How To Get To The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is a world away from civilisation but a snap to get to. And the drive north from Cairns is something worth marvelling at.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, the Daintree is barely touched and completely isolated. So, you might be wondering how to get to the Daintree Rainforest. Well getting there is actually really easy, so follow our guide for everything you need to know before you leave.

Where is the Daintree?

The Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland) — The Great Barrier Reef Drive takes you to where the rainforest meets the reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Daintree’s closest airport is roughly 110 kilometres south of the rainforest in Cairns. Located in Tropical North Queensland, the trip up is nothing short of amazing, with incredible coastal views and scenery that will blow your mind.

There are two ways you can get to the Daintree from Cairns; hiring a car and making your own way on a mini road trip or jumping on one of the tours that will take you to the Daintree from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas.

Drive yourself

Did someone say road trip? Although not a huge drive, the Great Barrier Reef Drive has some beautiful stops along the way that you simply can’t go past. Whether you’re just passing through and stop for a coffee and lunch, or you stay the night, both Palm Cove and Port Douglas are must-stops.

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is home to Nick Holloway’s iconic Nu Nu restaurant which brings award-winning Australian dishes and a great atmosphere to the table. With spectacular views of the Coral Sea, the beachfront location framed by stunning palm trees is dreamlike.

Port Douglas

Another 40 kilometres up the highway you’ll reach the laid-back coastal town of Port Douglas. A hot spot in Tropical North Queensland, Port Douglas has plenty of incredible places to eat and accommodation for every budget, so even if you stay here for a couple of days, you won’t run out of things to do.

Daintree Ferry

When you’re ready to make the final leg to the Daintree, you’ll come across the Daintree Ferry about 50 kilometres up the road. Some Daintree accommodation options are located before the ferry near Daintree Village, so you may not need to cross the river until you’re ready to explore the wealth of things to do in the Daintree.

The 43-metre-long Daintree Ferry provides vehicle access across the Daintree River, connecting the northern Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with the rest of Far North Queensland.

The Daintree River running side by side with the Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland) — The Daintree River is a hot spot for crocs. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The ferry operates between 5am and midnight 365 days a year, with a priority lane for locals between 9am and 4.30pm from July to September. The crossing is pretty quick and easy, taking approximately 15 minutes, including time for boarding and disembarking all vehicles. During peak season there might be a bit of a wait though, so factor that into your travel time.

Ferry tickets are $45 per car for a return ticket and an extra $16 if you’ve got a trailer. You can buy the ferry tickets on the southern side of the river before you cross.

You might even see a croc while you cross the river, but if you don’t, the Daintree has plenty of river cruises designed for spotting crocodiles in the wild.

Cape Tribulation

The incredible views from Mount Alexandra Lookout. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland) — The views from Mount Alexandra Lookout are amazing. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Once you’ve passed the Daintree River, you’ve reached the oldest living rainforest, which is estimated to be 180 million years old – tens of millions of years older than the Amazon. Make sure you stop by the Mount Alexandra Lookout located shortly after the ferry, which offers excellent views over the Coral Sea and the mouth of the Daintree.

You’ve then got about an hour until you get to Cape Tribulation, the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet. You’ll have the best of both worlds exploring the rainforest, but also heading out onto the Great Barrier Reef for a bucket list reef experience.

There are lots of places to stay in Cape Tribulation and also plenty of camping spots, so whether you’re into luxury accommodation, budget stays or sleeping under the stars, there’s something for you.

4WD sits beneath trees near the beach in the Daintree. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland) — Camping in Cape Trib is a common choice. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

With no mobile phone service and one of the highest concentrations of plants and animals anywhere on earth, the call to adventure beckons loudly here.

Do not forget the essentials – a torch and plenty of time up your sleeve – because exploring the beaches and the rainforest at night, especially around Cape Trib, increases your chances to see some of the most amazing wildlife on earth. For example, ghost crabs (they are translucent, so you see right through them) are best spotted scurrying around at night.

It takes less than three hours (with no stops) to get from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, an easy journey for anyone looking to get away.

Mother and child swinging on rope swing Cape Tribulation beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland) — Cape Tribulation Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Take a tour

Tour bus driving along the Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland) — Sometimes a tour of the Daintree is the best option. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

If you’d rather just come up for a day or two, and you don’t want to hire a car, then a tour is your best bet. Getting to see all the best bits in a fast-tracked tour is a great way to see the Daintree and Cape Tribulation for the time-poor.

Most of the tours have a stop at Mossman Gorge where you’ll get to go on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk with a local Kuku Yalanji guide. Some tours will also take you on one of the Daintree River cruises that get up close and personal with the native saltwater crocs.

Aerial shot of Mossman Gorge. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland) — Mossman Gorge is a stunning spot. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

If you’re staying in Port Douglas and your Daintree tour doesn’t take you on a crocodile cruise, we’ve also found the best spots in Port Douglas to spot a crocodile.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

How to get to the Daintree Rainforest