Three beautiful scenic drives in the area that will blow your mind
Adventure Time
Itching for a little adventure and looking for something different than the Great Barrier Reef Drive? Hop in the car and be amazed by the beauty of these scenic drives in the shire. There’s no better way to soak up the natural scenery.
The backroads of Miallo & Whyanbeel
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, you’ve just bought your delicious fresh goods at the Mossman Markets and you have no plans for the rest of the day.
Well, we’ve got the perfect suggestion for you: explore the backroads of beautiful Miallo and the Whyanbeel Valley where you’ll see a delightful mix of rolling green cattle country and areas bordered by lush tropical rainforest and the picturesque Mossman River.
There are two options here:
You can drive towards Silky Oaks lodge and stop along the way for a picnic on the side of the beautiful Mossman River surrounded by lush rainforest trees.
The second option is to continue following Syndicate Road.
You can turn left at Odonoghue Road to get to Creeks Edge Park - a beautiful campground and a true hidden gem along the edge of a winding freshwater creek.
If you continue to follow Syndicate Road it will lead you to the beautiful Whyanbeel Valley with its many acres of sugar-cane.
Whyanbeel is the local Aboriginal name for a canoe.
As you follow the meandering road past cane farms, picturesque creeks, tropical fruit farms and gardens you may catch a glimpse of the impressive High Falls cascading down the hillside above you.
Drive along Bamboo Creek Road on your way back to the main Mossman to Daintree road and you will pass a small memorial to a World War 2 bombing.
Shannonvale Road
The drive to Shannonvale Swimming Hole is absolutely beautiful and what makes it extra special; the road crosses through the creek.
And no, you don’t need a four wheel drive for this. Just make sure you don’t cross the creek after periods of heavy rain as flash flooding can occur.
When driving towards Mossman follow the signs to the Shannonvale Winery and keep following Shannonvale Road.
Journey through an ever-changing tropical landscape of waving cane-fields while being treated to the unlimited backdrop of the jungle-clad misty mountains of the Great Dividing Range.
Just a 5 min drive further you’ll find the Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery for a sneaky little wine tasting break.
Mowbray Valley
The scenery at Mowbray Valley is absolutely stunning and there’s nothing like exploring the quiet farm roads along the Mowbray River
Follow the Mowbray River Road and take a rejuvenating dip at Spring Creek.
Feeling refreshed and up for the real adventure?
You can follow the road a little further to Black Mountain Road for a more rough but scenic drive. You’ll likely need your four-wheel drive for this dirt track.
The 43km, mostly unsealed Black Mountain Road traverses both Kuranda and Mowbray national parks, as well as state forest and private land.
The road passes through native forest, pine plantations and farmland and crosses picturesque Flaggy Creek and its tributary, Sandy Creek.
Be aware that Black Mountain Road is closed during the wetter months and after periods of heavy rain.