Airlie Beach to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Airlie Beach to Cairns itinerary: Ingham and Cardwell
The Townsville to Mission Beach leg of the Airlie Beach to Cairns road trip covers 235km. The highlights on the first chunk of that drive, from Townsville to Ingham, are the waterfalls of Paluma Range National Park. The rock pools of Crystal Creek are a magnificent place for a swim.
At Ingham, you can branch off into Girringun National Park for Australia’s highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls
Ingham accommodation options include the Motel Ingham and the budget-friendly Ingham Tourist Park.
Otherwise, continue to Cardwell – gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and home of top rainforest swimming hole Cardwell Spa Pools.
Best Cardwell accommodation choices
The best places to stay in Cardwell are:
- For a holiday park with an outdoor pool and children’s playground: Cardwell Beachcomber Motel and Tourist Park.
- For prime location: Cardwell Beachfront Motel.
- If those two are fully booked: Kookaburra Holiday Park.
Next up: Tully and Mission Beach.