Great Tropical Drive

Start in Northern Queensland's largest city, Townsville. This coastal hub sparkles with its delightful esplanade, 19th-century architecture and excellent museum.

While you're here, hop on the ferry to Magnetic Island. It lies just 20 minutes off the coast, so you can see it from the shore! Despite how close it is to the bustling mainland, the island is a secluded oasis and has over 23 bays and beaches to choose from. Mostly made up of national park, "Maggie" is home to one of Australia's largest koala populations, so keep your eyes peeled for the furry little fellas as you explore.

After basking in the delights of Townsville, chuck your bags in the car and start doing the thing you came here to do: driving!

It'll take you just under 1.5 hours to make the drive from Townsville to Ingham, but we recommend taking your time to stop at a few choice spots along the way, like Paluma Range National Park and Crystal Creek.

Then explore the unique and vibrant culture of Ingham. The town has a thriving sugar cane industry, which began back in the 19th century. Many of the workers who arrived to work in this industry were immigrants from Italy. Today, more than half of Ingham's population is of Italian descent, earning the township the nickname Little Italy.

One thing is for sure here. You won't find it hard to track down an incredible feed of pizza or pasta!

As well as a rich Italian culture, Ingham is home to several lovely natural spaces where you can chillax, including the TYTO Wetlands and Mount Fox.

Most of the short drive from Ingham to Mission Beach winds through gorgeous state forests and national parks and, as usual, there are plenty of places worth a stop along the way.

Detour inland to gaze up at the immense Wallaman Falls and take your pick from the many trails that meander through the tropical rainforest in Girringun National Park.

As a way of breaking up the trip, spend a day or two in the welcoming seaside town of Cardwell, a charming gateway to the dizzying array of natural attractions on offer. From here, there are plenty of different ways of getting out and exploring the great outdoors.

Hop aboard a boat tour and let your local guide take you out to the best snorkelling spots on the Great Barrier Reef.

Head out on a fishing charter to discover the true bounty of these waters.

Or, if you're yearning for a bit of solitude, take a few days to explore the isolated island wilderness of Hinchinbrook Island National Park, accessible by boat from Cardwell.

Then, continue on to the resort town of Mission Beach to soak up some coastal bliss. This tropical paradise is super laid-back, with a distinct lack of chain stores, traffic lights and crowds. Wind down on your own patch of palm-fringed sand with a cool beverage in hand. The living here is easy!

After spending a day or two blissing out at Mission Beach, hit the road again. This time you're headed towards Innisfail, but naturally there are a few fab places to check out before you get there.

On your way out of Mission Beach, you'll pass through Djiru National Park, some of the last remaining lowland rainforest in the Wet Tropics. Stop for a bushwalk or a picnic and keep watch for the endangered southern cassowary.

Continue north to Mena Creek Falls, where you'll find the enchanting Paronella Park. The park was established in the 1930s by Jose Paronella, a Spanish immigrant who built a castle and tropical gardens on the edge of the falls. Almost 100 years later, the crumbling castle remains and blends seamlessly into the rainforest around it.

Innisfail has a thriving sugarcane industry, and as you drive through the lush plantations, you'll be blessed with sweet-smelling breezes. The town itself lies on the North and South Johnstone Rivers, and the surrounding landscape is rich and green.

Spend some time at the riverfront, where there are cafes, restaurants and picnic areas to enjoy. This area is also the start of several kilometres of walking trails that follow both sides of the river.

If walking isn't quite your pace, head out on a boat tour of the river, and keep a look out for local saltwater crocs. Crikey!

From Innisfail, buckle up and start driving to Cairns. Most of this leg of the journey winds along Wooroonooran National Park. Take your time and stop off at the many rivers, waterfalls, swimming holes, rainforest trails and gorgeous picnic areas along the way.

As the main gateway to the treasures of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns bustles with back-packers, road-trippers and resort-revellers. But don't rush out on a dive tour just yet! There's plenty of exciting stuff to get amongst in the city first.

Stop by the Wildlife Dome, where you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the rainforest, all on the rooftop of the Reef Hotel Casino.

Indulge in some fresh-as seafood! Most of the restaurants around town offer local bounty hauled in that morning.

Wander down to the esplanade, the heart and soul of this waterfront city. Cool off in the lagoon, where you can be sure you won't run into any crocs. After the sun sets, head to the night markets to browse for keepsakes and tasty treats.

Once you've enjoyed the highlights of town, you won't have to look far to find a wealth of tours and experiences on offer. Take your pick from scuba trips on the Great Barrier Reef, guided rainforest tours, scenic flights and fishing charters in some of the planet's most abundant seas.

Next stop, Port Douglas. Be sure to have your camera charged for this stretch of highway because it really is something. Much of the road hugs the coastline, so on one side you'll have pristine wilderness like Kuranda and Macalister Range national parks, and on the other, you'll have turquoise waves, lapping at rocky outcrops and sandy shores.

As you drive into Port Douglas, feel the beachy bliss wash over you. This friendly seaside town is yet another gateway to the legendary natural attractions of Tropical North Queensland, but its chilled-out vibe and gorgeous Four Mile Beach will make you want to stick around and soak up some relaxation before you start exploring.

When you're ready, head out on a scuba diving or snorkelling tour. Some of the best local dive sites include Wreck Bay, which got its name for the sunken fishing boat on the reef, and Nursery Bommie, a column of coral that rises 25 metres from the seafloor.

There are also plenty of tours and experiences through the Daintree Rainforest from Port Douglas, including ziplining through the canopy, 4WD tours and croc-spotting river cruises.

This is where things start to get really exciting. If you're in a 4WD, you get to drive surrounded by the Daintree Rainforest all the way up to Cape Tribulation, then along the Bloomfield Track to Wujal Wujal and Cooktown.

After hitting the road from Port Douglas, it won't be long until you are driving through the Daintree Rainforest, and there are plenty of viewpoints, trails and picnic areas to stop along the way.

Step beneath the forest's emerald canopy and be transported to a land that time forgot. The Daintree Rainforest is ancient, to say the least. In fact, it's the oldest tropical rainforest on the planet, growing here for more than 180 million years.

Continue north and you'll soon have to take the ferry (G, H) across the Daintree River. Just 40 kilometres further and you'll be in a remote and spectacular paradise. This route is one of the most scenic short 4WD drives in the country, with heaps of awesome stops to discover.

When you get to Cape Tribulation (I) , experience the wonder of stepping out from the forest straight onto the beach.

Hit the road again bound for Cooktown. If you aren't travelling in a 4WD, don't stress! Hit up a 4WD tour company to chauffeur you up to the Cape. Then once you're back to your vehicle, head inland to drive around the Daintree up to Cooktown.

On your way into town, stop off at Kalkajaka, also known as Black Mountain, a mysterious mountain of black granite boulders and an important landmark to the area's traditional owners.

Then it's time to relax in your final destination, easy-breezy Cooktown. Like Port Douglas, Cooktown is a laid-back gateway to the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef. Be sure to check out the local tours and experiences on offer in the rainforest and the reef.

As well as its natural gifts, Cooktown has a fascinating history. It got its name when Captain Cook beached the Endeavour on a reef and stopped to repair his ship here in 1770. After a skirmish between Cook's crew and the indigenous people of the area over turtles being taken from breeding grounds without permission, it is said several of the indigenous Australians visited Cook and his crew to make peace. This important moment in history is believed to be the first recorded act of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.