Proserpine to Cairns road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Proserpine to Cairns drive: Cape Upstart and Ayr
The Bowen to Townsville leg of the Proserpine to Cairns drive is 201km long. There are potential but inessential detours to the Flathead Fishing Hole at the Elliot River mouth and Coconut Beach in the Cape Upstart National Park.
Just before crossing the Burdekin River, you can get good view from the Mount Inkerman Scenic Lookout. But the next proper stop is Ayr.
Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include admiring the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display and watching movies at the Stardust Drive-In.
The best accommodation in Ayr
The top accommodation picks in Ayr are:
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Ayr.
- For a motel that gets it right: Country Ayr Motel.
- For cheap rates and a pool: Ayr Max Motel.
Divers will be more interested in Alva Beach. This is where tours to the SS Yongala shipwreck depart from.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Ayr to Townsville, it’s around an hour’s drive.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Things to do in Townsville include going on a cruise to the Museum of Underwater Art, kicking back on a small group sunset cruise and catching the ferry to Magnetic Island.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
Click through to the next section: Paluma Range National Park and Ingham.