Australia Road Trip - Part 3: From Cairns to the Edge of the DaintreeIslands, railways through the rainforest, palm-lined beaches, and reef days you’ll never forget

🌏 Destination Overview

We reached Cairns and used it as our base to explore the tropical north: the coral-fringed Fitzroy Island, the lush mountain village of Kuranda (via gondola and heritage railway), sunset-perfect Palm Cove, and vibrant Port Douglas — before crossing the river toward the ancient Daintree Rainforest.This chapter blends reef and rainforest, road and sea, slow mornings and wow-moments — the kind you keep replaying long after the trip ends.

🏝️ Fitzroy Island — Reef Days & a Once-in-a-Lifetime Whale Moment

From Cairns, we took the Fitzroy Island Resort ferry (about 40 minutes) to Fitzroy Island — a compact, car-free island with one hotel and a handful of beaches that look straight out of a daydream.Head early to the island’s star: Nudey Beach (a 15-minute forest walk).

• North end: best for snorkeling — turtles often pop up for air right off the shore.

• South end: perfect for laying back, reading, and letting the island slow you down.

And then it happened — a moment we’ll never forget.While we were reading on the sand, we heard a thunderous splash. We looked up and saw a mother humpback and her calf breaching — maybe 200 meters from the beach. Pure, breathtaking magic.

🐋Later we spent the afternoon near the marina side beach — more snorkeling, lots of marine life, and a relaxed lunch at the island’s casual restaurant.

💡 If you can, stay the night at the island’s resort — waking up here is a dream.

🚡 Kuranda — Skyrail Up, Scenic Railway Back

Day two was all about Kuranda State Forest. We rode the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway up to Kuranda (about 1 hour with scenic stops), gliding above the canopy with viewpoints over Barron Gorge.

• Stop at the Barron Falls Lookout for a dramatic view into the gorge.

• In town, we wandered the markets, visited the Kuranda Koala Gardens, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (beautiful, peaceful — perfect for a light lunch and an açaí bowl).

For the return, we took the Kuranda Scenic Railway: heritage carriages, hand-built bridges, and jungle-clad curves.

• You’ll get another angle on Barron Falls, and pass right by Stoney Creek Falls.

• Pro tip: sit left side toward the rear for the best waterfall views.

• If you plan to rail one way and Skyrail the other, on the Skyrail sit right side, middle/rear for the best valley outlooks.We wouldn’t do rail both ways or gondola both ways — mixing them is the magic.

🌆 Cairns — Easygoing Hub on the Esplanade

Cairns itself is low-key: a pretty Esplanade, a public Lagoon, and a handful of seaside restaurants that are perfect after a big day out.Where to eat (Esplanade & Wharf):

• Ochre Restaurant – modern Australian with native ingredients.

• Prawn Star – casual seafood served on boats at the marina.

• Salt House – cocktails + sunset views.

• Waterbar & Grill – steaks if you’re craving hearty.

• Hemingway’s Brewery – craft beer by the wharf.

💱 Tip: if you need currency exchange, Cairns is the northernmost reliable spot to do it.

🌴 Palm Cove — Sunrise Through the Palms

A short drive north, Palm Cove is exactly what it sounds like: a palm-lined beach made for slow mornings and golden sunrises.

• Stay (campervan): NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park — book early; spots go fast.

• Stroll the palm promenade, grab gelato, and enjoy an easy beach day — the sand is soft, the entry is gentle, and cafés line the waterfront.

☀️ Don’t skip sunrise — the palms glow and the beach is almost all yours.

🛣️ Coastal Drive Gems — On the Way to Port Douglas

The road from Palm Cove to Port Douglas hugs the sea and is packed with photo stops:

• Rex Lookout – a sweeping view of the coast where rainforest meets ocean.

• Palm field – a broad grove of palms (pull over, snap a few, picnic if you like).

• Between the grove and Yule Point – a stunning ribbon of road above the water; if you fly a drone, this is the cinematic shot.

• Yule Point – a peaceful stop for lunch with sea-and-jungle views.

• River bridge “crocodile viewpoint” (just south of Port Douglas) – park before the bridge and walk the pedestrian path to scan for crocs below. 🐊

⚓ Port Douglas — Reef Gateway with Endless Beach Vibes

Port Douglas is a perfect base for the Great Barrier Reef and for lazy beach days.

• Four Mile Beach – vast, wide, seemingly endless.

• Four Mile Beach Lookout (Flagstaff Hill) – the best overview of the bay.

• Sunset – head toward the marina and Flagstaff Hill lawns; pack a bottle of wine and a cheese board — jungle silhouettes + ocean pastel skies = bliss.

Reef day: we loved going with Quicksilver to Agincourt Reef (outer reef). Big, stable boats + a large floating platform = comfy, accessible way to snorkel the reef (book ahead!).

Where to eat (our picks):

• Tin Shed – classic, easygoing, with water views.

• Salsa Bar & Grill – a long-time favorite, fresh and vibrant.

• Zinc Port Douglas – refined but relaxed.

• Sassi La Cucina + Bar – Italian with tropical flair.

• Hemingway’s Brewery (Port Douglas) – casual, great for sunset.

🏞️ Mossman Gorge — River, Rainforest, and Ancient Stories

A short hop inland, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre is your gateway. Park there and take the shuttle into the national park.

• Walk the boardwalks along the crystal river, swim in calm pools (check conditions), and watch for wildlife — if you’re lucky, you might spot a tree kangaroo.

• We loved starting the next morning with breakfast by the river — quiet, green, grounding.

• For a unique perspective, try a gentle river drift experience with Back Country Bliss — drifting through rainforest water is both calm and unforgettable.

🌿 Daintree (Preview) — Crossing Into the Oldest Rainforest on Earth

Before crossing the Daintree River, we stayed one night at Daintree Ecolodge — a beautiful, serene retreat. If you can, join morning yoga on the deck facing the lodge’s private waterfall — a perfect way to begin a jungle day.

Don’t miss a solar-powered crocodile cruise with Solar Whisper on the Daintree River — crocs, kingfishers, tree snakes, and a guide who knows how to spot them all.

Then it’s time: drive onto the Daintree car ferry (a quick 5-minute crossing) — and enter the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest living rainforest on Earth.But that story? That’s Part 4. 🌧️🌴

📸 Best Photo Spots

📍 Nudey Beach, Fitzroy – white coral sand + turquoise water; watch the horizon (whales in season!)

📍 Skyrail gondola – canopy and gorge views from above

📍 Barron Falls Lookout – dramatic gorge and waterfall panorama

📍 Palm Cove sunrise – palm silhouettes and pastel skies📍 Rex Lookout – rainforest meets ocean, classic coastal panorama

📍 Four Mile Beach Lookout – sweeping curve of Port Douglas’ shore

📍 Mossman Gorge – granite boulders and emerald pools under the rainforest canopy

☀️ Best Time to Visit

May–October (dry season) — sunny days, mild humidity, calm seas.Stinger (jellyfish) season: roughly November–May along northern beaches — use stinger suits and swim in netted areas when signed. Reef tours supply suits year-round.

💡 Travel Tips

• Book in advance: Fitzroy ferry, reef tours, Kuranda (Skyrail & Railway), and holiday parks in Palm Cove/Port Douglas.

• Mix & match Kuranda: one way Skyrail, one way Railway — best of both worlds.

• Sun & sea: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water — you’ll be out all day.

• Drone: incredible along the coastal road (observe local rules).

• Fuel & supplies: stock up in Cairns/Port Douglas before the Daintree.

• Money matters: do any currency exchange in Cairns — options thin out further north.

❤️ Final Thoughts

Reef and rainforest. Gondolas and heritage rail. Sunrise through palms and sunsets over marinas.This stretch from Cairns to the Daintree’s doorstep reminded us why we travel — to be surprised, to slow down, and to feel the world more deeply.

And just when we thought the tropics had shown us all their colors — the ferry nudged across the river and the jungle called our names.

Next up → Into the Daintree & Cape Tribulation: where the reef meets the oldest rainforest on Earth. 🌿🐠