Length:

88 km

Termini:

Northern: Mulligan Hwy (SR81), Mount Molloy

Southern: Kennedy Hwy (NR1) and Cairns Western Arterial Rd (SR91), Yorkeys Knob

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Yorkeys Knob, Smithfield, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach, Wangetti, Oak Beach, Mowbray, Craiglie, Port Douglas, Killaloe, Cassowary, Shannonvale, Julatten and Mount Molloy

Current: 44

Multiplexed with:

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

20A (Yorkeys Knob to Shannonvale)

653 (Shannonvale to Mount Malloy)

General Information:

State Route 44 in Queensland's far north is a route connecting Port Douglas with Cairns, as well as forming part of the link between Port Douglas and Mareeba. The highway travels along the coast of tropical seaside rainforest heading towards Port Douglas and Daintree. 20 km of the route hugs the shoreline providing spectacular ocean views.

Great Barrier Reef Tourist Drive, for 56 km between Smithfield and Shannonvale ²

1930s: The Cook Highway gazetted as Cook State Highway No. 11. ²

1931: Construction begins on the Cairns-Port Douglas Road. This started near Double Island (Buchans Point) using day labour, with many men being recruited from the unemployed. ²

June 1932: A contract had been let for six miles of road starting at the Port Douglas end. Five bridges with a total length of 285 feet were constructed or were in the process of construction, between the end of the contract and Cairns. ²

17 December 1933: The Cook Highway was officially opened at Hartleys Creek by the then Minister for Public Works, the Honorable H.I. Bruce. However, the cost of the road's construction had been high and, as it was to be used extensively by tourist traffic, arrangements were made for the institution of a toll. The proceeds from the toll were to go towards the cost of road's maintenance. ²

1938: Bitumen surfacing commenced at the Cairns end and, except for a short length at Craiglie, was fully sealed to to Shannonvale and onto Mossman by the end of 1940. ²

1940: Cairns Shire was replaced by Mulgrave Shire and work was undertaken on what was to be the Kennedy Highway. ²

1945: Soon after the end of World War II, the last remaining unsealed section of the highway was sealed at Craiglie. ²

1946: The toll was abolished, having raised a gross revenue of $12 755 during 12 years. ²

1959: Mowbray River Bridge was re-decked. ²

1964: The Cook Highway was renumbered as Highway No. 20. ²

1966: Replacement of the timber bridge over Hartleys Creek and Saltwater Creek. ²

1970s: Widening of the route between Barron Falls and Shannonvale. ²

1971: Replacement of the timber bridge over Deep Creek. ²

2011: Safety upgrade between Palm Cove and Craiglie, which included remarking lanes, upgrading safety barriers and adding reflectors to pavements. ³

February 2012: Completion of drainage and widening works along Captain Cook Hwy between Mowbray and Craiglie. ⁴

Yorkeys Knob to Mount Molloy

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at Killaloe, with the junction of Captain Cook Hwy (Great Barrier Reef Tourist Drive) and Tollentini Rd (unnumbered), March 2013. SR44 turns left at this location and becomes Mossman-Mount Molloy Rd.

Image © Terry Siva

Mount Molloy to Yorkeys Knob

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Shannonvale, May 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Shannonvale, May 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Endeavour Rd in Clifton Beach, January 2014.

Image © Terry Siva