Cairns to Mt Mulligan Lodge Drive Itinerary

Begin your journey early from Cairns, heading north-west on the Kennedy Highway. The scenic drive climbs the Macalister Range into the cooler air of the Atherton Tablelands, winding through the rainforest. Explore Kuranda, a small village in the rainforest, just 40 minutes from Cairns. Spend some time exploring the Kuranda markets (open daily), filled with arts and crafts, making it the perfect morning tea stop. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for cassowaries.

A short drive from Kuranda leads to the Barron Falls Lookout, a favourite waterfall in Tropical North Queensland.

Follow the wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through rainforest to the viewing platform that looks out over Barron Gorge.

Barron Falls is located around a 40-minute drive north-west from Cairns and can be reached via the Kuranda Range, which begins from the suburb of Smithfield. Turn left off the Kennedy Highway onto Fallon Road towards Kuranda. At the roundabout, take the first left on to Fallon Road then turn right onto Barron Falls Rd.

Before you turn off toward Mt Mulligan Lodge, stop for some lunch or a coffee at Skybury Café & Roastery, located in the heart of Australia’s coffee growing region, Mareeba, where 80% of all Australian coffee is grown. Learn more about Skybury here.

Now it’s time to head for Mt Mulligan Lodge through the heart of the Atherton Tablelands. As you leave Mareeba and head toward Dimbulah, don’t forget to WhatsApp message us on +61 476 803 698 so we can calculate your estimated time of arrival to Mt Mulligan Lodge.

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Due to its isolated location, Mt Mulligan Lodge has no mobile phone reception. We ask that you download WhatsApp prior to your journey. When you’re driving through Dimbulah, please WhatsApp the lodge on +61 476 803 698. You will lose mobile phone reception when you hit the unsealed road. Our check-in time is 2pm (please arrive after this time).

If you’re after another unique Australian experience before or after your Mt Mulligan Lodge stay, a road trip to Chillagoe is one of the most rewarding outback adventures in Queensland, offering a mix of natural wonders, history, and culture.

Just a two hour drive from Mount Mulligan, this Queensland road trip takes you through scenic savannah landscapes before arriving at the town’s famous self-guided limestone caves, where you can explore dramatic stalactites, hidden chambers, and underground passages. Discover ancient rock art sites that share the stories of the Traditional Owners, and visit the historic Chillagoe Smelters, once a bustling hub of the region’s mining industry.

Don’t miss the Ramparts section, where towering limestone formations create a striking backdrop for photography and exploration. Perfect for travellers seeking unique road trip destinations in Queensland, Chillagoe blends history, culture, and breathtaking scenery into an unforgettable journey.