Tropical North Queensland Reef, Rainforest & Tablelands Loop
A self-drive loop connecting Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation rainforest, and the waterfalls and lakes of the Atherton Tablelands.
Drive north from Cairns along the coastal highway to Port Douglas. After a cruise to the Outer Reef, venture into the Daintree, spend a night at Cape Tribulation, then head up into the Atherton Tablelands to see waterfalls and volcanic crater lakes before returning to Cairns via Kuranda. With a moderate pace, this is ideal for self-drive travelers who want to stay in different locations and experience two World Heritage areas: the reef and the wet tropics.
During the wet season, the Daintree River ferry and local roads may be closed due to flooding.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Arrive in Cairns
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to the city center (approx. 15 minutes). Stroll along the Esplanade in the evening.
住宿：凱恩斯市中心與濱海大道
第 2 天 · Coastal Drive to Port Douglas
凱恩斯·大堡礁（棕櫚灣） → 道葛拉斯港·戴恩樹（哈特利鱷魚探險園、雷克斯觀景台、四英里海灘）
Drive north along the Captain Cook Highway for about 70 km (just over 1 hour of pure driving time), stopping at lookouts along the way.
住宿：道葛拉斯港鎮區
第 3 天 · Outer Reef Cruise Day Trip
Depart from Port Douglas Marina on a cruise vessel to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs (approx. 1.5 hours), returning in the afternoon.
住宿：道葛拉斯港鎮區
第 4 天 · Mossman Gorge & Into the Daintree
道葛拉斯港·戴恩樹（莫斯曼峽谷、戴恩樹村與戴恩樹河鱷魚遊船、戴恩樹河渡輪）
Drive to Mossman (approx. 25 minutes), continue to Daintree Village, cross the Daintree River via the cable ferry, and drive to Cape Tribulation (approx. 2.5 hours total).
Some walking tracks in Mossman Gorge are occasionally closed for maintenance; check national park alerts before you go.
住宿：苦難角
第 5 天 · Cape Tribulation Rainforest & Beaches
道葛拉斯港·戴恩樹（亞歷山德拉山觀景台、戴恩樹探索中心、杜布吉木棧道、戴恩樹雨林與苦難角）
Take short drives along the Cape Tribulation Road. Driving times between sights range from 10 to 40 minutes, accessible by standard 2WD vehicles.
Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the ocean and creek mouths in this area; do not swim or wade in the water.
住宿：苦難角
第 6 天 · Drive up to the Atherton Tablelands
道葛拉斯港·戴恩樹（戴恩樹冰淇淋公司） → 凱恩斯·大堡礁（花崗岩峽谷自然公園）
Cross the river back south, then drive up to the Tablelands via Mareeba (approx. 240 km, around 4 hours of driving).
住宿：Yungaburra
第 7 天 · Tablelands Crater Lakes & Waterfall Circuit
凱恩斯·大堡礁（巴林湖、伊查姆湖、窗簾無花果樹、米拉米拉瀑布）
Based in Yungaburra, drive a loop to explore the sights. Driving times between points are 15–40 minutes, covering about 100 km for the day.
住宿：Yungaburra
第 8 天 · Return to Cairns via Kuranda
Drive along the Kennedy Highway to Kuranda (approx. 1.5 hours), then drive down the mountain to the airport to return your car (approx. 40 minutes).
If you plan to ride the Skyrail, allow enough time for the round trip. Book an evening flight.