Hi,

We are planning to drive around Cairns/Port Douglas.I would like to know how easy is it to drive around.We are not very experienced drivers but are used to driving on the left side (as in Cairns/PD).But how are the road conditions?How narrow are the roads? What is the speed limit?How bad is the traffic?Sorry for so many questions...

Also is it possible to obtain driving maps before we leave or is it only available to collect them once we land in Cairns?

Thanks.

Its a very easy area to drive compared with capital cities and traffic is normally light- suggest you look at www.racq.com.au (offical AAA website) - then go to travel. This site also gives maps and trip planners, but you will be supplied with a map when you pick up your rental, assume this will be in Cairns.

Road from Cairns to PD - (mostly 2 lanes each way, a bit only 1 but with overtaking areas here and there) - will notice roundabouts instead of traffic lights at major intersections. Just give way to traffic already on roundabout - it will be to your right, and indicate on your exit. Gets a bit bendy between Ellis Beach and south of Port Douglas, take it easy here, its one of the most spectacular coastal drives in Australia and you get loads of slow driving tourists and sometimes impatient locals.

Road between Cairns, Port Douglas and right up to Cape Tribulation is sealed, after Cape Tribulation you need 4WD. Speed limit is 100km per hr on highways unless otherwise indicated, and unless there's a sign saying otherwise, 50km per hr on suburban streets.

Not sure where you are from but you will find driving up north fairly easy - Cairns is a big country town and Port Douglas has one main street. Road from Cairns to PD is absolutely gorgeous - rainforest one side - water the other. If you go out on the Atherton Tablelands or up into the Daintree the roads are narrower but depending on the time of the year - the traffic will be minimal - observe the road signs and don't try and speed especially if you are unsure of the road conditions - stock or wildlife may be on the side of the road. Have a great time - it is one of my favourite parts of the world. We survived driving in LA and that was pretty traumatic

As long as driving on the left does not bother you I cannot think of many easier places in the world to drive.

It's easy. Just say to yourselves when you get in the car--LEFT!!!!! Then check to remind yourself where the turn signal is so you don't advertise yourself as a tourist by driving around with the windshield wipers going! Oh, and review before you go to go LEFT in a roundabout.
Sally in Seattle

Very easy, having a rental means that you can get down to many of the smaller places too, the beaches north of Cairns, and Cairns is very easy to navigate around.
Here's a very old tip: If you are not used to driving on the left cut out an arrow from card and stick it somethere within eyesight but that does not obstruct any view, it keeps as a reminder 'Left !!'
I can't remember if there are any 'one ways' in Cairns but in driving around the world on 'different sides' the only time I have ever made an error was coming out from a 'one way system'.

I drove from Cairns to Port Douglas (and back). No problem. Roads are super. Just watch out for the roundabouts. That's when you'll REALLY need to focus. I say this not to freak you out, just so you'll remember,

We had done some driving in the outskirts of Sydney before arriving in Cairns, but not much so we were still novices when it came to driving on the left. We had no problems. The roundabouts are the tickiest - keep reminding yourself on those "danger comes from the right" so you know to look that direction for oncoming traffic as you go to the left around it. Traffic wasn't bad and the road between Carins and Port Douglas was easy. The trickiest part of that for the driver is that the scenary is so beautiful and you want to see it, but have to keep your eyes on the road. It's a wonderful part of the world - enjoy!