Port Douglas is Far North Queensland at its most spectacular — a relaxed tropical town where two World Heritage areas meet: the Great Barrier Reef offshore and the ancient Daintree Rainforest to the north. A campervan is the perfect way to explore it, giving you the freedom to chase the reef, the rainforest and the waterfalls at your own pace. Here is how to hire one and plan the trip.
Where to Pick Up Your Campervan
Port Douglas does not have a large rental depot presence, so the standard approach is to compare Port Douglas campervans collected from Cairns, about 60 km (one hour) south.
- Cairns depots: The widest fleet in the tropical north and the best rates. Fly into Cairns, collect your van, and drive north.
- The drive up: The Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas hugs the coast past Palm Cove and Rex Lookout — one of the great short scenic drives in Australia.
What to Do From Port Douglas
The Great Barrier Reef
Port Douglas is a premier reef gateway, with day boats running to the Low Isles and the Outer Reef for snorkelling and diving. Park the van in town and join a tour from the marina.
The Daintree & Cape Tribulation
Head north across the Daintree River car ferry into the Daintree National Park, where rainforest meets the sea at Cape Tribulation. The sealed road is fine for 2WD campervans as far as Cape Trib. This is the heart of the classic Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip.
Mossman Gorge & Waterfalls
Just 20 minutes inland, Mossman Gorge offers rainforest walks and swimming holes. The wider region is full of cascades — see our guide to the best waterfalls near Cairns.
Suggested Itinerary (5–7 days)
Cairns → Palm Cove → Port Douglas (2 nights) → Mossman Gorge → Daintree & Cape Tribulation (2 nights) → back to Cairns. Add the Atherton Tablelands waterfalls on the return leg for a full week. For the bigger picture, see the Tropical North Queensland road trip guide.
What It Costs
Plan on roughly $150–$260 per day all-in for a couple in the dry season. Van hire ranges from about $70/day for a budget 2-berth to $240/day for a larger motorhome at peak. Reef and Daintree tours are the big extra costs, so budget for those separately.
Driving & Safety Notes
- The sealed road ends at Cape Tribulation — the Bloomfield Track beyond is 4WD-only and off-limits under most rental agreements.
- In the wet season, beaches need stinger nets (marine stingers Nov–May) and roads can flood — check conditions.
- Fuel up in Cairns, Port Douglas or Mossman before heading into the Daintree, where services are limited.
Best Time to Visit
May to October (the dry season) is the sweet spot — warm, low humidity, calm seas and no stingers on most reef trips. This is also peak season, so book your campervan early or start a Cairns pickup search to lock in the fleet you want.
Planning your trip?
Compare campervan hire in Port Douglas