Travelling in 2024 Gulf country, then to Innot Springs then to Cairns. (van 23ft) what is the best road to Cairns from Innot Springs as the GPS shows 2 ways.
Travelling in 2024 Gulf country, then to Innot Springs then to Cairns. (van 23ft) what is the best road to Cairns from Innot Springs as the GPS shows 2 ways.
Cheers
Hi Darian, When you say that the GPS shows two ways, I assume that these two options are via Gordonvale (Gillies Range) and Mareeba-Kuranda (Kuranda Range)?
Both are nice drives but there are more towns and sights to see on the Kuranda option, with Herberton, Atherton, Tolga abd Mareeba among the towns on that route. A side trip to Irvinebank is worthwhile, with nice free camp opposite pub!
On the other route you have Milla Milla, Tarzali,Peeramon etc before the Gillies Range, which can be "challenging" in an unsuitably set up vehicle as it's steeper and has more tight corners than does the Kuranda Range. Beautiful scenery too. You'll come out at Gordonvale, a few kilometres South of Cairns.
My vehicle (car and van) weighs 6800kg and I had no trouble on the Gillies, but keeping speeds low on the downhill sections is important or you could find yourself out of brakes!
On the other hand, the Kuranda Range, by comparison, is a walk in the park, and you'll pass through Gordonvale anyway as you head South from Cairns.
Depending on your vehicle and level of experience, the Kuranda Range is the easier option. Good luck and safe travels. Cheers
Hi Fmc.
You have another 2 options as well. Heading North from Mareeba takes you down the range through Mt Molloy. This takes in Mossman and Port Douglas but is an hour longer.
You can also go through Milla Milla on the Palmerston Highway which comes out at Innesfail.
Both these roads are easier roads to go up/down the range, but not as direct as Kuranda and Gillies Ranges.
Inline with Yobar's thoughts, the Gillies range is the worst option.
In October last year we came across the Savanah Way from Normanton to Cairnes our destination was Gordonvale where we were going to camp on a mates property for a few weeks. We intended using the Gillies Hwy as it goes through Gordonvale but we were advised by locals in Herbiton where we had stayed a couple of days that with our 20ft van the Palmerston Hwy would probably be a safer option. We took the advice and went via the Palmerston Hwy to Innesfail then back up the Bruce Hwy to Gordonvale and it was a pretty easy drive. While stayiing in Gordonvale we took a run up to Yongaburra which sits at the top of the Gillies personally after that experience I'm glad that we did not take the van on that road. On the way back we counted over 100 hairpin bends not to mention how steep it was. Come that way and you probably wont be enjoying much of the scenery you will be too busy concentrating on the road. Having said that there are people who take their vans up and down that road but comparing it to the Palmerston I know which one I prefer in terms stress management. While you are on the Tablelands Herbeton is nice little town with one of the best historic villages I've seen also Yungaburra is well worth a visit especially the Rememberance Gardens overlooking the lake which apparently was built by the family of a servicemen who was killed in Afghanistan now it commemorates all those who were lost in that conflict.
