6 Day Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest Self Drive Holiday

Head to the Cairns City depot today to collect your chosen rental car, and continue your journey.

Choose a car to best suit your needs from our fantastic rental car range or ask our team for a suggestion. From compact economy to prestige SUVs. Speak to the team to learn more!
Please note, a one-way fee may apply

Smithfield is home to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Terminal and the drive is a quick 20 minute drive to the outskirts of the city, taking you from the coast to the edge of the rainforest.

Experience this scenic journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the 'village in the rainforest'. Your day begins in Cairns as you board the train for a morning departure. Travel through unsurpassed views of World Heritage-listed rainforest and waterfalls, including Stoney Creek Falls and the breathtaking Barron Gorge. You will wind your way through 15 tunnels and over 37 bridges on your journey before reaching Kuranda, where you will have several hours to explore the village. In the afternoon you will board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a journey up and over the rainforest canopy, back to the Skyrail terminal where you will be transported back to the Cairns railway station.

It's less than an hour to Port Douglas from Smithfield and this short drive offers countless opportunities to stop and admire the breathtaking views, walk along the beach or take a quick dip in the sea. We recommend arriving to Port Douglas before dusk so that you can take in the beautiful sunset over the water.

For your experience of a lifetime, Quicksilver’s wave-piercing catamaran and friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance.
Choose to dive, snorkel, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one meter underwater. Watch the fish feeding from Quicksilver’s unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory. Whichever way you choose, you’ll bring home a lifetime of memories from this living natural wonder.

25 minutes north of Port Douglas you will find the sugar cane town of Mossman, gateway to the world-renowned Mossman Gorge. Take a visit to the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre where you can join a guided cultural walk or explore at your own pace. From here you will continue driving north, pop out on the coast at Rocky Point and Wonga Beach, then head back inland towards the lush Daintree Rainforest. You will come to meet the Daintree River, home to an abundance of native wildlife and river cruise activities. A little further west and you will arrive in the region's original settlement, Daintree Village.

A visit to Mossman Gorge is a must-do for anyone travelling to the beautiful Far North Queensland region. The Mossman Gorge Centre is the gateway to the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest, as well as a unique link to the lives, cultures, and stories of Australia’s Indigenous people and their connection to the natural environment.

Begin your journey travelling south along the Captain Cook Highway (State Route 44). This highway is best taken at a leisurely pace, coming across beaches, waterfalls and incredible hiking trails. As you say goodbye to the Daintree, make your way towards the township of Mossman, for the chance to stop at the iconic Mossman Gorge, where you'll find a range of walking trails winding through pristine rainforest, suspension bridges and amazing swimming spots. From Mossman, continue south along the Captain Cook Highway, where you'll have the opportunity to detour off the highway to the seaside town of Port Douglas. 
Port Douglas has arrange of shops and restaurants along Macrossan Street, making it a great place to stop for lunch or Morning tea. If you're travelling on a Sunday, stop by the Market Park for the weekly Port Douglas Market held between 8:00 - 14:00 every Sunday, you're sure to pick up something interesting here.
Heading back onto Captain Cook highway, you may wish to stop at the Gatz Balancing Rocks for a unique opportunity to view the unusual rock art or perhaps pay a visit to the beautiful beach side town of Palm Cove, before arriving into the Tropical city of Cairns.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is one of the longest continually operating tourist attractions in Australia. The business began in 1934 as a roadhouse for weary motorists. Legend has it the original owner Pop Evans entertained motorists by feeding Charlie the crocodile, while scones cooked in the woodstove. Eight decades later, Hartley’s world-famous Crocodile Attack Show is as popular as ever with daily presentations that strike a perfect balance between entertainment and education.

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation before dawn and taken to the launch site to begin your adventure. Watch on as the balloon inflates and be amazed at its sheer size. Your guide will have you in the balloon ready for launch as the sun begins to rise, setting the scene for your breathtaking experience as you gaze out the views of the Atherton Tablelands and the Great Barrier Reef that greet you. As the flight is coming to an end, your pilot will slowly guide the balloon back to the landing point where the fun continues. Once you have landed, experience the pack down of the balloon and come together with the pilot and crew to share a toast with a glass of bubbly to celebrate your unforgettable experience.

Return your rental vehicle to Cairns City depot before continuing your onward journey.

Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights throughout Australia, we can customise your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!