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Gillies Highway, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland
Photo: Kerry Raymond · CC BY 4.0 · cropped

Drives Queensland, Australia Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands and the Daintree

Gillies Highway

Gillies Highway, Gillies Range Road · Gordonvale → Atherton

Intense29 mi55 min4,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,700 ftOne way
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The drive

The Gillies Highway, also called Gillies Range Road and State Route 52, climbs from Gordonvale to Atherton: 47 km (29 mi) in this drive. It leaves the Bruce Highway at Gordonvale, follows the Mulgrave River to the foot of the range, and then winds up through Little Mulgrave National Park onto the Atherton Tableland.

The climb is the famous part. The road is known for 263 corners and 800 m of elevation change in only 19 km. On the Tableland it passes north of Lake Barrine and south of Tinaroo Dam, reaches Yungaburra, and runs west into Atherton. It is a popular tourist drive with several lookouts.

The road opened on 10 July 1926 as a single lane, with traffic running in alternating directions on a timetable. Cyclone and wet-season damage on the range is repaired in stages, so roadworks and delays are common.

Along the way

  1. Gordonvale
  2. Atherton
Elevation
4,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,700 ft
GordonvaleAtherton
Curves
Mostly moderate, with one twisty stretch
GordonvaleAtherton
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The climb is 263 corners in 19 km, so plan on a slow, steady pace and keep clear of the centerline.
  • Repairs after cyclones and wet-season storms can cause delays, so allow extra time.
  • Check QLDTraffic before you go: cyclone repairs and wet-season weather affect the range roads.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check QLDTraffic.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Gillies Highway take to drive?

Gordonvale to Atherton is 47 km (29 mi) and takes about 55 minutes.

How many corners does the Gillies Highway have?

The Gillies Range Road has 263 corners and an 800 m rise in 19 km of climb.

Are there roadworks on the Gillies Highway?

Often. Repairs to cyclone and storm damage on the range can mean delays, so check QLDTraffic before you go.

Which way does the Gillies Highway drive run?

It starts at Gordonvale near the Bruce Highway, climbs the range to the Atherton Tableland, and ends at Atherton.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

All 21 drives in Queensland, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Gillies Highway, from Gordonvale to Atherton