Menu
Daintree Rainforest - Things To Do

Cairns Activities

Find great deals on tours and activities right here!

Show Me Deals

Cairns Activities

Find great deals on tours and activities right here!

Show Me Deals

Daintree Rainforest - Tropical North Queensland Holiday Destination

The Daintree Rainforest is the largest area of tropical rainforest in Australia and is located a short 2 hour drive north of Cairns. The Daintree National Park is a World Heritage Site and part of the unique Wet Tropics area.

It's a spectacular piece of country full of hundreds of tropical animal and plant species as well as some rare and endangered species.

Daintree Village is a laid back rural town located on a bend on the mighty Daintree River. It was once a place for gold rush pioneers, then became a centre for the Queensland timber industry and is now a tourist town that opens up the wonders of the Daintree - from Mossman Gorge to the Bloomfield River with all the wonders that lie between.  

Daintree Rainforest Accommodation

Daintree Rainforest accommodationbook daintree accommodationThere's not an abundance of accommodation options in Daintree Village so we recommend you book well in advance before you make the trip out there. There is a range of eco friendly lodges as well as self contained cabins, small bed and breakfasts and motels.

Once you get over the Daintree River you will find a number of accommodation options around Cape Tribulation Beach. There's hostels, backpackers and motels for the budget conscious and more upscale holiday houses, resorts and boutique lodges.

Things to Do or Places to Visit in the Daintree

Looking up at the treesThe Daintree covers a huge expanse of country from rainforest to beach, river to ocean. It's a nature lover's ideal getaway with some adventure filled activities to go along with it. There's no right way to explore this region however there are some experience that should not be missed.

Have a look at all the different tours on offer because they are extensive and are often led by the people who know the area and the animals best - there's horse rides along Cape Tribulation, Sea Kayaking to Snapper Island National Park and all sorts of cruises so you can view the region both day and night.

Daintree National Park

Wander through the Daintree National Park which is believed to be around 110 million years old and home to the largest range of animals on earth. There are many different walks that range in difficulties and will take you past sights like Mossman Gorge, the Manjal Jimalji trail and over the Mount Sorrow Ridge Trail. Keep your eyes peeled the whole time and your camera at the ready as there are beautiful lookouts, approximately 430 species of birds in the trees, brilliant butterflies, croaking frogs and many more marsupial and reptiles that are only found in Australia.

The Daintree River

Once you leave Daintree Village you must cross the Daintree River. This river runs through the rainforest and is home to salt and freshwater animals including the terrifying saltwater croc. There's only one way to cross this mighty river and that's by the Daintree River Fairy which connects the northern section of the Daintree Rainforest to the Cape Tribulation Area. The ferry operates from 6am till midnight, 7 days a week and carries up to 40 vehicles at a time. Once on the other side you'll have the only sealed road to take you on the next part of your journey. Make sure you keep your eye out for a croc or two!


Daintree Rainforest BoardwalkThe Daintree Discovery Centre

The Daintree Discovery Centre is a great place to begin exploring the region as it offers great insight and information into this beautiful yet delicate environment. Sit in the Audio Visual Theatre and watch a series of educational DVD's or climb high into the rainforest canopy and walk through the trees on a series of boardwalks 400 metres above land.

There's sign posts as well as audio tours available in a variety of languages so you can learn more on the different circuits. Another great way to get a view of the area is by climbing The Canopy Tower which has a number of different viewing platforms that take you from the forest floor to tips of the trees with amazing views to match.

Cape Trip Exotic Fruit Farm

The Cape Trip Exotic Fruit Farm is an interesting way to learn more about the regions exotic fruits and farming practices. It's quite a unique experience and the fruit tasting tour starts at 2pm everyday and lasts until about 3.45pm. Take a walk through the exotic fruit orchard that is home to over 2000 trees from not only North Queensland but also the Amazon, Borneo and the Caribbean. You'll probably never come across most of these fruits again so make sure you try them even if they don't look that conventional.

Book Daintree Tours and Experiences Online Now

Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk, Daintree River Crocodile Cruise and Fruit Farm Day Trip

Book  Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk, Daintree River Crocodile Cruise and Fruit Farm Day Trip NowYou've done the reef now spend a leisurely day exploring the rainforest on a Daintree day trip from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. You'll start your day with a gentle rainforest walk around Mossman Gorge led by a local Aboriginal guide. Enjoy lunch at secluded Silky Oaks Lodge before continuing your Daintree day trip with a croc-spotting cruise on the river.

Cape Tribulation, Daintree River Cruise and Bloomfield Track Small Group Tour

Book  Cape Tribulation, Daintree River Cruise and Bloomfield Track Small Group Tour NowTake a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas to cruise the Daintree River and explore the Cape Tribulation rainforest. You'll have free time at Cape Tribulation to take a guided walk, drive the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track and go for a swim in the Coral Sea. After a break for morning tea it's all aboard for an informative river cruise. Relax and enjoy the Daintree's splendor as you learn about estuarine crocodiles and mangrove forests, and enjoy nature at its best.

Daintree Aboriginal Walkabout Tour from Cairns

Book  Daintree Aboriginal Walkabout Tour from Cairns NowJoin the Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge, learning stories of the dreamtime, traditional bushtucker sources and indigenous plant use in this unique rainforest environment.

Daintree Rainforest Zipline and Wildlife Habitat Day Trip

Book  Daintree Rainforest Zipline and Wildlife Habitat Day Trip NowZipline through the Daintree Rainforest and get up close to native Australian wildlife on a fun-filled day trip from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. After hotel pickup, visit the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat and see Australian wildlife, such as the endangered cassowary, and enjoy a picnic lunch in Daintree National Park. Then, spend the afternoon soaring over the treetops on a zipline adventure, where you’ll take in views of the rainforest below and out to the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef and Rainforest Tandem Sky Dive in Cairns

Book  Reef and Rainforest Tandem Sky Dive in Cairns NowLooking for some adventure in paradise? Get high in the sky on a tandem sky dive over Cairns with spectacular bird's-eye views of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest. No experience necessary! A tandem sky dive is the perfect introduction to sky diving and what better place to do it then the tropical paradise of Far North Queensland.


Getting to the Daintree

It takes about 2 hours to drive from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest and it will take you on one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, Cook Highway. You'll pass Port Douglas, amazing views of the Coral Sea with a backdrop of rainforest on your left. While you won't need a 4WD to take you through the Daintree Rainforest if you are thinking of going further north to the Bloomfield Track you will definitely need one.There are a number of bus and boat tours that will take you to the Daintree as well. Also, if you're running low on time there is an airstrip, the Cow Bay Airstrip which takes you to your destination but also gives you wonderful views along the way.

Location Map

More Daintree Information