From Cairns via Innisfail

Approximately 4 hours driving time.

From Cairns head south along the Bruce Highway to Innisfail where you turn right onto the the Palmerston Highway, named after bushman Christie Palmerston. You can obtain maps from the Innisfail Tourism Information Centre before you leave and everything is very well signed. This scenic rainforest drive takes you up to the Atherton Tablelands. Along the way, visit the many lookouts, waterfalls and picnic spots. Stop at the Nerada Tea Plantation, Australia’s most successful tea plantation set in lovely country around the Palmerston National Park.

Dairy farms dominate the Millaa Millaa region and there are some beautiful waterfalls, cool streams and rock pools. Follow the Waterfall Circuit to visit Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Elinjaa Falls. Nearby are the towns of Malanda, Yungaburra and Atherton, offering many scenic drives, walking tracks and attractions. Continue from Millaa Milla along the Palmerston Hwy, and on to the Kennedy Hwy following the signs for Ravenshoe for approximately 26km.

Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland and has been an important centre in the timber industry. Today a new industry is stirring things up – you can check this out by visiting the Wind Farm.

After Ravenshoe head further west to Innot Hot Springs – 32 kilometres.

Innot Hot Springs is a natural mineral springs located between Ravenshoe and Mt Garnet on the Kennedy Highway. The hot springs of Nettle Creek have long been established as rejuvenating and healing. Throughout the sandy creek bed bubbles hot water and many locals and visitors come here to sit in the shallows of the creek and enjoy the healthy properties of the hot springs.

Next door is the spas and pools of the Hot Springs Village. There are seven pools to enjoy all at different temperatures. The water of the springs gets up to 75 degrees Celsius. Go to www.innothotspringspark.com

The next town along the journey is Mount Garnet. After driving 53 kilometres out of Mount Garnet there is a sign that says Undara Lava Lodge is another 45 kilometres.

After you go through the Forty Mile Scrub National Park you will see a sign to Undara. Turn here and head towards Mount Surprise. The turn-off to Undara is 18 kilometres along this road. Turn left and travel towards the Undara Lava Lodge. This road is fully sealed. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!

See more self-drive itineraries on our Undara Maps page.