To the north of Cairns and Port Douglas, you will find the oldest rainforest in the world, the Daintree Rainforest. Places you will want to visit during your time in Port Douglas and Far North Queensland include, Daintree Village, Daintree River, Daintree Rainforest (& Mossman Gorge) and Cape Tribulation. This post covers the highlights of what the Daintree has to offer, and how to get there from Port Douglas (or Cairns) by private car or by tour. There are multiple ways of seeing, and staying in, the Daintree, and the rainforest conceals tourist attractions and natural wonders. Welcome to our Daintree travel blog and guide. This post may contain affiliate links.
2026/2027 Update
Tourists can cross the river by ferry into the Daintree Rainforest, in their own vehicles, or by tour bus, but some roads are still under repair because of damage from cyclone/tropical storm Jasper in late 2023. Roadworks may cause delays.
The Cairns to Port Douglas road (Captain Cook Highway) is open, with roadworks delays. North of the Daintree River, most attractions are open.
Most Daintree tours are operating, the Daintree Discovery Centre is open and damage to the boardwalks is under repair/repaied.
This is the half day Mossman Gorge tour we recommend (local family-run).
Our recommendations will be the first tour on the page, top left.
This is the full-day Daintree, Mossman and River wildlife cruise, beachs & rainforest creeks tour we recommend (also local family-run).
You should be able to visit Cow Bay and Thornton Beach and Daintree accommodation is mostly open.
Obviously, as we enter the wet season of 2027, things could change if a major storm rolls in. But mostly they don’t!
Check for the opening status of the Daintree River Ferry here.
Port Douglas to Daintree Rainforest
Port Douglas is south of the Daintree River, and the Daintree Rainforest really begins the moment you get off the little car ferry and begin to drive through the mangroves, fan palms and high rainforest canopy. It’s like rolling off into another world. Mossman Gorge is south of the river and easier and cheaper to access, it is also in the rainforest biome.
The easiest way to see the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation from Port Douglas is to book a one-day safari tour. This is one of the most in-demand tours in the whole of Australia, so check it out here for a best price guarantee and to reserve your place.
Mossman Gorge is a small patch of the Daintree National Park, on the Port Douglas side of the river, so if you only have half a day you can self-drive there easily and explore solo. There used to be a Mossman Gorge transfer bus from Port Douglas, but I can’t find it anywhere online today. Instead you can book a half day tour with transfers. This is the cheapest Mossman Gorge tour (from Port Douglas) that I could find today.
It’s nice to hire or rent a car (use this tool to find car hire deals) and self-drive to Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation. You can then explore at your own pace. The roads in the rainforest now have tarmac for quite a long way past the car ferry, most tourists shouldn’t need a 4WD.
Port Douglas to Daintree Distance
The distance from Port Douglas to the Daintree Visitors Centre is 69 km and will take approximately 90 minutes in a car. This includes the ferry crossing across the Daintree River. The cost is $57 return on the ferry (at the time of writing, check latest prices here). Locals in possession of a Douglas Pass can cross for free.
The Daintree rainforest stretches north over 70 KM from the Daintree River to the Bloomfield River and encompasses Cape Tribulation, where Captain Cook was shipwrecked over 200 years ago.
Cape Tribulation is located in the Daintree rainforest just before the sealed road gives way to the 4wd dirt road.
There isn’t a lot of public transport heading to Daintree Village, Cape Tribulation, the Daintree Rainforest or Cooktown. Your own vehicle, or a tour, are your easiest options.
Can You Visit Daintree Rainforest Alone?
Yes, you can visit Daintree Rainforest alone. There is no need to take a guided tour, and you shouldn’t need a 4-wheel-drive vehicle if you don’t go too far. The road passes directly through the Daintree Rainforest. You can admire the rainforest from your car or stop, park and walk into the rainforest on one of the several boardwalk walking trails. You can visit the Daintree Discovery Centre or go canopy zip-lining. You can also park at various beaches and walk on the sandy beaches. Look out for crocodiles. There are hotels in the Daintree Rainforest, plus some low-key tourist destinations and food outlets. If you want to spot cassowaries or visit hidden waterfalls, a guided tour may suit you better. This tour is run by a local family rather than a big business, so we like to recommend it. It will be the first one on the page, top left.
Is it worth staying in Daintree Rainforest?
You can easily see the Daintree Rainforest in a single-day road trip from Port Douglas or even Cairns, and this is enough time for most visitors. If you’d like to spend a night surrounded by rainforest, yes it is worth staying in the rainforest and there are plenty of places to stay including hotels, campsites and eco lodges. We list the best hotels in the Daintree Rainforest later on this page. Expect a pretty rustic experience with plenty of wildlife of all kinds. You may not like some of them!
How much does it cost to go to the Daintree Rainforest?
There is no admission fee to the Daintree north of the river, entry is free. If you have your own vehicle, you will simply have to pay for your petrol and the toll to cross the ferry across the Daintree River. There is no bridge. Tours to the Daintree Rainforest vary in cost but they are fairly expensive, a full day tour to the Daintree from Port Douglas starts at around $260 Au / person, book here. Look at the first tour on the page, top left.
There is an admission fee for tourists at Mossman Gorge, about $15.50 Au. It is to cover the cost of the electric vehicle from the Visitor Centre to the start of the boardwalks. Locals are free. A half-day Mossman Gorge tour with shuttle bus from Port Douglas is about $100 Au, book here.
Port Douglas to Daintree Village
It is worth noting that Daintree Village isn’t located on the coast and is on the south side of the Daintree River, inland approximately 60 km.
Access from Port Douglas is direct and is approximately 50 km. Just head north, stay on the Mossman Daintree Road for Daintree Village or take a right turn for the Daintree Ferry before you reach the village.
Daintree Village is not on the direct route to the cape from Port or Cairns (Great Barrier Reef Drive) but you could take a look as a side trip. It’s a pretty spot, very picturesque and with real charm.
The only road north from Daintree Village is a serious 4-wd track that can only be accessed in the dry season, called the Creb Track after the electric company that put it in.
There are a few tourist shops and restaurants in Daintree Village and wildlife and crocodile spotting tours leave from the river jetty in the village itself and from just outside the village.
There is a camping and caravan spot here with lovely views and restaurants and hotels nearby.
Staying in Daintree Village
There are a few places to stay in Daintree Village. Daintree Village is not in the rainforest, it is a small community on the other side of the Daintree River. It’s worth a look. The “Big Barramundi” wasn’t there the last time we visited. Maybe he’ll be back?
- Daintree Village Hideaway
- Egrets Rest
- Daintree Riverview Lodges
- Red Mill House in Daintree
- Daintree Village Bed and Breakfast
Daintree Tours From Port Douglas
There are a whole heap of tours that will take you to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation from Port Douglas or Cairns.
Styles vary, you can head north by car, 4 WD vehicle or book a tour that combines luxury reef boat and rainforest tour. While in the forest you can walk, spot wildlife, canopy surf or bungee jump.
I’ll just send you here to take a look at your Daintree tour options. This is the booking company we use and recommend, and they have a lowest price or money-back guarantee.
Staying in the Daintree Rainforest
There are quite a few hotels, hostels and campsites within the Daintree Rainforest
- Daintree Manor B&B
- Cow Bay Homestay B&B (Cow Bay)
- Thornton Beach Bungalows Daintree
- Heritage Lodge and Spa in The Daintree
- Noah Creek Forest Stay Eco Huts
- Tea Tree Cottage
- Coral Sea Views
- Daintree Wilderness Lodge
- Daintree Crocodylus Village (Cow Bay) Safari style tent-huts. Bar, restaurant and self-catering kitchen. Dorm, doubles twins and huts for 4. Games room, bike hire, pool table.
- Earthship Daintree (Cow Bay) Isolated villa for 2, solar and eco-powered, hilltop sea views. Free wi-fi.
- Daintree Rainforest Retreat Motel
- Daintree Eco Lodge is on the south side of the river, and it’s a fairly upmarket destination hotel with its own waterfall. We went for lunch recently, it’s nice.
Wildlife, Crocodiles, Cassowaries, Mosquitoes and More in The Daintree
You will find the following wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
- Salt Water Crocodiles. In the rivers and in the sea, exercise caution.
- Cassowaries (Southern)
- Bennet’s Tree Kangaroos. These are rare, and I’ve never seen one in the Daintree, but I know people who’ve seen them on the Atherton Tablelands and behind Port Douglas on The Bump Track. There are breeding tree kangaroos at Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat. Unlike Drop Bears, these are real.
- Monitor Lizards
- Daintree Ringtail Possums
- Wild pigs
- Sea Cows or Dugongs. This is how Cow Bay got its name.
- Sea Turtles
- Whales, Humpback and Minke, migrate along this coast
- Dolphins, we’ve seen them around Lizard Island.
- Stinging Tree or Plant
Not a complete list, of course, but just some of the animals, and one plant, to keep an eye out for.
Mosquitos are common. You will need repellent.
Attractions in the Daintree Rainforest
- Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours. Ziplines through the canopy. Check it out here!
- Daintree Ice Cream Company- this has recently changed hands, and we think the ice cream is better now.
- Floravilla Ice Cream Factory at the Cow Bay turnoff.
- Daintree Discovery Centre. Raised walkways, education centre and rainforest canopy tower. Book your slot here.
- Daintree Entomological Museum
The Daintree Lookout
Most people will stop at the Daintree lookout and the view of the rainforest and river is pretty spectacular on a clear day. There are often coach parties and small crowds here. It’s correctly called the Mount Alexandra Lookout and is about 10 minutes drive from the ferry crossing.
Walking in the Daintree- Boardwalks
It’s best to stick to the boardwalks if you want to explore the swamps and rainforests, for your own safety, and for the sake of the forest. You can see some incredible plants and animals. Most of these boardwalks have free parking areas and basic toilets. Distances and times to walk are a rough guide only.
- Jindalba Boardwalk 45 mins 650m there and back.
- Jindalba Circuit Track 1.5 hours 3 km circuit
- Marrja Boardwalk and Botanical Walk 45 mins 1.2 Km
- Dubuji Boardwalk 1.2 km 45 mins
- Kulki 600m 10 mins
- Mount Sorrow, 6 hours + 7km, hot and challenging!
Beaches in Daintree and Cape Tribulation
- Cow Bay
- Thornton Beach
- Cape Tribulation Beach
- Myall Beach
- Noah Beach
Thornton Beach has a nice little cafe, come bar or restaurant set just behind the beach. It’s a nice spot to stop and take a stroll on the sands. You can also walk easily at Cow Bay, there is parking at both.
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Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation are must-dos from Port Douglas or Cairns. As you can see there are multiple things to do and see in the Daintree. There are also plenty of places to stay in the world’s oldest rainforest and Cape Tribulation. We hope you have found this travel blog useful. Any questions about Port Douglas to Daintree and travelling in Far North Queensland put them in the comments below. Want more information on travel to and around Australia? You need our Australia Travel Blog page. Or visit our full Port Douglas Reef Trip information page.
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