Scenic drive
Cairns to Port Douglas car rental
The short answer
The Captain Cook Highway from Cairns to Port Douglas is one of Australia's great short drives, with rainforest-covered hills on one side and the Coral Sea on the other. Rent a car in Cairns and take it slowly: it's an easy round trip or a relaxed base for the tropical north.
Last checked Oct 21, 2026By Brett Gould2 sources ↓
Distance67 km (42 mi)
Driving time1 h 15 minest., no stops
AllowDay trip+
Right carAny car
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Do I need an IDP?What's the deductible?How do I contact you?Sydney, Jan 4 – Jan 12, automatic, I'm 24Cairns, Dec 20 – Jan 3, an SUV, zero deductible
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The drive
- Cairns to Port Douglas is about 67 km on the Captain Cook Highway, about 1 hour 10 minutes without stops. It is sealed the whole way.
- The road hugs the coast north of Cairns, with beaches and lookouts along the way. Allow half a day if you plan to stop.
- Pick up (and return) in Cairns, so it's a simple round trip with no one-way fee.
Highlights along the way
- Palm Cove: a palm-lined beach village for coffee or a swim stop.
- Rex Lookout: the classic view back along the coast.
- Port Douglas and Four Mile Beach: the town is the base for reef trips from the marina.
- Mossman Gorge: rainforest walks a short drive past Port Douglas. Park at the visitor center and take the shuttle bus into the gorge.
Related questions
Road trip · QueenslandCan you drive to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation in a rental car?Yes. From Cairns it's est. 141 km (88 mi), about 2 h 30 min, on sealed roads all the way to Cape Tribulation, with a short cable-ferry crossing over the...One-way road tripBrisbane to Cairns one-way car rentalDriving Brisbane to Cairns is the great tropical run up the Queensland coast, roughly 1,680 km on the sealed Bruce Highway, past sugarcane country and...When to goWhen is the best time for a road trip in Australia?It depends on the region. Australia is large and its seasons are flipped from the northern hemisphere: summer is December to February, winter is June to August.Road safetyDriving with wildlife in Australia: what visitors should knowYes. With the rental company we book, hitting a kangaroo or other animal on a sealed road is covered like any other damage, at any hour you're allowed to...All travel guides
Quick answers
How long is the drive from Cairns to Port Douglas?
About 67 km, about 1 hour 10 minutes without stops. Most people take half a day with lookouts and a beach stop.
Do I need a 4WD for Port Douglas?
No. The Captain Cook Highway is sealed, so a small or mid-size automatic is perfect.
Where do I rent a car for Port Douglas?
Pick up in Cairns and return there. Set Cairns as pickup and return when you search.
Can I take a rental car on the Daintree River ferry?
Yes. You can take the Daintree River ferry and the sealed road to Cape Tribulation (damage while on the ferry isn't covered); the Bloomfield Track north of Cape Tribulation isn't allowed.
Sources
1Google MapsDistance and drive time, no stops, rounded to 15 minutes.maps · checked Oct 21, 2026
2Rental company termsRoads, ferries, one-way fees, night driving and kilometers, as shown on each booking.rental terms · checked Oct 21, 2026
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