How Do I Get To The Daintree From Cairns?
The easiest way to travel from Cairns to the Daintree is by car via the Mossman and Daintree Ferry. The drive between Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest is 2 hours and 30 minutes of coastal driving, with incredible views of the Coral Sea along the way. You can drive to the Daintree from Cairns using a car rental or campervan. Or, why not take a tour that picks you up from your accommodation and spend a day wandering through the Daintree Rainforest with a local guide?
The Daintree Rainforest covers around 12000km square foot of land and equates to the largest tropical rainforest area in Australia! The Daintree is most famously known as the oldest living rainforest in the world and dates back approximately 180 million years, so you can only begin to imagine the wildlife, plants and insects that have thrived since its original pre-historic era.
The best day tours to the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns
Uncle Brian’s 1 Day Cape Tribbin’
A full-day action-packed tour, with courtesy transfers from Cairns! See all the highlights of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Park fees and ferry fees are included.
Billy Tea Safaris - Daintree and Cape Trib
Explore the Daintree in a 4WD with a small, locally-owned tour operator! Providing extensive knowledge of the rainforest's flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture and history. Includes a river cruise spotting crocodiles and native birds.
Cape Trib Connections 1-Day Tour
Cape Trib Connections have 15 years of experience touring the Daintree and are guaranteed to show you all the best spots. This tour has a crocodile spotting cruise included! See the Daintree Rainforest from all angles as this tour stops at Rex Lookout, Alexandra Range and Mossman Gorge!
Tropic Wings: Cape Tribulation, Daintree and Wildlife
See highlights of the Daintree Rainforest on this epic day tour. Start with a private tour of the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas before heading up to the Daintree. You'll visit Alexandra Lookout, Masons Swimming Hole for a refreshing swim, Cape Tribulation Beach, and more.
Discovery Tours: Daintree & Cape Trib
This premium small-group tour of the rainforest includes a Daintree River Cruise, a visit to the local ice cream company, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation Beach, Alexandra Lookout, and more!
How to use the Daintree Ferry
In order to explore the Daintree Rainforest , you must take the 5-minute cable ferry across the Daintree River. The Daintree Rainforest Ferry operates from 5 am to midnight daily, including Christmas Day. Toilets are available on each side of the ferry access point. You do not need to pre-purchase ferry tickets. Current prices (as of May 2024) are $47 return for cars and utes. Just drive on as directed, use your handbrake and turn off your engine during the ferry ride.
Can you drive from Cairns to the Daintree?
Yes, you can drive from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest and it's only about 3 hours of stunningly beautiful scenery along the Captain Cook Highway. If you’re lucky enough to embark on this adventure, you’re in for a treat. This drive has been voted one of the best scenic drives in Australia. You may even want to take a few stops and the local beaches and seaside towns.
Your route will take you North on the Captain Cook Highway with frequent sights of the stunning Coral Sea. One hour into the drive you will get to the rainforest town of Mossman, home to the Mossman Gorge, an award-winning ecotourism facility and the perfect place to cool off during your drive.
Finally, you will need to cross the Daintree Ferry in order to access the Daintree Rainforest. It feels like you are being transported into another world! A world of interesting wildlife and plant life. Best of all, it's free of reception, so you can remain present and enjoy the moment.
Things to do in the Daintree Rainforest
1. Explore Cape Tribulation and the many beaches
Explore and discover the various beaches, including the iconic Cape Tribulation! Although it is advised against swimming at these beaches, there are still so many things you can do. Our favourite is a day of lazing around in the sun or under the iconic palms. Or, how about a leisurely stroll?
On our last stroll on Shipwreck Bay, we spotted a large crocodile in the sea, an experience we’ll never forget! Also, take a swing on the ropes at Cow Bay beach, one of the less talked about beaches on the Daintree, that offers a private atmosphere and spectacular rainforest-to-ocean views.
2. Go on a crocodile cruise
An absolute must-do activity in the Daintree Rainforest is to hop aboard a crocodile cruise and see these large reptiles in their natural habitat! The crocodiles own the waters of Far North Queensland, and they are creatures you’ve got to see up close to know just why swimming in the waters can be so deadly and dangerous.
Take a guided tour of the Daintree River and have a local show you all the best resting and feeding locations for the local crocodiles. There is no need to worry on this cruise, as your camera is only snapping to capture these mighty creatures.
3. Take a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest
Take a guided rainforest walk through the ancient wonders of the Daintree Rainforest, and learn all about survival in the Daintree, nature and the creatures that roam there. It truly is a wonderful place full of life and interesting creatures, every visit is sure to be filled with whole new species you’ve never seen before, so keep your eyes on the treetops, on the ground and in the trees.
Tours of the rainforest usually take place on the Madja Boardwalk by highly trained guides, passing through the narrows and gazing under the canopies of the oldest living rainforest. This is your opportunity to see a range of exotic butterflies, birds, frogs, marsupials and 430 unique species of rainforest animals!
4. Cool down with some freshly made ice-cream
Spending a day exploring this huge rainforest in tropical heat is a perfect excuse to indulge in ice cream. Cool off with a fresh, locally produced ice cream at the Daintree Ice-creamery, situated in the heart of the rainforest. It’s a unique business in the rainforest and one that will guarantee smiles for the whole family.
The grounds are full of trees that produce nuts and fruits that are harvested and used in the ice cream. Your tastebuds will be thankful for stopping by, kicking back and tasting exciting new fruity flavours.
5. Take in the best views of the Daintree Rainforest
Take in the views at the various lookouts along the drive. Cairns to the Daintree is a wonderfully scenic drive with spectacular views from reef to rainforest. Stop off at a lookout and gaze upon aerial views of the tropical far north. Some of the top lookouts in the Daintree include Mount Alexandra and Mossman River lookout; these views are not to be missed!
