Bowen to Cairns road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Bowen to Cairns road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Towards Innisfail

The next feasible stop is the Australian Sugar Heritage Centre in Mourilyan, but you’ll get more joy taking a slight inland diversion to rainforest-captured Spanish mansion Paronella Park.

Top things to do in Innisfail include a Johnston River crocodile cruise and turtle-spotting on the Warrina Lakes.

Top experiences near Innisfail to book in advance

Innisfail accommodation picks include the budget-conscious Flying Fish Tourist Park and the highly-rated Barrier Reef Motel.

Innisfail to Babinda

The coastal Ella Bay National Park and birdlife-heavy Eubenangee Swamp National Park come after Innisfail. But the best stop before Babinda is Josephine Falls, a stunning waterfall. From here, a serious hiking trail leads to Queensland’s highest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere.

Sunrise at the summit of Mount Bartle Frere
Sunrise at the summit of Mount Bartle Frere, the highest mountain in Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

In Babinda, the Babinda Boulders is the star attraction. Here, a tremendous swimming hole is surrounded by massive granite boulders. For overnight accommodation, try the Babinda Quarters.

Click through for the next section: Babinda to Cairns.