Locations
The Great Barrier Reef Drive covers 140 kilometres of coastal road from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, passing through a sequence of beaches, towns, lookouts, gorges and rainforest that is unlike any other stretch of Australian coastline. At the southern end, Cairns is a fully serviced city of around 150,000 people with international airport connections, a broad range of accommodation and dining, and daily tours departing to the reef and hinterland. At the northern end, Cape Tribulation is a remote rainforest settlement where the oldest tropical rainforest in the world meets the Great Barrier Reef at the beach.
Between those two endpoints, the drive takes in the resort suburbs of the Northern Beaches, the Rex Lookout headland above the Coral Sea, the destination town of Port Douglas, the sugar cane town of Mossman, the gorge and national park at Mossman Gorge, the quiet river settlement of Daintree Village, the Daintree River ferry crossing, and the long stretch of forest road that carries you through the Daintree Rainforest to the beach at Cape Tribulation.
The distance between Cairns and Cape Tribulation is deceptive on a map. The drive itself can be done in around two and a half hours without stops. With stops at Rex Lookout, a swim at Mossman Gorge, a crocodile cruise on the Daintree River and a walk at Cape Tribulation, a full day is easily consumed and leaves you wanting more time.
Most visitors treat this as a linear drive north, but it rewards spending extra nights at the points that interest you most. Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation are the two places where staying longer makes the most sense, for different reasons: Port Douglas for reef access and quality of accommodation and dining, Cape Tribulation for the experience of being properly remote in one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth.
The pages below cover every major location on the drive in detail, with information on what to do, how long to stay, and what to know before you visit.
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.
Southern Section: Cairns to Rex Lookout
Cairns
The starting point for the drive and the main gateway into tropical North Queensland. Cairns sits on Trinity Inlet with the Coral Sea to the east and the Great Dividing Range to the west. It functions primarily as a touring base: most visitors spend one to three nights here before heading north. Our Cairns location page covers the Esplanade, the Night Markets, day trip options, how long to stay and what the city is useful for on the drive.
Cairns Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches run north from Cairns along the coast: Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach, before the road climbs towards Rex Lookout. These are primarily residential suburbs with good beach access and a quieter atmosphere than the city. Our Northern Beaches page covers each suburb, which beaches to swim at, and why some visitors prefer to base here over the CBD.
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is the most popular and well-regarded of the Northern Beach suburbs. The beachfront Esplanade is lined with boutique accommodation, restaurants and cafes in a beach-resort atmosphere that is distinct from central Cairns. Our Palm Cove page covers where to stay, where to eat, which beach is the best to swim at, and how to use Palm Cove as a base for the wider drive.
Rex Lookout
Rex Lookout is a short detour off the main highway between the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas, sitting on a headland above a curve of coastline with views of the Coral Sea and surrounding mountains. The stop takes about 10 minutes but is one of the better viewpoints on the drive. Our Rex Lookout page covers exactly where to find it and the best time of day for the view.
Port Douglas and the Gateway to the North
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is the main destination town on the drive, 70 kilometres north of Cairns and about an hour by car. The town centres on Macrossan Street and Four Mile Beach. The marina at Dickson Inlet is the departure point for reef and sailing tours. Our Port Douglas page covers what to do, how long to stay, the Sunday Markets, beach safety, and why Port Douglas works well as a central base for the whole drive.
Mossman and Mossman Gorge
Mossman
Mossman is a working sugar cane town about 20 kilometres north of Port Douglas. Most visitors pass through on the way to Mossman Gorge, five kilometres west of the town centre. Our Mossman page covers the town, what is in the area, and how to use it as a base.
Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is a section of the Mossman River within Daintree National Park where clear, cold mountain water runs through granite boulders and rainforest. Swimming in the rock pools is one of the highlights of the entire drive. The Mossman Gorge Centre runs shuttle buses to the gorge and Kuku Yalanji cultural walks. Our Mossman Gorge page covers entry, swimming, the walks, the cultural tours and what to bring.
The Daintree: Village, River and Rainforest
Daintree Village
Daintree Village sits on the southern bank of the Daintree River, about 30 kilometres north of Mossman. It has a pub, a cafe, a small farm shop and the ice cream shop that most visitors stop at for the tropical fruit flavours. Crocodile cruise operators depart from the village riverbank. Our Daintree Village page covers what is here and how to make the most of a stop.
The Daintree River Ferry
The Daintree River ferry is the transition point on the drive. A small cable ferry carries vehicles across the river throughout the day. There is a fee per vehicle. Queues build during peak periods. Our Daintree River Ferry page covers operating hours, the current crossing fee, what to expect in terms of wait times and what changes once you are on the other side.
The Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is estimated to be over 180 million years old and is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Driving through it north of the ferry is a distinctive experience as the road narrows and the forest closes in on both sides. Our Daintree Rainforest page covers the ecology, wildlife to look for, walking tracks, swimming holes and guided tour options within the forest.
Cape Tribulation: The End of the Drive
Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation is the northern endpoint of the Great Barrier Reef Drive and the point where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Coral Sea. It is a small settlement with a handful of accommodation properties, access to several beaches and one of the best concentrations of guided wildlife and rainforest experiences in Australia. Our Cape Tribulation page covers what to do, how long to stay, the best beaches, the night walks, and why most visitors leave wishing they had stayed longer.
Explore The Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Contact UsFrequently Asked Questions
The drive without stops takes approximately two to two and a half hours each way. With stops at Rex Lookout, Mossman Gorge, the Daintree River ferry and Cape Tribulation, a full day is the minimum to do the drive properly. Most visitors find that two or more days gives a far better experience.
No. The road from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is sealed and accessible in a standard vehicle. Beyond Cape Tribulation, the road becomes unsealed and standard hire cars are not permitted. If you plan to travel beyond Cape Tribulation, you will need a 4WD rental or to join a guided 4WD tour.
No. There is a fee per vehicle for the ferry crossing. The current rate applies to the vehicle including all passengers. Cash and card are both accepted. The ferry operates daily from early morning to late evening. Our Daintree River Ferry page has the current fare and operating hours.
The dry season from May to October is the most comfortable time to visit. Conditions are clear and dry, sea conditions are calmer for reef tours, and the roads are in good condition. The wet season from November to April brings heat, humidity, heavy rainfall and occasionally flooded roads. Some activities are unavailable or reduced. July to September is peak tourist season with higher prices and more crowds.
It is possible to reach Cape Tribulation as a day trip, but the experience is rushed. A full day from Cairns to Cape Tribulation and back leaves limited time at each stop. Staying at least one night in Port Douglas or Cape Tribulation gives a significantly better experience of what the drive has to offer.
Cairns and Port Douglas have full services: supermarkets, petrol, ATMs, pharmacies, hospitals. Mossman has a supermarket, petrol and basic services. North of the Daintree River, facilities are minimal. There is a small general store at Cape Tribulation and petrol available at a small number of points, but supplies are limited and more expensive than in town. Fill up and stock up before crossing the ferry.
Yes. The road is the same in both directions. Some visitors fly into Cairns, drive north on their first day to Cape Tribulation, spend a night or two, and then drive south to Cairns at the end of their trip. This approach works well and avoids retracing your steps.
Yes. Saltwater crocodiles are present in estuaries, rivers and coastal waterways north of the Daintree River. Signs are posted at known crocodile locations. Do not swim in rivers, estuaries or areas without crocodile warning checks. Designated freshwater swimming areas like Mossman Gorge are considered safe. The beaches at Cape Tribulation are ocean beaches, not estuaries, though stinger season and crocodile caution notices apply seasonally.