The Captain Cook Highway from Cairns to Port Douglas is one of the most beautiful short drives in Australia — a 70 km ribbon of tarmac where rainforest-clad hills tumble down to the Coral Sea. This guide covers how to do the drive by campervan, the best stops along the way, and why Port Douglas makes such a good tropical base.
The drive itself
From Cairns, head north through the northern beaches and onto the Captain Cook Highway proper. The middle section hugs the coast, curving past headlands with the reef-flecked sea on one side and green mountains on the other. It is fully sealed, easy driving in any campervan, but the bends and views reward a relaxed pace.
- Palm Cove (25 km): A palm-fringed beachside village, perfect for a first coffee stop and a stroll along the esplanade.
- Ellis Beach (30 km): The only absolute beachfront campground on this coast, and a great swimming spot (stinger net in season).
- Rex Lookout (40 km): The signature viewpoint of the drive — pull in for the sweeping coastal panorama.
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (50 km): A well-run wildlife park just off the highway, good for families.
- Port Douglas (70 km): Journey's end — Four Mile Beach, the marina and Macrossan Street.
Port Douglas as a base
Port Douglas punches well above its size. It is the closest town to the outer Great Barrier Reef and the Low Isles, with reef trips departing the marina daily, and it is the southern gateway to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Four Mile Beach is the postcard: a long, flat sweep of sand right beside town.
Where to camp
Ellis Beach Bungalows & Leisure Park is the standout beachfront option on the drive. In Port Douglas itself there are several holiday parks with powered sites a short walk or ride from the centre. Book ahead in the dry season (May–October), which is both the best weather and the busiest period.
Where to go next
Port Douglas is the natural launchpad for the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. For the bigger picture of the region, read our Tropical North Queensland road trip guide.
Compare campervan hire in Cairns to start the drive, and see our full Port Douglas campervan guide for prices, depots and camping.
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