Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Doug Ryan said the stretch of road, which forms part of the Captain Cook Highway, was recognised as the Great Barrier Reef Drive earlier this year. 

“Branding the 140km stretch should boost self-drive tourist numbers and create global awareness. 

“The drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation gives visitors to the region an experience that is rated as one of the best drives in Australia.”

“This is a popular drive for the 792.000 self0drive visitors to Tropical North Queensland each year.” 

The future strategy is to include entrance and welcome signs to be erected as part branding campaign with detailed tourist information at key lookout points.

"At the Rex and Alexandra Range lookout points we hope to provide more information for visitors on the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics area.”

The Great Barrier Reef Drive has been compared to other iconic routes such as the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and it is hoped it will achieve the same profile as this in the future. 

Mr Ryan said this would be of enormous benefit to Port Douglas, which has also recently seen work completed on its waterfront land with the regeneration of pristine parkland. 

“As part of the old waterfront development, a number of old buildings were removed, transforming this valuable waterfront area into a stunning open space, adjacent to St Mary's By the Sea. 

“It has already become popular for weddings and will be an excellent open space for some major events we have scheduled over the next 12 months.” 

For more information, please contact :

Doug Ryan

Executive Officer

Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree

Phone:  07 4099 4588 / 0417794875

Email:  eo@visitportdouglas.com

Web:  www.tpdd.com.au