Townsville to Cairns Great Green Way

Head north from Townsville, spot koalas on Magnetic Island, and drive through waterfalls and rainforests via Mission Beach to Cairns.

A one-way road trip that is far less crowded than the immediate Cairns area. Spend two nights on Magnetic Island to see wild koalas and rock wallabies, then drive past Little Crystal Creek and Wallaman Falls (Australia's highest single-drop waterfall) to Mission Beach. On the final day, visit Paronella Park and the Babinda Boulders. Perfect for second-time visitors to Queensland who love waterfalls and a slower town pace. A one-way car rental is required.

Waterfalls are spectacular in the wet season, but roads can be flooded. Marine stingers are present in the ocean during warmer months.

Day by day

Day 1 · Townsville Strand & Castle Hill

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Museum of Tropical Queensland、The Strand、Castle Hill）

Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to The Strand (approx. 15 minutes). Drive up Castle Hill for sunset in the afternoon.

Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is closed for redevelopment and is scheduled to reopen in 2029.

Stay: The Strand

Day 2 · Ferry to Magnetic Island

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Picnic Bay Jetty、Alma Bay & Arcadia、Geoffrey Bay Rock Wallabies）

Take a passenger ferry to Nelly Bay (approx. 25 minutes). Leave your car at the mainland terminal and use the island bus or rent a mini moke/topless car.

Stay: Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 3 · The Forts Walk Koala Spotting

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Forts Walk、Horseshoe Bay、Radical Bay）

Take an early bus to The Forts Walk trailhead. After the hike, continue to Horseshoe Bay, and drive a rental buggy to Radical Bay in the afternoon.

The trail gets very hot during the day; try to complete the walk in the morning.

Stay: Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 4 · Return to Mainland & Mount Spec

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Paluma Range & Little Crystal Creek）

Take an early ferry back to Townsville, pick up your car, drive north to Little Crystal Creek (approx. 1.5 hours), and continue to Ingham (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Ingham

Day 5 · Wallaman Falls to Mission Beach

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Wallaman Falls） → Mission Beach（Golden Gumboot, Tully、The Big Cassowary）

Drive up the mountain to Wallaman Falls and back (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes return), then drive along the highway to Mission Beach (approx. 2 hours).

The road to the falls is sealed but winding; it is not suitable for towing caravans.

Stay: Mission Beach Village

Day 6 · Dunk Island & Rainforest Walks

Mission Beach（Dunk Island、Bicton Hill Track、Mission Beach）

Take a water taxi from Clump Point Marina to Dunk Island (approx. 20 minutes). After returning, take a short drive to local rainforest trailheads.

Water taxi schedules to the island vary by season and do not run daily; confirm in advance.

Stay: Mission Beach Village

Day 7 · Paronella Park & Babinda Boulders to Cairns

Mission Beach（Paronella Park、Etty Bay） → Cairns & Great Barrier Reef（Josephine Falls、Babinda Boulders）

Drive to Paronella Park (approx. 40 minutes), then head north to Cairns via Josephine Falls and Babinda (approx. 190 km total).

The water currents at Babinda Boulders are extremely strong; only swim in designated safe areas.