be able to do some snorkelling and diving in the water too. As you snorkel or dive, look out for colourful fish, other marine life, and coral.

If swimming or getting wet isn’t your thing, there are plenty of bushwalking tracks through the Daintree Rainforest. Get lost among the ancient trees and look out for some unique Australian wildlife. You can even do an evening walk and try to spot the nocturnal wildlife that comes out at night!

Go up high in the trees and fly through the rainforest on the flying foxes. This is a thrill of an adventure as you look down and see how lush the rainforest is.

Cape Tribulation is a unique and beautiful place that you’ll love to visit and spend time in the area. With the lush rainforest and the beautiful reef system all in the same area, what more is there to love about Cape Tribulation?

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.