Where Is The World's Oldest Rainforest?
Where is the world's oldest rainforest? Believe it or not, the oldest rainforest on Earth is located in Tropical North Queensland, Australia! The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most stunning places in the world, and it's located just a short drive away from the Australian city of Cairns. Let's answer all of your questions about the Daintree and help you plan an unforgettable adventure there!
How Old Is The Daintree Rainforest?
The Daintree Rainforest is 180 million years old, making it the oldest tropical rainforest on the planet. However, this lush Australian rainforest is still surprisingly unknown to many people around the world! The Amazon Rainforest and the jungles of Borneo are more famous, and people may often ask if the Amazon is the oldest rainforest in the world. The Amazon is estimated to be around 55 million years old, and Borneo's rainforest is 130 million years old. So the Daintree has been around for much longer than any other existing rainforest!
Where Is The World's Oldest Rainforest?
The Daintree Rainforest is located in the northeastern corner of Australia in the state of Queensland. Despite being such as wild, ancient place, this unique area is actually very accessible to travelers! Queensland is a popular place to visit in Australia, and travelers flock here to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and tour places like Noosa, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and K'gari (Fraser Island).
Tourism is well-developed in Queensland, Australia, and that makes the Daintree a very easy place to visit! Cairns is the closest major city to the Daintree, and this vibrant city is also very popular among travelers. So after you explore Australia's east coast and work your way up to Cairns, you are in the perfect place for planning a visit to the world's oldest rainforest.
How To Get To The Daintree Rainforest?
If you want to visit the Daintree Rainforest, make your way to Cairns first! You can fly into Cairns Airport or drive there if you're coming from elsewhere in Australia. From Cairns, you can either rent a car and drive to the Daintree on your own, or you can book a guided tour. There are pros and cons to both methods of travel. Cairns has lots of great car rental companies and from there you just have to drive about 100km north. You'll have to cross the Daintree River Ferry, and then you've made it to the rainforest and are free to explore!
An even easier way to visit the Daintree Rainforest is by booking a guided tour. From Cairns, there are plenty of day trips or overnight trips into the surrounding rainforest. Guided tours take away the hassle of planning and navigating, so you can just relax and have fun while your local guides show you around. Having a guide also allows you to learn about all the local knowledge and ancient history during your tour, which can give you a more enlightened experience.
Is It Worth Going To The Daintree Rainforest?
Absolutely, the Daintree Rainforest is a magical place that is convenient and easy for travelers to visit. You really don't need to venture far to experience the world's oldest rainforest, which is one of the reasons why it's such an amazing trip! Once you're in Cairns, all you have to do is rent a car or book a tour and you can be in the midst of the rainforest in just a few hours.
The best way to spend a day in the Daintree is to drive from the Ferry up north to Cape Tribulation. This small jungle village is home to a few nice resorts, camping areas, and local restaurants and cafes. Here you can spend the night if you wish, and you can enjoy the power of nature without being too far away from any amenities. If you want to venture further north than Cape Tribulation, you'll need a 4WD.
But even if you just visit for one day on a guided tour, there is so much fun and adventure to be had. Go on guided bushwalks through the jungle, cruise down the ancient Daintree River on a croc-spotting wildlife boat tour, or sample ice cream made from locally sourced tropical fruits. Visit a lookout, ride horses on secluded beaches, and just soak in the beauty. The Daintree Rainforest is an incredible place!
