The Australian Outback

Day trips from Port Douglas

Mossman rodeo Within easy reach from Port Douglas are some of the most exciting areas of Tropical North Queensland. Take a day tour or self drive and explore stunning outback scenery so close to the contrast of the coastal rainforest environment. You can get there via a scenic helicopter ride, or experience it on a real working cattle station or even suspended above it along a cableway.

Mossman and Whyanbeel Valley

Mossman stock muster Driving north of Port Douglas is the picturesque township of Mossman set amongst the cane fields and gateway to the Mossman Gorge. Explore the Whyanbeel Valley scenic route and you will find sugar cane farms, exotic fruit farms, nurseries, art galleries and cafes.

Only 30 minutes from Port Douglas this is where you can experience a taste of the real Australian outback on a working cattle station, framed by the Daintree Rainforest. Stepping into the world of the stockman, you can listen to old bush yarns while you watch an outback muster show and dine on a traditional Aussie BBQ.

Mount Molloy

Enroute to Mossman, a left turn takes you up the spectacular Rex Range through the rolling hills of Julatten and into Mount Molloy. Located 40 minutes from Port Douglas, Mount Molloy is the gateway west to the Atherton Tablelands and north to Cooktown and Cape York. It is a historic mining and timber town with a population of 276 named after Patrick Molloy, an early teamster for a stock route and the person who discovered the copper at what was to become Mount Molloy. Visit a working cattle station and of course a visit to the historic pub is not to be missed! If you want to stay amongst the bush scenery, the free camping spot next to Rifle Creek is a popular spot.

Bloomfield to Cooktown

Bloomfield Falls North from Cape Tribulation the rugged Bloomfield Track travels through Aboriginal lands of the community of Wujal Wujal to the Bloomfield River, another haven for crocodiles. This is some of the last untouched rainforest in the Wet Tropics. The Bloomfield Falls are magnificent especially during the summer months. This rugged section of road is only for the experienced four-wheel driver.

North of the Bloomfield River along the rugged 'four wheel drive only' Bloomfield Track, the road leads to Cooktown. For most of the year conventional vehicles can reach Cooktown via the inland Peninsula Development Road. Cooktown, named after explorer Captain James Cook, is steeped in history and genuine Australian character which is shown in the unique architecture. The James Cook Museum is well worth a visit, there's some good fishing in the area or just relax over a cold beer in an authentic outback pub.

Atherton Tablelands

The Atherton Tablelands is a scenic world of contrast and colour, from the lushest tropical rainforest to the edge of the outback with some of Australia's richest farming land in between. Take a scenic drive to the numerous waterfalls, lakes, giant curtain fig tree or the Wetlands.

West beyond the Tablelands the landscape is equally stunning. Eerie limestone outcrops are Chillagoe's dramatic backdrop. The small outback mining town is renowned for the mine that produces the marble used in Parliament House, Canberra. Further south a fascinating geological formation, the Undara lava tubes, reveal the region's volcanic past.

Kuranda

Several tours depart from Port Douglas to Kuranda each day and approximately 1 hour south you can browse the Kuranda markets, go hot air ballooning, white water rafting, explore the local museums and some of the historic Tablelands towns.

The Gulf Savannah offers travellers a remote, yet accessible, outback adventure, from vast cattle stations and Aboriginal communities, to outback towns and fishing lodges, while a wealth of bird and animal life adds colour and movement to the raw natural environment.