Queensland, Australia • Tropical North

Cairns to
Port Douglas
Travel Guide

Everything you need to plan the 67km journey north along one of Australia's most spectacular coastal highways. Compare all transport options for 2026.

67km
Distance
~70min
Drive time
$35+
Shuttle from
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★ Premium Featured Operator
Cairns Transfer Service
Port Douglas specialists • Est. 2014
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Cairns Airport to Port Douglas No stops, direct route Daily departures All group sizes Flight tracking 24/7 availability
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Cairns Transfer Service - Direct Shuttle to Port Douglas
Daily direct transfers from Cairns Airport and CBD to Port Douglas hotels. 11 departures per day, no stops, door-to-door service. Specialists on this route since 2014.
From AUD $56 pp return Direct - no stops Cairns Airport pickup
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How to Get from Cairns to Port Douglas

Five ways to make the 67km journey north. Compared honestly so you can choose what suits your group size, budget and travel style.

Shuttle bus Cairns to Port Douglas
Shuttle Bus
$35+

Shared coaches running daily from Cairns Airport and CBD direct to Port Douglas hotels. Most popular for solo travellers and couples.

AUD $35 to $55 pp75 to 90 min
Full guide →
 Private transfer Cairns Airport to Port Douglas
Private Transfer
$120+

Door-to-door private vehicles for families and groups. Airport meet-and-greet, no stops, direct to your Port Douglas resort.

From AUD $120 totalGroups of 4+
Full guide →
 Self-drive Captain Cook Highway Cairns to Port Douglas
Self-Drive
$50+/day

Hire a car at Cairns Airport and drive the legendary Captain Cook Highway. Stop at Rex Lookout, Ellis Beach and Palm Cove.

AUD $50+ per dayFull flexibility
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 Day tours from Cairns to Port Douglas reef
Day Tours
$85+

Visit Port Douglas on a guided day trip from Cairns, often combined with Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or Daintree Rainforest.

From AUD $85 ppFull day
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OptionCost (AUD)Travel TimeBest ForBook in Advance?
Shuttle Bus$35 to $55 pp75 to 90 minSolo, couplesRecommended
Private Transfer$120 to $180 total65 to 75 minFamilies, groups of 3+Essential
Self-Drive$50 to $90 per day60 to 75 minFlexible travellersRecommended
Taxi / Rideshare$90 to $140 total60 to 70 minLate arrivalsNot required
Day Tour$85 to $250 ppFull dayFirst-time visitorsEssential

All prices in AUD and approximate. Verify current pricing with operators before booking.

The journey itself

The Captain Cook Highway

The 67km drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia. Do not just transfer - make the drive itself part of your experience.

1
Palm Cove (25km)
Elegant beachside village with century-old melaleuca trees. Stop for coffee before heading north.
2
Ellis Beach (40km)
Last patrolled beach before Port Douglas. Beachside bar and great swimming in dry season.
3
Rex Lookout (50km)
The unmissable viewpoint. Panoramic Coral Sea views. Best photograph on the entire drive.
4
Port Douglas (67km)
Where the rainforest meets the reef. Four Mile Beach and world-class day trips await.
All Scenic Stops Guide →
🏞
"One of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world"
Lonely Planet, Australia
67km
Total distance
5+
Scenic stops
Once you arrive

Things to Do in Port Douglas

Port Douglas sits between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are the top experiences waiting for you after the 67km journey north from Cairns.

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling Port Douglas
Top Experience
Great Barrier Reef
50 to 60 min by boat. From AUD $150 pp. Snorkelling and diving included.
 Daintree Rainforest day trip from Port Douglas
UNESCO Heritage
Daintree Rainforest
World's oldest rainforest. 45 min north. River cruises and Mossman Gorge.
 Four Mile Beach Port Douglas
Town and Beach
Port Douglas Attractions
Four Mile Beach, Wildlife Habitat, Macrossan Street and Sunday Markets.
Explore All Activities →
Plan your trip

Everything You Need to Plan the Journey

From exact distances and costs to the best time of year to visit and every scenic stop along the Captain Cook Highway.

📍
Distance and Time
67km, around 70 min drive
 💵
Cost Guide
All options from AUD $35
 🌞
Best Time to Visit
Dry season May to October
 🏋
Scenic Stops
Rex Lookout, Ellis Beach and more
The route

Cairns to Port Douglas Route Map

67km north along the Captain Cook Highway, following the Coral Sea coastline. The drive takes approximately 60 to 75 minutes without stops.

From the travel blog

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Cairns vs Port Douglas comparison
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Cairns vs Port Douglas: Which Should You Stay In?

Both are world-class destinations but offer very different experiences. Here is the honest comparison to help you decide where to base yourself.

SM
Sarah Mitchell•14 Jan 2026
 Captain Cook Highway self-drive guide
Self-Drive
Captain Cook Highway: The Ultimate Drive Guide

Rex Lookout, Ellis Beach, Palm Cove and more. Everything you need to plan the perfect self-drive from Cairns to Port Douglas.

JH
James Hartley•3 Mar 2026
 Great Barrier Reef Port Douglas day trip
Reef
Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas: Day Trip Guide

The Outer Reef is just 50 to 60 minutes from Port Douglas Marina. Your complete guide to reef day trips, snorkelling and diving.

SM
Sarah Mitchell•15 Sep 2025
About the journey

Your Complete Cairns to Port Douglas Guide

Everything you need to know about the 67km journey between two of Queensland's most iconic destinations.

Shuttle bus from Cairns to Port Douglas
$35+
From per person
75min
Shuttle journey
Transport options

Getting from Cairns to Port Douglas: All Your Options

Travelling from Cairns to Port Douglas is one of the most straightforward regional journeys in Far North Queensland. The two destinations are connected by a single sealed road, the Captain Cook Highway, running 67km north through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Australia.

The shared shuttle bus is the most popular choice for solo travellers and couples, costing AUD $35 to $55 per person with daily services from Cairns Airport and CBD. For families and groups of three or more, a private transfer at AUD $120 to $160 for the whole vehicle often works out cheaper per head while delivering a faster, more comfortable door-to-door service.

For complete flexibility, hiring a car at Cairns Airport from around AUD $50 per day lets you stop at scenic lookouts, beaches and villages along the way. Guided day tours from Cairns also include the transfer as part of a reef or rainforest package, making them excellent value for first-time visitors.

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The scenic drive

The Captain Cook Highway: Australia's Most Scenic Coastal Drive

The Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas is consistently rated among the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. The 67km route begins in Cairns and travels north through the city's northern suburbs before emerging onto a clifftop highway above the Coral Sea.

Palm Cove at 25km is a refined beachside village with century-old melaleuca trees worth a coffee stop. Ellis Beach at 40km is the last patrolled swimming beach before Port Douglas with a beachside bar and excellent swimming in dry season.

The unmissable stop is Rex Lookout at 50km, where a roadside pullout gives sweeping panoramic views south along the Coral Sea. It is one of the most photographed spots on the Queensland coast and takes just 15 minutes. Beyond Rex Lookout, the highway descends toward the final approach into Port Douglas.

All Scenic Stops Guide →
Captain Cook Highway scenic coastal drive Cairns to Port Douglas
"One of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world"
Lonely Planet, Australia
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling Port Douglas day trip
★ UNESCO World Heritage
Why visit Port Douglas

Why Port Douglas is Worth the Journey from Cairns

Port Douglas is a small tropical town of around 3,500 residents that consistently punches well above its weight as a destination. Its appeal lies in a unique combination: a beautiful beach, an excellent main street, world-class reef access and a position between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Four Mile Beach is one of the finest stretches of sand in Far North Queensland. Wide, palm-fringed and largely uncrowded. The Great Barrier Reef is just 50 to 60 minutes by boat from Port Douglas Marina, making it the best departure point for reef day trips in all of Queensland. Port Douglas boats are smaller and less crowded than those from Cairns.

Just 45 minutes north, the ancient Daintree Rainforest at 180 million years old is the world's oldest surviving tropical rainforest. Mossman Gorge, just 20 minutes away, offers crystal-clear swimming holes and an outstanding Kuku Yalanji cultural walk. With so much within easy reach, Port Douglas is genuinely one of the most activity-rich small towns in Australia.

Explore Things To Do Port Douglas Guide
Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about travelling between Cairns and Port Douglas.

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Port Douglas is 67 kilometres north of Cairns via the Captain Cook Highway. The drive takes approximately 60 to 75 minutes without stops. With sightseeing breaks at Rex Lookout, Palm Cove or Ellis Beach, allow 2 to 3 hours.
Shared shuttle buses typically cost AUD $35 to $55 per person one way. Return fares are discounted when booked together. For groups of 3 or 4, a private transfer at AUD $120 to $160 total often works out cheaper per person than individual shuttle seats.
Yes. Several shuttle operators run daily transfers directly from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas hotels and resorts. Pre-booking is strongly recommended, particularly during peak season from June to September.
The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit. June to August offers the most reliably sunny weather and excellent reef conditions. May and October are ideal shoulder months with fewer crowds and slightly lower prices.
Yes. The Captain Cook Highway is a sealed road suitable for all standard vehicles. The 67km drive is one of Australia's most scenic coastal routes and takes around 60 to 75 minutes. No 4WD is needed. Hire cars are available at Cairns Airport from around AUD $50 per day.
Most reef professionals consider Port Douglas the better departure point. The Outer Reef is just 50 to 60 minutes by boat compared to 90 minutes from Cairns. Boats are smaller and less crowded, and the reef sites accessible from Port Douglas are generally in better condition with higher coral cover.

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