Explore The Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Plan Your Trip
Welcome to the
Great Barrier Reef Drive.
The 140 km. journey from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is one of Australia’s greatest coastal drives.
The Great Barrier Reef Drive takes you from the city to the jungle and shows you two World Heritage Areas, spectacular views over the Coral Sea, remote beaches that you often have all to yourself, villages like Port Douglas and Mossman, you can enjoy a refreshing swim and learn about Aboriginal culture in Mossman Gorge, spot crocodiles, cross the old fashioned cable ferry on the Daintree river, immerse yourself in the oldest rainforest in the world, meet a cassowary and finally reach your end destination at the small rainforest settlement of Cape Tribulation where you can take a rest and explore for a few days before heading back.
Where else in the world can you cruise a highway sandwiched between two World Heritage Areas and see resort towns, dozens of beaches, indigenous culture, two National Parks, crocodiles and cassowaries in your first few hours out of an international airport?
Places Along the Great Barrier Reef Drive
Explore beautiful spots along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, from Port Douglas to the Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy wildlife, culture, and stunning views, with plenty of adventures at every stop.
Cairns Northern Beaches
Cairns may not have much of a beach in the city centre but the Northern Beaches make up for it, between 10 and 25 minutes from the CBD are beach side suburbs with fantastic long wild beaches. Yorkeys Knob is conveniently close, cairns-northern-beaches
Cape Tribulation
The small rain forest village of Cape Tribulation is the end of the Great Barrier Reef Drive and you should spend a couple of days here in some of the amazing rainforest accommodation to take it all in; the ancient rain forest, the pristine beaches, the walking trails, the local tours like jungle surfing and snorkel tours to the reef.
Daintree Rainforest
This is where the real adventure begins! After you cross the crocodile infested Daintree river on this old fashioned cable ferry you are in deep jungle with no basic infrastructure like water or electricity supply, and the beauty of the ancient rain forest and the deserted beaches is simply breath taking.
Mossman Gorge
Just outside the sugar cane town of Mossman a river cuts its way through the rain forest providing a very scenic location for photographs and a refreshing swim, and the chance to learn about Aborginal culture and use of plants for food and medicine on a guided tour with an indigenous guide.
Port Douglas
A famous resort town with a long beach, lots of accommodation, bars, cafes and restaurants, popular Sunday markets, a wildlife park, and boats to take you out for fishing, sailing, snorkel and scuba diving tours. Take some time out and relax with a Thai massage in Port Douglas.
Rex Lookout
A very popular stop between Cairns and Port Douglas with awesome views looking out over Wangetti Beach to the south. Hang gliders often hover over this area, try it for a thrill and even better views.
Your Perfect Stay Along the Great Barrier Reef Drive
Enjoy a range of accommodations along the drive, from cozy rainforest retreats to beachfront resorts. Whether you’re after luxury or a peaceful escape, there’s a perfect stay for you.
Cape Tribulation Accomodation
When you have reached the end of the road you’ll want to settle down for a few days and…
Port Douglas Accomodation
Port Douglas is the halfway stop on the Great Barrier Reef Drive, here you can relax on the b…
Cairns Accomodation
If you fly in to Cairns at a convenient hour you might want to take off on your Great Barrier R…
What Will You See on the Great Barrier Reef Drive?
Experience the Great Barrier Reef Drive, where lush rainforests meet crystal-clear waters. Adventure or relaxation—what will you discover?
Port Douglas Marina
At the Marina you can enjoy a drink or a meal looking out over the water and all the sailing bo…
Sunday Markets
Every Sunday the Port Douglas Markets are held in the park at the end of Macrossan Street. T…
Hartleys Creek Croc Farm
If you are travelling north along the Great Barrier Reef Drive then just before Port Dougl…
Tours
From reef snorkelling trips out of Cairns to guided night walks through the Daintree, this stretch of coast has some of Australia’s most unique tour experiences. Browse operator reviews and find the right trip for your time and budget.
Cape Tribulation Tours
Jungle Tours is a long established company that gives you a choice in Cape Tribulation tou…
Daintree Day Tour
The Daintree is something that needs a few days to fully explore and appreciate but if your…
Mossman Gorge + Crocs
If your time in Cairns is very limited but you still want to see a bit of rain forest and/or Ab…
Transport Options
Getting between Cairns and Cape Tribulation is easier than most people expect, whether you’re hiring a car, joining a shuttle, or hopping on a local bus. Here’s a breakdown of every way to travel the route.
Jungle Tours
Jungle Tours is a long established company that gives you a choice in Cape Tribulation tou…
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Cape Trib Connections does day tours and overnight trips from Cairns, they will pick you u…
Airport Transfers
First you will need to get from the airport to your hotel to start your north Queensland adv…
News
Updates, seasonal alerts, and the latest from the Great Barrier Reef Drive – road conditions, new openings, and things worth knowing before you head north.
What is a Cassowary?
July 18, 2025
The cassowary is a rare and endangered species, a large flightless bird up to two metres ta…
Beach Guide
July 18, 2025
WELCOME TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF DRIVE BEACHES The journey from Cairns to Cape Tribulati…
The Best Time to Visit the Great Barrier Reef
March 8, 2025
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, offering u…
About the Drive
140 kilometres of coastal views, beaches, rainforests, resorts, natural and manmade attractions, crocodiles and cassowaries, and two World Heritage listed National Parks from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. You can do this in 2.5 hours non-stop, in a full day exploring along the way, or take a few days to a week if you stay overnight in some places. Just make sure you don’t run out of time, Cape Tribulation is the crown on this majestic drive and you need at least two or three nights there to see it all!
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