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In September 2025, the Global Ride editorial team arrived at Cairns International Airport in Queensland to cover the ride-and-run event, the Port Douglas Gran Fondo. Arriving just before 5 a.m. local time, we passed through the immigration gates to find the airport bustling with visitors from Japan, all eager to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed coral reefs and tropical rainforests. Jetstar’s direct flights, which allow passengers to sleep on the plane and arrive early in the morning, are especially popular. After landing, travelers can take a bus or rental car to their destination and enjoy a relaxed first day. With only a one-hour time difference, participants in sports events can easily adjust and start their activities stress-free.

After arriving at Cairns International Airport, our editorial team met up with Ayano and Yohei at the Port Douglas registration venue. Both based in Brisbane and running their own architecture firm, they are also avid cyclists who observe cities and nature from the saddle. We decided to leave the introductions of the event and local highlights to them.
In this Part 2, enjoy Ayano’s firsthand report on Cairns and her experience participating in the Port Douglas Gran Fondo for the first time.

Text_Mayumi Kamura / Global Ride

1. Two Routes to Port Douglas

Based in Brisbane, we arrived at Cairns International Airport early the morning before the event. From Cairns to Port Douglas is about 70 km. Initially, we considered cycling the route, but while there are some well-maintained pathways up to Palm Cove, beyond that it’s only highway, so we gave up on cycling. Although shuttle buses are available, we decided to rent a car at the airport to allow more flexibility for exploring during our stay.

There are two main routes from Cairns to Port Douglas: the Captain Cook Highway along the coast, which takes about an hour, and the Mulligan Highway inland through UNESCO World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest, which takes around two hours. Since we would be riding the Captain Cook Highway during the event, we chose the inland Mulligan Highway for this trip.

2. A Road Trip in Australia

One thing we really wanted to see around Cairns was the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which connects Cairns with Kuranda. Originally opened in 1891 as an industrial railway, it is now a state-heritage-listed line with a rich history. The railway passes through steep, tropical rainforest terrain, considered an extraordinary feat of civil engineering for its time, offering plenty of sights along the way. You can easily make a round trip from Cairns in a single day. Due to time constraints, we didn’t ride the train this time, but visited Kuranda Station and the Barron Gorge before heading to our next destination, Mareeba.

A road trip is one of the highlights of traveling in Australia. Traveling along the coast takes you through resort towns, while heading inland brings you to towns shaped by various industries. The first thing you notice in Mareeba is the coffee plantations. The surrounding area, known as the Tablelands, has fertile, well-drained volcanic soil and is said to produce about 85% of Australia’s domestic coffee. While Australia is famous worldwide for its coffee culture, most coffee consumed is imported, making locally grown beans quite rare. With coffee prices rising, there is growing interest in expanding domestic production, offering exciting prospects for the future.

For those interested in the town’s history, we recommend the Mareeba Heritage Museum. Historic buildings have been relocated to create a village-like open-air museum, where you can learn about early settlement life and the town’s industries. On weekends, the museum also hosts a lively market.

Incidentally, this place also serves as a tourist information center and marks the starting point of the Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail, which connects Mareeba and Atherton. At about 40 km one way, it’s perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay in Atherton. With a bike, you can enjoy the vast inland landscapes of Australia. Nearby, there’s also the Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park at the foot of Dinden National Park.

After making a few stops along the way, the sun started to set, so we hurried on to Port Douglas. During an Australian road trip, be sure to check out the occasional roadside farm stalls. You’ll find wonderful local products that you can’t get in supermarkets.

3. Accommodation in Port Douglas

Port Douglas, known as a luxury resort town, is famously expensive. For those looking for a more economical stay, caravan parks are recommended. They offer three types of accommodations: cabins with kitchens and beds, powered campsites, and unpowered campsites, each priced differently.

The biggest appeal of a caravan park is the chance to meet all kinds of people. There are young French travelers on working holidays staying long-term while working at nearby hotels, a British-Belgian couple traveling for a month to visit family in Australia, a retired German couple enjoying a road trip, and even a middle-aged man who came from Cairns to participate in the Gran Fondo. Everyone has different reasons for staying and different lengths of stay. The close proximity naturally sparks conversation, making it a great place to exchange tips on must-visit spots around Port Douglas and recommended cycling routes.

Some guests stay at the caravan park but enjoy their meals at nearby resort hotels. Listening to experienced travelers can be very insightful. Many caravan parks are conveniently located in town and well-equipped, making them a great choice even for first-time campers (you’ll need to bring your own tent and sleeping bag).

4. Port Douglas Gran Fondo

Unfortunately, the Port Douglas Gran Fondo, now in its fourth year, was held for the last time this year. Unlike a race, it’s an event open to a wide range of participants, offering 136 km and 100 km Gran Fondo routes, a 60 km Semi-Fondo, and a 48 km Medio Fondo. Normally, I ride a gravel bike as a hobby and this was my first time participating in a road bike event. Feeling a bit nervous, I signed up for the 100 km course. Since the advice was that maintaining an average speed of over 15 km/h would be fine, I decided to take it slow at the back of the pack. Despite concerns about bad weather the day before, the event started at 6:25 a.m. on September 14, just as dawn broke.

The highway, also known as the Great Barrier Reef Drive, is usually busy with cars, so having this coastal road all to ourselves on a bike felt incredibly luxurious. The route gently undulates as it alternates between views of the Coral Sea and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. At the top of each climb, you’re rewarded with stunning coastal scenery.

Aid stations are set up roughly every 20 km, allowing riders to rest while enjoying the changing scenery. We’re truly grateful to the volunteers who kindly cheer everyone on. The stations offer simple refreshments such as water, fruit, cakes, nut bars, and energy gels. We each brought five mini rice balls, which were perfect as a ride snack.

Besides the coastal roads, there are sections that pass through farm tracks, offering glimpses of quintessential Australian summer scenery that really move you.

After about six hours (five hours of riding), we reached the finish. Being near the back of the pack, there weren’t many people at the finish line, so we headed to a nearby market that was open. We took a break with an iced coffee in hand.

With fewer participants and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, this event was actually easier for beginners like us to ride. Surrounded by the rich nature around Port Douglas, we had the invaluable experience of completing our very first 100 km.

Text_Ayano Toki

Profile

Ayano Toki
Co-director of the Brisbane-based architectural firm Parafeeld. After moving to Australia, she began riding touring bikes. She is interested in exploring the relationship between cities and nature, as well as their history, through cycling, and occasionally goes on creek rides, rail trail rides, and bikepacking trips.

Post Date：2025.11.01