Cairns to Cooktown

April 30 | May 10 | July 2 | Sept 4 |

After pick up, in Cairns, and transport up to Atherton, we’ll set up our bikes and get out for a ride in our environs. There’s a lovely mix of gravel and bitumen close by, that leads through the centre of the mountainbike park, which will be ideal for our afternoon orientation ride.

May 1 | May 11 | July 3 | Sept 5 |

Today we head out by bike, kicking off our Tour of Far North Queensland. We’ll take the road north out of Atherton, as we start a clockwise lap of Lake Tinaroo. Exiting town we’ll be riding on gravel road straight away, noting that 50% of this loop is on unmade roads. Our path leads us past Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, en route to Yungaburra. We’ll be stopping for coffee, and a picnic at some stage, while a stop at the Yungaburra Hotel is a hard thing to pass up, on the final leg. Transport home is available from here. Today’s ride will take us past The Cathedral Fig Tree, and a volcanic crater. Once home, if the weather is conducive, we can have a dip in the pool before dinner. Don’t forget to pack your beach cossie. Tonight we’ll be off to Malanda for dinner at the local, and a movie in the ‘Majestic’ theatre.

May 2 | May 12 | July 4 | Sept 6 |

We’ll transport out of Atherton, all the way to the coast, just before the crossing for the Daintree River. Here we’ll mount up and ride into Cape Tribulation. Passing through stretches of untouched rainforest (apart from the road, of course), through national park to Cape Tribulation, and our beach side accommodation, complete with inhouse restaurant. The Daintree Rainforest is a region on the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, north of Mossman and Cairns. At around 1,200 square kilometres, the Daintree is a part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent.

May 3 | May 13 | July 5 | Sept 7 |

After breakfast we’ll head north towards Bloomfield. Before long we’ll take the road inland that has a steep kicker in it, to take us up to the top of the range. We’ll continue along, past Roaring Meg Falls to China Bush Camp, and our destination for a traditional ‘Welcome to Country’. We’ll also have a guided rainforest walk, followed by afternoon tea, accompanied with jam and fresh damper. Return to Cape Tribulation afterwards in the support vehicle.

May 4 | May 14 | July 6 | Sept 8 |

The big push north. After breakfast we’ll point our wheels north, as we ride the coastal road towards Cooktown. This is a relatively new road, built in the 1980’s, and is set in a stunning location, as it winds its way through the largest piece of tropical rainforest in Australia. One of our significant stops for the day will be the ‘Lions Den Hotel’ where you are most welcome to enjoy a beer, as there is a sign here stating ‘Its un-Australian to ride past a country pub’ and this one is most deserving of at least a short stop. Our destination is a further 30k of (mainly bitumen) beyond the Lions Den, so you are most welcome to enjoy the Lion’s Den to the max, and catch a lift the rest of the road into Cooktown.

May 5 | May 15| July 7 | Sept 9 |

There’s plenty of options in Cooktown today, so make the most of it. At the very least, the lighthouse atop Grassy Hill is must see, as this is where Cook stood and planned their exit route through the reef, beyond the Endeavour River, after completing repairs to the Endeavour’s hull, back in 1770. It has also hosted the finish of many Croc Trophy stages, over the years.

Endeavour River from Grassy Hill, Cooktown. Image Credit: Tourism & events Queensland.

The James Cook museum is full of history, and is worth a couple of hours, as are the Botanic Gardens. For a ride, it’s 45k out to Isabella Falls, and 90k if you ride home again, but there’s always the support vehicle to soften the return journey.

May 6 | May 16 | July 8 | Sept 10 |

After breakfast, it's time to pack up and head for Cairns. If you are really, really keen, you can make use of an early start, jump on your bike and head off towards Lakeland Downs. It’s 80k with under 700m of vertical, and 100% bitumen. We’ll need to sweep you before 11am, so as to get back to Cairns early afternoon. Our official drop off point is Cairns railway station. Please let us know if you need to be dropped off elsewhere. Included in your tour is all transport from Cairns to Cairns for you, your bike and one bag, accommodation, all breakfasts and all dinners. You will also receive a full 5 piece Topbike kit. Also included are your experienced and knowledgeable guides, maps, training tips, coaching (if required) and mechanical back-up for your bike. Please also see our recommended list of things to bring (bring a couple of warm pieces of clothing, just in case). NB: The itinerary above is to be used as a guide only, as Topbike Tours are well known for making use of all (and creating some extra) opportunities, expect that variations from the above can happen at any time. Please note all distances are approximate and subject to change.