160km

Round trip from Cairns (2h45m)

WHERE TO STAY

Spoil yourself at the Thala Beach nature reserve resort, near Port Douglas. Rooms start at $275 a night.

WHAT TO DRIVE

A Mazda MX-5 would be ideal, to better feel that tropical air on your bonce. Its nimbleness and rear-drive balance will also make short work of the many hairpins.