Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Gold Coast to Port Douglas driving holiday: Tully to 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. You can also divert for beach time at Etty Bay Beach.
Top experiences near Innisfail to book in advance
- Get superlative rainforest views – on the Mamu Tropical Skywalk.
- Enjoy the strange Spanish castle surrounded by jungle – at Paronella Park.
- Save money with a Mamu Tropical Skywalk and Paronella Park combo ticket.
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.
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.