Captain Cook Highway and Beyond

More often than not, I have too little time to travel in this country. I miss that!

This recent trip however, hubby insisted that we go somewhere exotic in Australia. So we booked tickets to Cairns for one week. Cairns is situated in tropical Far North Queensland. 

The following morning, we drove on the amazing Captain Cook Highway to the picturesque town of Port Douglas.

Captain Cook Highway is a breathtakingly beautiful road, and on purpose I drove so that hubby and son could look at the views!! It is said that this 75km highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.

One side is the rugged coast, and the other side the tropical, lush rainforest.

Tip: you definitely want to drive this road in the day time so that you get those incredible views. The road is narrow and very windy in parts and would be quite scary and challenging to do at night!

Port Douglas is famous in particular for the Four Mile beach. After breakfast, we walked to the northern section of Four Mile Beach and started our way upwards on the lovely Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail.

It is only 1 1/2 kms long and not too difficult but it offers such gorgeous views of the Four Mile and Daintree Rainforest beyond.

There is even a viewing platform that literally hovers over the sea. Perfect place for photo shots

Port Douglas Viewing PlatformView of Four Mile Beach

Once we got to the top, we were rewarded with such magnificent views.

It's a view that pretty much summed up our North Queensland travels in the past week - mountains, rain forests and long stretches of practically untouched coastline.

To get back down, you can either walk back on the same trail or walk along the road… of course we took the gorgeous trail down back to Four Mile Beach

Trail Down to Four Mile BeachTrail Down to Four Mile Beach

We were still feeling energetic and started walking southward on the beautiful Four Mile Beach. It is wide and long and quite empty for the most part.

The side of the beach is lined with coconut palms trees so I guess you need to watch out for falling coconuts… OUCH!!

In total, we must of walked over 8 kms. So we rested our weary legs on the beach, lying on hired sunbeds and shaded by sun umbrellas. BLISS! 

Four Mile BeachFour Mile Beach

Since we travelled in the beginning of October, we were able to swim in the ocean.

However, from November until around May (the summer months), the ocean is full of deadly box jelly fish, which are considered the most venomous animal in the world.

Within minutes of being stung, you die (OMG!!).

Another hazard of this area are the salt water crocodiles, also very unfriendly and deadly to us human beings! (YIKES!!). So it is advised to swim only in a small area of the beach that is netted against jelly fish and watched closely for crocs!!! 

We swam in the allotted area and  enjoyed the sparkling, clean water!

We survived

Rock pools - Four Mile BeachRock Pools

It is worthwhile noting that at the northern end of Four Mile Beach is an area that is densely populated with rocks. As the tide splashes over the smooth boulders, it creates little rock pools, perfect for children to play and explore. The larger rocks can be used to sun-bathe on

Another fun activity offered at Four Mile beach are the daily one hour Yoga Classes. They start at 08.00 am and cost $20 a class. My daughter would have loved that! 

North and south of Port Douglas are endless beaches to choose from and most of them are deserted. We often had beaches all to ourselves!!!  Below are a few pictures of beaches not far from Port Douglas which were empty of tourists and so grand in their virgin beauty.

Beach in Port Douglas
North Queensland

I am now back home but seriously pining for these beaches….  Take me back there.

Exquisite Coasts Says: Thank you for sharing your beautiful home country with us Jeanette!

P.S. Jeanette is originally from Australia and now calls Israel home... when she isn't travelling the world that is.

Click here to share in the beautiful destinations she explores on her blog.

For your daily dose of ExquisiteCoasts: 

You might like these

  • Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

    Discover the Real Ireland. Come to Cork

    Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

  • When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

    Connemara, Ireland : soft beds, hard country

    When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

  • We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

    Killarney: the jewel in the Ring of Kerry

    We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

  • We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

    Around the Beara Peninsula

    We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

  • Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

    Ireland West Coast Essentials & Secrets - From Cork to Donegal

    Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

  • In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

    Westport: Ireland's Little Secret

    In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

  • Sligo is a festival city, a party city, a music city, a drinking city, and very much a coastal city. One walks in sea air along narrow streets, over bridges, past colorful Georgian facades.

    Sligo Ireland - The Land of Heart’s Desire.

    Sligo is a festival city, a party city, a music city, a drinking city, and very much a coastal city. One walks in sea air along narrow streets, over bridges, past colorful Georgian facades.

  • The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others? Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

    The 8 Best Beaches in the World

    The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others? Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

  • Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

    4 Top Quality Hotels in Ireland

    Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

  • Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

    4 Bucket List Islands

    Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

  • Years back, I struck up a chat with an Irish chap, and asked where might I go. He thought for a second and said, Dingle, Ireland's best kept secret . A woman at the table over perked up, said, Dingle? What about Dingle?

    Dingle, Ireland: it's not the wind that will blow you away

    Years back, I struck up a chat with an Irish chap, and asked where might I go. He thought for a second and said, Dingle, Ireland's best kept secret . A woman at the table over perked up, said, Dingle? What about Dingle?

  • First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

    Sampling the South: a 3-stop Tour of County Cork

    First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

  • The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

    The 5 Best Beaches in Ireland

    The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

  • When you picture paradise, what do you see? It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

    Achill Island: Paradise at the Edge

    When you picture paradise, what do you see? It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

  • Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

    The 5 Most Spectacular Coastal Drives in the World

    Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

  • Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

    The 4 Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in the World

    Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

  • Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

    Galway City - The Warm Heart & Soul of the Wild Atlantic Way

    Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

  • There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays

    Before The Quest 4 The Perfect Beach Begins

    There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.