Cairns 4WD Touring
Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its rugged and exotic mountainous rainforest laced landscape. Much of the countryside is undeveloped, providing vast tracts of land perfect for the outdoor adventurer to go camping, fishing, hunting, and enjoy other outdoor activities whilst on a four wheel drive adventure. There is so much more to see and do in the Cairns Mountains, rainforest and outback canyons and gorges.
The best way to visit these spots is by 4WD – either you're in your own vehicle or with a professionally guided day tour operator. There are hundreds of tracks to test your off-road driving skills, varying in length from a few kilometers to hundreds of kilometers. Just ensure you leave a spare copy of your intended travel plans with a friend or family member just in case you get lost or break down in the rugged mountains or the outback and also always ensure you carry safety gear and plenty of water for the four wheel drive journey. Oh and keep a good eye out for those bouncy kangaroos, wild boars and the odd wild bull as they can do some serious damage to your four wheel drive vehicle. And if possible carry a sattelite telephone just in case of emergency.
One of the most famous four wheel drive tracks is from Cairns to Cape York, covering more than 3000 kilometers. Getting there and back in a private 4WD takes at least 4 days, but you'll experience rugged 4WDing, secluded camping, remote beaches and fantastic fishing. Along the way, travelers pass through small towns such as Cooktown, Coen and Weipa where supplies can be topped up.
When traveling on a 4WD adventure, please leave as little impact on the environment as possible. Drive only on marked tracks, watch out for wildlife, and take all your rubbish back home with you. Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is a fragile ecosystem, so thrashing it to bits with your tough 4 wheel drive isn't in anyone's interest.
Organised four wheel drive rainforest and outback tours are also available from Cairns where trained drivers take you on an overland rainforest or outback cave tour for one day, or weeklong trips. The drivers, whom have extensive knowledge of the region, can find all the hidden and most scenic four wheel driving spots in the surrounding Cairns region.
Cairns Four Wheel Drive Day Tours
Daintree Rainforest – 4 WD Rainforest Day Tour
One of our most popular tours with European visitors - They love a real outback adventure!
Billy Tea Bush safaris offer visitors the real deal on an authentic off road rainforest and jungle experience to see the Australian Rainforest Mountains in a four wheel drive vehicle to explore the Daintree Rainforest.
Your luxury Daintree Rainforest tour will start early when you are picked up from your Cairns, Cairns Beaches or Port Douglas holiday accommodation.
This rainforest tour is probably the most requested day tour from Cairns purely for the luxury and highly unique four wheel drive vehicles that were purpose built to tackle the rainforest and outback trails of Far North Queensland. People simply love the look of them.
Guest enjoy the famous scenic coastal drive along the Great Barrier Reef Drive as your knowledgeable rainforest tour guide introduces you to the history of the early settlers of Far North Queensland.
Upon reaching the Daintree Rainforest we go all the way up the Bloomfield Track to Emmagen Creek away from the crowds on this unique rainforest day tour and swim in fresh mountain streams.
Journey thru World Heritage Wet Tropics landscape on the mountains of Cairns in Queensland Australia. Traverse down the steep mountainous trails into the remote wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest to see the rare plants and animal life that hide here.
In these quiet rainforest mountains you will see so many more Australian animals like the shy Platypus, Pretty Face and Agile Wallabies and maybe even spot the rare white Kangaroos that are known to frequent these ancient rainforest mountains. In the summer the four wheel drive trails can be a resting place for huge scrub pythons sunning themselves or an easy path for Goannas to make their way around the bush.
Your rainforest guide may even be kind enough to capture one for you to take some close up photographs of these wriggly reptiles.
Billy Tea Bush Safaris four wheel drive day tour takes you into the land of the giants where you will see the largest and most ancient rainforest trees and plants in the world not seen on other Cairns Rainforest tours.
You will four wheel drive over flowing rivers and enjoy swimming in fresh mountain streams, rivers and rock pools and enjoy your meals and refreshments in the great out doors and the clean mountain air.
Billy Tea Bush Safaris Four Wheel driving adventures are a multi award winning tour company for the tourist that wants to see the real and rugged World Heritage rainforests of Cairns.
To book, please click here
Cooktown and Cape York 4WD Tours
For those travellers seeking a true Australian 4WD adventure, the remote outpost of Cooktown and the journey north to Cape York - the very tip of the Australian continent - provide unrivalled natural beauty and wilderness to explore, in one of the most remote locations on Earth.
There are several tour operators that take tourists to Cooktown and onwards to Cape York, with a variety of tour lengths and inclusions to choose, from half a day tours for those short on time, to 2 week all-inclusive adventures that will take you through some of the most incredible natural places Far North Queensland has to offer.
Travelling north from Cairns, lucky 4WD tour enthusiasts will follow one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Cairns and Port Douglas - before entering the oldest continually surviving ecosystem on Earth, the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest.
Marvel at the incredible biodiversity of the Daintree Rainforest, swim in the gorgeous crystal clear waters of Mossman Gorge, embark on an Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk, sample traditional bush tucker (food) from the rainforest, all before starting the famous Bloomfield 4WD track that leads north to Cooktown.
In Cooktown you can learn the incredible history of this northern outpost, from ancient Aboriginal culture and the stranding of Captain Cook's Endeavour through to the gold rush and up to today. Wander around the museum, watch locals catch huge fish along the river, take in amazing views and check out the lighthouse at Grassy Hill Lookout, or join the locals for a cold drink and a game of bowls at the bowls club.
Travelling north from Cooktown you embark on one of Austalia's most challenging 4WD routes - the journey to 'the tip' - the northernmost point of the Australian continent. Crossing creeks, climbing mountains, passing over desert sands and dodging wildlife along the way, the track to the tip is full of wonder and surprises that keep even the most season locals coming back time and time again to experience the wonder of the North.
At Cape York you will stand at the most northern tip of the Australian continent, over 3400kms away from our most famous city Sydney, and just a stones throw from the beautiful tropical islands of the Torres Strait. Jump on a transfer boat to explore the islands, learn about the culture of the local peoples, enjoy incredible fishing or just kick back with a cold beer and enjoy the Far North Queensland experience.
The journey to the tip is one of rugged beauty, contrasting landscapes, remote wilderness, challenging 4WDing, warm nights under the stars, cold drinks with new friends, and collecting stories of adventure you'll remember for a life time.
Click the 'Tours' tab above to explore the various tour options available, or contact us here to discuss your Cooktown or Cape York adventure with an expert travel consultant.
Cairns Half Day Rainforest Tour AM/PM | DTA HD1/2
- Departs From: Cairns & Northern Beaches
- Duration:
6 hours (approx)
Join this half day 4WD adventure and see some of the most beautiful natural locations and outlooks around Cairns including Surprise Falls, Copperlode Dam, the mighty Barron Falls, Henry Ross Lookout and the Clohesy River Boardwalk, plus many more. Your eco tour guide will show you the wildlife and teach you about the flora and fauna and history of the region and its inhabitants. This really is a great action-packed half day, perfect for those short on time in Cairns.
Cooktown Tour | 1 Day Fly/Drive Tour | Cooktown | SCO
- Departs From: Cairns
- Duration:
12 to 14 hours (approx)
Are you a bit of a history buff or you really just want to sit back and be pampered but also taken on an adventure in luxury? Well this day tour will definitely suit all of you as we venture into the oldest rainforest in the world and make our way up the historic four wheel drive track to Cooktown. You will love this tur not only for the comfortable vehicle but for what you will see and what you will learn and of course the people you will meet. This is a highly recommended Cooktown one day tour you should not miss out on when visiting Cairns and Tropical North Queensland Australia
Daintree Rainforest Tours | Cape Tribulation | 4WD Bloomfield Track | BT
- Departs From: Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove, Cairns Beaches, Trinity Beach, Thala Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Clifton B
- Duration:
10.5 hours (approx)
Thinking about visiting Daintree and Cape Tribulation? If so you need to go with these guys as they are the experts in this region. Being one of the very first tour operators to discover the beauty of this now World Heritage rainforest they take you to places where no other tourists will be seen. Swim in a rainforest lagoon, eat amazing tropical fruits walk deserted beaches and see rainforest animals. Book now for a great day out in some true four wheel drive overland vehicles
Chillagoe Caves & Outback Cairns | BT
- Departs From: Cairns, Port Douglas (extra cost), Palm Cove & Cairns Beaches
- Duration:
12 hours (approx)
The Chillagoe Caves are known as the best caves in Australia and people come from the world over just to see them and spend time exploring them. Now you can see them also on our one day Chillagoe Cave tour that also showcases some of the other amazing sites in Cairns and Outback Queensland. This a day tour to suit everyone and you will return to your hotel exhausted but with a great appreciation of what we have here in Tropical North Queensland Australia
Daintree Rainforest Tour, Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge | DUT CTR
- Departs From:
- Duration:
Approx. pick up time: Cairns - 7:00am and Port Douglas - 8:15am.
Approx. return time: Cairns - 7:00pm and Port Douglas - 6:00pm
Take a walk thru Mossman Gorge with an indigenous rainforest guide who will welcome you one and all in the traditional Aboriginal way, he will share his life and the rainforest history with you as you walk thru this magical part of Tropical North Queensland. Take a boat cruise down the mighty Daintree River to spot ferocious crocodiles with names like Scar Face, Fat Albert or Lizzie, see a huge variety of birds and butteflies then take long walks on deserted beaches and walk up to scenic lookouts to take photographs. Enjoy a lovely lunch and see rare Australian rainforest animals in the wild
Cooktown, Daintree & Atherton Tablelands 4WD Tour | 3 Day / 2 Night | DTA CK1/CKS
- Departs From: Cairns City & Northern Beaches and/or Port Douglas
- Duration:
3 Days
Jump in a comfortable 4WD vehicle with your highly knowledgable and experienced guide for a 3 day adventure into the wilderness of Far North Queensland. See the rolling green hills of the Atherton Tablelands, the incredible diversity of life in the oldest rainforest on Earth and the stark contrast of the dry open savannah lands near Cooktown, plus much more.
15 Day Cape York Camping Drive Safari | NW
- Departs From: Cairns & Northern Beaches
- Duration:
15 days
The ultimate Far North Queensland 4WD touring experience. Spend over 2 weeks exploring rugged yet beautiful landscapes on your way to the northernmost point of the Australian continent - Cape York. Camp out under the stars, see ancient Aboriginal rock art, explore historic sights, tackle famous 4WD tracks, swim under waterfalls, catch a fish, feel red desert sand between your toes, explore Torres Strait islands and much much more. Click 'See Details' for a full tour itinerary.
Mungumby Lodge Cooktown
Located just south of Cooktown, Mungumby Lodge offers boutique private bungalows set amongst the gorgeous tropical rainforest. Experience world heritage rainforests, famous Aboriginal Rock art, hiking, bird watching or just enjoy the tranquility of no mobile coverage, no television, no WiFi, and enjoy the serenity.
Sovereign Resort Hotel Cooktown
The Sovereign Resort Hotel is located in the heart of Cooktown and offers comfortable hotel style accommodation and two Bedroom Apartments for families and groups travelling together. Set amongst tropical gardens with a large Lagoon Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Cafe and Bar the Sovereign Resort Hotel offers a great base to explore Cooktown and the Far North.
Seaview Motel Cooktown
Located on the banks of the Endeavour River, Seaview Motel holds the ultimate prime position in Cooktown and provides scenic outlooks for lucky guests that stay here. Choose from several 3-star room types from standard motel rooms to two bedroom townhouses. All rooms have AC, TVs, bar fridges and tea and coffee facilities. Come stay and play in the charming historical Cooktown, the last outpost of civilisation before the wild northern wilderness.
Milkwood Lodge Cooktown
Enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding rainforest from your own spacious patio at Milkwood Lodge. Each lovely pole cabin has its own kitchenette and guests are welcome to use the common BBQ facilities or cool off in the swimming pool. Only 2 minutes from Cooktown this is the perfect base to explore the town and surrounding natural landscape.