Counted among the three oldest rainforests in the world, Daintree Rainforest in Australia is a paradise for outdoor buffs, boasting a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to the region. It is also Australia’s biggest tropical rainforest. The Daintree region stretches for 95 km (60 miles) and is home to unique, rare, and even endangered animal and plant species. Daintree Rainforest is speckled with stunning streams, valleys, beaches, and rivers. It receives nearly 79 inches (2,000 mm) of rainfall each year, which sustains the natural habitat easily. There’s plenty to do here, such as exploring Daintree National Park, a World Heritage Site. Take a cruise down Daintree River or the Great Barrier Reef. You can find additional inputs on the Daintree Rainforest. Here’s a guide to Daintree Rainforest, Cairns, to help you plan the ideal trip to this incredible spot!
Things to do / Highlights
There are plenty of things to do in Daintree Rainforest, such as exploring Cape Tribulation, walking around the trails, bird-watching, or even spotting crocodiles! You can also stay at an eco-lodge to experience nature at its best! Here’s a look at some exciting things to do when visiting Daintree Rainforest.
Explore Daintree Village
This rural community is quite charming and lies on Daintree River’s bend. Home to the pioneers of the gold rush at one point and the epicenter of the timber industry, this tourist spot is perfect for exploring Mossman Gorge (from where the Daintree region starts) and Bloomfield River.
Cruise along Daintree River
Daintree River runs through the rainforest, and travelers must cross it once to exit Daintree Village. This river is home to crocodiles, and the only way to cross it is by the ferry. Take Daintree River Ferry and enjoy the scenic cruise as you make your way to the Daintree Rainforest’s northern section and the Cape Tribulation area. The ferry is operational throughout the week, and once on land, you have to take the road to proceed farther to Daintree National Park.
Explore Daintree National Park
The 110-million-year-old Daintree National Park is rich in fauna and flora, and a walk around the area never gets boring. The walks have different difficulty levels, and you can explore spots like Mossman Gorge. You can also take the Mount Sorrow Ridge and Manjal Jimalji trails. Make sure you have your camera ready and are alert to capture different bird species—the park has approximately 430 of them! There are plenty of lookouts too, so you can espy butterflies, marsupials, and creatures native to Australia easily!
Take a self-guided tour of the rainforest
You can follow the signposts and take an audio tour—available in multiple languages—to explore the region. To keep the excitement up, you can also buy a self-drive audio CD available at the tour desk for 13 USD.
Learn more at Daintree Discovery Centre
Daintree Discovery Centre is the perfect place to get oriented with the region. There is an AV theater where you can see DVDs to get acquainted with the rich environment and local history. You can walk through the lush green surroundings as the trees form a canopy over the boardwalk, which is 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the ground. Climb Canopy Tower, which has several viewing platforms to soak up the amazing landscape.
Go fruit-tasting at Cape Trip Exotic Fruit Farm
A trip to Cape Trip Exotic Fruit Farm is an ideal way to learn about the area’s novel farming practices. You can go fruit-tasting or walk down the fruit orchard, which has over 2,000 tree species from places as varied as the Amazon and Borneo! Make sure you taste the exotic fruits even if they look unusual!
Walk with an Aboriginal guide
The rainforest walk around Mossman Gorge will be a memorable one as leading the way is a local Aboriginal guide. You will learn little nuggets along the way, as well as get acquainted with the local culture and practices.
Go ziplining
Go on a zipline adventure to soar over Daintree Rainforest and absorb the amazing aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef and the lush green tropical wonder!
Travelers tips
When to visit?
The best time to visit Daintree Rainforest is from May to September as the weather is pleasant. It’s drier, and the humidity will not be concerning. The maximum temperature averages 26 degrees Celsius, so you will be comfortable and able to enjoy the sunshine. Avoid Christmas as it will be crowded and extremely humid then!
Photography
Photography is allowed and free.
Do not go swimming in Mossman River
Desist from swimming in Mossman River as several tourists have already been injured or died trying to brave Mossman Gorge. So don’t be foolhardy and attempt to swim even if you are an experienced and strong swimmer!
How dangerous is Daintree Rainforest?
Daintree Rainforest does have a few dangerous plants, so exercise caution while hiking. The stinging plant is one such poisonous plant to steer clear from. It has heart-shaped leaves with toxic hair protruding from them. If this plant touches your skin as you walk along the tracks, you can get extreme irritation and rashes from the contact.
Carry cash
Sometimes the card machines may not work, so always have some money handy.
Carry medicines
Make sure you carry essential medicines so that you are not in the soup in case of an emergency. Make sure you pack mosquito patches and sprays to keep the insects at bay during the treks!
How to get there
Drive from Cairns
You can drive down to Daintree Rainforest from the city of Cairns. This scenic journey takes two hours, and you can soak up the fantastic views of the coast as you drive down Captain Cook Highway. On your way to Daintree Rainforest, you will pass through Port Douglas and will be enchanted by the mesmerizing Coral Sea as the rainforest lurks in the backdrop to your left.
Take the ferry
You can also take Daintree River Ferry—a cable ferry—to cross the river, and this 10-minute enchanting journey allows you to absorb the serenity of nature. The ferry is operational from 6am to midnight throughout the week and costs 30 USD round-trip for a car (its capacity is 16 vehicles). This route offers access to Daintree National Park’s northern section. It’s the best way to get from Cairns to Cape Tribulation.
How to book tickets
You can purchase tickets in person at the attraction itself. Make sure you have cash as cards may not work or be accepted.
Daintree Rainforest information
Daintree Rainforest
Address: 2333 Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation QLD 4873, Australia
Opening hours: 8:20am - 5pm (daily)
Entry fee: 9.50 - 19 USD (14 - 28 AUD)
Official website: Daintree Rainforest
Department of tourism: Visit Australia
Daintree Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Buffet Breakfast
Duration: 1 day
History
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