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ATHERTON
TABLELANDS
This high plateau
country accessed via the Kennedy Highway has a number of
large lakes Tinaroo, Eacham and Barrine.
The areas relatively compact size, many surfaced
back roads and unusual attractions, such as the Curtain
Fig and The Crater, make it ideal for a day or two of
leisurely exploration 60-120km.
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BOULDERS,
BRAMSTON BEACH, JOSEPHINE FALLS
South from Cairns on
the Bruce Highway you will find the sugar mill town of
Babinda. Turn
right for the short drive to the Boulders, a picturesque
freshwater swimming spot with comfortable barbeque and
picnic facilities. Just
5 km south of Babinda is Miriwinni, where you turn left
for a beautiful drive through cane fields and rainforest
to Bramston Beach with its resort, caravan park, camp
ground and boat launch facilities.
Just a kilometre or so south of Miriwinni you turn
right for the spectacular Josephine Falls and Mt Bellenden
Ker 60-70km. |
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CAPE
TRIBULATION
To get to this superb
mix of beach, reef and rainforest, turn right about 20km
north of Mossman and take the Daintree River ferry.
Make sure to check return ferry times and watch for
the incredible birds and views along the Alexandra Pass
section of the scenic drive 150km. |
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CARDWELL
Follow the Bruce
Highway south from Cairns through the sugar towns of
Gordonvale, Babinda, Innisfail and Tully to this quaint
coastal village overlooking the famous Hinchinbrook
Island. A
great fishing spot with a full range of tourist services.
Cardwell also has a Queensland National Parks
Informatioon and interpretive centre 180km. |
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CRYSTAL CASCADES
Drive north along
Sheridan Street, turn left at Aeroglen and drive through
Stratford and Freshwater to Redlynch, then left again and
follow the signs to scenic Crystal Cascades, a series of
refreshing freshwater swimming spots surrounded by a park
that features a walk but lovely hiking trail 30km. |
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DAINTREE
Continuing north from
Port Douglas on the Cook Highway, you pass through the
tidy sugar mill and tourist town of Mossman (a lovely side
trip is the Mossman Gorge) and eventually come to the
village of Daintree, a tiny village with a spectacular
riverside rainforest setting and truly famous devonshire
teas 105km. |
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KURANDA
Turn left from the
Captain Cook Highway at Smithfield and follow the Kennedy
Highway to climb the Kuranda range to the charming village
in the rainforest and its world-famous markets and
attractions 30km. |
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LAKE MORRIS
Follow Reservoir Road
out of Cairns and turn left at Lake Morris Road for a
scenic drive into the mountains behind Cairns.
After many spectacular views of the city and its
surrounds, you arrive at pristine Lake Morris, source of
much of the citys drinking water, with its sublimely
beautiful picnic and barbeque park 20km. |
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MARLIN COAST
Follow the Captain
Cook Highway north from Cairns for this string of beaches
starting with charming Machans and ending with unspoiled
Ellis each of which has its own unique character and
attractions. |
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MISSION BEACH
Turn left off the
Bruce Highway at El Arish for the scenic drive to this
beautiful little resort village.
Featuring a fantastic beach and range of resorts
and resort-style accomodation. Mission Beach is also a departure point for visits to
beautiful Dunk Island and luxurious Bedarra Island, both
just offshore 150km. |
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PORT DOUGLAS
After a spectacular
scenic cruise north of the Captain Cook Highway, turn
right at the sign and follow the oill-palm lined drive
into this laid-back former fishing village whose
magnificent five-star resorts have made it a mecca for the
rich and famous 60km. |
