Cairns to Port Douglas

Overview

A trip to the north is better with a car. With so many waterfalls, beaches and hidden pockets of pristine nature to uncover, you really do need a car to see them all — which is excellent news if you're a big fan of road trips.

One of the quintessential drives in the region is the scenic trip from Cairns to Port Douglas — also known as the Great Barrier Reef Drive. But, before you hit the highway, make sure you fuel up on caffeine from Vietnamese coffee institution Annee's. Then, wind your way north past the northern beaches of Cairns, making a pit stop at Palm Cove or Trinity Beach for brunch before continuing your coastal cruise and Coral Sea views to Port Douglas. The best part? The drive only takes about an hour each way so you'll have plenty of time to take breaks to capture the sights.

Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland