Here is my travel guide and list of what to do in the Daintree Rainforest near Cairns, Queensland, Australia!
The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been.
I spent one month here back in 2019 when I was doing my regional work for my second year Australian Working Holiday Visa.
We had to work in a remote area of Australia to qualify for the visa. So I found a job as a receptionist at PKs Jungle Village in the heart of the Daintree.
Read about my experience Living in Cape Tribulation!
The 4 weeks I spent here were absolutely wild.
There was no internet and barely any phone signal. Everyone used cash because the card machines often didn’t work.
Giant toads, bugs, bats, lizards, and snakes made frequent appearances throughout the area. The rain was torrential and the sun was scorching.
Every beach had warning signs for crocodiles, and it wasn’t uncommon to see a giant cassowary bird crossing the road.
Though some of these things were unsettling at first, I grew to appreciate how the natural world thrives here in this gorgeous, tropical corner of Australia.
The overwhelming presence of nature was everywhere. It was a beautiful place to disconnect and create new bonds with my fellow travelers, the locals, and the wilderness.
Where is the Daintree Rainforest?
The Daintree Rainforest is located in Tropical North Queensland in Australia. It’s about 3 hours north of Cairns and 2 hours north of Port Douglas.
The sprawling wilderness of the Daintree consists of mostly untouched, uninhabited jungle.
There are a few towns and settlements, as well as hiking trails, swimming holes, and boardwalks. But it’s mostly just ancient jungle.
It’s also situated right next to the Great Barrier Reef, which thrives in the Coral Sea right offshore.
This is actually the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet (The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef).
Read next: East Coast Australia Road Trip Guide (Melbourne To Cairns)
How old is the Daintree Rainforest?
The Daintree Rainforest is estimated to be around 180 million years old.
That makes this the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth!
Other rainforests in Asia are believed to be 25-130 million years old, and the Amazon Rainforest is about 55 million years old.
So the wild, untamed nature you see in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest is some of the most ancient flora and fauna you can find on our planet.
How to get to the Daintree Rainforest
You can get to the Daintree Rainforest by flying into Cairns and then driving yourself, joining a guided tour, or taking the Trans North bus.
Guided tour
If you are only planning on doing a day trip, I would recommend a guided tour.
The guide will pick you up and drop you off in Cairns, taking you to the best locations in the Daintree throughout the day.
Popular Daintree tours from Cairns include:
Self drive
If you want to slow down your trip and stay for one or two nights, a rental car and self-guided trip is the best option.
You can plan your own trip, book a local accommodation, and drive yourself around the rainforest.
Book your rental car in Cairns or Port Douglas then drive to the Daintree!
Bus
I would only recommend the Trans North bus for people that are staying in the Daintree for a while.
There is no public transport in the Daintree itself, so once you arrive on the bus, you wouldn’t have a way to get around.
The bus is more for locals or travelers who are staying for a longer time period (I took the bus for my month-long trip to the Daintree).
21 Best Things To Do in the Daintree Rainforest
There are so many fun things to do in the Daintree Rainforest!
The top activities included in most guided day tours from Cairns are:
- Daintree Ice Cream Company
- Cape Tribulation Beach
- Daintree River Crocodile Spotting Cruise
- Alexandra Lookout
- Mossman Gorge
But there are many more things to do besides those few activities. If you only have one day or you’re joining a day trip from Cairns, those are the highlights.
My full list of the best things to do in the Daintree Rainforest will go beyond those activities. I highly recommend staying for at least one or two nights and spending more time exploring!
1. Taste the tropical treats at Daintree Ice Cream Company
Daintree Ice Cream Company is one of the most iconic places in Tropical North Queensland.
This adorable little ice cream shop makes its own delicious ice cream using exotic fruits from the nearby orchard.
They have flavors like mangosteen, durian, lychee, dragonfruit, soursop, mulberry, and more.
2. Spend the night at a rainforest lodge
If you’re looking for a place to spend the night while visiting the Daintree Rainforest, check out one of the lodges in the area.
There are surprisingly lots of options considering how remote the area is.
But from Cape Tribulation to the Lower Daintree, you can find adorable and cosy forest lodges surrounded by wilderness.
Some cool places to spend the night are Safari Lodge, Heritage Lodge, or Daintree Wilderness Lodge.
Browse the best places to stay in the Daintree Rainforest!
3. Swim in Emmagen Creek
Because the beaches are patrolled by crocodiles, you have to head inland if you want to swim in the Daintree Rainforest.
Luckily, there are some gorgeous freshwater swimming holes that are completely safe.
One of the best spots is Emmagen Creek. It’s a short drive north of Cape Tribulation and requires a short bush walk to get there.
There is a massive tree with a rope swing where you can fling yourself into the cool, refreshing water.
4. 4WD along the Bloomfield Track
The Bloomfield Track is an epic coastal drive that leads from Cape Tribulation up to Cooktown.
It covers the Daintree Rainforest and the rugged, remote corners of Tropical North Queensland.
If you hire a 4WD or have your own, you can traverse this scenic and challenging route. Avoid in wet season when the roads are slippery or flooded (December – March).
5. Stroll along a deserted beach
The coastline of the Daintree Rainforest is lined with picture-perfect beaches, many of which are completely deserted.
Because the Daintree is such a remote area, the beaches are never crowded. Most visitors are day-trippers as well, so visit the beaches at sunrise or sunset for an even more secluded and magical experience.
Myall Beach is my favorite. Cape Tribulation Beach, Thornton Beach, Emmagen Beach, and Cow Bay Beach are other highlights.
Don’t forget – swimming is not recommended because of the saltwater crocodiles that may be nearby!
6. Explore Mossman Gorge with an Indigenous guide
Another highlight of the Daintree Rainforest is Mossman Gorge.
Located in the southern Daintree, Mossman Gorge is a quick, easy drive from Port Douglas or Cairns.
If you didn’t want to drive all the way up into the forest to a place like Cape Tribulation, you can still get a feel for the area at Mossman Gorge.
Mossman Gorge has a tranquil stream, rainforest walks, and Indigenous guides who can teach you about the area’s Traditional Owners on a Dreamtime Walk.
7. Fly over the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef
A scenic flight is one of the best ways to see a new area.
Even if you can’t make it all the way up to the Daintree, you can see the rainforest from above on a scenic flight from Cairns.
Nautilus Aviation has flights from Cairns that take you up over the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The views are out of this world!
Try a scenic flight over the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns.
8. Visit Alexandra Lookout
For premium views of the Daintree Rainforest, visit Alexandra Lookout.
This is one of the most photographed spots in the area. You can see all the way out to the bright turquoise waters of the Coral Sea.
9. Stargaze at night
With minimal infrastructure and civilization, the Daintree Rainforest is incredibly dark and quiet at night. So it’s perfect for stargazing!
On a clear night, the starry sky is absolutely breathtaking. I recommend heading out to the beach where there is no vegetation to block your views.
Or you can likely stargaze from your accommodation if there is a clearing in the forest.
Either way, it’s so worth staying up late and taking the time to admire the stars while you’re in the Daintree.
10. Take an Aboriginal art class at Janbal Art Gallery
Janbal Art Gallery near Mossman is an amazing place to learn about the history and culture of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people of the Daintree.
Here you can browse artworks or book a workshop led by an expert Aboriginal teacher.
Learn the traditional methods of painting that have been passed down for many generations in Australia.
Join an Aboriginal Art Class & Cultural Experience!
11. Walk one of the Daintree Boardwalks
Throughout the Daintree Rainforest you can find beautiful boardwalks. These wooden tracks wind through the forest and often lead out to the coast.
Along the boardwalks you can find informational signs that educate you about the flora and fauna.
Most of the boardwalks are flat, easy, and wheelchair-accessible.
The Dubuji Boardwalk is my favorite, as you pass over the mangroves and end up at Myall Beach.
Other Daintree boardwalks to try include the Jindabla Boarwalk, Madja Boardwalk, and Kulki Boardwalk.
12. Try zip lining through the forest
Ziplining is a thrilling way to sightsee in the Daintree Rainforest.
Treetops Adventure in Cape Tribulation has 9 different zip lines ranging from 15 to 130 metres.
Fly through the rainforest canopy at 15 meters above the ground!
13. Grab lunch at Mason’s Cafe and visit the swimming hole
Another wonderful freshwater swimming spot near Cape Tribulation is Mason’s Swimming Hole.
Park at Mason’s Cafe and follow the short track that leads back into the forest. There is a shallow, calm creek with space for swimming and relaxing.
It costs $1 to enter, and you can grab a delicious lunch at the cafe after.
14. Ride a horse along the beach
One of the coolest things to do in the Daintree Rainforest is horseback riding.
There is no better way to explore the forests and beaches than by horseback!
Expert guides will set you up and lead the way. Then you can get a cool new perspective of the Daintree countryside and coastline.
15. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef
With the Great Barrier Reef right offshore, it would be a shame not to get out there and snorkel.
Luckily, Ocean Safari is a Cape Tribulation-based tour company that offers half day tours to the reef.
Choose a morning or afternoon trip, then spend a few hours snorkeling with the marine life and visiting a remote sand island.
16. Spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise
Seeing giant saltwater crocodiles in the wild is unreal. The best way to spot crocs is on a boat cruise of the Daintree River.
You’re in a safe, controlled environment, with prime views of the ancient reptiles lounging on the riverbanks.
The tour guide will teach you fun facts about crocodiles as well.
17. Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre
Located in the lower Daintree not far from Alexandra Lookout, the Daintree Discovery Centre is a great place to start your trip.
There is a cafe, visitor centre, and an aerial walkway with epic views of the forest.
Stroll along the self-guided trails or chat with a team member to learn more about the magnificent Daintree Rainforest!
18. Camp amongst the ancient rainforest
Take your wilderness adventure to the next level and go camping in the Daintree Rainforest.
There is a national parks campsite at Noah Beach where you can camp surrounded by rainforest next to the ocean. You have to book and pay for your campsite in advance on the QLD National Parks website.
You can also book a campsite or glamping tent at a local accommodation such as Daintree Beach Resort or Noah Creek Eco Huts.
Try a glamping eco tent at Noah Creek Eco Huts in the Daintree Rainforest!
19. Taste tropical fruits at Cape Trib Farm
Cape Trib Farm is a gorgeous location near Cape Tribulation.
A tropical fruit tasting tour here is one of the best things to do in the Daintree Rainforest!
Sample the fresh, exotic fruits that thrive in the massive orchard. You can also book a stay here in one of their orchard cottages for a unique farmstay experience.
20. Hike Mount Sorrow
Mount Sorrow Hike is a challenging, full day trek to tackle in the Daintree Rainforest.
It’s a 7km uphill climb that runs along a mountain ridge. You get stunning views of the surrounding rainforest from the top!
Just make sure you’re prepared for this hike. Bring plenty of water and wear good hiking shoes.
21. Do a nocturnal rainforest tour
The rainforest is incredible during the day. But have you ever walked through an ancient rainforest at night?
It’s a bit spooky, but it’s very cool. I did a nocturnal rainforest walk with an expert guide and learned so many cool things.
We saw glow-in-the-dark fungi, crazy looking spiders, and cool frogs.
Thanks for reading my list of things to do in the Daintree Rainforest, Queensland!
Before heading to the Daintree, don’t forget about these essential things:
☼ Visa – Every visitor to Australia needs a visa. Find more info on iVisa.com!
☼ Travel insurance – I would recommend travel insurance for any trip, especially those where you’re exploring wild and remote areas like the Daintree Rainforest. For US citizens I recommend Squaremouth.
☼ E-SIM – If you want data while traveling in Australia, I recommend getting an eSIM with Saily. They are so cheap and easy to use. Saily discount code GABBY gets you 5% off!
For more travel articles about Queensland and Australia, check out these posts:
22 Best Things To Do In Brisbane
Best Time To Visit Australia – Complete Guide
East Coast Australia Road Trip from Melbourne to Cairns
25 Best Things To Do In Sydney
How To Travel Australia On A Budget: The Ultimate Guide
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