Captain Cook Highway
44Cairns to Port Douglas · Queensland
Distance25.9mi · 42 km
Drive time52 minon the road
DifficultyModerate
CoastForest
Tropical coast road between rainforest and the reef.
North of Cairns the highway runs about 35km of coastline toward Port Douglas, winding past Ellis Beach, Wangetti and Rex Lookout with the Coral Sea on one side and rainforest ranges on the other. Signed State Route 44, it threads headlands and beach fringes through World Heritage scenery. Mind winding cliff sections, cassowaries crossing, and wet-season flooding.
Where it runs
CairnsStart · Queensland
Port DouglasEnd · Australia
Character
Corners80bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb140 mtotal ascent
Summit65 mhighest point · 213 ft
WinterSpring
Elevation
65 m rangeKnow before you go
- Winding cliff sections
- Cassowaries on road
- Wet-season flooding
Along the road
- viewpoint Rex Lookout
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Captain Cook Highway.
