Things to see & do in Cairns, Port Douglas & Cooktown

Sorry, I should have added that we are restricted to areas accessible by two wheel drive.

I have been to the Hartley Creek crocodile farm a couple of times and really enjoy it. Allow 4 hours or so.

Kuranda markets is OK but not what I call "not to miss"

Mission Beach is beautiful to stay at (head to South Mission Beach). Do a reef diving trip from there. Cheaper than from Cairns.

I find Port Douglas is too similar to Noosa which is a whole lot closer. Haven't spent more than a couple of nights there previously

The attraction of that region for us Adelaide types was the tropical coast overall - and the nicest place we stayed to enjoy it was Wonga Beach CP - top shelf facilities, free coconuts laying around :-o) and a very long shallow beach to stroll along (crocs find it awkward to lurk on shallow beaches :-o).

Best thing about Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands :-) Lots to see up here.

Coast drive to Cape Tribulation is great.

Archer Point near Cooktown, Grassy hill at Cooktown and take the climb up Mt Cook.

Have fun Cheers Tony

Cooktown - The lookout, The esplanade along the Endeavour River as the historical monuments are amazing, the RSL, Cooktown Museums and the surrounding bays.

Cairns - Kuranda Rail, Skyrail, Nightmarkets for cheap takeaway, Museum of Tropical Qld.

Port Douglas - Reef charter, Sunday Markets, Wallaman falls, Mossman Gorge, daintree, Cape Tribulation.

We have just done this section of coast and the drive from Cape Trib to cairns is equal to the Great Ocean Road.

Hi Barry

I was the one asking about things to see and do between Cairns and Townsville a week or so ago.

We've been to Cairns 3 times so far, so our next trip will be the 4th.
There is a lot and I mean A LOT to see and do in Cairns.

Personally I think the Daintree is the best part and you should definitely spend a night or two up at Cape Tribulation - that place is amazing!!
You can get to Cape Trib by normal car, although there is a vehicluar ferry over the Daintree River.

On the way up to Cape Trib, I would recommend going into Mossman Gorge and Port Douglas. Also around Cairns, you have Copperlode Dam, Kurunda, Barron Gorge, Crystal Cascades and Babinda Boulders to name a few.... These are all close to Cairns and have sealed roads to them.

If you were interested in seeing the Barrier Reef, then either go on an intro Scuba dive out of Port Douglas or just over to Green Island and view it in a glass bottom boat.

Goodluck!!