Great Tropical Drive 01 Cairns – Port Douglas – Cooktown – Charters Towers – Townsville – Cairns (2079km) COOKTOWN The Great Tropical Drive is a world class touring loop that travels roads less travelled from the Great Barrier Reef through the rainforests of the Wet Tropics Laura into the golden savannah of Outback Queensland. Great Green Way 04 Helenvale 02 the savannah way driving cape york Townsville – Cairns (457km) Rossville The ultimate adventure across the top This traditional adventure driving destination is best visited by 4WD but during August and Starting from Townsville or Cairns, the Great Green Way encompasses the of Australia. From Queensland head out September conventional vehicles can make the 700km drive from Lakeland near Cooktown. World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, islands, Lakeland Ayton waterfalls, wetlands, farming areas and friendly country towns. It’s the perfect The Great Tropical Drive is a self-drive route that of Cairns to the lush landscapes of the During the drive to the “tip”, check out the Aboriginal rock art at Laura, on odd numbered drive to experience coastal North Queensland. Wujal Wujal will take you from Cairns or Townsville to some Atherton Tablelands and on to the wide years the Aboriginal Dance and Cultural Festival, as well as Lakefi eld National Park, the Palmer River amazing places – less than a few hours away! Daintree Explorer Cape Tribulation expanses of the Gulf Savannah. Some of mining town of Weipa, and Bamaga township. the great tropical drive Roadhouse DISCOVER NATURE'S PLAYGROUND 03 Mossman – Bloomfi eld Track – Cooktown – Mossman (417km) Dive the Great Barrier Reef, raft whitewater the route is 4WD only, but large sections For more information visit www.cooktownandcapeyork.com Explore the rugged landscape beyond the Daintree coast. Immerse yourself in rapids, trek Queensland’s highest peak, share are suitable for conventional cars. Pick rainforest Aboriginal culture, spot a croc or two and discover the legacy of Daintree bush tucker with traditional owners, wander your favourite section, grab the maps Captain James Cook and the north’s great goldrush. through the world’s largest lava tube and and head off into the wilderness! Cooktown 03 Mossman indulge in the freshest tropical foods. Mt Carbine 04 Cooktown – Lakefi eld National Park – Laura – Cooktown (279km) PORT DOUGLAS Take the time to experience the entire Great For more information visit Explore deep into the past from the present on a journey that explores the colour of the www.savannahway.com.au varied landscape of Cape York Peninsula, ancient Aboriginal culture, early colonial history and Tropical Drive route or choose a shorter drive Julatten remote Australia’s contemporary lifestyle. Ellis Beach to suit: from easy one-day drives to week-long Mt Molloy Palm Cove 4WD and campervan adventures. Reef to Rainforest Kuranda Trinity Beach 05 Cairns – Port Douglas – Yungaburra – Cairns (261km) Mt Mulligan 05 Smithfield Experience one of the most beautiful ocean drives in the world, where reef and Biboohra rainforest lie side by side, as you cruise the highway to Port Douglas. Then drive up CAIRNS Rex Range and spend a few days tasting the speciality foods of tropical Australia. MAREEBA 06 0 50 100 Thornborough Edmonton approximate distance (kilometres) Waterfalls Walkamin Gordonvale 06 Cairns – Malanda (326km) Chillagoe Dimbulah Cruise through fi elds of sugar cane before climbing the coastal range Tolga to the highlands that overlook Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, where ATHERTON farming communities share the tablelands with some of the region’s most Yungaburra Almaden Petford Irvinebank Babinda getting around impressive natural habitats. Malanda Bramston Beach Herberton Tarzali Find out more about Australian road rules and driving safety tips before you go. Visit: Chillagoe Emuford 07 Mareeba – Chillagoe – Undara – Mareeba (559km) Millaa Millaa Flying Fish Point Ravenshoe www.driveqld.com.au This trail is a true adventure drive that will take you from lush rainforest INNISFAIL Mt Garnet www.mainroads.qld.gov.au across the golden savannah – where you will disappear underground to South Johnstone 09 explore the limestone caves of Chillagoe and Undara lava tubes. 4WD Various types of transport are available on the Great Tropical Drive so its easy to combine different 07 Innot Hot Mena Creek vehicle recommended. Springs Silkwood modes of transport during your Great Tropical Drive experience. Some tips to make your journey Tully Gorge El Arish Georgetown more than a drive: 08 Ravenshoe – Undara – The Lynd Junction (489km) TULLY MISSION BEACH Descend from the Atherton Tableland to the base of the Great ■ Join a local day tour to one of many tourist attractions, national parks, beaches, islands 10 South Mission Beach Dividing Range where the grasslands of the Gulf or local food and wine areas Savannah reveal the remains of 160 extinct Forty Mile volcanoes in the McBride Volcanic Mt Surprise Scrub NP ■ Experience the region and Great Barrier Reef from above; take a helicopter tour or go Province. Their legacy includes 08 hot air ballooning deep lava tubes, craters, Georgetown CARDWELL gemfi elds and hot springs. Hinchinbrook Island Once you arrive, there are plenty of regional visitor centres to provide you with all the information 09 Canecutter Way 02 you’ll need to help plan your itinerary and make bookings. Look for accredited visitor information Innisfail – Silkwood – Innisfail Forsayth Einasleigh centres displaying the offi cial symbol ( ) which will assure you a high standard of service and (162km) Lucinda This relaxing drive takes you from Trebonne Halifax professionalism. These centres are staffed mostly by local volunteers who are knowledgeable and the Art Deco architecture of Innisfail, to Wallaman Falls passionate about their local areas. the crumbling ruins of a former grandiose Spanish INGHAM style home, passing through lush sugarcane fi elds and The Lynd Junction rainforest. Mt Fox getting there important things to remember when self-driving Tully to Mission Beach 10 Hidden Valley Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar all fl y direct to ■ Make sure your vehicle is suitable for the roads you intend to travel on Tully – Mission Beach – Tully (218km) Balgal Beach This trail takes you through some of truly scenic wonders of the tropical north Greenvale 11 Rollingstone Cairns and Townsville from Brisbane, Sydney ■ Swimming in coastal waters can be dangerous during summer months due to marine stingers – lush rainforests, golden beaches, and strange fl ightless birds – the elusive cassowary. Magnetic Island 01 PALUMA Toomulla and Melbourne. For more information or to book You will gain a good insight into the traditions and culture of the local Indigenous people, and enjoy Toolakea Saunders Beach ■ Alcohol restrictions have been introduced for many Aboriginal and/or islander community areas unlimited opportunities to test your skills with more adventurous activities. Bushland Beach your fl ights visit: For more information visit www.mcmc.qld.gov.au Hinchinbrook 12 Thortons Gap TOWNSVILLE 11 Ingham – Lucinda – Hidden Valley – Ingham (462km) www.qantas.com.au ■ During wet periods numerous road closures will occur at river and creek crossings. Prior to Experience the delights of beaches, rivers, valleys, a dormant volcano, wetlands, sugarcane and Australia’s highest Bowling Green Bay www.virginblue.com.au heading north, information on road conditions should be sought from RACQ at single drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls. World Heritage-listed rainforest and reef, friendly country folk and spectacular www.jetstar.com.au www.racq.com.au or 1300 130 595 coastal and island views are guaranteed in Hinchinbrook, part of the Great Green Way. Bluff Downs Keelbottom Creek Woodstock AYR Paluma Home Hill 12 Townsville – Paluma –Townsville (279km) Dalrymple NP A great two-day drive from Townsville through a very photogenic section of the Great Green Way region (recommended Clare for 4WD vehicles). This is a journey of contrasts – passing through varying picturesque regions from the Fletcher Creek Mingela more information coast and beaches, to cool mountain ranges, villages, rivers, lookouts, misty World Heritage rainforest and outback and grazing country. 14 For more ideas and assistance when planning your Great Tropical Drive trip visit: Western Heritage 13 Townsville – Charters Towers – Bluff Downs – Townsville (674km) CHARTERS 13 Ravenswood TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND TOWNSVILLE ATHERTON TABLELANDS This tour includes the heritage gold mining town of Charters Towers, the outback and wetlands. TOWERS The southern region includes rivers, mountain ranges, geological formations and an abundance www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au www.townsvilleholidays.info www.athertontablelands.com.au of fl ora and fauna. The small rural communities offer the visitor agricultural history, culture and great stories. White Mountains NP CHARTERS TOWERS PORT DOUGLAS AND DAINTREE COOKTOWN AND CAPE YORK Homestead Planning your Great Tropical Drive www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au www.tpdd.com.au www.cooktownandcapeyork.com 14 Liquid Gold Visit www.greattropicaldrive.com.au for everything you Townsville – Ayr – Townsville (350km) Pentland need to plan your trip. Here you will fi nd detailed travel information MISSION BEACH PALM COVE HINCHINBROOK A great relaxing two-day drive passing through national park, scenic bushland areas and sugar on the Great Tropical Drive and the self-drive Discovery Trails. cane fi elds. Explore legendary ghost stories