How Far is Cairns to Port Douglas?
Port Douglas is 67 kilometres north of Cairns city centre via the Captain Cook Highway. It is one of the most straightforward regional drives in Queensland - a single sealed highway the entire way with no tolls, no ferries and no complicated navigation. From Cairns Airport, which sits 6km north of the CBD, the distance to Port Douglas is approximately 61km.
Quick answer: Cairns to Port Douglas is 67km and takes 60 to 75 minutes by car without stops. Allow 2 to 3 hours if you want to stop at Rex Lookout, Ellis Beach and Palm Cove.
Cairns to Port Douglas by Road
The journey begins either from Cairns CBD or Cairns Airport - both accessible via the same highway heading north. The first 20km passes through Cairns northern suburbs. Around Palm Cove at 25km, the highway begins to hug the coastline.
From Ellis Beach northward the road climbs cliffsides above the Coral Sea in one of Australia's most celebrated coastal stretches. Rex Lookout at 50km is the highest point and offers sweeping panoramic views south along the Coral Sea. The final approach into Port Douglas descends gently through tropical vegetation.
Distance by Transport Type
| From | To | Distance | Drive Time | Shuttle Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns CBD | Port Douglas | 67km | 65 to 75 min | 75 to 90 min |
| Cairns Airport | Port Douglas | 61km | 60 to 70 min | 70 to 85 min |
| Palm Cove | Port Douglas | 42km | 45 to 55 min | 50 to 65 min |
| Port Douglas | Mossman Gorge | 18km | 20 to 25 min | N/A |
| Port Douglas | Cape Tribulation | 75km | 85 to 100 min | N/A |