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Welcome to Cairns, a tropical port city which provides easy driving access to a diverse array of landscapes, representative of some of Australia’s most iconic scenery. We’re talking lush, green rainforests, endless miles of sandy beaches, rolling hills and dusty savannah grasslands. The only way to ensure you can see it all, is to self-drive so check out our fleet and make a plan for your holiday with Cairns Vehicle Hire.
The Atherton Tablelands are one of Cairns’ best kept secrets. Perched high in the rainforest-clad mountains, this lush region offers a cool retreat from the heat and humidity of the coast. Home to deep crater lakes, rich reserves of ancient rainforest, acres of agricultural lands and a plethora of native fauna, including platypus, tree kangaroos and possums, the Tablelands is the ideal destination to relax and rejuvenate.
Self drive is definitely the best way to explore the Tablelands and other than the windy range roads to get there, it is easy and scenic driving. There is a Misty Mountains Drive and Waterfall Drive, or you can just track your own way across the Tablelands, stopping to enjoy things that interest you specifically, like the Curtain Tree Fig and Lake Barrine.
Daintree National Park is home to the world’s oldest, continually surviving tropical rainforests. Thick vegetation cloaks mountains and drapes over streams and gorges, before cascading down to the beach, where golden sands lead into the Coral Sea and out to the Great Barrier Reef. Sound like paradise? It is and it is one of the only places on earth where two natural World Heritage listed sites exist side by side, creating a nature’s playground for you to enjoy and explore.
From Cairns, it will take approximately 1.5 hours to drive north to the Daintree River Ferry. This is a scenic, coastal journey along the Captain Cook Highway, with awesome views over the Coral Sea. Navigation is really easy, you just stay on the Captain Cook Highway, go past the turn offs to Port Douglas and keep heading north until you reach the Daintree River Ferry (follow the sign posting).
Port Douglas is a seaside holiday village favoured by world leaders. Wide country streets, bordered by high end fashion stores, indigenous art galleries and delightful cafes and restaurants, empty out on to the golden sands of Four Mile Beach and open parklands with views over the Coral Sea.
Port Douglas is 70 kilometres north of Cairns. Take the Captain Cook Highway on the great ocean road of Far North Queensland and enjoy amazing views over the Coral Sea. This sweeping coastal highway winds its way north, tracking along the beach and hugging the edge of the mountain. The views really are amazing and there are photo opportunities along the way. The drive usually takes about an hour.
Cairns beaches have golden sands, descending into warm waters, overlooking the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. There are eight, palm fringed beaches to the north of Cairns, each providing their own unique charm and character. Whether you want to enjoy a massage, cast a line into the sea or pitch a tent to watch the moon over the ocean, there is a beach for you in Cairns.
All of Cairns Beaches are easily accessed via the Captain Cook Highway and a series of roundabouts. Driving is easy, although we suggest avoiding business hour traffic, in the morning from 7.30 to 9am and in the afternoons from 4 to 6pm. A lot of Cairns residents live at the northern beaches and it can become quite congested as they go to and from work.
© Thurrock Car and Van Rental 2023