Daintree tours: 10 best to uncover the world’s oldest rainforest

To see all the best bits of the Daintree Rainforest without hassle, look no further than one of these incredible Daintree tours.

The Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland is a bucket list destination that must be seen to be believed. Its sheer size, extending to about 1,200 square kilometres, and its flora and fauna are seldom seen anywhere else in the world. To fully appreciate the Daintree Rainforest and soak up its endless anomalies, join one of the best Daintree tours. Unrivalled knowledge, profound storytelling and one-of-a-kind fun is just a booking away.

1. Walkabout Cultural Adventures

Ngana Julaymba Dungay: We Are All Going Daintree guided tour, Walkabout Cultural Adventures — Discover the wonders of the Daintree with a local Aboriginal guide. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There’s no better way to see the Daintree than with a local Aboriginal guide who serves as a traditional custodian of Kuku Yalanji country. Walkabout Cultural Adventures hosts several Indigenous tours, ranging from half-day to full-day tours, where you’ll learn about natural foods and medicines utilised by the Kuku Yalanji people, sample bush tucker, collect shellfish and try your hand at traditional Aboriginal hunting practices like throwing a boomerang or spear.

If you opt for the company’s Southern Daintree Rainforest Guided Tour, you’ll also wander along the Mossman Gorge, and, if you’re lucky, catch a mud crab. Pick up is arranged from Daintree Village, Mossman or Port Douglas. Bring along your cozzies as swimmable sections are bound to entice you.

2. Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre’s Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks

a couple on a Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre’s Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk — Go on a spiritual trail through the rainforest. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) means stories and legends from a long time ago in Kuku Yalanji language, and that’s precisely what you’re treated to on the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre’s Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk . Local Indigenous guides start with a smoking ceremony before leading guests on a spiritual trail through the rainforest, taking in culturally significant sites and sharing enchanting Dreamtime stories.

The Daintree tour lasts roughly 1.5 hours and includes bush tea and damper, and an ochre and soap painting demonstration. You can expect no more than 15 guests, typically, on each tour.

3. Cassowary Falls’ Daintree Rainforest tour

the Cassowary Falls, Daintree — Cassowary Falls is one of very few places you can swim safely in the Daintree.

Cassowary Falls is an incredible waterfall located on private property, so one of the only ways to see it is by signing up to Cassowary Falls’ Daintree Rainforest tour . One of the Daintree’s only safe swimming spots, due to those snappy river residents, the hot spot is the star of two daily tours that run from two to 2.5 hours a piece. Gawk in its splendour, relax on its mossy rocks, and swim to your heart’s content.

As a bonus, keep your eye out for turtles who call Cassowary Falls home, an unparalleled Daintree swimming highlight (if they’re feeling social).

4. Daintree Ice Cream Co’s Orchard Tour

ice cream from Daintree Ice Cream Company — All the ice cream is handmade on site from the exotic fruits grown in the orchard. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Daintree Ice Cream Company churns up ice cream unlike anything else you’ve sampled, taking the rainforest’s unique fruits and ingredients to nail creamy sweetness that’s organically grown and irrigated naturally by tropical rainfall. The free, self-guided Daintree Ice Cream Co’s Orchard Tour typically takes about 30 minutes and its final pit-stop includes devourable treats. The orchard is home to more than 15 species of rare and exotic fruit trees, spanning Davidson plum, lychee and dragon fruit, plus native beehives will undoubtedly delight.

5. Bike Shop & Hire’s E-Bike tour

Sit back and relax on a self-guided e-bike tour facilitated by Bike Shop & Hire . Offering guests an itinerary that covers Daintree National Park’s Mossman Gorge, it also ducks into the Mossman Markets, The Australian Chocolate Farm in Shannonvale Valley and Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery. The trip takes about six hours in total, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the spoils, and you don’t need to be super experienced to hop on — navigating uphill climbs is a breeze thanks to your electric wheels. Each tour includes a helmet, GPS guidance, a morning shuttle to the tour’s starting point at Cooya Beach, and a complimentary chocolate plate.

6. Daintree Rainforest Discovery

two people standing on a hanging bridge in Daintree National Park — The native flora and fauna in the Daintree are seldom seen anywhere else in the world. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

While there are many amazing Daintree accommodation options and places to stay in Cape Tribulation, basing yourself in Port Douglas offers a stack of tour options including those from the acclaimed Daintree Discovery Tours . Our pick of the bunch is the Total Daintree Experience, which kicks off at 7.25am and wraps at 5.30pm,  covering the Mossman Gorge National Park’s boardwalk trail, morning tea at the Mossman Gorge Visitors Centre, a Daintree River cruise, a stroll along the 600-metre return Daintree Boardwalk, lunch at On The Turps Restaurant at Heritage Lodge, a croc-free creek swim and time at Cape Tribulation Beach.

On the way home, you’ll stop at Alexandra Range lookout to take in the views of the coastline, all the way up to Cairns, before return transfers will drop you at your accommodation.

7. Billy Tea Safaris’ Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tour

a Daintree River Cruise with Billy Tea Safaris — Get whisked off on a Billy Tea Safaris’ full-day Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tour. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Desperate to explore the upper reaches of the Daintree as well as Cape Tribulation? Billy Tea Safaris’ full-day Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tour can pick you up from Cairns, Palm Cove, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas, whisking you off on an unforgettable journey.

The daily Daintree tour travels in a 4WD and includes a Daintree River cruise, dropping into Alexandra Range lookout, a visit to Cape Tribulation Beach and more. Be sure to wear sturdy closed shoes as holiday flip flops will prove a nightmare while navigating the rainforest floor.

8. Back Country Bliss’ Mossman Gorge Adventure Day

the River Drift Experience peacefully floating down the Mossman River, Back Country Bliss’ Mossman Gorge Adventure Day — Float down the Mossman River with Back Country Bliss. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A full-day expedition departing from Port Douglas and Mossman, Back Country Bliss’ Mossman Gorge Adventure Day promises to plunge you into the beauty of the Daintree rather than gazing at it from afar. Not only will you drift along the Daintree River on a river sled (picture yourself lying on a lilo — that’s what it’s like), you’ll also take in a traditional smoking ceremony, have Indigenous body paint materials like ochre applied, visit significant cultural rainforest sites and be fed lunch, water and snacks. When these guys say adventure, they mean it.

9. Far North Escapes’ Daintree Forest tours

Ranging from morning and half-day expeditions to guided night walks, Far North Escapes’ Daintree Forest tours offer expert guidance around the region. At the smaller end of the spectrum, the Morning Walk Tour is led by a naturalist who takes guests along a boardwalk while offering their unique perspective. At the all-encompassing end, the Afternoon and Guided Night Walk Tour cruises the Daintree River, dishing up ice cream before a night trail sheds light on unique nocturnal nightlife and dinner is served.

10. Daintree Sensations

Foodies, this one’s for you. Daintree Sensations ’ full-day culinary-inspired take on the Daintree is filled with delicious awakenings, with visits to The Australian Chocolate Farm and a tropical fruit farm as well as guided fishing and a serene picnic by Cassowary Falls’ famed cascade. Besides filling up on all the good stuff, guests will also get to chat to local growers and farmers to gain genuine insight into the Daintree’s sensational bounty.

Originally written by Emily Murphy with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Discover the best accommodation in the Daintree

Shake off your tech and reconnect to earth with the most grounding Daintree walks.

Tapping into your inner vine-swinging Mowgli is unavoidable upon entering Tropical North Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. Crammed with flowing streams, cascading waterfalls, secret swimming spots and jaw-dropping mountain ranges, the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest on the entire planet. While action-packed Daintree tours round up serious highlights, nothing compares to strapping on your boots and getting (strategically) lost amongst its immensity.

Before you go, it’s worth noting that safe trails are contained to Daintree National Park, which works to preserve a huge portion of the wider rainforest. Split into the rocky Mossman Gorge area and coastal Cape Tribulation section, the park is a nature lover’s playground. Here, we unveil the best Daintree walks to get you exploring with ease.

1. Rainforest Circuit Track in Mossman Gorge

a guided Dreamtime Walk experience, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre — Join the 1.5-hour Dreamtime Walk in Mossman Gorge. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance: 3.4 kilometres

Time: Roughly 2 hours

Difficulty: Grade 3, which means there’s some obstacles. Walking experience is required and Grade 3 also indicates steep hills and more than a few stairs.

Easily one of the most popular walks in the Daintree, the Rainforest Circuit Track in Mossman Gorge offers ridiculous views of Mount Demi, a spiritually significant rock formation of the local Kuku Yalanji people. Visitors will delight in the array of flora and fauna this Daintree walk covers, including strangler figs and various butterfly species, while the circular nature of the trip equals straightforward exploration — who doesn’t love that?

To get there, seek out the shuttle bus stop car park in Mossman Gorge and take the Baral Marrjanga track to the Rex Creek bridge track (more on both of those trails, below). The circuit starts on the far side of the bridge.

2. Dubuji Boardwalk in Cape Tribulation

Distance: 1.2 kilometres

Time: About 45 minutes

Difficulty: Grade 1, which means the track is flat, stair-free, clearly signposted and well-formed. Wheelchairs are also welcome, though some assistance is required.

If the Daintree walk of your dreams involves gazing into lush mangrove swamps to uncover what lies beneath, the Dubuji Boardwalk in Cape Tribulation has your name on it. Extremely simple to navigate due to its flat terrain, this pick is known to throw up the odd cassowary, too. Bird life thrives here, in fact, with kingfishers and orange-footed scrubfowls roaming the joint — and then there’s the payoff for all your hard work, Myall Beach, accessible from the boardwalk.

3. Manjal Jimalji (Devils Thumb) Trail

Distance: 10.6 kilometres, return

Time: 8 hours

Difficulty: Grade 4, which means the trail’s rough and steep with minimal signposts. You’ll need bushwalking experience and be extra careful if it’s been raining as the track will get slippery.

Full-day explorers who know how to navigate uneven and hilly terrain should consider the incredible Manjal Jimalji (Devils Thumb) Trail , which uncovers one of the most culturally significant sites in the region. A word of warning from Queensland National Parks: experienced walkers should only attempt this Daintree walk between May and November when rain is minimal and the track isn’t slippery. The team advises visitors to steer clear of it any other time.

If you do find an opportunity to strike it off your bucket list, however, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular plant life, spanning ancient bloodwoods and giant wattles, the upper reaches of the Daintree, breathtaking views out to Port Douglas and Thornton Peak, and the dramatic Split Rock boulder.

4. Lower River Track in Mossman Gorge

an aerial view of the Mossman River — Spy the Mossman River gushing over granite boulders. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance: 640 metres, return

Time: About 40 minutes in total

Difficulty: Grade 2, which means the trail is formed but you’ll likely encounter hills and steps. Be careful if it’s been raining as things get slippery.

Flowing streams, birdsong harmonies and multicoloured butterflies? The Lower River Track in Mossman Gorge is a short but insanely sweet stretch of prime Daintree real estate. Keep your eyes peeled for several lookouts to help you spy the Mossman River gushing over granite boulders and into the ocean, and don’t be surprised to spot a turtle amid your awe. You’ll find this Daintree walk’s entry at the shuttle bus stop in the Mossman Gorge day-use area.

5. Rex Creek Bridge Track in Mossman Gorge

Distance: 1.4 kilometres, return

Time: Roughly 1 hour

Difficulty: Grade 2, which means the trail is formed but you’ll likely encounter hills and steps.

If you’re wary of unstable heights, look away. Adventure seekers will, however, love the Rex Creek Bridge Track in Mossman Gorge , which takes visitors onto a suspension bridge across the flowing Rex Creek. You’ll trawl lush rainforest to get to the star of the show, which also provides an epic vantage point to spot turtles and fish that call the creek home. To find the walk’s entry, leave from the Mossman Gorge car park along the Baral Marrjanga track, which leads to the bridge track.

6. Mount Sorrow Ridge Trail in Cape Tribulation

Distance: 7 kilometres, return

Time: About 6 hours

Difficulty: Grade 4, which means the trail’s rough and steep, with minimal signposts. You’ll need bushwalking experience for this one.

For a sweeping view of the Daintree’s spectacular coastline, the Mount Sorrow Ridge Trail is the ultimate pick. Ascending the ridge of Mount Sorrow, this Daintree walk soars you 680 metres above ground level and once you do reach that summit, you’ll spy the Great Barrier Reef if conditions are clear. Queensland National Parks recommends you leave the peak’s lookout by 2pm, even on a sunny day, to allow enough time to return before dark.

7. Kulki Boardwalk in Cape Tribulation

a beach in Cape Tribulation — This Daintree walk leads you to Cape Tribulation’s golden beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Distance: 600 metres, return

Time: Just 10 minutes

Difficulty: Grade 1, which means the track is flat, stair-free, clearly signposted and well-formed.

An all-too-convenient stretch of timber makes strolling the Kulki Boardwalk an easy choice, as do the legendary Cape Tribulation views you’ll score along the way. From dramatic headlands to golden beaches, delightful eyefuls run rife on this Daintree walk, which can be reached by driving along Cape Tribulation Road and turning into its well-signalled car park.

8. Madja Boardwalk in Cape Tribulation

Distance: 1.2 kilometre circuit

Time: About 45 minutes

Difficulty: Grade 1, which means the track is flat, stair-free, clearly signposted and well-formed.

It’s mangrove country again on the Madja Boardwalk , a loop that explores the Daintree’s lowland tranquillity. You’ll trail a sturdy path dotted with educational signage to offer insight into the Daintree’s incredible plant life as the odd eel and crabs plus other crustaceans shuffle down low.

9. Jindalba Circuit Track in Cape Tribulation

friends exploring Jindalba Circuit Track in Cape Tribulation — Wander through the 650-metre Jindalba Circuit Track surrounded by unique flora and fauna. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance: 3-kilometre circuit

Time: About 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Grade 4, which means the trail’s rough and steep with minimal signposts. You’ll need bushwalking experience.

Find your grippiest shoes as the Jindalba Circuit Track takes visitors across multiple trickling creeks, so the conditions are inevitably wet. Your effort will be worth it, however, as this Daintree walk scales the base of Mount Alexandria, taking in loads of native wildlife including an extensive collection of birds, like giant cassowaries, and multiple kangaroo types.

10. Baral Marrjanga Track in Mossman Gorge

Distance: 660 metres, return

Time: Roughly 30 minutes

Difficulty: Grade 1, which means the track is flat, stair-free, clearly signposted and well-formed. Wheelchairs and prams are welcome.

Navigate the Mossman Gorge from above with the elevated Baral Marrjanga Track . One of the simplest Daintree walks, the trek runs through the lower canopy and is littered with bright butterflies. There’s also a lookout to hang at where vistas across the Mossman River dazzle and turtles have been spotted below. Access the track from the Mossman Gorge day-use area car park.