It was time to start heading north so we left Cairns and drove to Palm Cove for morning tea and a quick look around. The area was pretty but very “touristy” – we enjoyed a coffee opposite the beach and then continued on towards Lakeland our next stop.

The drive up the coast was beautiful and so we stopped a couple of times to put up the drone and take some pictures of the amazing coastline where the rainforest meets the ocean

The view from Rex Lookout was spectacular and the clear sunny day provided a great opportunity for some lovely photos.

We continued up past sugar cane farms and then turned inland driving up the mountain range towards Mount Molloy. The road was steep and very windy but lined with rainforest it proved an interesting drive.

At Mt Carbine we stopped to grab some awesome homemade pies at the roadhouse for lunch.

Continuing on to Lakeland the landscape changed from rainforest to wooded savannah and dry creek beds after we crossed the mountain range.

A willy-willy crossed the road at one point….

Arriving at Lakeland before sundown, we put on a roast pork for a communal dinner and sat around discussing the next leg of our journey – Cape York. There were a few families who arrived back in to the caravan park having just driven the Cape so the guys were able to get some very helpful tips and updates on road conditions and places to see and stay….should be an awesome adventure!!