Cairns to Cooktown: Bloomfield Track or inland road
There are two ways to drive from Cairns to Cooktown. The inland road via Mareeba and the Mulligan Highway is fully sealed, about 331 km and 4 hours. The coastal route over the Bloomfield Track is about 234 km and 5 to 6 hours, but the section from Cape Tribulation is a 4WD road, and Hertz's rental terms prohibit it outright. If you are in a standard hire car, take the inland road.
Updated
Key facts
- Inland route
- About 331 km, about 4 hours, via Kuranda and Mareeba then the Mulligan Highway; described as fully sealed
- Coastal route
- About 234 km, 5 to 6 hours, via the Captain Cook Highway, the Daintree Ferry and the Bloomfield Track
- Bloomfield Track vehicle rule
- Douglas Shire Council calls it a 4WD route, only partially sealed, with very steep ranges and natural creek crossings, not suitable for trailers, campervans or caravans
- Length of the council road
- 26 km of unsealed, sealed and concrete sections between Cape Tribulation and Wujal Wujal
- After heavy rain
- The council says the road can become impassable and slippery after rain, and fines apply for driving past a ROAD CLOSED sign
- Hertz terms
- The Bloomfield Track is on Hertz's list of areas where no vehicle, including a 4WD, should be driven at any time
- Avis terms
- A passenger vehicle must not go north of Cape Tribulation on the Coast Road, or beyond Cooktown to the north, unless Avis authorises it in writing
- Fuel on the inland road
- Roadhouses at Mt Carbine and Lakeland; Lakeland's sells fuel
Cairns to Cooktown
About 331 km inland, about 234 km by the coastal route ยท About 4 hours inland, 5 to 6 hours coastal
Mareeba
The inland road goes through Mareeba, then north on the Mulligan Highway.
Mt Carbine
Roadhouse on the Mulligan Highway.
Lakeland
Roadhouse with fuel, takeaway and an air-conditioned restaurant.
Cape Tribulation
End of the sealed coastal road. The Bloomfield Track starts here. Only for a suitable 4WD that the rental agreement allows.
Wujal Wujal
The northern end of the Douglas Shire 4WD road.
- Cooktown
Can you drive the Bloomfield Track in a 2WD or hire car?
Douglas Shire Council, which manages the Cape Tribulation to Wujal Wujal road, lists it as a 4WD route. It says the road is only partially sealed, with very steep ranges and natural creek crossings, and that it is not suitable for towing trailers, campervans or caravans at any time. The 26 km road includes unsealed, sealed and concrete sections.
A 4WD route is the council's advice, and rental terms can be stricter again, as the section below shows.
Is the Bloomfield Track open today?
Douglas Shire Council publishes the live status of the Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road and lists flooding, slips, loss of traction, potholes and fallen trees among the hazards. It warns that the road can become impassable after heavy rain, so check the council's road conditions page on the day.
The road was closed after Tropical Cyclone Jasper and initial repairs reopened it on 22 June 2024. Ignoring a ROAD CLOSED sign can bring a fine from Queensland Police.
Cairns to Cooktown: which route should you take?
The inland route is the one for a standard hire car. From Cairns take the Kennedy Highway through Kuranda to Mareeba, then the Mulligan Highway north. It is fully sealed, about 331 km and about 4 hours, with roadhouses at Mt Carbine, the Palmer River and Lakeland Downs.
The coastal route is shorter on the map, about 234 km, but allow 5 to 6 hours. It runs up the Captain Cook Highway past Port Douglas, across the Daintree River by ferry, then over the Bloomfield Track. If you want the Daintree and Cape Tribulation without the track, drive there and back from Cairns, then take the inland road to Cooktown on another day.
What do hire car agreements say about the Bloomfield Track?
This varies by company and the answer must be in your rental agreement. For example, the Hertz Australia terms list the Bloomfield Track among the places where no vehicle should be driven at any time, and also single out driving on unsealed roads (except access roads to recognised camping or accommodation grounds). The Bloomfield Track clause applies to a 4WD too.
For example, the Avis Australia terms say a passenger vehicle or truck must not be taken beyond Cooktown to the north, or beyond Lakeland to the west, or further north than Cape Tribulation on the Coast Road, without Avis's written authorisation. They also say the Coast Road from Helenvale to Cape Tribulation, and from Laura to Lakeland, is for 4WD vehicles only. Check the agreement you are given before you go.
Do you need a 4WD to get to Cape York?
It depends on how far and which road. Cape York tourism operators say most vehicles can reach the tip on the Peninsula Developmental Road and Bamaga Road, but that it is hard going in a 2WD, and the side tracks need at least a 4WD. The Peninsula Developmental Road is not fully sealed: Queensland's transport department lists four more pave and seal projects scheduled through to 2029.
For a hire car, the rental terms usually decide it before the road does. Avis's terms stop passenger vehicles beyond Cooktown to the north unless it authorises otherwise in writing, and Hertz's prohibited roads list includes the Old Telegraph Track, the Weipa region north of Bramwell Junction Roadhouse and any area east of the Peninsula Developmental Road. Anyone planning Cape York needs a vehicle and written permission arranged specifically for it.
Where to pick up a hire car for Cooktown
Cairns Airport is the practical pickup for the inland road, since Cooktown is a 4 hour drive north on sealed highway. Ask the rental company whether a one-way drop-off at Cooktown is allowed at all; the safe plan is to return the car to Cairns.
Check road status on QLDTraffic for state roads such as the Mulligan Highway, and with Cook Shire Council for its local roads. Cook Shire restricts or closes roads during the wet season, so a summer trip north needs a check on the day.
Compare cars at Cairns Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
Do you need a 4WD for the Bloomfield Track?
Douglas Shire Council treats it as a 4WD route: partly sealed, very steep, with natural creek crossings and no towing of trailers, campervans or caravans. Some rental terms, such as Hertz's, prohibit it for every vehicle.
How far is Cairns to Cooktown by road?
About 331 km and 4 hours on the sealed inland road via Mareeba, or about 234 km and 5 to 6 hours on the coastal route including the Bloomfield Track.
Is the road from Cairns to Cooktown sealed?
Yes. The inland road via Kuranda, Mareeba and the Mulligan Highway is sealed all the way.
Is the Bloomfield Track open?
Douglas Shire Council shows the live status on its road conditions page. It can become impassable after heavy rain.
Can I take a hire car to Cooktown?
On the inland sealed road it may be allowed, but it depends on the agreement. For example, Avis's terms stop passenger vehicles beyond Cooktown to the north without written authorisation. Ask the rental company before you go.
Do you need a 4WD to get to Cape York?
Most vehicles reach the tip on the main roads, though it is hard going in a 2WD, and side tracks need a 4WD. Rental terms often restrict Cape York, so get permission in writing.