From Cairns via Kuranda

Approximately 4 hours driving time.

Take the turn off at Smithfield, 15 minutes north of Cairns, and climb the scenic Kennedy Highway up the Kuranda Range, stopping off at the popular lookout to survey the patchwork of fields and cane farms beneath.

At the rainforest village of Kuranda, browse in the funky Kuranda Markets, visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or see a cassowary at Birdworld Australia, before continuing west to Mareeba, centre of the market gardening area.

Have a ‘Driver Reviver’ break at the Mareeba Coffee Works, or continue for some 30kms to stop off at the unique Fascinating Facets and the Crystal Caves in Atherton.

From here the highway continues to Herberton, a picturesque village in the highlands where you can visit the historical museum and walk through the homes of the tin miners who found their fortunes here centuries ago. Follow the signs to Ravenshoe where the Wind Farm heralds the town’s entrance.

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.

Travel along a sealed road for 14kms, through the Whitewater Cattle station to Undara Experience.  PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!

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