Where to go
In the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef, mountains scrape the sky and life moves more slowly.
To me, walking through the Daintree Rainforest is like taking a step back in time. From the dry, arid landscape of today’s Australia, to the broad-leafed Gondwanaland
James Boettcher – FNQ Nature Tours
Daintree Ferry Travel Tip – From July to September, there are often delays crossing the Daintree River, particularly between 10am and noon travelling north and between 3pm to 5pm travelling south. To avoid queues, travel before 10am & return in the evening. The ferry operates daily from 5am to midnight. More information here.
The Daintree is the place to immerse yourself in nature and disconnect from the modern world. It’s a raw, wild, ancient environment that resembles a real-life Jurassic Park, where it looks entirely possible that dinosaurs could emerge from the lush undergrowth.
Covering 1200sq k between the Mossman Gorge and Bloomfield River, the Daintree Rainforest is one of the most complex ecosystems on earth. An estimated 180 million years old, it is tens of millions of years older than the Amazon and contains living examples of unique ancient plants as well as thousands of species of birds, animals and reptiles.
Despite its rugged, untouched nature, the Daintree is easily accessible on a day-trip. Walk through the forest on hiking trails and wooden boardwalks, take a dip in the Emmagen Creek swimming hole or paddleboard along the still waters of the Mossman River. Huge cassowary birds peck their way through the undergrowth and one of the best places in Tropical North Queensland to spot crocodiles is along the Daintree River.
The Kuku Yalanji people have lived in this region for 50,000 years and have a deep connection with the land. Take a tour with a local Indigenous guide to learn about the history of the rainforest, bush tucker and traditional medicine.
The remote headland of Cape Tribulation is where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet – the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. The forest tumbles right down to the coast with just a thin strip of sand separating it from the clear blue water. And accessing the reef is simple … with great snorkelling around Mackay and Undine reefs.
Phone reception is limited in the Daintree, so take the opportunity for a digital detox.
There are backpacker and budget accommodation options in the Daintree, but also a handful of places that offer a unique brand of sustainable eco luxury. There’s little contact with the outside world and many produce their own power on-site.
Pay attention to crocodile warning signs posted around rivers, swimming holes and the ocean. While crocodile attacks are unlikely, you need to be sensible and respect the advice of park rangers.
It’s a good idea to stock up on food and essential supplies in Mossman and Port Douglas before heading north.
The Daintree and Cape Tribulation are all about the outdoors – hike through ancient rainforest, paddle down remote rivers and discover the timeless Indigenous connection to the land.
This summer, swap your inner city stresses for cool, rainforest rejuvenation, checking into one of these accommodation providers in the rainforest.
Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Connect with these ancient cultures 60,000 years in the making.
Choose your own adventure with these unique tour ideas in Cape Tribulation; a place where Australia’s oldest, largest and longest rainforest collides with the only living organism seen from space.
The strip of bitumen between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, now known as the Great Barrier Reef Drive, is 140 km of jaw-dropping beauty. The road winds between two world heritage icons that Tropical North Queensland is famous for: the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
There’s a sense of responsibility that comes when you’re visiting one of the world’s seven wonders; a calling to nurture nature. If leaving only footprints (or fin waves in this case) is high on your priority list, here are some ways you can help the Great Barrier Reef during your next holiday.
If you’re looking to connect with nature and discover a rainforest that’s the oldest, longest and largest in Australia, go behind the foliage with this guide to the five precincts of the Wet Tropics.
It might be a well-known fact that Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where two natural World Heritage sites collide, but there’s more first and only’s to this destination than its reef and rainforest.
North Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a landscape of astonishing beauty and biodiversity. Immerse yourself in this national treasure, the oldest tropical rainforest on earth.
Discover local specialties and hidden gems on a mini road trip through Tropical North Queensland with these one day wonders. Here are eight itineraries to get you out and about.
Deep tissue massages, vichy showers, hot stone therapies, seaweed wraps and coconut coffee scrubs, here are a few places to bliss out in Tropical North Queensland.
A getaway is looming and you’re longing for a tropical escape – Cairns and Port Douglas are both popular holiday havens boasting a wealth of experiences. Read this guide to help plan your trip to these two seaside locales.
Don’t let its flop and drop reputation fool you, there are many things to do in Port Douglas. From hunting with Traditional Owners & exploring the Great Barrier Reef, to river floats & wildlife parks. Here’s how to spend your time in Port Douglas.
The CREB Track is a challenging and isolated mountain bike and 4WD journey, traversing spectacular World Heritage-listed rainforest weaving from Daintree village to the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal and on to Cooktown.
Get to know our famous forest, which spans 8940 square-kilometers and covers more ground than Samoa, Luxemburg and Puerto Rico, with this list of 10 things you didn’t know about the Wet Tropics.
The creation story of this ancient place isn’t simple, so here’s the abbreviated version of how the rainforest began some 200 million years ago.
Cape Tribulation to Cooktown
Drive the beautiful and wild Bloomfield Track from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown – a bucket-list drive for all 4WD enthusiasts.
View itineraryDaintree to Cooktown
The CREB Track is one of the country’s most challenging four-wheel-drive adventures, traversing spectacular World Heritage-listed rainforest as it weaves its way north from Daintree village to Cooktown.
View itineraryCairns to Cape Tribulation (return)
Welcome to the loveliest little drive in Queensland. Short but oh-so-sweet, the Great Barrier Reef Drive covers just 140km in a straight line north from Cairns to Cape Tribulation via Port Douglas.
View itineraryCairns to Cairns
Get ready to discover the very best of Tropical North Queensland on the Great Tropical Drive. Some 26 different routes make up the drive, taking you from coast to Savannah, islands to the outback, rainforest to reef.
View itinerarySelf-drive or hire a car and explore the Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. The road is completely sealed and is two-wheel drive accessible. You’ll cross the Daintree River by ferry which is open from 6am to midnight each day. EFTPOS is available at the ferry between 8am and 4:30pm, seven days a week. At all other times, it’s cash only.
Tours to Daintree and Cape Tribulation depart Cairns and Port Douglas, daily. Private transfers can also be arranged.
The perfect places to embrace nature and disconnect.
Warning: this story might cause a few tears 💧
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