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Daintree Tours From Port Douglas & Exploring the Daintree Rainforest

Last Updated 09/03/2022.

To the north of Cairns and Port Douglas, you will find the oldest rainforest in the world, the Daintree Rainforest. Daintree Village, Daintree River, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation are areas you will most certainly want to see during your time in Far North Queensland. A look at everything 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, freshly made.

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Port Douglas to Daintree Rainforest

Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest. Where the reef meets the rainforest. Daintree beach view
A beautiful beach on Cape Tribulation. Famously this is where ” The Reef Meets the Rainforest” but you have to watch out for wildlife, there’s a reason you won’t see people swimming on these beaches.

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 strive through the mangroves, fan palms and high rainforest canopy.

Port Douglas to Daintree Distance

Daintree Ferry crosssing at Daintree River
This is how you cross the river from Cairns or Port Douglas when heading up to the Daintree Rainforest or Cooktown. In very bad weather, when the wet season is at its wettest, this route can be closed to all traffic so always check before you set off.

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 $28 return on the ferry. 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 either Daintree village or Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.

A few tour operators do the run from either Cairns or Port Douglas to Daintree and or Cape Tribulation.

Port Douglas to Daintree Village

The boat jetty at daintree village far north queensland
The boat jetty at Daintree village. A very picturesque spot. Croc spotting boats depart here daily and it’s a lovely spot for morning coffee or an overnight stay.

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 of the other side of the Daintree River. It’s worth a look. Watch out for the ” Big Barramundi”.

Daintree Tours From Port Douglas

Daintree Rainforest Boardwalks and walks. Mangrove swamps
We always joke with the kids that we’re in The Dagobah System. Watch out for Yoda! See tour options by clicking our links in the paragraph below.

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 company we use and recommend and they have a lowest price or money-back guarantee.

I’m certainly going to be doing another helicopter ride when we’re back in Port Douglas for Christmas 2018.  They are amazing! Reminder- Look here.

Staying in the Daintree Rainforest

Wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree is beautiful, but you needs to be carefuls.

There are quite a few hotels, hostels and campsites within the Daintree Rainforest

Wildlife, Crocodiles, Cassowaries, Mosquitoes and More in The Daintree

Cassowary Daintree Rainforest Cape Tribulation
This cassowary casually crossed the road in front of our car and headed up the driveway to one of the hotels in the Daintree Rainforest. You won’t be short of opportunities to spot wildlife in Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

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
  • 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 turn off.
  • Daintree Discovery Centre. Raised walkways, education centre and rainforest canopy tower.
  • 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

Walking Marrja Botanical Walk Cape Tribulation
Taking the kids for a walk at the Marrja Botanical Walk is always fun. There are plenty of interesting plants and animals to spot and we usually see an enormous golden orb spider or two.

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

Playing on the sand at Thornton Beach
Playing on the sand at Thornton Beach. You must look out for crocodiles here.
  • 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.

Port Douglas and Daintree

Do you use Pinterest? We have possibly the biggest and most popular Port Douglas board on Pinterest. Find video and photography pins of this region on our board.

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 worlds oldest rainforest and Cape Tribulation. We hope you have found this travel blog useful. Any questions about traveling 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.

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