The second largest State of Australia, Queensland, is situated on the northeastern side of the country and extends over 1.853.000 km². Due to its size, the climate and the landscapes change from north to south; delighting you with arid-desert weather in the interiors regions, refreshing misty mountains, stunning and warm sandy beaches and finally, tropical rainforest and coral reefs within its tropical and sub-tropical climate.
This itinerary is a 15 days road trip from Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation, the North and Tropical part of this stunning State which is Queensland. Breathless and unforgettable locations are listed below to make the most of this trip. From beautiful animals you will be able to spot, to waterfalls and of course the evergreen Daintree rainforest and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef; all assembled in 2 weeks trip.
As you are planning an itinerary in North Queensland you will be meeting many cities, but mostly nature spots, which I loved to visit. I can’t wait to share with you this terrific itinerary of Tropical Queensland, so sit comfortably and get ready to take notes, as after so much researching and planning made before the departing day, this was the best route to do from Airlie beach to Cape Tribulation.
15 days itinerary from Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation
Driving more than 1.100km, you will be amazed by some of the beauty this state has to offer. So if your plan is to have a relaxing holiday – or just a simple road trip – in the vast and green World’s Oldest rainforest, swimming in the crystal clear water of one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef or explore some of the thousand falls there are: this 15 days itinerary from Airlie back to Cape Tribulation will please your needs.
This itinerary is made on my personal experience and I will give you tips for visiting a few places in only one day if needed. I, personally did everything in 19 days, but squeezing a few things together won’t bother the journey. Else, if you have extra time to make this route longer even only spend an extra night in your favourite spot. The road trip can, of course, be done the other way around, so from Cape Tribulation – or Cairns – to Airlie Beach.
Are you ready to dive into this exceptional journey into Tropical Queensland? Keep reading and I will share all you need to know about this road trip from Airlie beach to Cape Tribulation. Also in this article, you will find out about the accommodations I stayed in or the camping area, everything was on a budget, so if you are keen to discover them dare to go further with the reading and enjoy every bit.
Best time to visit
This 15 itinerary stretches over 1.000 kilometres, meaning the weather has little difference from Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation. Indeed the variation is quite small.
Personally, I did this road trip from the end of June to the beginning of July and the weather was just perfect.
The dryest months are the best, so from May to October (drag November in too). These months will give you the best weather, not crazy hot you won’t be able to stay out in the hottest hours and nor the rain won’t ruin your journey.
Only remember, the northeast you drive the wettest the weather can be, but leave the worries elsewhere and get ready to plan your 15-day itinerary in these stunning locations. All of them will give you more and more reason to keep going in this world’s Heritage Areas.
Day 1-2-3 Explore Whitsundays and Airlie Beach
Start your day in Airlie Beach surrounded by turquoise water and tourist shops around the main street, but no fear tourism here is spread the whole year around so you rarely find an uncomfortable crowd, – just avoid most of the school holidays -. In this area, summer is a must for the entire year so, you just have to pick a month to be here and book your tour and accommodation. Luckily Airlie Beach and so the Whitsundays cater budget hostels to luxury accommodations thus, whatever your pocket is, most of your needs will be pleased as you wish.
Airlie Beach is the best gateway to the 74 Whitsundays Islands, indeed the area deserves at least half a day to be spent here, your choice is to be here before or after your Sailing experience to Whitsundays. Most of the Sailing tours leave around 10 am to 1 pm, making even the first day quite intense.
My personal experience was 2 days and 2 nights long with Oz Trail, on the Spank Me boat; you can choose to sleep both nights on the boat or to camp the second night in Dryander National Park facing the stunning Whitsundays and sleeping under the million stars. The deal is nice for what I was looking for, the 2 days snorkelling and stop over or by some of the best beaches in the whole world: Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island, Hayman Island and more.
The sailing options here are so many to choose from, even a full day trip is worthing if you have limited time.
Returning to the mainland around 8.30 am, the 3rd day of your Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation itinerary can be filled with different activities. Airlie Beach offers stunning landscape views, amazing and hidden beaches, a Saturday night market and many hiking trails from short to 3-day 2-night adventures.
Nightlife is very welcoming and indeed the restaurants and cafes, so go on and enjoy this full day here.
I stayed at Base Backpackers paying 25$ p/night for a Non-Powered camper van space.
Day 4-5 Magnetic Island
Check out from your accommodation and drive 3 hours to Townville, here you will be embarking on the Ferry to another incredible mountainous island covered with open eucalypt woodlands and surrounded by coral reefs: Magnetic Island.
Sealink Ferry operates, from Townsville, most of the weekdays from 5.30 am to 10.30 pm and departs from Magnetic Island from 6 am until 11 pm. The price with the return is 37 $ for adults and if you book online you can benefit from a small discount.
Reaching the stunning Island you will be welcomed by the enormous amount of activities you can do here: snorkelling or diving, sailing, renting a topless car to spot the best sunset and also hiking the 36 kilometres trail to discover the wildlife.
Hiking is definitely the best choice for going around Magnetic Island, as the many trails available will gives you the opportunity to see koalas and rock wallabies; nonetheless to reach most of the best beaches on the island – Horseshoe Bay, Florence Bay, West Point and many others.
These two nights, I stayed in Nomand Magnetic Island paying 33$ per night for a bed in a 6 beds mixed dormitory. As in Airlie Beach, the options for accommodation are so many depending on your budget, and most of them won’t disappoint you.
Day 6 Wallaman’s Falls
Here we are on day 6, back from this gorgeous island which is Magnetic Island and ready to keep going with our itinerary from Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation.
Driving a little more than 2 hours you will reach one of my favourite waterfalls so far. Make sure you do some food and drinks shopping for this next stop; as the camping area hosted in the Girringun National Park has nothing but nature around.
Wallaman’s falls is Australia’s highest permanent single drop waterfall, 268 meters tall, surrounded by the World Heritage rainforest. Here you can enjoy the stunning camping area with all the amenities, such as a Barbecue, shower, toilets, campfires with picnic tables and the different spaces for your tent, campervan or others.
The lovely hiking, deep into the rainforest, to reach the bottom of Wallaman’s falls will take around 2 hours. The walk is challenging and steep and will require wearing closed footwear, a bit of extra care during the hike and definitely plenty of water. Definitely worth it, as the view from the lookout and the view from the bottom will amaze your eyes and your emotions differently.
Book your campground from here at as cheap as 7$ per person per night and enjoy the warm campfire overlooking a billion stars above your head.
Day 7 Cardwell Pool & Murray Falls
Pack up your thing in the morning after a quick camping breakfast – you can find here 3 simple and healthy recipes – and make your way to the next stops: Cardwell Spa Pool and Murray Falls
After only 1 hour and a half of driving, you will reach this natural blue colour swimming hole. Here you can enjoy your time chilling surrounded by the shady trees or soaking in this refreshing water. The best time to visit the creek is definitely from May to September, as during the rainy season or the dry season will be either too much flowing water making it become dangerous, or too little water causing an excess of bacteria.
There is a lovely Day use area here if you want to have lunch, otherwise drive 35 minutes and reach the final destination of your journey.
Murray Falls, within Girramay National Park, is definitely another of the best waterfalls in the area. A large amount of clear water floats between the big granite boulders and the tropical rainforest, creating the perfect environment for you to appreciate. From a simple “swimming” into the freshwater to a little 1.8-kilometre return walk and the opportunity to spot some reptiles, wallabies, birds and possums.
Camping for the night here will give you the benefits of exploiting the BBQ, showers and sleeping in a World Heritage area and other many facilities; all for as little as 7$ per night.
Day 8 Mission Beach & Etty bay
New week, new trip. Day 8 will lead you to other beautiful locations: Tully, for a quick visit to the little town I lived in for more than 6 months to complete my farm days; Mission Beach the paradisiac sandy beach immerse into the tropical vegetation and so ends your journey in a breathtaking camping area, to spot the peculiar bird of this coast: the Cassowary.
Drive only half an hour from your camping spot and you will reach the famous “wettest town in Australia” and home to the 7.9 meters tall Golden Gumboot: Tully. Have breakfast in one of the 3 bakeries and make your way to Mission Beach.
Definitely, you will need some extra relaxation in this 15 days itinerary and if this is what you are looking for, Mission Beach is your place to visit. The long, almost white sandy beach surrounded by coconut palm trees is most of the time uncrowded and offers some experiences such as Sky diving, scuba diving and guided fishing experience by the reef. Do not forget to do some shopping for your dinner at the next spot or if you’d prefer stop by one of the many restaurants, bars and fish and chips shops in Mission Beach.
Where will you sleep tonight? Of course by the ocean in Etty Bay, this little hidden Tropical beach is the perfect place to conclude your day with a BBQ by the beach and to spot a beautiful Cassowary – and trust me you will see one or even two if you haven’t already.
Etty Bay Cabins & Caravan Park have to offer different accommodations at different budgets depending on you. I stayed at a powered campsite for 45$ per night.
Day 10 Millaa Millaa waterfalls circuit & Lake Eacham
Get ready for day 10 as you will have to drive immerse in the bright green hilly landscape and stop a few times to see the many waterfalls this area offers, but I guess this won’t disappoint you at all.
Driving around 50 minutes inland from Etty Bay you will reach Millaa Millaa waterfall and its lookout. The waterfalls loop include also Ellinja and Zillie’s falls, but this area has so many other falls to visit and is known to be the wettest region in Australia.
Fancy a nice brunch with fresh and biodynamic dairy produce? Mungalli Cafe is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm and has amazing food to offer.
Make your way to Lake Eacham Tourist park, here spend your night paying only 28$ for an unpowered site. This spot is only 5 minutes from the beautiful vulcanic origin Lake; good for a refreshing swim, a tasty picnic or even a walk around.
Day 11-12 Cairns
Most of this Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation itinerary was spent between many beaches, waterfalls and small towns or villages; but no fear if you feel some city nostalgia here is for you the biggest north Queensland city: Cairns. Here you can spend a couple of days exploring the area or organize some tours and experiences.
On your way to the city, when leaving Lake Eacham, make a quick stop at the Cathedral Fig Tree to see one of the largest trees in Tropical Queensland. It’s worth it.
Cairns is home to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest but not only; this city has plenty of nightlife, restaurants, cafes and markets to delight your stay.
Not to miss a visit are for sure the Botanic Garden, the Rusty and Night Markets, the well-cured Art Gallery and the CBD. Plenty of stunning waterfalls are situated quite close to the city for a quick visit.
Some of the exclusive experiences here are for sure diving and snorkelling through the colourful Barrier Reef or flying over with a helicopter, skydiving and kayaking.
Consider Fitzroy Island for a day trip from Cairns, as the boat is only 45 minutes each way to reach this paradise island where you can swim with turtles and do other activities. Make sure to book your ferry in advance.
If you happen to be in the city for the weekend, of course, enjoy the nightlife at the many clubs and bars, but also book your Kuranda tour. Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway to reach the Sunday market and Barron’s falls and make your way back cruising above the rainforest canopy on Skyrail. The accommodations here are thousand to choose from, from backpackers hostel to luxury hotels, Cairns won’t let you sleep in the street.
As an on-a-budget traveller, I stayed at Mad Monkey Backpackers village for 42$ per night in a mix or female dormitory.
Day 13 Port Douglas & Mossman Gorge
In the last three out of 15 days’ itinerary from Airlie beach to Cape Tribulation, you will mostly enjoy all the nature that surrounds you. Leaving Cairns – not before having breakfast in one of the beautiful cafes the city offers – get ready to immerse yourself in scenic, wavy but still relaxing and colourful driving.
The Great Barrier Reef drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is one of the most spectacular coastlines hugging two Word Heritage Areas: the Wet Tropic Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Heading north from Cairns to Port Douglas you will pass by Clifton and Trinity beach and Palm Cove, here the long sandy beaches will try you a stopover and if you have time I can only advice you to do it so.
Reach the Mossman Gorge for a deep immersion into the Daintree rainforest. You can choose to get a guided tour or only the bus ticket (13$) to reach the swimming hole for a cool bath in this clear water.
Spend the rest of your day in Port Douglas, where restaurants, bars, shops and the famous Four Mile beach will delight the rest of your stay.
Port Douglas Backpackers is where I spend my night for only 29$ per night in a dormitory
Day 14-15 Daintree rainforest
50 km north of Port Douglas you will arrive at the Daintree River where the cable ferry (45 $) transports you into the world’s oldest Rainforest. From here enjoy the rest of your driving between trees, landscapes, lookouts and beaches as your final stop has plenty of activities deserving for you but on the way, there are also many others to enjoy.
Daintree Rainforest offers the Crocodile river cruise, a refreshing swimming hole, the Ocean Safari, a river snorkelling experience, a terrific night walk tour and, of course, all the beautiful and rare animals this particular habitat hosts.
Cape Tribulation is the last stop of this 15 days itinerary from Airlie Beach. Here you can immerse in one of the many boardwalks along Cape Tribulation Road, escape the heat (and the saltwater Crocodile in the ocean) at Manson’s swimming hole or even taste exotic fruit at Cape Trib Farm.
The activities, as you can see, are endless of course, if you rather chill that can be an option and the singing birds will make your life easier.
I stayed in Safari Lodge with my rooftop tent, surrounded by nature only. This spot is amazing and offers different accommodations, not only the camping site but also cabins, it has a swimming pool, kitchen, laundry and all the rest you will need for your stay. The price for a powered site is 26 $ per night.
Need to know
Here we come to the end of this 15-day itinerary from Airlie Beach to Cape Tribulation, so far one of the best road trips I have ever done and I am pretty sure this will be the same for you.
For this road trip, I was driving a 4wd but it is not necessary, a good 2wd will be more than enough, same for a van.
In case you are wondering if you can avoid the ferry cable crossing at the Daintree river, yes you can, but here is where you will need to have a good 4wd and have some extra time to drive a longer path.
Are you are wondering if you can do this itinerary in less or more days? Well, the answer is yes and not also. To do it in fewer days means you will have to skip some breathtaking places, but if that is your available time then plan well what you really would like to see and make it happen. In case you have more time to enjoy this Airlie beach to Cape Tribulation itinerary then make the trip as long as you can, stay for extra nights in your favourite spots and make memories.
If you travel alone the route will be safe, and also you will meet many other people to share something with, to have a chat, a beer or even a night out if you want to.
I hope you liked the itinerary, looking forward to hearing how your experience was and if you have extra questions you can write them here in the comments and I will be happy to help you.
