10 Day Cairns to Airlie Beach Road Trip: Explore Tropical North Queensland
Book nowLeave your worries behind on the drive from Cairns to Airlie Beach.
Buckle up for a mind blowing 10-day adventure in the Sunshine State with a JUCY Cairns campervan hire.
It’s easy to imagine there is no such thing as winter when you’re in Queensland, thanks to the sunshine and the laid-back vibes. That’s why we’ve put together one of our favourite roadies from JUCY Cairns campervan hire to Airlie Beach.
You could drive this 621km (~385.87 mi) route in one day, but why bypass beauty for the sake of speed? Unless you’re making a last-minute dash to stop your ex's wedding! As that’s unlikely, we suggest instead you take a JUCY car or campervan rental from Cairns. Pick up your rental at the airport and follow our upbeat 10-day road trip itinerary across this legendary region of Queensland from Cairns to the Whitsundays.
DAY 1: Cairns to Barron Gorge
Our JUCY Cairns branch is close to the airport and the city. Win-win whether you're flying straight in or exploring the area in advance.
At JUCY we're all about making life as easy as possible, so we've got a free airport shuttle to our branch, and our crew are on hand to get you sorted for an easy getaway.
Explore Kurunda
Your first road trip stop is the rainforest town of Kuranda. If you can, coordinate your trip with the Kuranda Original Market and Heritage Market days. Quaint. Here, colourful shacks offer quirky and creative arts, crafts, and produce to stock up the fridge in your JUCY campervan.
Spy wildlife at the nearby Birdworld, Koala Gardens, and Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
Baron Gorge National Park
Rugged, mysterious, and wild, Barron Gorge is everything you want in a national park. Seriously, Barron Gorge is the ultimate triple threat! With a diverse range of flora and fauna packed into its 28 sqm, Barron Gorge is part of the UNESCO Heritage Wet Tropics.
For an easy walk, head to the Barron Falls Lookout Track. The multi-tiered cascading waterfalls are thrilling, particularly after rainfall. The Glacier Rock Lookout is a more challenging 7km trail. be sure to look out for kangaroos, cassowaries, and possums.
DAY 2: Atherton Tablelands
Assuming you hiked yesterday, consider today your ‘reward day'. There's no better place to spoil yourself than in the Atherton Tablelands, where the gastronomy scene rivals any big city or fancy celebrity chef fare. But, if you're up for one more waterfall, then be sure to stop at the Josephine waterfalls and crystal-clear water swimming hole.
Incredible coffee and food on your Cairns to Airlie Beach Drive
Stop at the Mareeba coffee plantations to get fueled and ready for the day. Check out Jacques for the history, or Coffee Works for ample selections. If you're up for an early start, a hot air balloon ride in Mareeba sets the tone perfectly.
Granite Gorge Nature Park and the Chillagoe Caves
Adventure-wise, you could spend your day hiking in the Granite Gorge Nature Park where rock wallabies like to hang. Alternatively, head inland to the 400-million-year-old limestone Chillagoe Caves, best experienced on a ranger-led tour.
Conclude the day with a photo stop at the incredible 500-year-old Curtain Fig Tree. It's nearly 50 metres tall!
DAY 3: Atherton Tablelands to Wooroonooran National Park
You can't visit the Atherton Tablelands without seeing a waterfall or seven. The rainforest rewards with well... rain... and falls. Take in the luscious Millaa Millaa Falls; they're picture perfect.
Do go chasing waterfalls
If you like your waterfalls like you like your chocolate bars (one is never enough), then continue around the Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit. Visit Zillie Falls, Ellinjaa Falls, Pepina Falls, and Mungalli Falls, all found within a 20-kilometre radius.
Next up, Wooroonooran National Park also found within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. This sprawling 800-square-kilometre protected park is home to stunning rivers, hiking paths, mountain bike trails and of course, waterfalls. Be on the lookout for the Lumholtz tree kangaroo; it's unique to the area.
En-route, stop at the Mamu Tropical Sky Walk for a bird's eye view of the area and a ton of cool information about the area. Within Wooroonooran, you'll also find the iconic Babinda Boulders (Devils' Pools) swimming hole.
Extra Activities in Wooroonooran National Park
If you've the time (and fitness), consider a half-day hike up Walsh's Pyramid. This is the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world! Alternatively, stroll through the Johnston River Lookout Walk.
After exploring Wooroonooran, make your way to camp at Etty Bay to spot the famous wild cassowaries.
Day 4: Wooroonooran National Park to Mission Beach
Park up your JUCY wheels in Hervey Bay and take a trip to the UNESCO site of Fraser Island, also known as K'Gari. Fraser Island is a whopping 750,000 years old and is the world's largest sand bar. It offers visitors exquisite, deserted beaches, undulating sand dunes, and abundant flora and fauna.
Things to do on Fraser Island
Take an off-roading tour, swim in the Champagne Pools, or seek the wildlife that calls Fraser home. You'll discover swamp wallabies, echidnas, and as many bird species as there are days in a year. The biggest wildlife drawcard here, however, is the pure dingoes that roam the beaches. It's worth noting that these are feral dogs, so keep your distance and don't feed them.
Day 5: Mission Beach to Hinchinbrook Island
63 kilometres - 1 hour
It's a short and scenic drive from Wollumbin National Park to Byron Bay. Famous for its laid-back hippie vibes, creative markets, and hip cafes, Byron Bay is a hotspot for travellers. Be prepared for some traffic and bustling cafes, but the experience is well worth it. Whether you're here for yoga, stunning sunsets, beach buskers, or delicious food, you'll find plenty to love. For a great beach-side stay, we recommend Wake Up! Byron Bay.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND BYRON BAY:
WATEGOS BEACH (3 kilometres - 5 minutes) - If you're looking to escape somewhere quieter, head to Wategos Beach. This is an epic picnic spot and the sheltered waters make it perfect for swimming.
CAPE BYRON HEADLAND (4 kilometres - 10 minutes) - Just 3.5 kilometres from the town centre, Cape Byron is home to the famous lighthouse perched on a rocky cliff. As the easternmost point on mainland Australia, it's a prime spot for catching spectacular sunrises. It's also a great vantage point for spotting humpback whales, with around 30,000 passing through between June and November each year. Don't miss the Cape Byron walking track, a 3.7 km loop that takes about two hours to complete, offering breathtaking views.
THE FARM (6 kilometres - 10 minutes) - Another great place to stop and enjoy the countryside is The Farm, a working farm and micro business hub. You can stop in at the bakery, buy fresh produce or enjoy some lunch at the restaurant, before going for a stroll through fields of crops and animals.
BANGALOW (15 kilometres - 20 minutes) - Just outside Byron Bay, is the charming town of Bangalow in the Byron Bay Hinterland. Here in this little country town, you'll find great food, antiques, galleries and markets.
MINYON FALLS LOOKOUT (34 kilometres - 45 minutes) - Further inland is the Minyon Falls lookout, on the fringe of the Northern Rivers region. The falls are an impressive 100 metres high, tumbling over massive rhyolite cliffs. The walking track gives you great views of the surrounding rainforest and distant views of the coast.
Day 6: Ingham to Townsville
We've got one last one waterfall to tempt you: Wallaman Falls. It's the highest single-drop waterfall in Australia (and 10th highest in the world!). The drive to the falls is spectacular, and the 45-minute walk to the base of the falls is spectacular, and the falls themselves are... you guessed it... spectacular!
From here, it's a 3-hour drive along Bruce Highway to Townsville. This oft-overlooked coastal town gives you a base to reach Magnetic Island.
Townsville road trip activities
Attractions in Townsville include the eco-tourism Billabong Sanctuary, the Museum of Tropical Queensland, and the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.
Sunset atop Castle Hill is highly recommended for stunning 360-degree views. We recommend dining at one of the ocean facing restaurants along the Strand for the perfect conclusion to the day.
Day 7: Magnetic Island
It would be a crime to drive from Cairns to Airlie Beach and skip Magnetic Island. The island is home to 23 gorgeous palm-fringed bays, koalas, wallabies, and other free roaming wildlife, plus the national park bushwalks. For water bunnies, you can book a kayak tour, rent a jet ski or sail into the sunset.
Getting to Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is accessible with a short 20-minute ferry or barge ride from Townsville.
Day 8: Townsville to Airlie Beach
Get excited as you’re on the final driving stretch of your Cairns to Whitsundays drive. Woohoo! Whet your Whitsundays appetite at the northernmost point with a pitstop in Bowen. Dingo Beach, a neighbouring stretch of sand, which offers a pub backing onto the beach where you can enjoy a great meal and a cold drink. Enjoy a photo at one of the two Big Mangoes, and a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of Horseshoe Bay.
Exploring Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is one of the most well-known resort towns in Queensland. It’s the gateway to the Whitsundays region and Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach is like the grandma that spoils you, offering boat cruises, sailing charters, scuba diving, jet-skiing, snorkelling, wildlife, and 101 ways to get a cracking tan. It’s magical!
The fastest way to get your bearings of the Whitsunday Islands is on a one-hour scenic flight. Soar over the clearest water in the world, incredible reef formations, and the heart reef. It’s a total pinch-me travel experience! If you’d like to up your thrills, consider a skydive!
Day 9: The Whitsundays - Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is the largest of the Whitsunday resorts, meaning it's chock-full of activities.
The glistening turquoise waters of Hamilton Island have every water sport you can think of. Plus a few land activities like, hiking, and quad bike adventures. The primo 18-hole Hamilton Island Golf Club and Yacht Club are also fun.
There are a ton of bars and restaurants to keep you fuelled up for activities (or competition-level relaxing). Whatever your pace, be sure to explore the rainbow-coral Great Barrier Reef, it's an unbeatable experience!
Day trip to Hamilton Island by ferry, speed boat, plane, or chopper (yup), or take a tour.
Day 10: The Whitsundays - Whitehaven Beach
The bright white sand and crystal-clear waters of Whitehaven Beach earn it the moniker of one of the ‘best beaches in the world'.
With seven kilometres of pristine silica sand, Whitehaven Beach is considered the jewel of the Whitsundays. To reach this gem, either take a day tour or skipper a boat.
The not-hot sands (thanks to the silica) of Whitehaven are made for lazing around, beachcombing, or strolling to the bright waters for a leisurely swim. Be sure to pack your sports shoes as you can also hike through the native bush at either end of the island. Don't miss the Hill Inlet Lookout.
Ready for an awesome Cairns to Airlie Beach road trip?
Did we tempt you? If any part of this itinerary has you chatting with your plus one, bestie, or fam about a Cairns to Airlie Beach roadie, then book now to see how renting a campervan or car with JUCY Cairns is the perfect complement to the scenery of this epic region of Queensland. You won't regret it!
FAQs
Ready for an awesome Cairns to Airlie Beach road trip?
Did we tempt you? If any part of this itinerary has you chatting with your plus one, bestie, or fam about a Cairns to Airlie Beach roadie, then book now to see how renting a campervan or car with JUCY Cairns is the perfect complement to the scenery of this epic region of Queensland. You won't regret it!
What's the distance from Cairns to Airlie Beach?
The driving distance from Cairns to Airlie Beach is 621km (about 385.87 mi) along Bruce Highway. However, expect your adventures in your Australian campervan hire to add to this as you journey off the beaten path.
Can I reverse this itinerary for an Airlie Beach to Cairns Road Trip?
Yes! You can reverse this road trip for an Airlie Beach to Cairns drive. It’s perfect for adding to a roadie from Brisbane, or if you're taking a different route from Cairns to Airlie Beach.
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