Visiting the Delightful Daintree Rainforest from Cairns
The Australian Daintree Rainforest is a remarkable place; wild, ancient, and a little mysterious. If you’re planning to visit far north Queensland, you might be wondering: Is it possible to see the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns? Is it safe? And how do you get there?
The good news is, yes, it’s absolutely doable.
The Daintree is the oldest lowland tropical rainforest on earth, filled with towering trees, plunging waterfalls, and rivers where crocodiles quietly glide beneath the surface. It’s wild and untamed, and that’s why it’s so special.
I spent a delightful week exploring Cairns, the surrounding rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef on a solo holiday in far north Queensland. I was a bit nervous about visiting the Daintree alone, but I discovered that it’s not nearly as daunting as it seems.
You can join a Daintree Rainforest tour from Cairns, or drive yourself, and easily reach this unique wilderness area, and it’s 100% worth the effort, even for solo travellers like myself.
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Is the Daintree Rainforest worth visiting?
Yes, the Daintree is absolutely worth visiting. The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef are both recognised by UNESCO and are must-see destinations in Cairns and far north Queensland.
The Australian Daintree Rainforest covers a huge area from the mountains to the coast, where it meets the tropical waters of the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world.
It’s one of the best places in Australia to see crocodiles in the wild.
You can visit both the reef and the rainforest from the regional city of Cairns, but the wilderness areas of the Daintree are further north, closer to the small town of Port Douglas.
** WARNING! Crocodiles are dangerous! They live in rivers, estuaries and waterways, so stay away from the water’s edge and always follow the safety signs in the Daintree.
Saltwater crocodiles are predators that swim out to sea and can attack from the beach, so keep clear of the water’s edge in far north Queensland.
Can you go to the Daintree Rainforest on your own?
Yes! You can absolutely visit the Daintree Rainforest if you’re travelling solo. In fact, it’s one of the best adventures you can take from Cairns.
As a solo traveller in Australia, I was both excited and a little nervous about heading into the rainforest alone. But, after doing some research, I decided the easiest and safest way to explore the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns was to book a guided day tour.
But it’s also an option to drive there, and I did think about renting a car, but in the end, I decided not to drive there alone. The Daintree is remote, rugged, and home to some seriously wild creatures like the saltwater crocodiles that lurk in the rivers.
Going with a local guide felt like the smarter option for my first visit, and it meant I could relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about logistics or safety.
**NOTE** I paid for my day trip from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest, and I’m under no obligation to write this article. As usual, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
My Daintree Day Trip from Cairns
For me, joining a Daintree Rainforest tour from Cairns was the perfect choice. I booked my tour online through Get Your Guide, and it turned out to be an easy and reliable way to reach the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns and offered a time-effective way to see the highlights: Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and a Daintree River Cruise, where we saw crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbanks.
My Daintree Forest Tour included:
- Transport by bus
- A local driver/guide
- An Aboriginal smoking ceremony and “Welcome to Country” at Mossman Gorge
- Rainforest walk & swim in beautiful Mossman Gorge
- Daintree River Wildlife Cruise with crocodiles in their natural habitat
- Drive through the Rainforest to Cape Tribulation, stopping at the stunning Daintree Lookout at Mount Alexandra.
- Daintree River Ferry crossing
On the return journey, we enjoyed delicious locally made ice cream and saw some beautiful sky colours after sunset at Port Douglas as a bonus. It was a great day out and a practical way to see the highlights of the area as a solo traveller.
Daintree Rainforest Map
Daintree Rainforest Day Trip Review
My Cairns Daintree day trip began early with a 7 am hotel pickup. We drove around Cairns collecting the other passengers, and I saw areas of the city that I hadn’t seen before.
I especially enjoyed driving past the beautiful Cairns Botanical Garden, full of lush tropical greenery and the scenic drive from Cairns to Port Douglas. It’s one of the most beautiful coastal drives in Australia, and it takes around an hour to drive from Cairns to Port Douglas on the Captain Cook Highway (State Route 44).
In Port Douglas, we collected some more passengers and soon after arrived at the Visitor’s Centre at Mossman Gorge.
The Daintree Discovery Centre
Located in the Lower Daintree Rainforest, the Daintree Discovery Centre is the perfect place to start the journey into this ancient landscape. It’s designed to help visitors experience the rainforest up close, from the forest floor to the canopy, and gain a deeper understanding of its history and significance.
There are educational displays, small-group tours, and research programs that give a great introduction to both the rainforest ecosystem and the local Aboriginal culture.
Our group was welcomed with a traditional Welcome to Country by a young Indigenous man, who performed a smoking ceremony. He shared stories about the land, the local bush tucker, and explained some of the customs and traditions of his people.
The traditional owners of this area are the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, who hold a deep spiritual connection to the land. Hearing their stories and perspectives added a meaningful layer to the visit.
Mossman Gorge & Port Douglas
Mossman Gorge, in the Lower Daintree Rainforest, is absolutely spectacular, with walking trails through the lush greenery, a waterfall and a swimming hole. It’s also one of the most accessible spots in the region, with a well-maintained, wheelchair-friendly path.
A shuttle bus took us from the Visitor Centre to the start of the boardwalk, and from there it was a short walk into the gorge. The trail wound past shady lookout points, across a suspension bridge, and eventually opened up to a stunning waterfall surrounded by towering trees. At the base, a small sandy beach made the perfect spot to cool off with a swim in the river.
We spent about 45 minutes exploring Mossman Gorge but there are more walking tracks if you want to venture deeper into the rainforest. I would have loved to stay longer, but our Daintree forest tour was on a tight schedule, so we had to keep moving.
Daintree River Cruise
Our next stop was the Daintree River, where we climbed aboard a small boat for a Wildlife River Cruise, a highlight of visiting the area. We drifted along the calm, murky waters, past riverbanks covered with dense mangroves and tangled roots.
It didn’t take long before we spotted crocodiles. Lots of them. From tiny hatchlings no bigger than my arm to massive, ancient males basking in the sun like they owned the place (which, honestly, they do). It was both thrilling and slightly unnerving to see them so close in the wild.
Our local guide knew every bend in the river and every croc by name, sharing stories and fascinating facts about their behaviour and territory. Watching these incredible creatures in their natural environment was unforgettable.
Cape Tribulation
After the Daintree River Cruise, we met our bus on the opposite side of the river and continued the journey deeper into the rainforest. The road wound through thick green canopy, and we stopped for a relaxed lunch at a little roadside café among the trees.
Afterwards, we followed the road to Cape Tribulation Beach, the place where the rainforest meets the reef. From the lookout point, the view of Cape Tribulation was absolutely breathtaking.
We also stopped at Mount Alexandra Lookout to enjoy another spectacular view stretching over the dense rainforest to the Coral Sea. After crossing the river again on the cable ferry, we made one final stop at a local café famous for its homemade ice cream.
On the drive back from the Daintree Rainforest to Cairns, our last stop was Port Douglas, and we got back to Cairns around 8 p.m. It was a full day, but such a beautiful introduction to the wild and ancient Daintree Rainforest in Australia.
Daintree Rainforest Tours from Cairns
I enjoyed my Daintree Day Trip from Cairns , and booked my tour through Get Your Guide. It was a great way to see the highlights of the region; the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, and a Daintree River Cruise where we spotted plenty of crocodiles and other local wildlife. It was the perfect mix of adventure, nature, and relaxation.
If you’d prefer something a bit more off the beaten track, another great option is a small group 4WD tour of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. This tour takes you on a scenic drive through the rainforest, with a river cruise for wildlife spotting, a visit to the famous Cape Tribulation Beach, and a refreshing rainforest swim at Emmagen Creek on the Bloomfield Track.
It’s an amazing way to experience the wild beauty of this part of Queensland.
How to Get to the Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is located in Far North Queensland, about 100 kilometres north of Cairns, so the easiest way to get there from any of Australia’s capital cities is to fly into Cairns Airport.
Direct flights to Cairns operate daily from most major cities with flight times ranging from about 2.5 to 5 hours, depending on where you’re coming from.
Once you arrive in Cairns, you can either join a Daintree Rainforest Tour from Cairns, or hire a car.
Driving to the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns
The Daintree Rainforest is over 1,800 kilometres from Brisbane and more than 2,400 kilometres from Sydney.
It’s definitely not a quick drive from the major Australian cities! Even from the regional city of Cairns, it’s a 2.5-hour drive with a crocodile-infested river crossing to tackle and plenty of long stretches of remote rainforest roads.
- The Lower Daintree and stunning Mossman Gorge are just 22 kilometres from Port Douglas and 78 kilometres from Cairns. Port Douglas is an ideal base, but visiting the Daintree from Cairns is also doable.
- The main area of the Daintree Rainforest is around 56 kilometres north of Port Douglas and about 100 kilometres from Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway (State Route 44).
- From Cairns to Cape Tribulation is 140 kilometres and around 2.5 hours of driving.
- There’s a cable ferry that takes vehicles across the crocodile-infested waters of the Daintree River to the Cape Tribulation area of the forest.
- The road is sealed as far as Cape Tribulation, but a dirt road and 4-wheel drive vehicles are needed to travel further into the Daintree beyond Cape Tribulation or off the main road in the forest.
Where to Stay to Visit the Daintree
The Daintree is accessible from Cairns and Port Douglas, and there’s a wide variety of accommodation for all budgets. You can also stay inside the rainforest.
Where to stay in Cairns
Budget: I stayed at the Travellers Oasis in Cairns city centre. It was a friendly hostel with a lovely garden and pool located near the train station, about a 20-minute walk from the ferry wharf. I had a cosy private room with a shared bathroom & I enjoyed my stay.
Mid-Range: The Coral Tree Inn has a good location in Cairns city centre and gets exceptional reviews. It’s friendly, quiet, clean, and a 15-minute walk to the waterfront.
Luxury: The Hilton in Cairns is a 5-star hotel right in the centre of town, on the waterfront and close to attractions and interesting dining options. You can’t beat the location of this popular luxury hotel near the Esplanade and the ferry wharf.
Where to stay in Port Douglas
Accommodation in Port Douglas is more expensive than in Cairns.
Budget: I stayed at the Port Douglas Backpackers. I loved the location in the centre of town, just a short walk from shops, restaurants and the beach. I booked a private room and was impressed with the size of the room and the spacious lounge area. The door had a solid lock and felt quite safe, although the shared areas could have been cleaner.
Where to stay in the Daintree Rainforest
Noah Creek Eco Retreat in Cape Tribulation gets great reviews and offers a lodge experience with a garden.
Daintree Eco-lodge is a magical, unique and upmarket place to stay in the middle of the rainforest near the Daintree River.
Daintree Deep Forest Lodge is near the Daintree Discovery Centre in the middle of the rainforest, and has a resident cassowary.
Facts on the Daintree Rainforest
- The Daintree is the largest tropical rainforest in Australia and is UNESCO World Heritage listed.
- It’s a pristine natural environment on Australia’s east coast that extends for 1200 square kilometres in Far North Queensland.
- The Australian Daintree Rainforest is around 130 million years old and has a unique and complex ecosystem.
- The forest supports a vast variety of plants and animals and is one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world.
- More than 900 different species of trees and 130 species of reptiles live in the Daintree, including man-eating saltwater crocodiles, native frogs, bats, and insects.
- Cassowaries live in the Daintree. When you’re visiting the Daintree from Cairns, you may be lucky enough to see one, but the large, flightless tropical birds are elusive and hard to spot.
- The waterways of the Daintree are the natural habitat of crocodiles, and you’ll see these dangerous reptiles sunning themselves on the banks of the river.
- You can safely see crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise.
- The Daintree Rainforest stretches north from the Daintree River, beyond Cape Tribulation to Cooktown and west to the Great Dividing Range.
- The thickly forested area to the south of the Daintree River near the small town of Port Douglas is known as the Lower Daintree and includes Mossman Gorge.
- Queensland’s UNESCO tropical rainforests cover 12,000 kilometres and extend from Cooktown all the way south to Townsville, and include the Kuranda Forest outside Cairns.
- In 2021, the Daintree National Park was given back to the traditional Aboriginal owners.
FAQs
What’s the best time to visit the Daintree Rainforest?
The most popular time to visit the Daintree Rainforest is from May to October, during the dry season. There’s less rain and humidity and fewer mosquito’s but it’s also the high season.
But you can visit the Daintree at any time of the year and the wet season (November to April) is a quieter time to visit, the waterfalls are overflowing and the forest is lush and green. The rain tends to come in short, heavy bursts that refresh and cool the air.
Is it free to go to the Daintree Rainforest?
There’s no entry fee for the Daintree National Park, but there are separate entry fees for Mossman Gorge, the Daintree Discovery Centre and the Daintree River ferry.
Can you swim in the Daintree Rainforest?
Yes, you can safely swim in some places in the Daintree. Although far north Queensland is the natural habitat of man-eating crocodiles there are some water holes where there are no crocs and it is safe to swim.
Mossman Gorge has a beautiful swimming spot below the waterfall, and there are other places where there are no crocodiles, like Emmagen Creek on the Bloomfield Track (access is by 4WD)
But make sure you get current local safety advice before you enter the water and don’t swim if there’s any doubt about safety.
Final Thoughts: Daintree Rainforest from Cairns
A Daintree day trip from Cairns is absolutely worth the effort, and it’s not as hard as you might think to visit the Daintree Rainforest, even if you’re travelling solo.
Mossman Gorge was a definite highlight for me, with its waterfalls, swimming holes and lush rainforest setting.
But the Upper Daintree Rainforest is quite remote, and if you’re on your own, joining an organised Daintree tour from Cairns is a safe and practical way to explore the area and see the main highlights without worrying about the logistics.
If I had more time or a travel companion, I’d consider driving myself next time and maybe even stay in the forest a night or two to really soak up the atmosphere. I’d also start the tour from Port Douglas instead of Cairns to save some travel time; it was a long day, and that small change would make a difference.
Overall, I loved visiting the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns. It was an incredible experience and the perfect introduction to one of Australia’s most beautiful and untouched regions. I’d happily recommend this day trip to any solo traveller keen to explore the wild side of Tropical North Queensland.
**NOTE** I paid for my Daintree Rainforest tour and I’m under no obligation to write this article. As usual, the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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