North Queensland's Most Spectacular Touring Route
The Great Tropical Drive is a network of touring routes radiating from Cairns through the most spectacular landscapes in tropical North Queensland. Hire a campervan and explore rainforests, waterfalls, reef towns, and outback vistas on this iconic self-drive experience.
The Great Tropical Drive is not a single road but a collection of interconnected touring routes that showcase the incredible diversity of tropical North Queensland. Radiating from Cairns in every direction, these routes take you through ancient rainforest, along pristine coastlines, up to misty highland plateaus, and into the vast outback — all within a few hours' drive.
A campervan is the perfect way to experience the Great Tropical Drive because the routes are designed for self-drive touring at a relaxed pace. With multiple loops and spurs to explore, you can spend anywhere from a long weekend to several weeks discovering the region's highlights, camping at beautiful locations along the way.
The main routes include the Coastal Drive north to Cape Tribulation, the Waterfall Circuit through the Atherton Tablelands, the Savannah Way heading west to the Gulf Country, and the Cassowary Coast Drive south to Mission Beach and Townsville.
Choose from coastal, rainforest, highland, and outback routes — or combine several for an extended adventure.
No tour bus schedule. Stop at every waterfall, lookout, and beach that catches your eye.
Rainforest, reef, waterfalls, crater lakes, outback — experience dramatically different scenery each day.
The Great Tropical Drive routes are well-signposted with distinctive green-and-yellow touring signs.
Caravan parks, national park campgrounds, and free camping spots throughout every route.
Each route within the Great Tropical Drive network offers a distinct experience. Here's an overview of the main routes you can explore by campervan:
The Coastal Drive features the iconic Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, and the cable ferry across the Daintree River. The Waterfall Circuit is a highland paradise of cascading waterfalls, volcanic crater lakes, and cool-climate villages. The Savannah Way crosses from tropical coast to dry outback, passing the remarkable Undara Lava Tubes.
The Cassowary Coast takes you through some of the best birdwatching territory in Australia, with chances to spot the endangered southern cassowary. The Mulligan Highway offers a quieter, more adventurous route to Cooktown through historic goldfield country.
For a comprehensive experience, allow at least 10–14 days to cover the Coastal Drive, Waterfall Circuit, and Cassowary Coast. Adding the Savannah Way extends the trip to 3 weeks or more. The dry season (May–October) is best for all routes, though the Savannah Way is only fully accessible during the dry season.
Download the official Great Tropical Drive map and app before you leave Cairns. The routes are well-signposted, but having a digital map with points of interest helps you plan stops and find campgrounds along the way.
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