When you travel across Australia, there will be no doubt you’ll come across many beautiful sites and beaches. If you are road-tripping around it can be easy to simply pass some by and never know they existed. So if you’re driving through from Cairns to the Daintree, I urge you to stop and stretch your legs at the Mount Alexandra Lookout. 

Mount Alexandra is known as Walu Wugirriga by the local indigenous tribes. The name translates as “Look about” and the name couldn’t possibly be any more suited for this area. 

Its believed that Mount Alexandra got her non-indigenous name from Princess Alexandra, a Princess who married King Edward VII in 1863. Those with a keen eye will be able to see that there are many other spots in the area whose non-indigenous names will reference the Danish Princess.

While I visited I was fortunate enough to go when it was quiet and could enjoy the space to myself. It was just my tour group and another couple. Unfortunately for me, that couple had a drone and flew it right in the middle of the view. The photo I took at Mount Alexandra became one of my favourites for the entire trip.

Later that week when it became my tablet background I was concerned by a small black mark. At first, I mistook it to be an issue with the screen. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the drone in the centre of my view. Feel free to spot the drone in the header image. Although Lightroom is so clever nowadays it could easily be removed, I still think of that drone whenever I think back to here.

Going on a tour involves a lot of stopping and starting. Sometimes you stop for a while, and sometimes it’s only for a few minutes. Mount Alexandra is the perfect place for that, there’s something about a beautiful view in the middle of nowhere that keeps bringing me back.

A lot of experiences one after the other can be overwhelming. But my mind often goes to the moment just after we took the group photo. Leaning on that fence looking at the river stretch wind through the rainforest and out to sea. It’s easy to see the appeal of ditching city life and moving to the country.

The area doesn’t feel like it was a place that would be crowded with tourists every single day. You won’t find a lot to bring attention to this landmark. There’s simply a small car park with a sign attached to a fenced-off area to give some background information and highlight the view.

I loved this, it really feels that they tried to disturb the area as little as possible. By keeping it simple it really lets the view speak for itself. The lookout is just a ten-minute drive from the Daintree River crossing on your way to Cape Tribulation.

Mount Alexandra Lookout is an essential stop for any tour of Australia. I really can’t think of a reason why you wouldn’t. Not only does it have to be one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t cost a penny to visit. If you are driving across Australia there will be many times you pull over to stretch your legs, so why don’t you make one of your stops have a fantastic view?