Getting Here

Mulligan Highway

Cairns to Cooktown

By Road - Inland Route, a 4 hour drive to Cooktown north of Cairns. Distance approximately 331 km.

Take Highway 1, the Kennedy Highway from Cairns through scenic Kuranda to Mareeba. Officially opened in March 2006, the fully sealed inland route then follows the Mulligan Highway north from Mareeba.
Several lookouts along the way offer expansive vistas of lush valleys and sparsely vegetated hillsides.
Roadhouses along the way are located at Mt Carbine, Palmer River and Lakeland Downs. Keep an eye out for wildilfe and livestock along the roadsides as some sections are unfenced.

Or take the scenic Captain Cook coastal route to Port Douglas then Highway 44 via Julatten to join the Mulligan Highway at Mount Molloy to continue to Cooktown - a similar time as the route via Mareeba.

See up to date road conditions information on the Mulligan Highway - updated daily on Twitter from Mount Carbine

Bloomfield river

From Cairns follow the Captain Cook Highway past Port Douglas, Mossman and on to Cape Tribulation - a stunning coastal drive. The road is sealed from Cape Tribulation to the Daintree ferry which operates 06.00 a.m-12.00 p.m. 7 days/week.
The famous Bloomfield Track then takes travellers on an amazing journey hugging the scenic Daintree Coast, through the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal and villages of Ayton, Rossville and rural Helenvale to Cooktown.
4WD is essential beyond Emmagen Creek (a popular picnic stop) just north of Cape Tribulation where there are some steep descents through the Donavan and Cowie ranges, and several creek crossings which can be deep. This route often closes during the wet season.

Latest general Road Conditions Information

Self driving from the South?

The Great Tropical Drive has a network of fabulous driving routes throughout North Queensland.

The Matilda Highway is a popular route for grey nomads coming from the south and west

The Overlanders Way is another option when driving from the West or up from Townsville

Self driving from the West?

The Savannah Way links Broome to North Queensland with adventurous self drive routes.

The RACQ website has detailed road condition reports, but as conditions change quickly local advice is always the most up-to-date.

Check with the Bureau of Meteorolgy website for latest weather conditions north of Cairns.

Hire Vehicles

In Cooktown car hire is available from the Sovereign Hotel who offer Toyota Rav4, Tarago or Prado and Milkwood Lodge offers a choice of 4wds.

4WD vehicles, standard cars and campers are available from Cairns and major centres. If you are planning to go on unsealed roads, make sure you are covered by the appropriate insurance.

Alternatively join an organised tour from Cairns, Port Douglas or further afield.

Hinterland Aviation Hangar

By Air

Hinterland Aviation flies to Cooktown from Cairns three times a day every day except Sunday  departing from Hangar 7 on Tom McDonald Drive in the General Aviation precinct. Charter flights are also available. The 35 minute flight provides spectacular views over the rainforest and reef.

Baggage allowance is 20 kg.

A shuttle service is available between Cooktown and Cooktown airport. Pre-book on 07 4069 5446.

Full details for all Cook Shire airports and airstrips at Cooktown, Coen, Laura and Lakeland available here

Full information for private charter flights to Cooktown airport is available here

Travel by coach to Cooktown

By Bus

Country Road Coachlines operates a regular service between Cairns and Cooktown, via both the coastal and inland routes.  Buses depart Cairns from Pier 16. Schedules are subject to change so always book in advance. The booking centre in Cooktown is in The Travel Centre on Charlotte Street.

Coral Princess cruise ship

By Sea

Many people on private vessels sail in to Cooktown enjoying a few days, a couple of weeks or several months!

Several Cruise Ships include Cooktown on their itineraries including Coral Princess Cruises, Sun Princess, Rhapsody of the Seas and Saga Ruby. And once a year Quicksilver departs Port Douglas on the Queen's Birthday June long weekend, bringing visitors to Cooktown for the Re-enactment of Cook’s 1770 landing.

On Foot

Believe it or not, there are intrepid travellers who walk to Cooktown from Cairns, usually raising money for charity. Or, for a real challenge, hike or ride the Bicentennial Nature Trail from Healesville, Victoria to Cooktown.

Organised Tours

A choice of Organised Tours, Scenic Flights and Tag-Along Tours operates to Cooktown.

See our Tours section for details.

Adventure North Australia offers tours to Cooktown from Cairns and Port Douglas up to 4 times weekly.

Australia Pacific Lodges operates tours 7 days a week from Cairns to Cooktown, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Atherton Tablelands

Beyond Cooktown

Road

4WD is recommended for most Cape York Peninsula roads beyond Lakeland and Cooktown.

Air

Skytrans flies from Cairns to Bamaga, Lockhart River, Coen,

Regional Pacific fly from Cairns to Bamaga

Qantas Link - flies from Cairns to Weipa and Horn Island

Sea

Seaswift Cargo offers a passenger service to or from Cairns to Seisia, Cape York Peninsula

Cultural Respect

When travelling in Cape York please respect that you are travelling through land owned and occupied by Indigenous people and take care to consider their guidelines for entering their country. The Welcome To Country guide provides a starting point for travelling in Indigenous Land in Australia.

Quarantine

Cape York and the Torres Strait are Australia's gateway to New Guinea and Indonesia and are major potential gateway for Pests and Diseases entering Australia. Please remember to be aware of this when it comes to bringing home items with you from the Cape. There is a washdown bay in Lakeland Downs so please make use of this service when you are returning from you trip up the Cape. The Quarantine Protects guide offers more information on the pests and diseases you might encounter when in Far North Queensland and Cape York.

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