self tour daintree

• The Daintree Rainforest
• Mossman Gorge
• Things to Do
• Tourist Info
• Climate & Weather
• Daintree River Ferry
• Self Drive Guide
• Plants & Wildlife

• Great Barrier Reef
• Daintree River Cruises
• Horse Rides
• Guided Walks

DRIVING TO THE DAINTREE

It is around a thirty-minute drive north of Port Douglas to Mossman, a pleasant little town set amongst the lush cane fields. Mossman Gorge is a must stop for all trips heading up to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The highway leaves the coast at Wonga Beach for a 15-kilometre drive through the forests of the Dagmar Ranges, and then into Daintree Village.

Public transport is limited throughout the Daintree region, so visitors not having their own transport should consider hiring a vehicle from one of the many car-hire companies in Cairns or Port Douglas.

The Daintree Ferry provides access into the Cape Tribulation area. This is accessible by conventional vehicles except during periods of heavy rain. The road is sealed as far as Cape Tribulation. Crossing the Daintree River via a vehicular ferry is an experience not to be missed. This ferry operates from 6am to midnight each day.

After crossing the Daintree Ferry you travel through lowland and tropical rainforest passing road junctions for Cape Kimberley and Cow Bay.

There are some excellent coastal views and several tourist attractions. The road runs over several high capes and alongside attractive beaches. Camping spots and accommodation are available. A small general store is located at Cow Bay. Limited fuel access is available.

Vehicle users can be assured that a 4WD is not required to drive through the Daintree Rainforest, however the Bloomfield Track which begins at the northern side of the rainforest, is suitable only for 4WDs.

The Bloomfield Track links Cape Tribulation and The Bloomfield River. It is a true 4WD Track as there is very little gravel on parts of the surface, unimproved creek crossings, steep climbs and decents, lots of mud and plenty of opportunity to get stuck if it is wet. The actual condition of the road varies enormously, and it can be anything from an easy drive, to almost or completely impassable.

Precautions Please drive safely and carefully while in the area. If you wish to stop, pull over and park safely, not on the road. Sometimes it is safer to walk back to the attraction. 

It is safe to drive at night, providing you obey the speed limits and keep a sharp lookout for wildlife. Wildlife is usually only killed by speeding drivers. Please respect private property while in the area. 

During heavy rain, water does run over the road. Please be careful and check the depth before crossing. The water usually recedes quite quickly once the rain has stopped.

SELF DRIVE ITINERARY

This self drive itinerary offers a handy guideline to base your day of exploring Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.

Depart Cairns 7:30am and Port Douglas at 8:30am approx.

Mossman Gorge 9:00am approx From Cairns, travel north for 80km along the Cook Highway to Mossman. In the centre of Mossman turn left into Johnston Road. This 5km bitumen road leads directly to the Mossman Gorge car park. Crystal clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River gorge. There are two circuit tracks. A short, 400m track provides access to lookouts over the Mossman River. Beyond this is a 2.7km loop track through the rainforest. 

Daintree River Cruise 10:00am approx There are many river tours operating frequently throughout the day, some offering a short crocodile and wildlife spotting experiences while other interpretive cruises cater for special interest groups such as birdwatchers, naturalists and photographers. Bookings not required.

Lunch at Cape Tribulation 1:00pm approx Whet is a popular cafe for lunch in Cape Tribulation.  This cafe and bar is a great venue for the busy explorer, a lunchtime salad and sandwich buffet is on offer, as well as a lunch and snack menu for those with a little more time to relax.  

Cape Tribulation Beach 2:30pm approx This is the showcase beach of the area. Protected by the Cape Tribulation headland, the water here is almost always calm and crystal clear. Take the boardwalk up the headland to the view point that provides magnificent views of where the Rainforest meets the Reef.

Daintree Icecream Company 4:00pm approx Don't miss stopping at The Icecream Company on your journey home, it is a must for any daytrip to Cape Tribulation! All the ice creams are made on the premises from tropical fruits grown in the company’s own orchards such as Black Sapote, Soursop, Wattle Seed and Jackfruit. The ice cream is primarily sold as a fixed sample pack - four flavours in a rather large cup for $5. Pretty good value, really!

Return to Port Douglas 5:30pm and Cairns at 6:30pm approx

CAIRNS TO PORT DOUGLAS

The Captain Cook Highway is Cairns’ coastal corridor; and one of the most spectacular ocean drives in Australia.

This scenic ribbon road winds its way along beautiful unspoiled coastline that is set against a spectacular backdrop of lush rainforest mountains.

The beaches of Cairns stretch some 26 kilometres along the coastline and are known at the Northern Beaches. Consisting of eight separate communities: Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach; each of these has its own distinctive character and flavour.

After 30-40 minutes you will pass through Wangetti and reach Rex Lookout, one of the most spectacular sights on the highway. Not only can you enjoy wonderful views over the ocean, but the area is very popular for hang gliding and other aerial sports. It’s a great spot to relax and watch them soaring on coastal thermals.

Just 5 minutes further is Turtle Cove and past here is Oak Beach a quiet, natural and unspoilt 2 kilometre beach.

Thala Beach Lodge is located on the northernmost headland of a 2km stretch of untouched coastline, and Port Douglas is just 10minutes further.

Port Douglas is nestled at the end of a peninsula, the tranquil waters of a natural harbour on one side of the village embrace a lively marina. Along the other side of the peninsula stretches the breathtaking sandy sweep of beautiful Four Mile Beach.

PORT DOUGLAS TO MOSSMAN

Port Douglas spolis the traveller with 5-star to budget accommodation, art galleries, markets and award-winning dining experiences second to none.

The Port Douglas Sunday Markets are a popular haunt for tourists and locals alike. Here you'll find original arts and crafts, jewellery, pottery, tropical clothing, fruit and vegetables, glassware, books, homemade foods, unique Australian goods, souvenirs and more.

The markets are also a chance to meet the locals, including the artists, street theatre performers and buskers.

Flagstaff Hill is the best place to capture the striking views of the town and its superb Four Mile Beach.

The journey to Mossman takes you through green canefields with  rainforest clad mountains as the backdrop.

Mossman, is a picturesque little township nestled at the foot of the mountains.

The region's sugar capital the Mossman Central Mill throbs and hums its way through the sugar cane crushing season (June – October). Explore the country stores and historic pubs along the wide tree-lined main street.

Five minutes west of Mossman you will discover Mossman Gorge, a very accessible and scenic section of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.

Mossman is located 75 km from Cairns and 20 km from Port Douglas.

MOSSMAN TO DAINTREE VILLAGE

Journey through an ever-changing tropical landscape, a patchwork of white sandy palm-fringed beaches, waving cane-fields and jungle clad misty mountains.

Further on is the turnoff to beautiful Whyanbeel Valley, home of Diane Cilento’s famous open-air playhouse. Diane puts on a number of world-class productions every year.

From Rocky Point a vista opens up of the northern rainforested ranges towards Cape Tribulation. Shortly you pass through rich beef-cattle pastures and soon reach the turnoff to idyllic Wonga Beach, miles of unspoilt sands with no major development - just a tropical beachfront caravan park.

Next in view are a commercial fish farm, beach horse rides, wildlife sanctuary and tropical gardens, then the turnoff to the Daintree ferry and Cape Tribulation. But to reach tiny historic Daintree Village drive straight ahead – here the road winds through the rainforest and soon you catch your first glimpse of the awesome Daintree River, with it’s prehistoric inhabitants the salt-water crocodiles.

The final stretch into Daintree Village winds through undulating farmland and luxuriant tropical vegetation with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Daintree was originally a settlement for timber-cutters and, until the road was completed in 1933, only accessible by river.

Today tourism and farming are the main industries and the region hosts every type of accommodation option from budget to 5-star resorts, B&B’s and hideaways, wildlife-spotting river cruises, artists’galleries, interpretive walks and restaurants.

THE DAINTREE RIVER FERRY

The Daintree Ferry provides access into the Cape Tribulation area. This is accessible by conventional vehicles except during periods of heavy rain. The road is sealed as far as Cape Tribulation. Crossing the Daintree River via a vehicular ferry is an experience not to be missed. 

Daintree Ferry operates between 7.30am to 10am and 2.30pm to 5pm on Christmas Day.  

The Daintree River Ferry operates from 6am to midnight each day.

For any enquiries please contact Customer Service on (07) 4099 9444.

DAINTREE RIVER TO CAPE TRIBULATION

Cross the Daintree River by ferry and travel north into the best of the Daintree - the Reef and Rainforest Coast.

Allow a minimum of one and a half hours drive time from Cairns to reach the ferry, one hour from Port Douglas.

Looking northwards across the Daintree you can see the rainforested slopes of Thornton Peak. This mountain dominates the skyline and you will see it from several different angles on your journey. Very often there are clouds resting on top.

Check out the model of the Cassowary and the chicks, so that you know what they look like. You must remain in your vehicle while you are travelling on the ferry.

When you come off the ferry, pull over to the left and let the local traffic pass. You will have a more relaxing journey if you let the traffic get away. You may also be able to buy some cheap locally grown fruit from the banana stall which is often on the north side of the river.

A large part of the lowlands you will be travelling though is privately own freehold land. There are about 1000 rateable blocks, the majority between 1-2 hectares. The number of permanent residents is between 600-900 people. Many of these blocks have not been settled, and the rainforest is still intact.

The drive over the Alexander range is a stunning scenic rainforest drive and one of the most spectacular in the world - it has a sympathetic conservation design and its meandering nature enhances the ecotourism experience.

As you descend from the look-out there are several glimpses of views of the Daintree coastline.

The Cow Bay area has been classified as Outstanding Cassowary Habitat Zone by Corme and Moore (1993). In the lowlands and swamps of western Cow Bay the population density is as high as the best habitats in Mission Beach.

In the wet season Cooper Creek can be a barrier to cars, as the causeway may flood in heavy rain. In a small car do not try and cross the causeway until the depth of the water on the causeway drops to 0.2 metres. You need to have lots of patience as it is possible to be held up here for several hours if there are heavy rains in the area.

Noahs Range is the last range before you reach the Cape Tribulation area. Great view of Cape Tribulation and the fringing reef as you descend from Noahs Range into the Cape Trib valley.

Cape Tribulation Beach has toilets and picnic tables. You can walk to the look-out which takes 10 minutes. From here view the rainforest clad mountains which literally meets with the fringing reef. Remember to bring your camera as the view is spectacular! Just north of the Cape Trib Beach House is still some live coral on the edge of the fringing reef, if you have brought your snorkel.

REEF & RAINFOREST

3 NIGHTS SILKY OAKS  3 NIGHTS GREEN ISLAND  FULL BREAKFAST DAILY  OUTER BARRIER REEF TRIP MANY ACTIVITIES 

Self Drive Tours in the Daintree Rainforest.

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Driving To The Daintree Rainforest

If you have your own vehicle you can drive to meet tours in the Daintree. Allow 2.5 hours from Cairns and 1.5 Hours from Port Douglas to reach Cape Tribulation.

Cairns To Port Douglas | 1 Hour The Cook Highway north of Cairns offers beautiful scenery ranging from secluded palm fringed tropical beaches, hidden coves and rugged headlands to the rich green of lush sugar-cane fields and rainforest covered mountains. This spectacular one and a half hour drive to Daintree Village takes you through the coastal villages of Ellis Beach and Wangetti to Rex Lookout, for a sweeping view south along the coast to Cairns that simply must be photographed.

Port Douglas to Mossman | 30 mins It is around a thirty-minute drive north of Port Douglas to Mossman, a pleasant little town set amongst the lush cane fields.

Mossman to Daintree Village & Ferry | 20 mins The highway leaves the coast at Wonga Beach for a 15-kilometre drive through the forests of the Dagmar Ranges, and then into Daintree Village.

Daintree River Ferry The Daintree Ferry provides access into the Cape Tribulation area. This is accessible by conventional vehicles except during periods of heavy rain. The road is sealed as far as Cape Tribulation. Crossing the Daintree River via a vehicular ferry is an experience not to be missed. This ferry operates from 6am to midnight each day.

Daintree River Ferry to Cape Tribulation | 40 mins After crossing the Daintree Ferry you travel through lowland and tropical rainforest passing road junctions for Cape Kimberley and Cow Bay.

There are some excellent coastal views and several tourist attractions. The road runs over several high capes and alongside attractive beaches. Camping spots and accommodation are available. A small general store is located at Cow Bay.

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3 day daintree rainforest self drive itinerary.

Looking for the perfect Daintree Rainforest itinerary? We have you sorted. Starting and ending in Port Douglas, on this 3 day self drive Daintree Rainforest itinerary you will snorkel in fresh and salt water, be wowed by magnificent lookouts, tick off world heritage wonders, be treated by secluded rainforest retreats and discover everything there is to know about the 130 million year old Daintree Rainforest. Ready? Then read on!

Back Country Bliss Adventures River Drift Snorkelling Tour

Start your self drive Daintree road trip by jumping straight into the Daintree, literally. Back Country Bliss Adventures provides the ultimate (and unique!) rainforest experience. Over the course of three and a half hours (with two hours spent in Mossman River) drift and snorkel through a rainforest paradise on a River Drift Snorkelling tour. Back Country Bliss Adventures can pick you up from Port Douglas or Mossman, perfect for self drive Daintree itineraries, and enables you to experience the rainforest in a unique way.

Discover more here: River Drift Snorkelling Tour .

Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises

As there are no crocodiles in Mossman River, you’re going to have to look elsewhere to find them. A 40 minute drive north of Port Douglas ( Google Maps link here ), you’ll meet the Daintree River. The Daintree River (a different river from the Mossman River) is a known crocodile wildlife habitat and the best way to spot crocodiles here is on Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises .

Walu Wugirriga (Mount Alexandra Lookout)

After spotting crocodiles in their natural habitat, take the Daintree Ferry across the Daintree River. From here it is only a quick 15 minute drive ( Google Maps link here ) to Walu Wugirriga (Mount Alexandra Lookout). This lookout is popular with self drive Daintree travellers and for good reason, boasting scenic views across the Daintree National Park, Daintree River and Port Douglas. On a clear day you can even see Palm Cove’s Double Island!

Stay overnight at the Daintree Heritage Lodge

Wind down from your day of adventure at the Daintree Heritage Lodge. Located in Daintree National Park ( Google Maps link here ), the Heritage Lodge is comprised of 20 cabins immersed in the rainforest and is a great place to spot butterflies, birds and musky rat kangaroos.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Safari

Rise early for a day of exploration. Today you’ll be exploring the world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Safari . Discover two pristine snorkel locations – Mackay Reef and Undine Reef – alongside a maximum of only 25 passengers.

Relax at Cape Tribulation

After returning from the half-day exploring the Great Barrier Reef, spend your afternoon discovering Cape Tribulation. This world famous location is the only place where two world heritage sites meet – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Daintree Rainforest is a part of this area). A must do location on all self drive Daintree itineraries, walk along the boardwalks and take a moment to enjoy the natural environment you find yourself in.

Stay overnight at Daintree Wilderness Lodge

After a wondrous day on the water and at Cape Trib, spend another relaxing night at the Daintree Wilderness Lodge (25 minute drive south of Cape Tribulation – Google Maps link here ). With only 7 elevated cabins dotted within giant fan palms, a night stay at this eco-lodge will truly immerse you in the Daintree Rainforest.

Head back towards Port Douglas this morning but not before stopping in at Cow Bay. Here you’ll find a quiet beach and an Instagram famous tree swing.

Daintree Discovery Centre

One final stop on your self drive Daintree itinerary is the Daintree Discovery Centre . Here you can explore the Daintree at all levels from the forest floor boardwalk, to the mid level rainforest via aerial walkways and the top of the canopy on the canopy tower.

Port Douglas

Arrive back in Port Douglas and at the end of your self drive Daintree road trip. Be sure to visit Flagstaff Hill Lookout for a quick picture of Four Mile Beach before you leave.

The Diversity of the Mossman River

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Routes and Trips Travel Guide with Maps and Photos

Self drive trip to the daintree rainforest.

Posted by: Liisa Nygård

Now we will take you on a journey through the tropical north of Australia. To make a self drive trip to Daintree Rainforest we rented a campervan and headed to the oldest surviving tropical rainforest in the world, listed by UNESCO as a Wet Tropics World Heritage Site.

Being such an old rainforest the Daintree contains many ancient plants and rarely seen animals. What also makes holidaymakers happy are the fine tropical beaches almost right in the rainforest.

The Daintree is one of the only existing places where tropical rainforest meets the ocean, one more reason for UNESCO to take it on their list.

Palms on the Jindalba Rainforest Walk, Daintree Rainforest

To explore Australia’s wet tropics we first took the long way from Europe to Australia and then flights to Cairns to get the campervan.

So now we were here, in the Australian wet tropics! Where should we go next, to the Great Barrier Reef, to the white Coral Sea beaches, or should we just dive into the thick rainforest?

We made the coastal village of Cape Tribulation our base. You can see the location of Cape Tribulation on the map, and the green area around it is the Daintree.

As we are nature lovers, getting to a rainforest like this had been our dream, an experience we have to share.

Maybe you are in the process of planning a trip to Daintree – if not now so maybe you will, after reading this post:

Self Drive Trip to the Daintree Rainforest: the Itinerary

Map of our self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest

Here you can see our self drive Daintree itinerary. As Daintree National Park only has roads on the coast, we had to take the only existing main road both ways, there and back.

Nothing wrong with the roadside views

This is the second post about our journey to Daintree. The first post was about the drive from Cairns to Daintree , and this one will be about the Daintree itself.

Read here about the drive from Cairns to Daintree: Queensland, Australia: Driving from Cairns to Daintree

Driving through Daintree Rainforest

Once you have crossed the Daintree River  by ferry you will dive into Daintree Wet Tropics National Park :

Driving in Daintree Wet Tropics National Park

It all looks amazing, knowing that the jungle we dived into is thousands of years old.

Being the oldest surviving rainforest in the world, the Daintree is a gem. There is the highest concentration of rare plants and animals anywhere in the world, just looking forward to see them all!

Self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest: a dip on the road

The road soon narrows to wind its way to Cape Tribulation through the thick jungle. Curves, bends and speed bumps make driving slow.

Then there are many marked dips, bumpy places where you almost have to stop. The dips are there for the rainy season. They let flood water cross the road and run down from the mountains to the ocean! So in the rainy season parts of the road are under flood.

The first cassowary sign!

All this made driving much slower than we had thought. Yet the road is good enough to drive and there is absolutely no problem driving to Cape Tribulation by campervan. But from Cape Tribulation on it will be different.

The Daintree road is sealed up to the Cape Tribulation Beach. But beyond that it’s all clay based and to drive there, you will need a 4WD vehicle. There is clay, sand and even big stones on the road, but worst of all are the super deep creek crossings that make driving a real adventure.

Watch up for Cassowaries!

After the river crossing it didn’t last long until we got the first signs of ancient Daintree wildlife:

Watch up, a cassowary crossing the road!

There were many cassowary warnings on the roadside, in places where cassowaries tend to cross the road. As they normally use the same routes, the places are well known and can be marked.

We had just been wondering if we would see those giant birds at all – and then, in one of these marked cassowary crossings we met a big one.

The cassowary was standing still, only a couple of meters from us. For a long while it kept staring at us, and then suddenly decided to rush back to where it came from. It maybe didn’t like us, and eather did it want to attack. Some facts about the bird:

It was a Southern cassowary, a prehistoric fruit-eating bird that only lives in the wet tropics. The Southern cassowary is the third tallest living bird in the world after ostrich and emu . Cassowary numbers have declined and presently they are endangered animals. As a lot of cassowaries get killed by cars, only 1200 of them are left.

So drive slowly to let them live!

Rainforest Views from Alexandra Lookout

Alexandra Lookout, self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest

After a while the road climbs up the hill, reaching the Alexandra Range Lookout. This is the highest point on the way to Cape Tribulation and therefore needs a stop. Some Alexandra Lookout scenery:

Alexandra Lookout, the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest

The lookout shows you what rainforest hills look like from above and gives you an overview of the region. Rainforest mountains on one side and the Coral Sea on the other.

Jindalba Boardwalk

Daintree as its best: Jindalba boardwalk ferns

Before reaching the coast and the Cow Bay, 10 km north from the ferry crossing comes the Daintree Discovery Centre. The Discovery Centre is a place where to learn about the rainforest. On a self-guided tour on an elevated walkway you cany observe rainforest and its plants from above, and for more views you can even climb a 23 m high tower.

Next to the Daintree Discovery Centre comes the next nature attraction, the Jindalba Boardwalk. 

Walking in the rainforest

The Jindalba Boardwalk is an easy way to see the wet tropics. It’s a 700 m loop through the rainforest, the entrance to which is free.

You walk slowly in your own pace and get information on the Daintree and its plants along the track. Afterwards you can have a picnic in the rainforest, using the picnic tables near the car park.

Learning about cassowaries, ancient birds of Daintree National Park

There are information boards telling about cassowaries and their habits, and a slight chance to meet one on the boardwalk. As they can be aggressive and attack, don’t hope to meet one.

There are signs telling this: if you come across a cassowary in the rainforest, start walking back with a big object like your rucksack or shirt in front of you. That will protect you in case the bird attacks you.

Tasting Tropical Ice Cream

Clas tasting tropical ice cream, self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest

As we rather wanted ice cream at this stage, we skipped the Jindalba picnic area. I had read about ice cream factories by the Cape Tribulation road, and we now wanted to find them.

Tropical ice-cream in tropical surroundings

Soon there was the first ice-cream factory. The cafe was really pretty, surrounded the thick rainforest, and the tropical ice-cream was – just delicious!

This is what they say: they serve locally-made organic ice cream with tropical flavors. The fruits they use for the flavors come from their own orchards.

Thornton Beach

One of the many Daintree beaches: Thornton Beach

After the ice-cream place came the sandy Coral Sea beaches. Many of them, so beautiful, sandy and soft. We had to start stopping.

This is the Thornton Beach 18 km from the river crossing. There is a small roadside cafe with Coral Sea views, closed, however, at the time we were visiting. So no more tropical ice-cream today…

So we only walked alone on the deserted beach, trying go get photos of the tiny crabs rushing in all directions in the sand. But each time we came closer they all went home into their small holes.

Watching crabs and walking back to the car park

At the south end of Thornton Beach is a small river, Cooper Creek, known for its crocodile population.

The next beach to come is the Noah Beach, also pretty. All beaches we saw in the Daintree were like a paradise. With the extra touch of the rainforest these beaches must be among the most beautiful in the world.

Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation was our base in the Daintree, where we stayed for three nights. We had meant to stay two nights only, but extended it as we liked the place so much.

Cape Tribulation is a small coastal Daintree village that hasn’t changed a lot after tourism to the region started to grow when the road was built. Earlier there only was a 4WD road.

There are only one or two grocery stores, a few small restaurants. Also you will find tour organizers arranging jungle and reef tours. Accommodation is only available in eco lodges within the rainforest or on beach-side campsites.

Self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest: coconuts on the white beach

This is the white Myall Beach located on the south side of the cape.

Even when it was winter (winter is the dry season) and the best tourism time, there were no people on the beaches, except for two hours after the noon when all Daintree tour groups from Cairns arrived, all at the same time.

It looked like all tourists take these bus tours, not many of them making self drive trips to Daintree. Yet using your own vehicle lets you stay as long as you like, longer than two hours.

Cape Tribulation Camping

Coral Sea view from our Daintree campsite

Our Daintree base was the Cape Tribulation Camping that gave us an absolute beachfront location.

The camping area is in the rainforest just off the Myall Beach and close to the village. So every time we wanted to the beach, we took the 20 m long sandy path you can see in the picture below:

Camping in Cape Tribulation

Then, every afternoon the camping staff started heating their old pizza oven with wood, to make it hot enough for pizza baking. And every night between 5 and 8 all guests gathered on the porch, waiting for good wood fired pizzas to be served.

The Cape Tribulation Camping pizza place

Almost all camping guests staying here in their tents and campervans came for dinner. Or if they didn’t want pizza every night, they only came for a glass of wine.

Sitting here all together and sharing our Daintree experiences was great fun and we learned a lot from each other. After the dinner almost all lights went off and we could only enjoy the silence, the stars and the Coral Sea.

On the Cape Tribulation Camping website you can learn about the surroundings and the activities offered in Cape Tribulation.

There are activities from reef snorkeling to jungle river cruises that we didn’t take as we already had tried similar activities in other destinations.

Relaxing on the coral sands of Daintree National Park

Instead we took walks in the rainforest and spent time on the beach. This is Myall Beach, only a few meters from the camping.

So where did we go?

Dubiji Rainforest Walk

In the deep Daintree Rainforest

The first morning we walked north along Myall Beach to the 1,2 km Dubiji boardwalk that winds through the rainforest. You can also find the boardwalk from the other side where the main road is.

Fan palms on the  Cape Tribulation Dubiji Walk 

The Dubuji walk was fantastic, one of the most beautiful nature walks I’ve ever seen.

The wooden boardwalk winds its way through a wet mangrove swamp into a deep rainforest. It also takes you into a very special fan palm forest that you can see in these pictures.

The Dubuji boardwalk is meant to be a loop walk, but at the time we were there, the end part was under construction and we had to walk back the same way.

Self-drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest: native rainforest plants

We spent a long while on the boardwalk. Here are more images of the vegetation: above on the left is an elkhorn fern that grows high up in the trees. An elkhorn fern makes me think about elk horns that male elks back home in Finland normally have.

Cape Tribulation Village Centre

The village of Cape Tribulation, Queensland

The Dubiji boardwalk is close to the village centre. Cape Trib is a very small village with only a few tourist shops, a visitor information centre and a small general store.

Mangrove Boardwalk

A typical Daintree mangrove swamp

Behind the store is another camping area, the PK Jungle Village, from where we found another path to the beach. And again there was a boardwalk, and another mangrove swamp.

This swamp was so thick and wet that there was no way to get anywhere in it, without a built boardwalk. Thanks to those that built this, we so much loved getting to see mangroves this close.

Taking Daintree National Park boardwalks 

Walking along Myall Beach

So we came back to Myall Beach and continued north. Postcard-pretty but hardly anyone in the water. Why?

Tourists walking on Myall Beach, Cape Tribulation

Getting closer you will notice that there are stinger and crocodile warnings, everywhere.

Summer is the main season for stingers but they can survive all year round in these warm waters. So swimming in these fantastic waters is not an option and we only walked in the water.

As the Cape Tribulation beaches are in a remote place, there are no life-guards or stinger nets to protect you either.

Daintree beach life

Following the beach we found a small path ( the Kuliki Rainforest Walk) leading to the last car park before the sealed road ends. That was near the cape between the different Cape Tribulation beaches.

Self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest: walking amoung tropical plants

From the car park you can walk to a lookout from where you get a view of the beach on the north side of the cape, the Cape Tribulation Beach . The lookout walk is short and easy, only about 600 meters.

The Cape Tribulation Coral Sea viewpoint

Cape Tribulation Beach

So Cape Tribulation has two beaches. The beach on the north side was full of day-trippers from Cairns. This is the destination of bus tours and they stay here for one or two hours.

Seeing that we felt so happy to be able to stay days in Cape Tribultation instead of hours.

Tourists on Cape Tribulation Beach

On this beach you can see a huge network of mangrove roots between the beach and the headland. Mangrove needs those big roots to take in oxygen so it can live in a wetland like this.

Huge mangrove roots and beach walking in the Daintree Rainforest

Meeting a Goanna

On the way back from the beach we stopped at a picnic table to get beach sand off our feet – and saw a big goanna!

A Daintree goanna next to the Cape Tribulation beach

The goanna was staring at us from the bush. So now we have seen a cassowary and a goanna in the wild!

Daintree Rainforest Swimming Holes

A tropical Daintree swimhole 

If you don’t like swimming with stingers and crocodiles, there’s another way to enjoy Daintree’s tropical waters. Just try some of the fresh water swimming holes that exist in Daintree creeks and rivers.

What is a swimming hole? A wider place in a tropical river where the water stands still. In these places the water often is crystal clear, getting a green color from the jungle. Daintree river waters are a bit cool, at least in winter, which makes you feel refreshed on a hot day.

Yet, for your own safety, you will have to know where to go. Around the village of Cape Tribulation there are only two crocodile free swimming holes:

Masons Swimming Hole

The park next to the Masons swimming hole, Cape Tribulation

The first one is the Masons swimming hole, a secret swimming hole right behind Mason’s General Store located where you enter Cape Tribulation village from the south.

The second one is the Emmagen Creek swimming hole 7 km north along a dirt road.

To get to the Masons swimming hole, park your car in front of Mason’s store and walk to the river through the gate and the park shown in this picture. And don’t forget to leave a small donation in the box.

This is a what the fresh water swimming hole behind Mason’s store looks like.

A green Cape Tribulation swimhole

The top thing with the Masons swimming hole is that you can hang and swing on a liana and then jump into the water, and there were lots of lianas hanging from the trees.

Emmagen Swimming Hole

Driving on the Bloomfield Track

The other crocodile-free swimming hole is the Emmagen Creek further north.

Driving north from Cape Tribulation the road is the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown. On the Bloomfield Track it’s only possible to drive on a two-wheel driven car for about the first 7 km to Emmagen, where the first river crossing comes (see the photo above).

Leave your car on the small car park and on the left hand side you will find a small path into the rainforest. There is no sign or anything, just the path.

On the way to the Emmagen swimhole

Follow that path for about 400 meters and you’ll reach the Emmagen Creek. At the end turn either left of right, both places you come to are good to swim at.

We tried both river bends and some other people too had found this remote place. Below some pictures of the two Emmagen swimming holes:

Emmagen, a Platypus River

And guess what we saw at Emmagen:  a platypus! Yes, we really saw one, looking exactly the same as in the Sydney Aquarium. Never before have we seen a platypus in the wild, even when we so much tried.

The platypus was diving near the bottom, swimming fast and turning all the time as if it was looking for something. Then it heard us talking (too loud of course…) and disappeared in the mud.

End of the Self Drive Trip to the Daintree Rainforest

So in the Daintree we met wildlife: a cassowary, goanna and platypus.

Time for one more look at the Coral Sea before driving back:

End of the self drive trip to the Daintree Rainforest

More on Daintree and Queensland

• On the same trip we went to see the Great Barrier Reef: What is a Great Barrier Reef Cruise Like?
• Our drive to the Daintree: Driving from Cairns to Daintree

More information on Daintree Rainforest and visitor maps:

• the Daintree Tourism Website  and
• the Daintree Marketing Cooperative website

The Daintree Rainforest is truely one of the most amazing place in the world, where else do you have access to 2 world heritage sites!

Great photos and very helpful for planning our trip. Thankyou

This is very useful block. We had got good information through this and did one day trip to Daintree from Cairns utilising the details provided here.

Thanks you!!

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Port Douglas Beachfront Holiday Accommodation

Best location in Port Douglas. Beautiful beachfront holiday accommodation/beach house overlooking 4 Mile Beach and right on Macrossan Street. 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms.

Self-drive the Daintree

There are lots of really great tours into the Daintree region from Port Douglas and we can give you info about those, but if you’d like to self-drive the Daintree it can be a really great day out. Here are our ideas for an itinerary.

Pack a few snacks, swimming gear and some water and head north to:

SOLAR WHISPER DAINTREE RIVER CROCODILE AND WILDLIFE CRUISE

It takes roughly 45 minutes to drive from Port Douglas to the cruise office which is on the south bank of the Daintree River near the car ferry.

These guys are renowned for their croc spotting abilities, and will provide you with heaps of great info and point out wildlife you’d never see yourself.

What’s more – they operate the only zero emission boat on the Daintree river, a quiet and clean solar powered cruise.

Next up, head to the CAR FERRY for the 10 minute ride across the river. The return journey costs  $30  per vehicle. If it’s high season (July-December) you might have a bit of a wait, so it’s better to get there earlier rather than later. The ferry operates 6am til midnight, and takes 30 cars at a time. EFTPOS is availabe 8.30am – 4pm.

On the other side you can head off for your day in the Daintree. You’re in for a real treat enjoying the lush greenness and the natural surrounds. While you’re driving, watch out for Cassowaries. It feels like you’ve won a prize if you spot one, even better if there are chicks too!

After a 10 minute drive from the ferry you’ll come to the MOUNT ALEXANDRA LOOKOUT. Stop here for a while and soak up the impressive views over the Daintree River mouth, Snapper Island, Low Isles and two of Australia’s most important World Heritage areas—the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics.

By now you might be having a few tummy rumbles, so the good news is that the DAINTREE ICECREAM COMPANY is 9 minutes down the road!

In a beautiful orchard setting, this place grows their own exotic tropical fruits from which they make their icecream. You buy the icecream in a signature cup of 4 seasonal rainforest flavours ( $7.50 per cup). Such smooth and creamy deliciousness! It’s worth grabbing the map of the gardens and walking around identifying all the fruit trees.

After enjoying this little entree, head about 25 minutes north to MASON’S CAFE AND WATERHOLE. This is a magic spot with a hidden crocodile/stinger free waterhole! If you’re not quite ready for lunch, then you can have a swim first. Or tuck into some lunch and swim after. Mason’s has delicious local fruit smoothies, exotic meats like crocodile, emu, camel; but if you’re not feeling that adventurous they have all the normal cafe fare too. The waterhole is a short walk from the cafe and entry is  $1. 

Next up, you might like to have a walk along the famous  CAPE TRIBULATION BEACH  (accessed through the Kulki carpark.) Cape Tribulation was named by Lieutenant James Cook when his ship ran into Endeavour Reef,northeast of Cape Tribulation. He wrote: “I name this point Cape Tribulation, because here began all my troubles.”

This is literally the place where the rainforest meets the reef.

There’s a boardwalk here but save your boardwalking for the  MARRDJA BOARDWALK  about 10 or so minutes heading back south. This a peacful and serene setting to wander through the rainforest. There are marvellous explanatory boards, lots of wetland mangroves, fan palms, a stream running through and more. Look out for the strangler figs ..they are creepily fascinating! This is a 1.2km loop track which will take approximately 45 minutes.

After the boardwalk you might like to explore some of the other beaches as you head back south, pop into the Cow Bay Hotel https://cowbayhotel.com.au/  for dinner or head back over the ferry for a fancy dinner at https://www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au/eat-drink/.

So what do you think? Sound like a good recipe for a day exploring Australia’s very own World Heritage Area? I highly recommend it! Oh, but one thing to remember…there isn’t much mobile coverage in this wilderness area…which is actually a bonus!

And then of course you must spend the night with us!  https://number2onthebeach.com/

Port Douglas

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Our daintree day trip self-drive up to cape tribulation.

• Post published: 25 February 2020
• Post category: Australia / Oceania/South Pacific / Queensland

After our  liveaboard on the Outer Great Barrier Reef , we needed one day before flying back to Brisbane . We rented a car and made our own Daintree day trip self-drive and went all the way up to Cape Tribulation. The 140-kilometre drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is one of the most scenic drives you’ll find in the world. I wish we had a couple of days so we could have spent the night in this magical place, but a Daintree day trip to Cape Tribulation was still worth it.

The Daintree Forest is the only place in the world where two UNESCO sites meet : a lush tropical rainforest just next to the world’s longest barrier reef. It’s also one of the rare places to tick all four natural criteria on the Criteria for Selection to be a World Heritage Site  (only 12 sites in the world do!).

And the more you look at numbers, the better you understand why this rainforest is so special. First, it is over one hundred and thirty-five million years old . And although it covers only 0.2% of Australia (which represents already around 1200 square kilometres), it is home for 30% of the frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia, 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species and 18% of bird species.

Our one-day self-driving itinerary in the Daintree Forest

We came back from our liveaboard at the end of the afternoon and went straight to Cairns airport to hire a car. The airport office was the only one to be open late on a Sunday. We drove for one hour to spend the night in Port Douglas so we’d be a bit closer to the Daintree Forest for our day trip the next day. If you can stay in Port Douglas rather than Cairns before your self-drive trip around the Daintree region, I highly recommend it.

We found a good deal at the Mantra Aqueous on Port *, and we liked having our private spa on the balcony. If we could have arrived earlier at our accommodation, I would have booked one of the amazing options in the region such as the ECO Certified  Thala Beach Nature Reserve *,  Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa *,  Daintree Wilderness Lodge * and  Silky Oaks Lodge *.

If you don’t have time to organise a day trip to Cape Tribulation or don’t want to get tired with the long drive, there are tours going up there from Cairns or Port Douglas:

Our first stop was at Mossman Gorge.

I was a bit afraid of how touristy Mossman Gorge may be. Still, it seemed hard to miss considering all the good reviews we read and heard. We visited early in the morning before all the tours from Cairns arrive, and it was quieter than expected. We had an excellent time there. If we could have stayed longer, we’d have done a guided walk Dreamtime walk. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the local Indigenous culture.

After visiting Mossman Gorge, we drove north with two objectives in mind:

• spotting a cassowary
• reaching Cape Tribulation

Unfortunately, we never found a cassowary despite all the warning signs on the side of the road. But being in their environment was undoubtedly thrilling. Our friends were at Mission Beach the same weekend and saw a full family with babies.

The ferry to Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation isn’t on an island, but it’s quite remote. You can access it with a 2WD, but you’ll need to catch a ferry to cross the Daintree River.

There’s no need to book and the ferry operates all day, from 5 am to midnight. You may queue a bit during the peak season but the ferry can take about 30 cars though, so it shouldn’t be too long. If you want to avoid the peak hour, don’t cross at the end of the morning to go to Cape Tribulation, and before sunset to go back.

It cost just under $30 return for a normal vehicle for the ten-minute trip to cross the river. They accept card payments from 8 am to 4:30 pm, so bring cash if you’ll be crossing outside these times.

Why Cape Tribulation was a fantastic surprise – even just for a day trip!

There’s a lot to do up there, and you will only have time to scratch the surface on a day trip to the Daintree region. We tried to fit as much as we could.

1. The postcard-perfect beach

We spent time most of our time walking along the postcard-perfect beach. I’ve seen many beaches in Australia. I’m always happy to explore a new one, but it often looks like one I have already seen. Cape Tribulation felt different. I loved the wilderness.

Knowing that we were far away near the top of Queensland made it special. And the rainforest up to the sand looks amazing. As if it wasn’t already perfect, we also spotted dolphins passing by very close to shore. Don’t think about joining them though, it’s a bit too risky with the jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles in the region.

2. Cold drinks with the best views ever

Although you feel far away from everything, there are hotels and small bars a few steps away. Tourism development in Cape Tribulation was clever.

We enjoyed the opportunity for refreshments on this hot day after a long drive and short walks. At the end of Cape Tribulation Beach, the Cape Trib Beach House * has a stunning location next to the beach. You can relax while enjoying the beautiful views with a cold drink before heading back. It’s also where you’ll find the iconic and photogenic heart of the Daintree region.

3. Short walks

Hoping to see cassowaries and ready to stretch our legs after the drive, we explored the two most popular boardwalks in Cape Tribulation: Marrdja Boardwalk (half an hour) and  Dubuji Boardwalk (one hour). Even on a hot day, I found it easy to explore the forest on these boardwalks. From Dubuji Boardwalk, you can reach the magnificent Myall Beach.

The short Kulki Boardwalk will take you to a lookout over Cape Tribulation Beach.

If you’ve got time for serious hiking, you may want to check out the views from the top of Mount Sorrow . The hike takes between four to five hours, so it’s hard to fit into a day trip really.

But if it’s too hot, you can drive to a lookout that also offers nice views: Alexandra Lookout .

Consider stopping at Mason’s Cafe for lunch (they close at 3 pm!). It’s one of the best places in Australia to try game meat as they serve burgers made from emu, crocodile, kangaroo and camel meat.

They’ve got an amazing freshwater swimming hole if you feel like having a dip.

Responsible travel tip: In Australia , eating kangaroo meat is more sustainable than beef. On a road trip, the money you spend on food will support the local economy. When possible, avoid shopping at the supermarket and have lunch in a local cafe instead.

Map of this day trip to Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation is in the north of Queensland . The closest airport is in Cairns . The tourist office gave us this map with all the attractions and restaurants in the region.

Have you been to the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation? Share your experience in the comments below!

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Daintree self-drive tour

Daintree self-drive tour.

The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world, and one that is of international conservation importance. 

While most of the Daintree Rainforest has been declared a World Heritage Area, area of coastal lowland tropical rainforest from the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation remain unprotected.

Rainforest Rescue’s Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project identifies and purchases properties at risk of development and establishes Nature Refuge status to protect it forever. As you journey through the beautiful Daintree Rainforest we encourage you to visit our properties and trust you will be inspired by our efforts to save and protect this amazing ecosystem.

Tips for your tour

• Please drive carefully and adhere to the speed restrictions. This is an area rich in wildlife. Cassowaries can occasionally be seen crossing the roads.
• Rainforest Village at Cow Bay (14 km from the ferry) is the last available petrol station north of the Daintree River before Cooktown.
• Please don’t feed the animals including birds. For them to survive, it is important that they find and eat food from the rainforest.
• A trip from Cairns to Cape Tribulation is approximately 140 km or 2 ½ hours (each way). A full day is recommended to take in all our properties as well as extra sightseeing activities.
• We would love for you to share your Daintree experience with us. You can send us an email to [email protected] or post a comment on our Facebook page.
• For more information, please contact Rainforest Rescue  on 1300 763 611 or email us. 

Download your self-drive tour of the Daintree instructions!

When you give generously, you become part of a committed team of individuals who collectively are helping to preserve some of the most biodiverse habitats and the species that live within them on this planet. Become a Rainforest Rescuer today!

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Daintree Rainforest Best Things To Do (& Daintree Itinerary)

By: Author Charles

Posted on October 9, 2023

When I was planning my trip to Australia, there was one place that really caught my attention – The Daintree Rainforest.

Instead of doing just a quick day trip into the rainforest, I wanted to truly experience everything that the rainforest had to offer.

This guide will talk through the top things to do in the Daintree Rainforest and will go over everything you need to know about the area and how to go about planning your itinerary.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) What is the Daintree Rainforest

At over 180 million years old, the Daintree Rainforest is known to be the oldest rainforest in the world (even older than the Amazon!). The tropical rainforest makes up 1,200 square kilometers in the northeastern part of Queensland as part of Daintree National Park.

You will find everything and anything in the rainforest – from dense jungles and mountain ranges to flowing rivers and waterfalls, the Daintree is packed with it all .

You are also sure to find an abundance of wildlife throughout. There are thousands of different species all around, from birds to reptiles to insects. Spending a couple of days exploring the rainforest is a great add-on to any Australia itinerary .

One of the most special aspects of the Daintree is that right next to it is another natural world wonder – The Great Barrier Reef.

There are several spots along the coast where you can see where the “Rainforest Meets the Reef”, and enjoy two incredible natural landscapes right next to other.

This comprehensive guide will talk about many of those spots throughout.

2) Daintree Rainforest Tips

Before talking more about everything that the rainforest offers its visitors, I wanted to point out some helpful tips for the Daintree in general.

Cell Service : There is barely any cell service in the Daintree Rainforest. To help get you from place to place, I recommend downloading offline maps to your phone before you go (either on Google Maps or through an app like maps.me).

Daintree River Crossing : To get to most Daintree attractions, you will need to cross the Daintree River . The Daintree ferry goes back and forth constantly but do expect a wait time during peak hours. The round trip cost is $39 AUD and runs from 5:00AM – 12:00AM. More on this soon.

Limited Stores : There are limited stores in the Daintree north of the river . If you are coming in for a few days, I recommend bringing/buying anything you would want from Cairns/Port Douglas. One of the grocery stores for essentials inside the Daintree would be the Friendly Grocer Convenience Store .

Gas Stations : Beyond the Daintree River there are very limited gas options. In case you are running low on gas you can head to the Daintree Rainforest Village . I would however recommend filling up your tank before you head out.

Stingers & Crocs : While the waters will seem inviting, you should not swim for a couple of reasons. During the rainy season, the stingers (jellyfish) are out in full force and that certainly won’t be pleasant if you encounter any. Secondly, the waters are known to have some saltwater crocodiles lurking, so do be careful.

Cassowary : The cassowary is the one animal you will hear about most in the Daintree. It looks like some sort of prehistoric dinosaur bird with its colorful head and is known to be dangerous if you get too close. So if you do see one, be sure to step back and keep your distance.

Best Time to Visit : The Daintree is a year-round destination, however the dry season from May to September is the preferred time of year to visit for most. Although heavy rain is common during the wet season, this can make the rainforest even more lush.

3) How to Get to the Daintree

Since I wanted to make this guide more of a do-it-yourself option, the best way to go about a Daintree Rainforest tour is to hire your own rental car.

I ended up staying in both Cairns and Port Douglas prior to my time in the Daintree and both towns (and Cairns airport) would have car rental options available.

With your own car, you will be able to head on into the Daintree at your own pace and choose exactly which places and activities suit you best. You will be able to start as early as you would like and end your days past sunset (more on that later).

If you are more than one person, it can also be a super economical way to go about your time there as car rental prices are not too pricey (I got mine for $35 AUD / $25 USD per day).

Once you have your own car and are ready to go from Cairns or Port Douglas, it is time to make your way up north on your road trip.

Nearly all the attractions mentioned in this guide (besides the Mossman Gorge & some Daintree River tours) are located across the Daintree River, which I will go into a bit more detail on in the next section.

Driving in the Daintree is relatively simple with one main road connecting most of the attractions. As mentioned though, be sure to download offline maps as cellular service is not great.

If renting a car in the Daintree Rainforest, feel free to check out Rentalcars.com , which will have various options to browse through. You can filter by car type, price, and more to find the perfect car for your trip.

Now, if you are just not comfortable driving a car (remember Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road), your next best option would to join a group or private tour. You can browse through some highly rated options to choose from but remember that they will not be as flexible as having your own wheels.

4) Daintree River Crossing

To get to nearly all Daintree attractions, you must make your way to the north side of the Daintree River. Every day from 5:00AM to 12:00AM, there is a car ferry that continuously goes back and forth bringing cars to either side.

The car ferry can fit around 30 vehicles on it and costs $47 AUD for the round trip ticket (don’t lose that receipt!), and takes just 5 minutes each way.

One thing to mention is that there can be a long line of cars during those peak times of day (mid-morning northbound and late afternoon southbound).

So, if you are heading across during those times you should expect to wait a couple rounds before going across.

5) Where to Stay in the Daintree

To really get a full Daintree Rainforest experience I highly recommend staying within the Daintree itself for one or two nights.

There is much more to to see and do in the Daintree that goes beyond a day trip, and it is quite the experience of sleeping among the wildlife and waking up to nature.

Below are some of the best options when it comes to choosing an accommodation option:

1. Daintree Ecolodge 2. Daintree Village Hideaway 3. Daintree Peaks Eco Stays 4. Daintree Manor B&B 5. Cape Trib Beach House

Looking for a budget option, check out Safari Lodge

Learn More : Check out some of the other top Daintree Accommodation options to choose from

6) Where to Eat in the Daintree

Along the main Cape Tribulation Road is where you will find most of your dining options in the Daintree. I have listed below some of the most popular spots that you can choose from when it comes to dining out:

• Julaymba Restaurant & Bar • Whet Restaurant • Turtle Rock Cafe • Masons Cafe • PK’s Jungle Village • Tides Bar and Restaurant • CJ’s Bar & Grill

And don’t forget one of the best places to get some dessert at the famous Daintree Ice Cream Company !

7) Daintree Rainforest Things To Do

From rainforest walks and beaches to swimming holes and mountain hikes, the Daintree Rainforest is full of it all.

In the next few sections, I will break down the different types of activities that you can take part of during your time in the area. These will include:

Daintree Rainforest Walks

1) Dubuji Boardwalk 2) Jindalba Boardwalk 3) Marjdda Boardwalk

Daintree Experiences

1) Mossman Gorge 2) Daintree Discovery Centre 3) Daintree River Cruise 4) Ocean Safari

Swimming Holes

1) Emmagen Creek 2) Mason’s Café

Daintree Beaches

1) Cow Bay 2) Myall Beach 3) Thornton Beach 4) Cape Tribulation

Mountain Hikes

1) Mount Sorrow Ridge Walk

1) Kulki Lookout 2) Mount Alexandra Lookout

8) Daintree Rainforest Walks

While the Daintree is a massive place, there are just a handful of official boardwalk rainforest walks that you can take part in during your time in the area.

Dubuji Boardwalk

The Dubuji Boardwalk is a fantastic 45-minute, 1.3 KM loop through the Daintree with several types of landscapes to enjoy including rainforest, swamp, and mangroves.

What makes Dubuji even that much better though is that you can pit stop right on Myall Beach before finishing up the trail.

The Dubuji Boardwalk Guide I put together will go more in-depth about what to expect .

Jindalba Boardwalk

Located right near the Daintree Discovery Centre is the Jindalba Boardwalk. It can be explored on a shorter 0.7 KM boardwalk walk or a longer 2.7 KM rainforest track alongside the huge amount of natural surroundings.

From massive trees to a variety of wildlife, you will be able to experience it all.

Marjdda Boardwalk

Finally, there is the 1.1 KM Marjdda boardwalk, located just in between the two. Similarly, you will be able to enjoy the vast variety of plants, wildlife, trees, and more as you make the loop around the boardwalk.

During the walk, you are sure to pass by the rainforest and mangrove landscape before heading back to the parking area.

Now, you do not need to take part in each one, but adding 1-2 of them to your Daintree itinerary is a great way to get a better sense of what the rainforest is all about.

9) Daintree Experiences

The next four attractions are unique experiences that would be a great add-on to any Daintree Rainforest Tour.

• Mossman Gorge

First up is the Mossman Gorge. The gorge is one of the most visited places in the Daintree due to the fact that it lies on the south side of the Daintree River. That means you would not need to take the car ferry across to visit it.

It also happens to be home to a beautiful blue-colored river and a few hiking trails. Once you arrive at the Mossman Gorge visitor center, you will hop on the quick shuttle bus that will take you to Mossman Gorge itself.

Once there you can make the loop on the boardwalk to the viewing point and back on the River Circuit Track or you can also decide to add on the longer Rainforest Circuit Track to get further into the forest.

Mossman Gorge also offers the chance to jump in the water here and enjoy a refreshing swim.

The Mossman Gorge Guide I put together will go more in-depth about what to expect

Daintree Discovery Centre

Another very popular add-on to a Daintree Rainforest tour is the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Out of all the places in the Daintree, this one is probably the most helpful when it comes to learning what the Daintree is all about.

Not only are there several walking tracks around the area, but you will also find an aerial walkway, a 23-meter-high canopy, and a super helpful interpretive centre to learn more about the rainforest.

Along the whole journey inside you will be given an audio guide and accompanying guidebook that will give you all the information you need and more about the Daintree.

The Daintree Discovery Centre Guide I put together will go more in-depth about what to expect

Daintree River Cruise

Lastly, is the Daintree River Cruise. This is the perfect way to get up close and personal to some of the wildlife in the area .

Many of the cruises depart on the south side of the Daintree River (near the river crossing) while others may have pick-up points further inside in the rainforest.

The main highlight though on a Daintree River Cruise is the chance to see those crocodiles lurking on the shores. For about 45-60 minutes you will go up and down the river spotting those crocs and other animals of the Daintree.

You can book your Daintree River Cruise experience ahead of time with a highly-rated tour company

Ocean Safari

One of the only experiences that offers the chance to get out on the Great Barrier Reef in the Daintree is to take part in the Ocean Safari boat ride.

You will get on off to the reef and head out to some incredible snorkeling spots to get up close and personal with some of the underwater life of the reef.

I did not take part in this Ocean Safari boat ride but did do the same type of experience with Ocean Rafting (their sister company) in the Whitsundays. I would highly recommend this trip!

Be sure to book your Ocean Safari Tour ahead of time because they do sell out!!

10) Swimming Holes

While the ocean will seem inviting, unfortunately, it is not the safest place to swim. As mentioned earlier, this is because of the saltwater crocodiles and stingers.

Instead, you can head to some swimming holes not too far away (you can also swim at Mossman Gorge!).

Emmagen Creek

The furthest that a non-4WD drive can make it in the Daintree is to Emmagen Creek (although the last bit of road is unpaved).

Once parked on the side of the road, continue along the 10-minute path that will bring you to a great swimming hole to enjoy.

If you are up for it, give the rope swing a try and launch yourself into the water.

Mason’s Café

There is a great café in the Daintree that also offers access to its swimming hole.

For a moderate $1 AUD you can walk your way around the café and on the path towards the water. Here you can enjoy a swim and cool down.

11) Daintree Beaches

One thing I really enjoyed during my time in the Daintree was the opportunity to explore the rainforest in the morning and then hit the beach in the afternoon.

There are several beaches all along the coast but I wanted to point out some of the main ones in the area.

As mentioned before, here is your chance to witness where two natural world wonders collide, a very rare site to see in the world.

Read More : Check out the Daintree Beaches guide up on the site that will walk through 10 of them!

Cow Bay is one of the best beaches in the area with plenty of space to find your own spot and enjoy some time on the sand.

You will also find a variety of beachside swings alongside a small Daintree tributary.

I also did a bit of exploring here and began to walk north alongside the rocks to some hidden beaches around the corner. So if you are looking for your own private beach you can give it a try yourself!

Myall Beach

If you head on the Dubuji Boardwalk, then you will be able to make a pit stop on Myall Beach along the way.

Even if you do not head on the boardwalk itself, there is a short path that will connect directly to the beach from the parking lot.

Thornton Beach

Another potential beach option is Thornton Beach. Here you will find one of the only beachside restaurants (CJ’s) and it is a great place to enjoy some lunch after a morning of discovering the Daintree.

Right off the beach, you will also find Struck Island, one of the only islands you will find off the coast here.

Cape Tribulation

The most famous of all beaches in the Daintree Rainforest is that of Cape Tribulation. It is one of the most picturesque places in the Daintree to experience and you should definitely make your way there for sunset and sunrise if you have it in you.

While the days will be crowded with all the day trippers, heading there earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon will be a very relaxing experience.

During my time on the beach waiting for sunset, a cassowary was making its way all along the beach as we all looked on (but we kept our distance!).

12) Mount Sorrow Ridge Walk

If you are looking to get high above the Daintree Rainforest and want to take in some views from above, your best option is the Mount Sorrow Ridge Walk.

This 4-6 hour round trip trail will take you to a viewpoint that looks over the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef out in the distance. Make sure you are prepared for the trail before you head out!

Learn More : The Mount Sorrow Hiking guide I put together will go more in-depth about what to expect

13) Daintree Lookouts

There are a couple of lookout points in the Daintree where you can take in some of the surrounding water, beaches, and more!

Kulki Lookout

Located right next to Cape Tribulation Beach is the Kulki Lookout. After parking your car in the lot you will see signs pointing you up to the right to this viewpoint.

It is only a few minutes short walk until you reach the platform with views over Cape Tribulation.

Mount Alexandra Lookout

One of the first stops you will come by in the Daintree Rainforest is the Mount Alexandra Lookout.

At the lookout spot, you will be able to see all the way to Port Douglas with several other points of interest out in the distance.

14) Daintree Rainforest Map

Below is a map that highlights each of the places mentioned in this guide. You will find all the attractions, activities, restaurants, hotels and other Daintree destinations pinpointed for your reference.

15) A Daintree Rainforest Itinerary

Now that you have a better sense of nearly everything one could do in the Daintree, I thought it may be helpful to put together what a Daintree Rainforest itinerary could look like.

I will assume a 2-day / 1-night trip starting early on day 1. Depending on how long you would like to stay at each place you may need to cut a thing or two out.

• Leave Cairns or Port Douglas Early AM
• Cross Daintree River
• Alexandra Lookout
• a) Daintree Discovery Centre and/or
• b) Dubuji Boardwalk / Myall Beach
• Cape Tribulation Sunset & Kulki Lookout
• Emmagen Creek and/or Mason’s Cafe Swimming Hole
• Cow Bay or Thornton Beach
• Daintree River Cruise (on your way back)
• Back to Port Douglas / Cairns

Mount Sorrow : If you would like to head up to Mount Sorrow, you can do so on day 2 instead of the places mentioned, or you can add an additional day in between to hike up the trail.

That about wraps up a complete guide to a do-it-yourself Daintree Rainforest tour.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned above feel free to write them in the comments. Don’t forget to check out the other Australia itineraries and guides up on the site.

Flying into Sydney? Check out the 3-day Sydney itinerary and Blue Mountains Day Trip .

Going to the Whitsundays or Cairns? Take a look at the Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure Tour and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Experience .

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Thursday 27th of October 2022

AWESOME guide. Exactly what I needed to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thank you so much!

Saturday 13th of August 2022

Lovely guide, super helpful!

Am departing from Cairns and looking to do just a day trip there, is there a time you would recommend to depart?

Many thanks, Will

Monday 15th of August 2022

Hi Will - if you are looking to just do a day trip from Cairns, I would recommend leaving very early on in the morning. Total driving time for the day can be close to 6 hours if you head up to Cape Tribulation and you will then need to pick and choose what attractions you want to visit. Enjoy your time there!

Thursday 21st of October 2021

Hi! Love your blog, I was just wondering which car rental company you used? Thank you!

Friday 22nd of October 2021

Hi there! Thanks so much. When I visited the Daintree I picked up a car rental in Cairns from Enterprise, but I am sure there are plenty others out there too! Hope thats helps you out.

Wednesday 15th of January 2020

Excellent guide. Totally demystified Daintree for me!

Thursday 16th of January 2020

Thank you! It is an incredible place and you will have a great time visiting it all!

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Daintree Rainforest 1-Day Itinerary: a complete guide

Daintree Rainforest is just over 100 kilometres north of Cairns , along Australia’s picturesque east coast. It is home to one of the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforests . With incredibly diverse flora and fauna , this UNESCO-listed rainforest is essential to the world’s ecosystem.

Daintree Rainforest is famous for being where the ‘ Rainforest Meets the Reef ‘. With the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef fringing the idyllic coastline of the Daintree Rainforest, the view of these two UNESCO world heritage sites expanding side-by-side is simply nature at its best & one not to be missed!

Where to Stay in the Daintree Rainforest

Since most attractions in the Daintree Rainforest are on the northern shore of the Daintree River, it only makes sense to stay north of the Daintree River for an authentic Daintree Rainforest experience. This will also save you from the trouble and repeat cost of catching the ferry daily.

Wake up to nature in one of these Daintree accommodations:

How to visit Daintree Rainforest

Public transport is generally limited in the Daintree region, especially within the Daintree Rainforest. Regardless of the direction you are visiting from, there are practically only two options for visiting the Daintree Rainforest: self-drive or guided tours .

Many tour companies also run guided tours for visiting the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns or Port Douglas. Here are a few guided Daintree Rainforest tours you may wish to check out:

Cairns Departure:

Daintree Ferry

Daintree Ferry is the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest.

A one-way ride on Daintree Ferry takes only about 5 minutes . It runs back and forth continuously from 5 am to midnight daily to transport passengers and vehicles between the southern and northern banks of the Daintree River.

To access Daintree Ferry via its southern terminal, you need to turn onto Cape Tribulation Road from Mossman Daintree Road, then follow the signage towards the ticket booth to purchase a Daintree Ferry return ticket. From there, all you need is to line up & board the next ferry as directed by the operators.

A return ticket for Daintree Ferry was AUD 45 when I visited & make sure you keep the ticket for your return ferry as well.

During peak hours, the queue can get quite long at the ferry terminals, and it may take a few runs before your turn. That said, since the turnaround is relatively quick, it shouldn’t take too long in most cases.

While waiting for the next ferry, you can get off the car to check out the crocodiles along the Daintree River . Just make sure you observe the warning signs and don’t get too close to the water/crocodiles.

Once you have crossed the Daintree River, you will drive straight into a dense rainforest with tall canopies blocking most of the sky. This winding road hugs the pristine coastline and provides some of the best views along this stunning coast.

Tips on visiting Daintree Rainforest:

• Swimming : Crocodiles and poisonous jellyfish are commonly found in the water around Daintree. Although the beaches and rivers are incredibly gorgeous in the Daintree Rainforest, they are unsafe for swimming. If you are keen on a cool swim, check out one of the picturesque swimming holes, such as Mason’s Swimming Hole and Emmagen Creek , instead.
• Driving : With only one main road hugging the coast, navigating is relatively easy in Daintree. That said, the area north of Cape Tribulation is only suited for 4WDs & it can be easily identified by the road signs and challenging road conditions north of Cape Tribulation. So make sure you have an appropriate vehicle and are driving in suitable weather conditions before exploring further north.
• Petrol : When I visited, there was only one petrol station in the Daintree Rainforest. It is located near Thornton Beach. That said, it is still better to fill up the tank before starting this day trip.
• Walking Trails : Various walking trails are available in the Daintree Rainforest. As fascinating as the rainforest can be, make sure you only explore within the designated walking tracks . This is not only for protecting this ancient rainforest but also for your safety.
• Cassowary : Cassowary is an endangered bird native to Far North Queensland. It is a giant, shy bird, identifiable by its colourful exaggerated head attire, glossy fur-like feathers, and dinosaur feet. Although difficult to spot in the wild, Daintree Rainforest is the best place for spotting cassowaries . Although cassowaries are not violent, they may attack if they believe you are trying to harm them. So make sure you keep a safe distance when admiring these stunning birds.

Daintree Discovery Centre

Daintree Discovery Centre is a beautiful and educational rainforest centre located near the ferry terminal in the Daintree Rainforest. It offers a selection of elevated walkways with information boards for visitors to explore and learn about the ecosystem of the Daintree Rainforest.

On entering, you will also receive an interpretive guidebook and a self-directed audio guide to help make the most of your visit to the Daintree Discovery Centre.

The highlight of Daintree Discovery Centre is undoubtedly its iconic 23-metre tall Canopy Tower , which allows visitors to climb up its top lookout platform for an unobstructed bird’s eye view of the lush green rainforest you are visiting.

Within Daintree Discovery Centre, you can also find interesting Reptile Enclosures with giant pythons, a fascinating Rainforest Aquarium with beautiful fishes, and an educational Bug Room with a range of native insects to discover.

These all make Daintree Discovery Centre one of the best places to make sense of the impressive yet fragile ecosystem of the Daintree Rainforest.

Entry ticket to Daintree Discovery Centre was AUD 39 per adult in my memory & concession tickets are available for kids. Although not a vast area to explore, I suggest planning at least 1 hour for a walk around to cover all the highlights and read the information boards around the discovery centre.

Daintree Discovery Centre is one of the best places to get an insight into the diverse yet fragile ecosystem of the Daintree Rainforest. However, if travelling on a tight budget, you can certainly skip this spot and still enjoy a delightful day trip to the Daintree Rainforest, as all other attractions on this itinerary are either free or only charge a small fee.

Toilets and a small cafe are available on-site at Daintree Discovery Centre.

Jindalba Boardwalk

Jindalba is located only a few hundred metres further down the road from Daintree Discovery Centre. You can either drive to and park at the designated car parks at Jindalba Boardwalk, or take a short walk from Daintree Discovery Centre to Jindalba Boardwalk.

Two loop walks are available at Jindalba: a smaller 700-metre circular boardwalk for a taste of Jindalba & a more adventurous 2.7-kilometre circular walk to explore Jindalba in-depth.

On the information board at Jindalba, the longer loop walk was only suggested for the more experienced walkers, so I did not attempt it during my visit. That said, it might be the right walk for you if you are up for some challenge.

In terms of the shorter walk, it was mainly along a well-maintained boardwalk tucked within a lush rainforest. It also passes through a few tranquil creeks with beautiful bridges. It is a great walk to explore the rainforest and its incredible wildlife.

No entry fee is required for visiting Jindalba Boardwalk. Making it an excellent option when visiting the Daintree Rainforest on a budget.

Public toilets are available near the Jindalba Boardwalk car park.

Daintree Ice Cream Company

After visiting Daintree Discovery Centre and Jindalba Boardwalk, we will drive further north along Cape Tribulation Road to explore more of the Daintree Rainforest.

Along your drive, make sure you stop by the Daintree Ice Cream Company for some delicious refreshments!

Daintree Ice Cream Company is nestled in a beautiful fruit orchard. It offers a range of ice cream flavours from the exotic tropical fruits harvested from the orchard.

Although made on the premises, the ice creams at Daintree Ice Cream Company were all prepackaged into cups for convenience. The individual cups were AUD 6 & mixed cups were AUD 7.5 when I visited. Depending on the season, the flavours can change.

The mixed cup I purchased had four flavours: coconut, mango, black sapote, and wattleseed. They were all refreshing and delicious. The serving was also very generous. That said, since they were all prepackaged, you can’t choose and mix the flavours yourself & they were also a bit hard to scoop when first out of the freezer.

Various tables and chairs are dotted around the orchard for visitors to enjoy their mouthwatering ice creams.

Toilets are available on-site.

Cape Tribulation Beach & Kulki Lookout

Cape Tribulation Beach and Kulki Lookout at Cape Tribulation is the northernmost area on this Daintree Rainforest day trip itinerary . You can explore further north if desired, but a 4WD will be required. (With a 2WD, you can push to as far as Emmagen Creek, a 10-minute drive further north from Kulki Lookout, on a rough gravel road, but it was a rather unenjoyable ride in my experience)

Cape Tribulation Beach is about a 30-minute drive north along Cape Tribulation Road from Daintree Ice Cream Company. It is, in my opinion, the most gorgeous spot on this day trip !

Protected by lush green headlands on both ends of the beach, Cape Tribulation Beach provides incredibly calm water and a long stretch of buttery-soft white sandy beach .

Note: Although extremely inviting, Cape Tribulation Beach is unsuitable for swimming . Jellyfish (especially during the rainy season) and crocodiles are frequently found along the beaches in Daintree.

Towards the southern end of Cape Tribulation Beach, there are a couple of walkways leading to a short boardwalk, Kulki Boardwalk.

Kulki Boardwalk is only about 350 meters long. It starts from the Cape Tribulation Beach car park to the impressive Kulki Lookout up the small headland south of Cape Tribulation Beach. A return walk along Kulki Boardwalk should only take about 15 minutes for most of us, but you will likely wish to plan more time for admiring the views at Kulki Lookout.

Located on a small headland, Kulki Lookout offers an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the pristine Cape Tribulation Beach and the alluring turquoise water at Cape Tribulation. This is one of the best places in the Daintree Rainforest to admire where the Rainforest Meets the Reefs . Although frequented by visitors, it still provides a peaceful vibe with only the sounds of the ocean waves and birds chirping.

Since Cape Tribulation Beach and Kulki Lookout are one of the most popular day trip destinations in the Daintree Rainforest , their parking area can fill up quickly during peak visiting hours. You may want to visit this spot early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowd.

Public toilets are available near the car park.

Dubuji Boardwalk & Myall Beach

After visiting the idyllic Cape Tribulation Beach and Kulki Lookout, we will start heading south along Cape Tribulation Road to check out a few more stunning attractions along this coastal drive.

Dubuji Boardwalk is only a brief 5-minute drive south of Cape Tribulation Beach. It is a well-maintained 1.2-kilometre loop walk through lush rainforests and incredible mangrove forests. It will also lead you to the beautiful Myall Beach for a pit stop.

Along the walk from Myall Beach back to the car park, there is a good-sized picnic area with bowling greens and picnic tables. It can be an excellent place for lunch if desired.

A loop walk along Dubuji Boardwalk took me about 20-25 minutes . If you only intend to visit Myall Beach and/or the picnic area, you can access them directly from the car park & it should only take about 5 minutes to get there, depending on your fitness level.

In comparison to Cape Tribulation Beach and Kulki Lookout, the car park for Myall Beach and Dubuji Boardwalk is much bigger and less crowded. Public toilets are also available near the car park.

Mason’s Swimming Hole

After spending half the day exploring the rainforest and beaches, let’s now head to Mason’s Swimming Hole for a refreshing cool swim, followed by a late lunch.

Mason’s Swimming Hole is only a 2-minute drive south of Dubuji Boardwalk. It is one of Daintree’s limited swimming spots, free from jellyfish and crocodiles .

Surrounded by beautiful rainforests with crystal clear water running through, Mason’s Swimming Hole provides a tranquil spot for visitors to swim. Various fishes will also swim by your side, adding more fun to your visit.

Located at the back of Masons Cafe, Mason’s Swimming Hole is part of a private property requiring a small access fee: AUD 1 per person . The gate to Mason’s Swimming Hole is unmanned, but there is a small coin box on your left-hand side at the gate for visitors to drop off their entrance fee.

From the gate, there will be a short walking trail to lead you to the swimming hole.

After cooling down at Mason’s Swimming Hole, make sure you check out Masons Cafe for their signature Crocodile Burger ! If crocodile meat is outside your consideration, Masons Cafe also offers a good selection of food and drinks to suit different dietary requirements, making it an excellent place for a late lunch on this fun-filled day trip.

Madja Boardwalk

After a delicious lunch at Masons Cafe, let’s walk along Oliver Creek to check out the incredible transition between a beautiful tropical rainforest and a tough mangrove forest at Madja Boardwalk.

Madja Boardwalk is a 1.2-kilometre loop walk , a 10-minute drive south of Mason’s Swimming Hole. It is a relatively flat walk & can be effortlessly completed within 30 minutes for most of us.

Along the walk, you will find the crystal clear Oliver Creek , stroll through lush rainforests , and be impressed by the sudden landscape change near the river mouth. Various signage boards can be located throughout this walk, with informative details on the ecosystem and plantations along Madja Boardwalk.

Compared to Jindalba Boardwalk and Dubuji Boardwalk, Madja Boardwalk is not equipped with public toilets . There are also a very limited number of parking spots at Madja Boardwalk. That said, there were fewer visitors at Madja Boardwalk when I visited. 

Thornton Beach

If you still have some energy left for a beach stroll, why not check out Thornton Beach on your way back to the ferry terminal?

Thornton Beach is a less than 10-minute drive from Madja Boardwalk. It is a pristine sandy beach overlooking a small offshore island, Struck Island. With sapphire blue water, white sandy foreshore, and barely any visitors, it is a beach from paradise!

That said, being a typical beach of the Daintree region, the picture-perfect Thornton Beach is also not suited for swimming , with crocodiles and jellyfish frequenting. So make sure to stay clear of the water here and pay attention to crocodiles when visiting.

Mount Alexandra Lookout

Mount Alexandra Lookout is a picturesque vantage point just off Cape Tribulation Road. It provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Daintree River Mouth, the lush rainforest below, and the stunning coastline nearby . On a clear day, you can even see all the way to Port Douglas from Mount Alexandra Lookout.

Being the closest attraction to the ferry terminal, most visitors tend to visit Mount Alexandra Lookout on their way into the Daintree Rainforest. However, I suggest visiting Mount Alexandra Lookout on your drive back to the ferry terminal . So you do not need to hold up the traffic behind you when turning into the car park & can avoid an awkward right turn when driving out of the car park.

2 Days in Daintree

Although one day is typically sufficient for visiting the highlights of the Daintree Rainforest, two days will be ideal if you wish to explore the Daintree Rainforest at a more enjoyable pace and feel its serenity when all the day trippers have left Daintree.

With two days in Daintree, you can also check out a few more iconic Daintree attractions, such as the Daintree River Cruise and Mossman Gorge.

Here are a few popular attractions and activities you may wish to check out when spending two days in the Daintree Rainforest.

Daintree River Cruise

Since most of the waterways in Daintree are not suited for swimming, a Daintree River Cruise is undoubtedly the perfect way for visitors to get a good glimpse into the fascinating rivers and creeks in the Daintree Rainforest & get up and close to its resident crocodiles in a controlled environment.

Multiple companies in Daintree offer sightseeing cruises along the Daintree River. They are mostly 1-2 hour cruise tours, operated at different time slots throughout the day. A few options you may wish to check out are:

• 1-hour cruise on a solar-powered cruise.
• Located only a short walk from Daintree Ferry’s southern terminal.
• Multiple departure times to choose from.
• 1-hour guided cruise along the Daintree River
• Multiple departure times to choose from, with complimentary beverages provided.
• 2-hour cruise to discover the peaceful Daintree River at dawn.
• Departures from the heart of Daintree Village.
• 2-hour Sunset Cruise along the beautiful Daintree River.

Mossman Gorge

Although not geologically part of the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge has been a popular attraction for people visiting the Daintree Rainforest.

Located less than 30-minute drive south of the Daintree River & just off Captain Cook Highway, Mossman Gorge also makes a convenient stopover for travellers visiting Daintree from Cairns/ Port Douglas.

Within Mossman Gorge, visitors can stroll through lush rainforests and swim in its picturesque rock pools . Its visitor centre also provides eateries, shops, toilets, and shower facilities, so you can even spend an entire day at Mossman Gorge if desired.

There is no entrance fee to Mossman Gorge, but you will need to purchase a shuttle bus ticket to access the walking tracks in Mossman Gorge. The shuttle bus only takes about 5 minutes one-way to drive between the visitor centre and the walking trail in Mossman Gorge.

A return shuttle bus ticket was AUD 13 per adult when I visited . There was only one bus going back and forth between the visitor centre and Mossman Gorge, so it should take only about 10 minutes for the next bus if you happen to miss out on one.

Although there are a lot of car parks at the visitor centre, they can fill up quickly due to the number of visitors at Mossman Gorge. So you may want to plan your visit in the early morning or late afternoon.

Parking within Mossman Gorge is prohibited between 6 am and 6 pm. So in most cases, driving directly to the walking tracks in Mosman Gorge is not practical.

Hiking up to the walking tracks and rock pools in Mossman Gorge is doable. In fact, I did see a young couple walking along the road between the visitor centre and Mossman Gorge. That said, this is an uphill walk and can be pretty boring too. So I personally will not go there on foot.

Once you have arrived at Mossman Gorge, you will find a 300-metre boardwalk to a lookout platform, providing a spectacular view of the Mossman River. You can also find some picturesque rock pools for a cool swim along the walk.

From the lookout, you can continue this walk further along a 2.4-kilometre circular walk to explore more of the rainforest and waterways of Mossman Gorge. That said, this walk can get a bit muddy and slippery, so make sure you have the appropriate footwear.

Great Barrier Reef

Running alongside the iconic Great Barrier Reef, a visit to Daintree Rainforest is incomplete without a snorkelling/diving tour of its adjacent Great Barrier Reef!

Many tour companies around Daintree offer snorkelling/diving tours of the Great Barrier Reef. A few options you may wish to check out are:

• A half-day snorkelling adventure to marvel at the amazing marine life along the Great Barrier Reef.
• Provides an impressive view of the Daintree Rainforest from the water.
• Departures near Turtle Rock Cafe in Cape Tribulation.

Reef and Rainforest Combo – Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef :

• 2-Day guided tour of the Daintree Rainforest & the Great Barrier Reef.
• A packed itinerary to explore Far North Queensland from the land and the water.
• Departures from Cairns.

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Can you explore the Daintree Rainforest by yourself?

Yes you can!

Please note that due to Cyclone Jasper the road to Cape Tribulation is damaged and not all parts are accessible. Please contact us for the latest update on access and road conditions before you head off on your self-drive adventure to the Daintree Rainforest.

The road to Cape Tribulation is smooth and well-maintained, allowing for easy self-driving. Plan for a full day of exploring from Port Douglas, and pick up a map from our shop before you go.

You’ll have to cross the Daintree River by ferry to enter the Daintree National Park, this ferry runs from 5:00 am-midnight daily. Once you’re across the Daintree River you’ll be right in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest.

The challenge when exploring the Daintree by yourself is to find ways to learn about the rainforest without having a guide with you.

Consider the following options:

Join a wildlife river cruise – While the main objective of these cruises is to spot crocodiles, the guide will also provide interesting information about the Daintree.

Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre: Follow the boardwalk and listen to the audio guide to learn more about the rainforest. You can also climb the tower for an incredible view of the rainforest’s canopy.

Go Ziplining with Treetops Adventures at Cape Tribulation. You will ‘fly’ through the rainforest and the team will explain about the rainforest in between ziplines.

Select a Self Drive Daintree Rainforest Tour

Crocodile Express

Ages All ages

Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises

Bruce Belcher & Son Daintree River Cruises

From : $139

Experience Co

Back Country Bliss

Daintree Boatman

Daintree Discovery Centre

Ages All Ages

From : $0.00

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Save $100 on this Family Tour Package including a Daintree Tour, Snorkel Tour and Breakfast with the bird at Wildlife Habitat!

How to get to Port Douglas?

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The best time of year to visit Port Douglas depends on what you’re looking for in your trip.

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Are you staying in Mossman for 4 nights? Port Douglas would be better IMO.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures one day, Atherton Tablelands another, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef. If you are reasonable swimmers, I suggest Wavelength. Otherwise Quciksilver.

My tour of Daintree was part of a 4WD 2 night tour to Cooktown from Cairns .

Depending on where your Airbnb is you may have a 30 min drive back to PD for restaurants, which you need to book well in advance. Maybe book early dinner times?

You are choosing to stay in a small country town with a pub, a woollies and not much else. There is plenty of non resort type Accom in PD as well.

Re tours, not necessary for MG, and not necessary for Daintree unless you are very interested in the animal or plant life specifically, where a small group tour either day or night may well be worth it.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Daintree Hotels and Places to Stay

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Daintree Rainforest

Disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with Mother Nature when you explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest.

The Daintree Rainforest is a breathtaking natural marvel estimated to be around 135 million years old, the oldest living rainforest on earth, surpassing even the Amazon when it comes to seniority. It is also the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed sites meet, the rainforest and the reef . When you visit this area, the land of the Yalanji people, you will be inspired by the diversity of the flora and fauna and marvel at the distinct landscapes that have been in existence since Australia was still part of Gondwana.

Spanning over 17,000ha (that’s roughly 162 Sydney Harbours), the Daintree Rainforest is the most unique ecosystem in the world. Meander along Daintree Rainforest boardwalks, eyes peeled to glimpse a southern cassowary and his chicks. Be dwarfed by king ferns, cruise the river for prehistoric crocodiles. Join a Daintree Rainforest tour and learn about the rich biological diversity and evolutionary history as you venture deep into the forest.

Seek out adventure in secret swimming holes and ride or hike your way through the Daintree Rainforest by day, then relax in luxury in your off-grid rainforest retreat by night.

It’s a jungle out there! When it comes to planning the perfect Daintree Rainforest holiday, it's easy to get lost in where to start. Sign up to our newsletter here for all the up-to-date local information and holiday deals in the Daintree.

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Tourism Port Douglas Daintree acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji and Yirraganydji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

The top 7 Daintree tours for culture, crocs, food and nature

Emily Murphy

Social Media Manager & Writer

17 February 2023

To see all the best bits of the Daintree without the hassle, look no further than one of these incredible Daintree tours.

The Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland is a bucket list destination that must be seen to be believed. The sheer size of it and the native flora and fauna that are seldom seen anywhere else in the world will leave you in awe. To see the Daintree Rainforest properly and learn about its anomalies, join one of the many tours that showcase the beauty of the rainforest. For expertise and knowledge, these are the top seven tours in the Daintree.

The native flora and fauna in the Daintree are seldom seen anywhere else in the world. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

1. Walkabout Cultural Adventures

There’s no better way to see the Daintree than to be guided by local Aboriginal guides who are the traditional custodians of Kuku Yalanji country. Walkabout Cultural Adventures hosts a number of Indigenous tours, ranging from half-day tours to full-day tours, where you’ll learn about different foods and medicines the Kuku Yalanji people utilise from nature, sample bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices.

You’ll also have opportunities to throw boomerangs and spears and walk through the rainforest to Mossman Gorge . Plus, pick up from Daintree Village, Mossman or Port Douglas is included.

Cook bush tucker on the fire with Walkabout Cultural Adventures. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

2. Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks at Mossman Gorge

Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) means stories and legends from a long time ago in the local Kuku Yalanji language, and that’s exactly what you can expect from the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks . Local Indigenous guides will begin with a smoking ceremony to cleanse before they take you on a spiritual walk through the lush rainforest where you will visit culturally significant sites and learn through enchanting Dreamtime stories.

The intimate tours last approximately 1.5 hours and finish with bush tea and damper.

Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks begin with a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

3. Cassowary Falls tour

Cassowary Falls is an incredible waterfall located on private property, so the only way to see it is the exclusive Daintree waterfall tour . One of only a few places in the Daintree you can actually swim (thanks crocodiles!) you’ll have 1.5 hours to meander around, relax on the mossy rocks, and swim to your heart’s content (you can also find more croc-free places to swim nearby in Port Douglas ).

Part of this tour includes a bit of off-roading to get to the waterfall, so you’ll definitely be keen for a dip!

Cassowary Falls is one of the very few places you can swim safely in the Daintree. (Image: Cassowary Falls tour)

4. Daintree Ice Cream Company Orchard Tour

Daintree Ice Cream Company is ice cream unlike anything you’ve tried before. With flavours from the rainforest, all the ice cream is handmade on site from the exotic fruits that are organically grown, irrigated naturally by tropical rainfall and farmed in the orchard.

All the ice cream is handmade on site from the exotic fruits grown in the orchard. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Take a free, self-guided walking tour of the Daintree Ice Cream Company orchard that will take you about 30 minutes while you devour the end result. With over 15 species of rare and exotic fruit trees from Davidson plums and lychees to dragon fruit and native beehives, the orchard walk will delight your mind.

Discover the 15 species on the Daintree Ice Cream Co. orchard tour. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

5. Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Tour

If you’d rather do a tour that doesn’t require you to hire a car, luckily for you there are Cape Tribulation and Daintree tours from Cairns! The 2-day Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Tour will take you on a journey to explore the Daintree at ease. You’ll get all the best bits, with accommodation too, without having to organise a thing.

A guided night walk, crocodile spotting on a Daintree River cruise , swimming in the pristine creeks, a trip to the reef and horse riding are all on the cards.

Emmagen Creek marks the “end of the road” spot for 2WDs before heading to the Bloomfield Track. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Daintree Rainforest Discovery

While there are a number of amazing accommodation options in the Daintree and places to stay in Cape Tribulation , if you’d rather base yourself in one of the accommodations in Port Douglas there are also Cape Tribulation and Daintree tours that depart from there, including the full-day Daintree Rainforest Discovery . The 10-hour tour will pick you up from your accommodation in Port Douglas and will commence with a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by the Kuku Yalanji people.

Lunch at On The Turps at the Heritage Lodge , a swim in nearby Cooper Creek, a walk at Jindalba Boardwalk, a stop for ice cream and a Daintree River cruise are all on the itinerary for the day. On the way home you’ll get to stop at Mount Alexandra Lookout to take in the views of the Daintree Rainforest and its coastline. You might also see the Daintree River as it snakes through the landscape.

Jindalba is the traditional Kuku Yalanji people’s name for this area, meaning ‘foot of the mountain’. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

7. Daintree, Cape Trib and Bloomfield Tour

If you’re looking to explore more of the upper Daintree and want a Cape Tribulation and Daintree tour that leaves from Palm Cove, the Billy Tea Safaris 1-day Daintree, Cape Trib and Bloomfield tour is for you.

You’ll get to experience a Daintree River cruise and take a 4WD ride on the rugged Bloomfield Track to Emmagen Creek, Cape Tribulation Beach and more! Billy Tea Safaris is one of the only tour operators to travel on the Bloomfield Track so your experience will be like no other.

Watch the scenery of the Daintree River while on a Billy Tea Safaris tour. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Emily Murphy found her passion for writing at a young age and knew her future was in travel after she moved overseas solo at 18. Em loves to write about beautiful, under-the-radar destinations and anything that will ignite a desire in more people to explore the vastness and beauty that is Australia. She is a devoted bun mum and in her spare time you'll find her by the sea, reading a good book, binge-watching a TV show or exploring Sydney's dining scene.

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OPENING TIMES & PRICES

OPENING HOURS

The Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre is open every day, except for Christmas Day (25th December). Hours of operation are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Entry Prices

The Daintree Discovery Centre is a multi-faceted attraction.

Entry includes access to:

• The Canopy Tower
• Aerial Walkway
• Cassowary Circuit and Bush Tucker Trail
• Interpretive Display Centre
• Self-guided Audio Tour (available in 8 languages* Children’s Audio tour suit ages 5 – 9 years)
• 68 page interpretive guide book
• 7 day re-entry (no extra charge)

*English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Visting a national park.

The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most special on the planet so it is important that it is protected. Only walk on designated tracks or boardwalks, drive slowly and watch for wildlife, take home rubbish including food scraps, watch out for stinging plants and check yourself for ticks and leeches if you have been walking through the forest.

What to Bring

It is highly recommended visitors wear closed in, secure footwear when visiting the Daintree as well as bring a good supply of water, sunscreen, a change of clothes, any vital medications, camera and phone. There is not a lot of phone reception, so where possible it is recommended to travel with someone.

Special Assistance

The Discovery Centre offers full accessibility to its Daintree Café, Aerial Walkway and Interpretive Centre. Due to natural variations in the terrain, the lower level boards and walkways may not be accessible to all visitors using mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit to the Discovery Centre and beyond. Location, how much time you need and other useful information can be found here.

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• Rainforest, Reef, Rivers and Beaches
• Frogs and Fishes
• Indigenous Culture
• The Daintree - Historical Timeline
• The Daintree Blockade
• Useful Resources
• What's Open
• Visitors' Map
• Driving Times and the Daintree Ferry
• Walking and Hiking
• Self-Drive Itineraries
• River and Reef
• Bed and Breakfast
• Self contained Cabins/Apartments
• Holiday Home
• Resorts & Hotels
• Camping and Caravan
• Backpackers
• Restaurants & Hotels
• Shops and Services
• / Getting Here & Getting Around
• / Walking and Hiking

There aren't many places in the world where you can walk out of one World Heritage Area (Wet Tropics) and straight into another one (The Great Barrier Reef) There's nowhere else you can step out of the world's oldest rainforest and into the planet's largest living thing. But then there really is nowhere else like DAINTREE. Destination Daintree is proud to present "Walks in Paradise" Booklet. 28 pages of breathtaking walks and experiences just like these.  Download your FREE copy

CAPE TRIBULATION REGION

Madja botanical walk - 30 minutes.

Located 10 minutes drive to the south of Cape Tribulation. A boardwalk and concrete pathway leads you through high value rainforest with interpretive signs to Oliver Creek, where you can sit and watch out for crocodiles .  Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tourist rush. You can hire a bicycle from your accommodation house to get there.

Dubuji Boardwalk - one hour round trip

Cape Tribulation Beach to Mason's Shop - one hour one way.

A beautiful long beach walk links Myall Beach and Cape Tribulation Beach. Start from the car park at Kulki and follow the signposted track over the ridge of Cape Trib which drops down onto Myall Beach. The view from this southern side of the cape is spectacular. As you walk south, you come to Mason Creek, which can be a barrier at high tide.

At low tide it is possible to walk south for about 2 kms to the southern end of Myall Beach, stopping to do the Dubuji Boardwalk on the way. Follow the track back to Mason’s Shop, where you can swim, take refreshments and then retrace your steps or follow the footpath beside the road back to Kulki.

Kulki - Cape Tribulation Beach Lookout - 10 minutes

The lookout path is concreted and starts near the toilets, and takes you to a viewing platform on the north side of the Cape Tribulation headland, with great views to the north of the mountains and the beaches. Towards Cape Tribulation, you can see the profusion of vines, especially matchbox beans, whose enormous pods you can see dangling in the tree tops.

Cape Tribulation beach to the north of the entrance, is an excellent example of the natural beach vegetation (called ‘littoral’ rainforest ). This fringing littoral rainforest protects the beach from the action of storm surges, acting as a sort of natural shock absorber.

Emmagen Creek and Beach - Five hours round trip from Cape Tribulation.

Follow the main road north for 8km through forest and past creeks (about 2 hours). Just before Emmagen Creek sign you will find a foot track, marked by gate posts, on the left hand side of the road. Follow this path for about 800 metres and you will find a stunning freshwater swimming hole and a sandy beach.

At low tide it is possible to walk back to Cape Trib along the beach from Emmagen Beach. To access Emmagen Beach, follow the track, which leaves the road about 400 metres south of Emmagen Creek, starting at a giant Strangler Fig tree. Take water and insect repellant and check tide times. The Emmagen area was actually open eucalyptus forest in the 1900’s - but with the cessation of traditional Aboriginal burning practices, the area is slowly reverting to rainforest.

Mt Sorrow Ridge Walk - 6 hours return

It is possible to climb up to the ridge line behind Cape Trib for a spectacular view at a look-out. It is not an easy climb, and there can be leeches, but it is well worth the effort if you are an experienced walker. The walk commences on the main road, two hundred metres north of the Kulki - Cape Tribulation Beach turn-off. There is a small car park where you can leave your car. Look for the walking sign which is set just off the road in the bush on the inland side of the road where the track starts.

Make sure you tell your accommodation house where you are going. Plan to start early and carry a lot of water. Tourists have gone missing on this walk and never been found. You will notice that the forest canopy gets lower and lower as you go up, and by the time you get to the lookout, it is about 3 meters high, and covered with epiphytes. There are leeches - ikky - but not dangerous - spray your shoes and trouser ends with insect repellant – and you probably won’t have troubles!

COW BAY REGION

Each walk starts at the airstrip in cow bay. distances are approximate only., the beach walk - 6 km plus 1.5 km for the loop (one way).

Turn left after the war memorial and follow the foot/bicycle path along Buchanan Creek Road. After 3 km, there is a second road on your right past Crocodylus Village and you can add a loop to this walk by turning right into Spurwood Road. When Spurwood Road comes to an end, turn left into Quandong Road. Quandong Road then crosses Buchanan Creek Road.

Turn right here to walk to the beach or, continue on Quandong Road. Turn right before the waste transfer station at Cedar Road. The second road on the right is Bloodwood Road, which meets up with Buchanan Creek Road again. Turn left to do the final kilometre to the beach. It is not very obvious that people live here, but please do not enter any driveways/ properties.

Once you reach the beach, walk north and climb around the headlands to find small isolated bays.

The Mountain Walk- 5.5 km (one way)

Walk past the war memorial, cross Buchanan Creek Road and use the foot path past Flora Villa and the Cow Bay Hotel. Walk up past the sign to the Discovery Centre and it is 2.5km to the Alexandra Range look out. On the way back turn right to the Discovery Centre and follow the road, Tulip Oak Road to Jindalba National Park walk. After completing the loop here walk back to the airstrip.

Most of this walk is on the main road, but this is a spectacular part of Cow Bay. Walking up to the look out, you can see mighty trees, fantastic vines and… just listen to the birds. During the wet there are creeks cascading from the steep slopes over boulders and under the road. At Jindalba the board walk makes it easy to experience the normally inaccessible dense rainforest. This area is very different to the beach walk as it is elevated and provides quite different vegetation and creek environments.

The Creek Walk- 6-7 km plus 1.5 km for the loop (one way)

Head north from the airstrip and cross Hutchinson Creek. Walk past Alexandra Bay State School and the ice-cream factory and turn right into Palm Road . At Palm Road you can see old fan palm forest, which is highly concentrated in this area. This loop brings you back to the Cape Tribulation Road, where you turn left. Walking back south, you can go for a swim in Hutchinson Creek, before arriving back at the airstrip.

This walk will show you part of the community infrastructure, with the school located next to Hutchinson Creek, and Diwan Community Centre in Tea Tree Road. The green tunnel you walking through was planted by the Cassowary care Group. There is some farming here and you can see the fruit orchards around the ice cream factory. 20–30 years ago this area was totally cleared for various farming pursuits. Around the wilderness lodge there is some amazing stands of undisturbed forest with extensive wildlife.

Jindalba Boardwalk (650metres) and Jindalba Circuit Track (3 kilometres)

To get to the start of both these walks turn off Cape Tribulation Road at the Daintree Discovery Centre , into Tulip Oak Road in Cow Bay.

The Jindalba Boardwalk is a shady walk in Daintree National Park, which meanders through lush lowland rainforest. In places the boardwalk is elevated up to 4 metres above the ground keepin your feet dry as it crosses creeks and swampy areas. From the vantage point of the boardwalk you can enjoy views of the surrounding lowland rainforest. From information signs along the way, learn about the ecology and diversity of the rainforest and find out how different species have evolved to surive in this tropical environment. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to spot the Bennetts Tree Kangaroo and if you are lucky, you may also see a Cassowary. A stream runs through the rainforest. Wetter spots are fringed by King Ferns, ancient plants which appeared 235 million years ago, pre-dating the dinosaurs. Another ancient plant seen here is Hopes Cycad (possibly the world's tallest cycad at 20 metres high), which has been around for 40 million years. Jindalba (meaning 'foot of the mountain') is the local Kuku Yalanji people's name for this area. This walk is 650 metres so take about 30 minutes.

The Jindalba Circuit track begins near the entrance of the Jindalba Boardwalk. The track is well marked but is stony in places and crosses rainforest creeks. There are birds of all kinds - large majestic cassowaries or buff-breasted paradise kingfishers streaming their long tails through the forest. Although many of the mammals are nocturnal, you may catch some day-time action with Musky Rat-Kangaroos foraging on the forest floor and Bennett's Tree Kangaroo rustling about the canopy. You need to be reasonably fit to do this walk. It takes about 2-3 hours and the total distance is 3 kilometres.

DAINTREE VILLAGE REGION

Historical village walk – 30 minutes.

Pick up a brochure map at a tour desk and stroll around the tiny village, learning about it's fascinating history on the interpretive signs you'll find along the way.

Daintree Village Trail

This trail begins steeply but offers good views of the Daintree Village and the Daintree River.

Along the track you will see eucalypts, acacias, paperbark, and one of the ancient and interesting plants known as Cycads. Of the various ferns along the way, the most obvious is a climbing fern which forms an attractive curtain but its tangled wiry stems can be frustrating to deal with when walking through a forest hung with this creeper.

One of the more common epiphytes seen is the Bottlebrush Orchid. These can form fairly large clumps with sprays of small flowers borne in a tight bottlebrush-like cluster from August to November.

Look out for the Lovely Fairy-wrens in family groups by the track.

START LOCATION: Pioneers Park in Daintree Village. Walk 50 metres along Stewart Creek Road and take the first track to the left, on the edge of Pioneers Park. Go past the water treatment plant and water tanks.

Daintree Visitors' Map  

Your free guide to beaches, boardwalks, tours, attractions, accommodation, camping, restaurants, shops, walking trails, lookout points, tourist information and essential services in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.  

Click to download

The Destination Daintree website is a project of the Daintree Marketing Co-Operative Ltd.

Contact with one of the local members of Destination Daintree! There are details below.

The Daintree Marketing Co-Operative acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

The Destination Daintree website is a project of the Daintree Marketing Co-Operative Ltd. Site credits...

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Active Tropics Overnight Daintree & Cape Tribulation

Departure Times

Pricing options.

Get active in the tropics with this unique overnight tour to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation!

• Explore the Daintree Rainforest Region, the oldest eco system in the world!
• Swim in the rainforest oasis of Mossman Gorge.
• Join a 'Welcome to Country' and smoking ceremony with Traditional Owners.
• Choose your own accommodation in Cape Tribulation, with options for every budget!

Delve into the pristine Daintree Rainforest region and explore the white beaches, stunning rivers and amazing natural beauty that will surround you on your Active Tropics overnight tour. This tour is ideal for those who want to explore the untouched beauty of this  World Heritage Listed area where reef and rainforest come together, taking you on an overnight adventure of a lifetime.

Features and Highlights

• Stay overnight in the Daintree Rainforest
• Cool of with a swim at Mossman Gorge
• Go croc spotting on a Daintree River wildlife cruise
• Fill up with a hearty buffet lunch in Cape Tribulation
• Choose your own accommodation to suit your budget!
• Learn about native flora and fauna on a guided rainforest walk
• Great photo opportunities at Cape Trib beach and lookout stops
• Free time to explore Cape Tribulation with add on activities!

Important Information

• Price is per person without accommodation. Please ensure you book your own accommodation for this overnight tour. 
• Your Active Tropics tour guide will drop you off and pick you up at your chosen accommodation in Cape Tribulation. 
• Extend your stay in Cape Tribulation to more than just 1 night and still be picked up by Active Tropics! Just ensure you communicate this with your tour operators and booking agents ahead of time to ensure there are available seats on the bus. 
• Please note lunch is only included on the first day of tour. 

Sample Itinerary

Departing from Cairns early in the morning, your local tour guide will take you along the Coastal Scenic Drive up to Mossman Gorge, passing Port Douglas. Upon arrival you'll be met by Traditional Indigenous Owners and participate in a 'Welcome to Country' indigenous experience and smoking ceremony with a Kuku Yalanji  tribal member.

Shortly after, stop for a quick break before hopping...

Shortly after, stop for a quick break before hopping on board the Mossman Gorge shuttle bus that will take you to the heart of the Gorge. From here you can opt for a refreshing swim in the cascading waters and majestic pools that make this spot such an iconic place to visit!

Next, travel up to the Daintree River for a 1 hour Wildlife Cruise . Search for crocodiles and other native animals that reside in the area. Make sure to have your camera at the ready to snap a few keepsakes!

As you get dropped off on the other side of the river, hop back onboard and continue the bus tour north to Cape Tribulation . Enjoy a filling lunch before being dropped off at your accommodation of choice, where you can relax or choose to do an optional afternoon activity!

(Please note that accommodation is not included in the price of the tour and you must book your own place to stay.)

With the afternoon free to explore Cape Tribulation why not opt for a half day tour? Take a horse riding tour along Myall Beach, jump on a half day snorkel tour with Ocean Safari , or try out ziplining at the Tree Tops Adventure Park!

After being picked up at your Cape Tribulation accommodation at around 2:15pm, start the return day of the tour with a guided walk into the oldest living rainforest in the world! Your expert local guides will share their knowledge of the ecology and wonder of this World Heritage Listed rainforest, giving you unique insight into its beauty.

Stop by the Daintree Ice Cream tropical orchard to try one of the delicious 26 flavours made fresh from the fruit grown on site. Enjoy the scenic views at Alexandra Range Lookout. Cross back over the Daintree River on the cable ferry, heading south towards Port Douglas.

Departing Port Douglas, make the journey back along the Scenic Coastal Drive and arrive back into Cairns around 6:30pm - 7:00pm.

Want to extend your Daintree trip by adding additional nights in Cape Tribulation? Ask us how!

Accommodation

Top-Rated Accommodation Options In Cape Tribulation

Here are some recommendations for accommodation in Cape Tribulation! Accommodation is not included in this tour, but feel free to ask us any questions you may have about where to stay in Cape Tribulation. 

Safari Lodge provides unique cabin-st...

Safari Lodge provides unique cabin-style accommodation options in Cape Tribulation. Offering clean amenities and a refreshing swimming pool to cool off in the rainforest. Popular reef tour Ocean Safari and Turtle Rock Cafe are also located on the property, situated a short walk from Myall Beach. It's the perfect location to experience two World Heritage Listed sites side by side!

Cape Trib Beach House is beachfront accommodation where you can spend your night between tours! Cabins are located deep in the rainforest where you can wake up to the sounds of ocean waves and native animals. With a saltwater pool, on-site rainforest bistro, beachfront cabins, deluxe romantic cottages, family rooms and budget accommodation available, relax in Cape Tribulation!

Ferntree Rainforest Lodge  is another option for your stay. This is a budget traveller's dream! Relax in air-conditioned comfort after a day of rainforest and reef expeditions. Situated in the heart of Cape Trib, Ferntree is just minutes from the beach and is surrounded by rainforest. Accommodation options here are: 5 bed dorm with aircon and ensuite, standard twin/double with aircon and ensuite and The Garden Rooms - Poolside twin/double with aircon and ensuite.

PK's Jungle Village  right in the heart of Cape Tribulation. The lively life at PK's Jungle Bar blends perfectly with the rainforest setting where you can enjoy a night of fun in the jungle! Accommodation options here are: 7 bed dorm with aircon & share facilities, twin/double with aircon and share facilities or twin/double with aircon and ensuite.

*Accommodation availability and inclusions are subject to change. Please enquire upon booking to confirm information.

Optional Add On Activities To Explore The Tropics Further

Looking for something to do while staying overnight in Cape Tribulation? Check out these optional activities that allow you to see more of ...

Looking for something to do while staying overnight in Cape Tribulation? Check out these optional activities that allow you to see more of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef!

Ocean Safari

Jump on the only reef tour departing from Cape Tribulation and experience some of the most pristine snorkel sites on the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Safari ! Choose between a half day morning or afternoon snorkelling tour, travelling only 30 minutes from the Daintree Rainforest, you'll get up to 2.5 hours to explore vibrant coral ecosystems and swim with tropical marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles! 

Cape Tribulation Beach Horse Riding

Meander through the majestic Daintree Rainforest and onto the sandy shores of Myall Beach on the only Horseback Riding tour in Cape Tribulation! Choose between a morning, midday or afternoon 90-minute guided tour. 

Ferntree Night Walks

Want to see the Daintree Rainforest come alive at night with nocturnal creatures? Then you have to jump on the Ferntree Night Walk from Cape Tribulation. Departing at 7:30pm or 9:00pm Your local native guru will take you on a 1.5 hour guided tour into the rainforest to go wildlife spotting! Torches and rain ponchos are provided if required. Wet weather won't stop this adventure, it'll heighten it!

Tree Tops Adventure Park

If you fancy yourself a bit of a nature and activities enthusiast, why not combine the two and check out the Tree Tops Adventure Park in Cape Tribulation? Have a go at ziplining through the lush rainforest canopy, or simply enjoy the panoramic scenic views as you wander along the skyhigh timber walkways.

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What to bring.

• Small day bag for overnight trip that can fit under your seat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Refillable water bottle
• Sun protection
• Insect repellent
• Rain jacket or umbrella in wet season
• Warm pullover for cooler months
• Cash or card for additional purchase
• Either bring food to cook or buy from your accommodation

What's Included

• Semi-guided overnight tour to Daintree Rainforest
• Knowledgeable loc...
• Knowledgeable local guides
• Scenic coastal drive between Cairns and Port Douglas
• Mossman Gorge with 'Welcome to Country' indigenous experience
• Daintree River Wildlife and Croc Cruise
• Daintree River ferry crossing
• Lunch in Cape Tribulation on first day
• Stop at Port Douglas (subject to itinerary)
• Return transfers from Cairns and Port Douglas
• Drop off and pick up at your Cape Tribulation accommodation
• Infants age 0-2 years are free of charge

What's Extra

• Accommodation in Cape Tribulation
• Any optional activities 
• Additional meals, snacks and drinks not mentioned

Terms and Conditions

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours/Mr Travel and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. Please refer to the specific tour page for full check-in instructions.

Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.

Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 

It should be noted that any transport you have booked (buses, flights and ferries) through Cairns Tours is non-refundable and non-transferable. It might be possible to change flights however do note this must be done directly with the flight operator and we are unable to offer any support with this. This may incur change fees or cancellation fees, it depends on the T+Cs of the flight operators themselves. As we acted as a booking agent for you, it is possible to liaise with the airline directly should there be any unexpected events and the airline is forced to cancel your flights. If there are any changes to your flight times or days, we will get notified and send this email directly to you in a reasonable time.

Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies. Not all tours offer transfers, please refer to the individual product to see if this is applicable to your tour.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees. You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price. Client cancellations made within 48 hours of departure forfeit 50% of the total ticket price. No shows or client cancellations made within 24 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.

Cairns Tours is required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during standard business hours (9am-5pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider.

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.

Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

All add-on activities (including but not limited to scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, helmet diving, guided snorkel tours, banana boat rides and waterslides) are subject to availability and price changing, and may not be available during your tour without notice. Guests are not eligible for refunds on the grounds of non-operating extra activities.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email.  While there is a Travel Shop retail outlet located in Cairns, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Cairns Tours/Mr Travel online department.

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Cairns Tours/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.

Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Cairns Tours/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.

Information & Advice:

All information, advice or pricing provided by Cairns Tours and our affiliates, or through any of our team, is subject to change. Cairns Tours articles and products are provided online for general information purposes only and are intended as guides. Any advice interpreted from information on the website (including but not limited to financial, immigration, employment and tax information) is not specialist advice and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional instruction. Cairns Tours does not guarantee that any information provided is up-to-date or accurate. Please obtain professional advice before actioning any advice, including but not limited to tax, immigration, employment, travel restrictions and finances.

Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Cairns Tours/ Mr Travel. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please  get in touch.

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Booking For Active Tropics Overnight Daintree & Cape Tribulation

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Chicano Batman are not who you expect them to be

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In the summer of 2017, Chicano Batman played a free show at One Colorado, the shopping complex in the heart of Old Pasadena, as part of KCRW’s Summer Nights concert series. The band had just released “Freedom Is Free,” its third album.

Organizers had anticipated a large turnout for the event and warned fans for a week that they expected to reach capacity early.

The place was packed an hour before the band hit the stage. Fans arriving late, many of them Latino, climbed over and crawled under temporary fences installed for crowd control to try to get in to see the hometown heroes play their signature blend of Latin psychedelic, Chicano old-school soul and Tropicalía.

“That was some Beatles s—,” Eduardo Arenas, the band’s bass player, recalled with a chuckle.

“It was awesome because the power went out on the last song,” added lead vocalist Bardo Martinez over food at Highland Park’s breakfast taco joint HomeState.

“Power outages always make for a moment,” said Arenas.

Arenas and Martinez remember that evening of loosely controlled chaos fondly, but are quick to point out that it was a different era for the band, which recently released the new album “Notebook Fantasy” via indie label ATO Records.

Onstage, the band members have abandoned their matching three-piece ruffled suits — a nod to old-school Latin acts on both sides of the border— in favor of a “wear what you feel” dress policy. The quartet also became a trio; longtime drummer Gabriel Villa left the band after the release of 2020’s “Invisible People.”

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Notably, that experimental album, influenced by krautrockers Can and Nigeria’s William Onyeabor, was the first Chicano Batman album to not feature any songs in Spanish, an artistic decision that puzzled some longtime fans who expected the band to stay loyal to the “Chicano” part of its name.

Arenas sees it differently, arguing that the band was always meant to be an experimental project.

“We’re always trying to see where we can go next,” he said. “This is just part of the natural journey we’re on. I think it’s dope to have a fan base that believes in what we’re doing, and we can’t be the same people for 16 years, you know?”

Even the band’s name, which Martinez says he came up with while enrolled at UCLA in the early 2000s, allowed for interpretation and growth.

“I just put the two names together and thought, ‘Damn, that’s a dope band name,’” he said, adding that he drew inspiration from his own involvement in the school’s MEChA chapter. It was this political awakening that made him realize that there was no one way to be Chicano. “That was the whole point, that the band could be whatever we decided it to be.”

If “Invisible People” was a departure from the familiar, “Notebook Fantasy” is the arrival of what Chicano Batman was always meant to sound like.

Working with producer John Congleton, the band recorded at Sunset Sound, the legendary Hollywood studio used by some of the biggest names in rock history.

Commentary: Sunset Sound is one of the last great L.A. recording studios. To lose it would be a disaster.

The legendary Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood is in trouble. If we care about music — its history and its future — we must take notice.

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“We were in the same place where all these big bands — the Doors, Van Halen — recorded their albums,” said Arenas. “We were in the company of legends and the walls were talking to us.”

The ghosts of some of these legends show up in the recordings. The album’s first single, “Fly,” channels Prince — a Sunset Sound alumnus — through its upbeat funk and sexually charged lyrics. The track’s music video is also a visual throwback to the Purple One’s 1979 eponymous sophomore LP, which featured the musician shirtless on the cover.

“Notebook Fantasy” also marks the return of Spanish-language songs on Chicano Batman albums. “Era Primavera” is a slick, springtime ode to Latin America’s pop balladeers of the ‘70s and ‘80s that starts to bloom by the time it hits the chorus. Arenas takes over lead singer duties in “Hojas Secas” and gets self-reflective in this down-tempo track about the end of a relationship. His song of lament is accompanied by Carlos Arévalo’s wailing guitar, and crescendos with a full-on choir.

“We’re not trying to shy away from them,” Arenas said of their Spanish tracks. Rather, they’re just one of their many musical offerings. “It’s like ‘Yo, here’s your coconut chocolate, here’s your almond with sea salt and here’s your Carlos V [Mexican chocolate bar], we got you bro.”

“We were just trying to have fun in the studio, just geeking out on what potential sounds we could make,” said Martinez.

On Friday, Chicano Batman will take its vast musical samplings on tour, kick-starting a run of 32 U.S. cities in Las Vegas and ending with a homecoming show on June 29 at the historic Kia Forum in Inglewood.

“This journey to the Forum, it’s kind of a mammoth journey that involves everyone,” Arenas said before listing several local bands that came up with them and helped Chicano Batman become better musicians, including Brainstory, Chola Orange and Tropa Magica.

The other group that helped propel their journey: the fans, opinions and all.

“Chicano Batman at the Forum is not an individual act,” he added. “It’s a collective, a movement. You don’t play at the Forum without the people’s power, and so I’m thankful for that.”

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Fidel Martinez writes the Latinx Files, a weekly newsletter that focuses on the American Latinx experience. He started at The Times in 2018 as an audience engagement editor, focusing on sports. Previously he worked as politics editor for Mitu, as a social storytelling producer for Fusion Media Group and content curator and managing editor for Break Media. He is a proud Tejano who will fight anyone who disparages flour tortillas.

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