Cairns rain is not like rain down south. In the wet season, roughly November to April, a clear morning can turn into a downpour in minutes, and roads that were dry at lunch can be under water by afternoon. Whether you live here or you're visiting on holiday, a few simple habits will get you where you're going safely.
Here's what we tell our guests and what our shuttle drivers do every day.
Turn your headlights on when it rains
When the rain comes in, switch your headlights on just like you would at night. It isn't only about seeing the road. It's about other drivers seeing you through the spray.
In Queensland it's also the law. You must have your headlights, tail lights and number plate light on in hazardous weather that reduces visibility, such as heavy rain. The penalty is a fine of about $170 and one demerit point, and fines go up each July (RACQ).
A few extra tips:
- Use your normal low beams, not high beams. High beams bounce off heavy rain and dazzle you and everyone else.
- Don't rely on daytime running lights. On many cars they don't switch on the tail lights, so you're invisible from behind.
- Only use fog lights when visibility is really poor, and switch them off when it clears.
Flash floods: if it's flooded, forget it
Flash flooding is common around Cairns in the wet. Creeks rise fast, causeways go under, and dips in the road fill with water in minutes. Driving into floodwater is the number one cause of flood-related deaths in Queensland (RACQ).
It takes less water than most people think. A small car can float in as little as 15 cm of water, and even a large 4WD can float in about 45 cm (UNSW). You also can't see whether the road underneath has washed away.
What to do:
- Never drive, walk or ride through floodwater, even if you've seen someone else do it.
- Turn around and find another way, or pull over somewhere high and safe and wait. Flash floods often drop within a few hours.
- Don't drive around "Road closed" signs or barriers.
- Be extra careful at night, when you can't judge how deep or fast the water is.
Take it slow at the Northern Beaches roundabouts
The Captain Cook Highway roundabouts heading to the Northern Beaches, including Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Smithfield, are some of the busiest in the region and can catch drivers out. In one example from May 2021, two separate crashes happened at the Holloways Beach and Machans Beach roundabouts just six minutes apart (Tropic Now).
Add rain to fast-moving highway traffic and the risk climbs. To stay safe:
- Slow down well before you reach the roundabout. Wet roads can take much longer to stop on.
- Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Pick your lane early and indicate when you're exiting.
- Watch for cyclists, trucks and tourist drivers who may be unsure of the road.
- Leave a bigger gap to the car in front so you're not caught by sudden braking.
Heading to the Northern Beaches from the airport? Our Cairns airport transfer guides cover every beach from Machans to Palm Cove.
More tips for driving in the rain
Stay off your phone. Wet roads need your full attention, and Queensland's phone and seatbelt cameras run 24 hours a day. Illegal phone use costs more than $1,200 and four demerit points, with double demerits for a repeat offence within a year (TMR). Set your maps and music before you leave.
Keep left. Travel in the left lane whenever you can and use the right lane only to overtake or turn. On multi-lane roads with a "keep left unless overtaking" sign, or a speed limit of 90 km/h or more, it's the law (RACQ). It keeps traffic flowing and cuts down on risky lane changes in the spray.
A few more that make a real difference:
- Slow down and double your following distance. Aim for at least a four-second gap in the wet.
- Watch for aquaplaning. If the steering suddenly feels light, ease off the accelerator and don't brake hard until the tyres grip again.
- Check your tyres and wipers before the wet. Worn tread and old wiper blades make heavy rain much harder to handle.
- Turn off cruise control in heavy rain so you stay in control of your speed.
- Watch for wildlife. Cassowaries, wallabies and other animals move around more after rain, especially north of Cairns and at dusk.
- If you can't see, pull over safely, put your hazard lights on and wait for the worst to pass.
Check before you go, or let us drive
Before heading out in heavy rain, check road closures and flooding. Call Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40 for current incidents and closures, or check the traffic and road conditions page on the TMR website.
If you'd rather not drive at all, The Guest Man shuttle can take you between Cairns Airport, the city, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas. Our local drivers know the roads in every season, so you can sit back and enjoy the view. Book online or call us on 0447 979 674.
Staying in Cairns this wet season? Have a look at our holiday stays, and read our guide to Cairns in the wet season.
Wet season driving FAQs
Do you have to turn your headlights on in the rain in Queensland?
Yes. You must use your headlights, tail lights and number plate light in hazardous weather that reduces visibility, such as heavy rain. The penalty is a fine of about $170 and one demerit point.
How much water does it take to float a car?
As little as 15 cm can float a small car, and about 45 cm can float a large 4WD. If a road is flooded, don't drive through it.
Do I have to keep left on Queensland roads?
On multi-lane roads with a "keep left unless overtaking" sign, or a speed limit of 90 km/h or more, you must keep left unless you're overtaking, turning right or the traffic is heavy.
How do I check if a road near Cairns is flooded or closed?
Call Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40 or check the traffic and road conditions page on the TMR website before you leave.