Gordonvale to Cairns drive: Distance, time & stops
The drive from Gordonvale to Cairns in Queensland covers a distance of 23km in a driving time of around 26 minutes. The most worthwhile road trip stop along the way is Isabella Falls.
The drive from Gordonvale to Cairns tends to form the last leg of a trip up the east coast of Queensland. If you’re driving from Brisbane to Cairns, Airlie Beach to Cairns or Townsville to Cairns, this is the last hurrah.
Gordonvale is theoretically a separate town, but to all intents and purposes it’s a southern suburb of Cairns.
Cairns, of course, is a great base for Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, rapid boarding on the Barron River and trips to Fitzroy Island.
If you have three days in Cairns, do a Great Barrier Reef trip, a Kuranda scenic train and cable car combo and a Mossman Gorge plus Cape Tribulation World Heritage rainforest day tour. With more time, consider mesmerising scenic flights over the Reef, dinner cruises and waterfall-packed Atherton Tableland tours.
To choose from a wide range of memorable Cairns tours and experiences, look here. To pick the Cairns accommodation best suited to you, book here.
Gordonvale to Cairns distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Gordonvale to Cairns is 23km. That makes for a driving time of around 26 minutes.
There aren’t many detours worth considering on this short drive, but if picking just one, make it Isabella Falls. This pretty waterfall is a sort diversion west of the Bruce Highway.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.
Gordonvale to Cairns drive attractions
Otherwise, the Gordonvale to Cairns drive is a trip though Cairns’ underwhelming southern suburbs. You’ll go past the Lakes Park, Cairns Golf Club and the Cairns Showgrounds before reaching the city centre.
Once in the centre, you can enjoy the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium, the Cairns Night Markets, plus Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome.
Good quality Cairns accommodation options include the Pacific Hotel, the Hilton Cairns and the Sebel Cairns Harbour Lights.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
More Queensland travel
Swim at the Jindalee Pool in Brisbane.
Are there crocodiles in Townsville?
How long is the drive from Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach?
What to see on a Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip.
How long is the drive from Kewarra Beach to Cairns?