RoadAtlas
Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast

Australia

Point-to-point
Cairns Cape Tribulation

In short: Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast is a 150 km scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 2 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Cairns, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach.

Distance
150 km
Duration
2 days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

A two-day coast journey: the named Captain Cook Highway links Cairns and Port Douglas, then the explicitly disclosed Daintree Coast extension continues through Mossman, the ferry and rainforest to Cape Tribulation.

Practical notes
Check Queensland Traffic (https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/), Douglas Shire Daintree Ferry updates (https://douglas.qld.gov.au/daintree-ferry/) and Queensland park alerts (https://parks.qld.gov.au/park-alerts) immediately before travelling north. Ferry breaks, maintenance, flooding and queues can change the plan. Drive north of the river only in daylight, obey low speed limits on narrow bends, watch for cassowaries, and never swim in unapproved water because crocodiles and marine stingers may be present.

Make this route yours

Set your dates, pace, and taste, and RoadAtlas AI rebuilds this trip day by day with real, verified places.

Included with Traveler and Explorer plans.

Explore on the interactive map →

Plan this trip

Self-guided audio toursExplore local stories near city stops Hotels for this tripCompare stays before you go Flights for this tripCompare flight options before you go Car rental for this tripCompare rental options before you drive

Third-party planning links may be affiliate links. RoadAtlas stays independent, and you should verify details with the provider.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Cairns to Port Douglas on the Captain Cook Highway

Rex Lookout and Palm Cove · Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas · Nu Nu Restaurant

Day 2Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation via Mossman and the Daintree Coast

Mossman Gorge guided walk · Daintree Ferry and Cape Tribulation · Daintree Tea House

Stops along the route

Cairns — Departure — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Departure
Cairns
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The Esplanade lagoon and night markets set the tropical mood before heading north.
Hotels
Port Douglas — City — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
City
Port Douglas
A laid-back village of dive boats and Four Mile Beach. The Great Barrier Reef is just 45 minutes offshore by fast cat.
Hotels
Cape Tribulation — Arrival — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Arrival
Cape Tribulation
Where rainforest meets reef on a single beach. Cook named it here in 1770 after running aground on the coral.
Hotels

Things to Do

Palm Cove — Nature — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Nature
Palm Cove
The most stylish beach north of Cairns, with melaleuca-lined avenues, boutique resorts, and excellent waterfront restaurants.
Ellis Beach — Nature — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Nature
Ellis Beach
A secluded cove where granite headlands shelter a crescent of sand. The highway hugs the cliff edge directly above the reef-fringed water.
Mossman Gorge — Nature — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Nature
Mossman Gorge
Clear water rushes through granite boulders in ancient rainforest. Kuku Yalanji guides share 9,000 years of connection to this place.
Daintree Ferry Crossing — Landmark — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Landmark
Daintree Ferry Crossing
A short cable-guided punt carries vehicles across the crocodile-patrolled Daintree River into the world's oldest rainforest.
Rex Lookout and Palm Cove — Coastal drive stops — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Coastal drive stops
Rex Lookout and Palm Cove
Use legal parking and keep the day centered on the named highway.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas — Wildlife park — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Wildlife park
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
Choose this as the day's one substantial attraction and verify opening.
Show 2 more
Mossman Gorge guided walk — Rainforest and cultural walk — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Rainforest and cultural walk
Mossman Gorge guided walk
Book the shuttle and, where desired, an authorized cultural walk.
Daintree Ferry and Cape Tribulation — Rainforest coast drive — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Rainforest coast drive
Daintree Ferry and Cape Tribulation
Cross only when the ferry and road are open, choose one short open boardwalk, and arrive before dark.

Where to Eat

Nu Nu Restaurant — Modern Australian — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Modern Australian
Nu Nu Restaurant
Reserve a Palm Cove lunch.
Salsa Bar and Grill — Modern Australian — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Modern Australian
Salsa Bar and Grill
Reserve a Port Douglas dinner.
Daintree Tea House — Tropical Australian — Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast — Australia
Tropical Australian
Daintree Tea House
Reserve and time lunch before the ferry; reconfirm hours.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast drive?

The Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast covers 150 km from start to finish.

How long does the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2 days on the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast?

The recommended season for the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast is May–Sep.

Where does the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast start and end?

The Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast runs from Cairns to Cape Tribulation.

What are the main stops on the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast?

The Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast passes through Cairns, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach.

How difficult is the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast to drive?

The Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast in a regular car?

Yes — the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast EV friendly?

Yes — the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast safe to drive?

Check Queensland Traffic (https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/), Douglas Shire Daintree Ferry updates (https://douglas.qld.gov.au/daintree-ferry/) and Queensland park alerts (https://parks.qld.gov.au/park-alerts) immediately before travelling north. Ferry breaks, maintenance, flooding and queues can change the plan. Drive north of the river only in daylight, obey low speed limits on narrow bends, watch for cassowaries, and never swim in unapproved water because crocodiles and marine stingers may be present.

What scenic tier is the Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast?

The Captain Cook Highway and Daintree Coast is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.