My 10 Day Cairns Van Trip As A Digital Nomad

My Tropical North Queensland Road Trip | Working, Travelling & Van Living!

Hey there! I’m Annemarie, and if you’re into living life on the road... I’ve got some stories for you! I’ve been travelling as a digital nomad for years, and my 10-day Cairns road trip was packed with ups, downs and literally breathtaking natural wonders. I have plenty of tips from my experience of van life in this beautiful part of Australia, as well as some local Cairns secrets for your own road trip (I 100% recommend this incredible corner of the world!).

But first, a little about me...

I grew up in Germany, came to Australia at 18, and what was supposed to be a seven-month stay turned into seven years! Most of that time was spent working in tourism, but for the last five years, I’ve been travelling the world, calling places like Egypt and South Africa home. I recently returned to Australia, and it's like I'm falling in love with this country all over again.

I have living this digital nomad lifestyle for years now. It’s a special lifestyle, and it’s not for everyone, but I do think it’s for everyone to try if you can. Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone to discover new parts of ourselves and our surroundings, you know?! It’s not always easy, but I can assure you that it will be one crazy journey with lots of amazing adventures to remember for life.

But enough about me - let’s get into the good stuff: Cairns, van life, and all the beautiful places waiting to be explored!

Stop 1: Atherton Tablelands | Waterfalls, Tranquility & Psytrance!

What I saw

The Atherton Tablelands was a major highlight of my trip. This area is full of lush greenery, waterfalls, gorges, creeks, and lakes, and it’s so easy to explore by van. I spent time at Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls, Eliinjaa Falls, Babinda Boulders, and Lake Eacham; all incredibly picturesque and worth every moment.

I used this handy guide to do the self-drive waterfall circuit if you're planning you're next Atherton Tableland adventure!

Millaa Millaa Falls, while renowned as the must-see waterfall, is absolutely NOT overrated. So wild and beautiful!

My top tip for finding hidden gems on the fly

When I travel, I don’t plan much in advance. I love opening Google Maps and just seeing what’s nearby, letting the journey surprise me. I never have any expectations, which makes the random discoveries all the more exciting. One day, I even stumbled upon a Psytrance festival near one of the waterfalls in the Tablelands! Totally unplanned, but exactly the kind of thing that happens when you let the road take you where it wants.

Where I stayed

I spent a night at the free campsite at Babinda Boulders with my little van. I was basic but great; there were toilets, water, and cold showers. The only downside? No signal, so I didn't do any work that evening. But honestly, it was the perfect place for a peaceful night’s sleep after a day of exploring waterfalls and an ideal opportunity to disconnect.

This beautiful swimming spot was literally minutes from my free overnight van spot!

Stop 2: Port Douglas & the Daintree | Great Barrier Reef Diving, Scenic Drives & Beach Days

What I saw

After the Tablelands, I headed up to Port Douglas, which was a great little stop before continuing north to Cape Tribulation. I love diving, so I booked myself onto the Poseidon day trip, which takes you to three different reef locations. Being underwater at the Great Barrier Reef never gets old, and it was one of the best dive days I’ve had. The food and crew were so lovely, and it was an unforgettable day out.

On the way north, the drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is something else. Easily the most scenic drive I’ve done in Queensland, with views that’ll leave you speechless. I stopped in Palm Cove for a little beach time and just soaked in the vibe before continuing on.

How I find free and cheap campsites with the van

I relied a lot on the CamperMate app for finding good camping spots. It’s seriously a lifesaver when it comes to figuring out where to stay, what amenities are available, and sometimes even the cost. One of my favorite finds through the app was Wonga Beach, a campsite not far from the Daintree ferry. It’s right on the beach, and they’ve got everything you need, including great WiFi, so I managed to get a bit of work done there, too.

Stop 3: Cape Tribulation | Snorkelling, Ice Cream & More Beach

What I did

Overall, one of the highlights of my time at Cape Tribulation was the Ocean Safari day trip. Even after diving in other parts of the reef, this experience was something else. Snorkelling in the untouched parts of the reef here felt so special. I couldn’t get enough of the incredible underwater world, and the beaches around Cape Trib were absolutely stunning. It’s a day I’ll remember for a long time.

The guys at The Travel Shop Cairns Tours booked my Ocean Safari trip, and it couldn't have been a better match!

Cape Tribulation has a certain magic to it. Taking the Daintree ferry was like stepping into another world, where the Daintree Rainforest (the oldest in the world!) meets the Great Barrier Reef. I spent a good amount of time just wandering through Madja Boardwalk, a raised path that lets you walk above the mangroves and explore Noah and Oliver Creek. It was such a peaceful place, and I felt totally immersed in nature.

And if you’re into beaches, Myall Beach is a must-see. It’s seriously one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. On the way back, I treated myself to some unique flavours at the Daintree Ice Cream Company—they do exotic ice creams, and it was a perfect way to end the day.

$8.50 for 5 scoops of decadent, locally-made ice-cream... yes please!

Where I stayed

I stayed at Safari Lodge, a super cute campground right behind the Turtle Rock Café. The bathrooms were nice and clean, and the common area was such a great spot to chill out. Plus, there’s a pool—perfect for a dip after a hot day. It was only $22 a night for an unpowered site, which I thought was a steal, especially since they had reliable WiFi. I ended up working from their common area for a couple of days.

Stop 4: Cairns | Bungy Jumping & Van-cooked Meals

What I did (and didn't) do

After all that exploring, I finally circled back to Cairns. While I didn’t spend much time in the city itself as I felt like a bit of R&R, there’s plenty to do if you’re craving a social vibe. Cairns has loads of nightlife, restaurants, and cafés, and the lagoon is a great spot to chill and swim. There’s also a cool night market if you want to pick up some souvenirs or just enjoy the atmosphere.

But what I really wanted was a bit more adventure, so I booked myself a bungy jump (eek!). I’d done skydiving before, but there’s something about bungy jumping that just hit differently. I went for the roof jump combo, where you sprint off the roof for a free-fall experience that felt like I was flying. It was a huge adrenaline rush, and honestly just SO FUN. A definite highlight of my solo travels so far!!

Stop 5: Mission Beach | Skydiving, River Rafting & My Crazy Side

What I did

The adrenaline definitely kicked up a notch at Mission Beach. This is where "crazy Anne" really came out. I did both the 15,000ft skydive and Tully River rafting on consecutive days, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

The skydive was absolutely incredible. You get this surreal view from the plane as you prepare to jump, and then the 60-second freefall hits... it's like nothing else. And once the parachute opens, you're gliding over breathtaking reef and rainforest scenery, landing right on the beach at Mission Beach's sandy beach! UNREAL.

Then came the rafting, and Tully River didn’t disappoint. The rafting crew brought so much energy, and the vibe was electric as we tackled the rapids. The views along the river were just as spectacular: lush, green landscapes all the way down. It was pure adventure, surrounded by nature's beauty.

Where I stayed (vanlife cheat treat)

After all that action, I decided to take a break from van life and stayed at Jackaroo Treehouse, a super cute hostel just outside of Mission Beach. They had newly renovated amenities, a pool, a café, and lush views over the rainforest and sea. Plus, the WiFi was great, so I managed to get some work done while chilling in one of the many cozy spots around the place. Perfect balance of adventure and relaxation!

My Final Thoughts on Van Life In Tropical North Queensland 

It’s safe to say I’ve completely fallen for tropical north Queensland (again). I could’ve easily spent another 10 days (or more) exploring this amazing region, and still not seen everything. There’s just so much variety: epic hikes, hidden waterfalls, serene lakes, and of course, the incredible Great Barrier Reef.

One of the best things about this area is how flexible it is, whether you're travelling on a tight budget or ready to indulge in a few luxuries. You can go from camping for free near a waterfall to diving on the reef or staying at a quirky campground right in the rainforest, especially with the flexibility of a van.

As a digital nomad, balancing work and travel here was easier than I expected. There are plenty of spots with solid WiFi, so you can spend the morning rafting or hiking, and the afternoon catching up on emails. However, some of the more beautiful campsites in the remote spots had no signal at all, so just be prepared to not be reachable sometimes. That said, the freedom to work anywhere makes it worth it. There’s nothing like wrapping up a day’s work and stepping out of your van for a swim amongst dense rainforest.

For me, tropical north Queensland has become more than just a travel spot... it’s a place where work, adventure, and life on the road can coexist. Balancing work with exploring wasn't always easy, but it was totally worth it. Whether I was diving into the reef or finding a quiet spot to catch up on emails, every moment felt like it had its own rhythm. This region will always be one of those places I look forward to returning to, and I really can't recommend a van road trip more if you want to see it for yourself!

Follow @annemariesjourney to see more of her adventures, and don't forget to give @eastcoasttours a follow to get exclusive specials so you can road trip through paradise too!

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