Stop 11, 12 & 13 Airlie Beach to Cairns, via Townsville and Mission BeachApprox drive time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 620 km
The last part of your roadtrip is another long drive, but there are a couple of interesting places to stop on the way. The coastal city of Townsville has a popular water park, great for cooling off in the tropical summer temperatures. The Reef HQ Aquarium based in Townsville also has marine life and coral from the Great Barrier Reef, plus a sea turtle hospital.
Before you arrive at your final destination there is one more beach you might want to visit, Mission Beach. This beautiful small beachside town is a favourite amongst backpackers and travellers, and with World Heritage rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other it’s not hard to see why.
Last stop Cairns, you made it! Cairns, the entrance to Queensland’s tropical north, is a popular stop for travellers off due to its tropical climate and laid back vibe and you can find more ideas on the best things to do in Cairns here. Our favourite things include; taking a trip to the Barrier Reef, (please do your research before you go to ensure that the company you travel with follows responsible reef practices), head up the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or plunge down the raging Tully River on a white water raft.