Mackay to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Mackay to Cairns road trip: Ingham and Cardwell
It’s another 235km from Townsville to Mission Beach, it’s 235km. On the first chunk of that drive, from Townsville to Ingham, you’ll find the glorious waterfalls of Paluma Range National Park. The best place for a swim is arguably the rock pools of Crystal Creek are a magnificent place for a swim.
Once in Ingham, you can branch off into Girringun National Park for Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest waterfall.
Ingham accommodation options include the affordable Ingham Tourist Park and decently-equipped Motel Ingham.
Otherwise, move on to Cardwell – gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and home of the Cardwell Spa Pools, a fantastic rainforest swimming hole.
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.
Click through for the next section: Mission Beach and Cairns.