National park · Australia
Daintree RainforestDaintree National Park (Wet Tropics of Queensland)
Base two nights at Cape Tribulation, not Mossman Gorge: drive the ferry crossing early, walk Dubuji and Jindalba before 10:00, and take a Daintree River croc cruise at 8:30 or after 15:00. Skip the day-trip-from-Cairns version — 3 h each way leaves you 3 h in the forest.Base two nights at Cape Tribulation, not Mossman Gorge: drive the ferry crossing early, walk Dubuji and Jindalba before 10:00 AM, and take a Daintree River croc cruise at 8:30 AM or after 3:00 PM. Skip the day-trip-from-Cairns version — 3 h each way leaves you 3 h in the forest.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- About 1,200 km² of the Wet Tropics listed as rainforest; the Daintree section is roughly 1,200 km² of national park and adjacent freehold (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The Daintree is the northern block of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage area and the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on earth, over 135 million years old. It runs from the Mossman Gorge section in the south, past the Daintree River ferry, to Cape Tribulation, where the sealed road ends and the reef meets the forest. Queensland national parks charge no entry fee, so the real costs are the ferry toll, the Mossman Gorge shuttle and any tours. The southern gorge is the busiest and most accessible part; the northern section past the river is quieter, wetter and better as an overnight base than a day trip from Cairns.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1988Wet Tropics of Queensland; the Daintree is the northern block. Meets all four natural criteria.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 1988
About 1,200 km² of the Wet Tropics listed as rainforest; the Daintree section is roughly 1,200 km² of national park and adjacent freehold (check).
Why go
- The oldest continuously surviving rainforest on earth — over 135 million years, with flowering plants older than the Amazon's.
- The only place where two natural World Heritage areas meet: rainforest on one side of the road, Great Barrier Reef on the other.
- Cassowaries, crocodiles and 430-plus bird species within a 3 h drive of Cairns.
- Past the Daintree River ferry the crowds thin out; Cape Tribulation is where the sealed road ends.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; 400+ mm rain, cyclones possible, some tracks closed
- FebWettest month; ferry and road flooding possible
- MarRain easing; still cyclone season, leeches and mud
- AprWet season ending; lush, fewer people, showers
- MayDry season starts; 26–29 °C (79–84 °F), clear tracksDry season starts; 79–84 °F (26–29 °C), clear tracks
- JunDry, cool nights, cassowary sightings on the roads
- JulPeak dry season; book Cape Trib beds ahead
- AugDry and breezy; busiest school-holiday weeks
- SepDry, warm, low humidity; good reef and rainforest combo
- OctBuild-up heat; storms return late in the month
- NovWet season begins; high humidity, afternoon storms
- DecHot and wet; cyclone watch, some tours stop
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern cassowaryApr–Oct · Most often seen on the roadsides at dawn and dusk; slow down and never feed them. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Estuarine crocodilesAll year · Present year-round in the Daintree River and Cooper Creek; seen best on cruises in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Boyd's forest dragon and other reptilesApr–Sep · Often on tree trunks beside the boardwalks in the cooler months. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Ulysses and birdwing butterfliesOct–Mar · Wet-season months bring the most butterflies and frogs. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Musky rat-kangarooMay–Sep · Early morning on the forest floor at Jindalba and Dubuji. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cairns
Captain Cook Highway north through Port Douglas to Mossman, then the Daintree River ferry for Cape Tribulation.
2.5–3 h
From Port Douglas
Same highway north; Mossman Gorge turn-off at Johnston Road, Cape Tribulation straight on.
1–1.5 h
From Cairns by bus
TransNorth and tour coaches run Cairns to Wonga and on to Cape Tribulation; some hostels sell transport-plus-bed packages.
3–3.5 h
From Cape Tribulation to Cow Bay by bike
Rented from hostels; hilly through the Noah Range.
1.5–2 h each way
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mossman Gorge | The southern, most accessible section: granite gorge, Rex Creek, four short walks and the visitor centre. | Shuttle from the Mossman Gorge Centre; open daily. |
| Daintree River and village | Ferry crossing, croc cruises, Daintree village and the teahouses on the south bank. | Open; ferry toll per vehicle. |
| Cow Bay and Diwan | Discovery Centre, Jindalba and Madja boardwalks, ice-cream farms, most of the lodges. | Open; sealed road. |
| Cape Tribulation | The heart of the rainforest: Dubuji and Kulki boardwalks, Myall Beach, the end of the sealed road. | Open; 4WD only beyond for the Bloomfield Track. |
Sketch map
- 1Mossman Gorge Centre · Headquarters≈-16.474, 145.349Shuttle departure, art gallery and cafe.Map ↗
- 2Daintree River ferry · Gate≈-16.317, 145.367Cable ferry; toll per vehicle.Map ↗
- 3Daintree village · Town≈-16.250, 145.317Map ↗
- 4Mount Alexandra lookout · Viewpoint≈-16.246, 145.435Map ↗
- 5Daintree Discovery Centre · Ranger station≈-16.238, 145.428Map ↗
- 6Jindalba boardwalk · Trail≈-16.227, 145.421Map ↗
- 7Cape Tribulation · Town≈-16.087, 145.463End of the sealed road; hostels and lodges.Map ↗
- 8Dubuji boardwalk · Trail≈-16.093, 145.457Map ↗
- 9Kulki lookout · Viewpoint≈-16.084, 145.462Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Mossman–Cape Tribulation road, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daintree National Park entry (Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge sections) | Free | person | Free — Queensland national parks charge no entry fee. |
| Daintree River Ferry, car one-way | AUD 31 (≈ US$25) | vehicle | Return A$51; motorcycle A$13/20; bicycle A$6/7 (Sep 2025 rates, check 2026). |
| Mossman Gorge shuttle from the Mossman Gorge Centre | AUD 12–15 (≈ US$8–10) | person | 2026 estimate; private vehicles cannot drive to the gorge car park. |
| Daintree Discovery Centre | AUD 35–40 (≈ US$25–30) | person | 2026 estimate; includes the 11 m aerial walkway and 23 m canopy tower. |
| Daintree River wildlife cruise | AUD 30–45 (≈ US$20–30) | person | 2026 estimate; 1 h cruises, longer for the Cooper Creek operators. |
| Jungle Surfing canopy zipline, Cape Tribulation | AUD 99–109 (≈ US$70–75) | person | Child rate around A$99 (check 2026). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Mossman Gorge access permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Bloomfield Track (Cape Tribulation to Cooktown) no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$31≈ US$25
- A$12–15≈ US$8–10
- A$35–40≈ US$25–30
- A$30–45≈ US$20–30
- A$99–109≈ US$70–75
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Queensland Parks — Daintree National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Cassowaries
- Do not feed or approach them; a cassowary defending chicks can injure people. Slow to walking pace on Cape Tribulation Road.
- Swimming
- Do not swim in the Daintree River, Cooper Creek or any creek near the coast — crocodiles. Ocean swimming at Cape Tribulation is only safe in the stinger season nets, and jellyfish are present Nov–May.
- Drones
- Not allowed in the national park without a permit from Queensland Parks (check).check
- Camping
- Only at booked Queensland Parks campsites; no bush camping and no camping on beaches.
- Fires and rubbish
- No fires in the park; take all rubbish out with you.
- Bloomfield Track
- 4WD only beyond Cape Tribulation; rental cars are not insured on it.
Where to stay
In the park
Cape Tribulation
Hostels, eco-lodges and B&Bs at the end of the sealed road — the best base for two nights.
In the park
Cow Bay and Diwan
Rainforest lodges and farmstays between the ferry and the Cape, quieter and cheaper.
Near the park
Daintree village
Guesthouses on the south bank of the river, handy for croc cruises and the ferry.
Near the park
Port Douglas
Full resort choice 1–1.5 h south; a day-trip base rather than a rainforest stay.
Safety
Crocodiles high
Cassowary on the road medium
Cyclones and flooding medium
Stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) high
Heat and humidity medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Madja boardwalk and the Dubuji boardwalk are boardwalk standard and usable with a wheelchair or pram.
- The Mossman Gorge shuttle and the gorge's main viewing platform are accessible; the rainforest circuit has steps.
- Jindalba circuit and Kulki lookout have steps and uneven surfaces.
Visiting lightly
- Stay past the ferry rather than day-tripping from Cairns — the money stays in the villages and the drive is one return trip, not two.
- Choose a river cruise operator that keeps distance from crocodiles and does not bait them.
- Never feed wildlife and keep food sealed; cassowaries that learn to beg are usually killed by cars.
- Take all rubbish back to Port Douglas or Cairns — there is no municipal collection past the river.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Daintree Rainforest?
Nothing. Daintree National Park is a Queensland national park and has no entry fee. You pay for the Daintree River ferry (A$31 one-way for a car, A$51 return, 2025 rates), the Mossman Gorge shuttle (about A$12–15, 2026 estimate) and any tours. The Discovery Centre and Jungle Surfing are separate paid attractions.
What are the best hikes in Daintree Rainforest?
For most visitors: Dubuji boardwalk (1.2 km, 45 min, fan palms to Myall Beach), Jindalba boardwalk and circuit near Cow Bay, Madja boardwalk at Diwan, Kulki lookout, and the Mossman Gorge rainforest circuit (2.4 km) in the south. All are easy and none need a guide. There is no long-distance trek in the Daintree — the serious walking is on Hinchinbrook Island or in the Wet Tropics further south.
When is the best time to visit Daintree Rainforest?
May to September. The dry season gives 26–29 °C days, low humidity, clear tracks and the best cassowary and crocodile sightings. October is still good but humid. November to April is the wet season and cyclone season: heavy rain, leeches, possible road and ferry closures, and marine stingers on the beaches.
Do I need a 4WD for the Daintree?
No for Cape Tribulation — the road is sealed all the way and every rental company allows it. You need a 4WD only for the Bloomfield Track beyond Cape Tribulation, and rental insurance usually does not cover it.
Can I see a cassowary?
Possibly, on the roadsides at dawn and dusk between Cow Bay and Cape Tribulation, or on the Jindalba and Dubuji walks. Never feed or approach one — they can injure people, and birds that learn to beg are usually killed by cars.
Is the Daintree a day trip from Cairns?
It can be, but it is 2.5–3 h each way, so a day trip leaves you about 3 h in the forest. Two nights at Cape Tribulation or Cow Bay is the version that works.
Can you swim in the Daintree River?
No. Estuarine crocodiles live in the river, Cooper Creek and the coastal creeks year-round. Ocean swimming at Cape Tribulation is only safe inside the stinger nets from November to May.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialQueensland Parks — Daintree National Park
- officialQueensland Parks — Daintree, Cape Tribulation section
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Wet Tropics of Queensland
- officialMossman Gorge Centre
- officialDaintree River Ferry
- officialDaintree Discovery Centre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Daintree Rainforest, revision 5326863 (CC BY-SA 4.0)