daintree rainforest cruises

Experience the world's oldest rainforest...

Discover the Daintree with the ONLY Advanced ECO Certified operator on the river. Enter the code WILD10 at the checkout for 10% off your booking!

Ultimate Wildlife Experience

Explore the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest during our 60-90 minute wildlife experience tours. 

Private Charter

Create unforgettable memories and discover the Daintree at your own pace, with an exclusive, personalized tour.

Discover the

Here at the Daintree River Cruise Centre, we aim to showcase all aspects of our incredible environment. From ancient reptilian predators, to flocks of birds, schools of fish, sneaky snakes and a variety of the mangrove species lining the riverbank. 

A few words​

In 1987, Lee & Janet Lafferty opened the Daintree River Cruise Centre with a vision to share the spectacular wildlife and rainforest in the most environmentally sensitive way possible.

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Latest reviews​.

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The ONLY Advanced ECO Certified operator on the river.

25% off family groups for our 2:30pm and 3:30pm cruises these school holidays. BOOK NOW!

• 0474 710 280
• [email protected]
• (07) 4098 6120

Daintree River Cruise

Welcome to a timeless and ancient land where giants still walk amongst us...

Take a cruise with us through a world lost in time and experience the hidden wonders of these ancient Daintree waterways as they wind their millennial paths through the World Heritage listed tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. Who knows, you might just come face to face with one of our beady-eyed locals!… 

Step aboard...

Join us on one of two simply awesome Daintree River Cruises as we explore these ancient waterways and meet some unforgetable locals!

Meet some locals...

Check out the amazing wildlife you’ll likely to meet in person on our incredible Daintree River Cruises. Ancient crocs to majestic Cassowaries, see them here! *Photo courtesy Tim Van Leeuwen

Dig in to delicious...

Why should your eyeballs have all the fun!... bring your tastebuds to our delicious Croc Expresso Cafe and experience some mouth-watering fare!

"OMG!.. I never dreamed I'd get that close to a real life Dinosaur!..”

Jillian – Auckland. New Zealand

See what our guests have been saying about us!...

We were really glad that we chose to drive here and did both river cruises. Great to learn about the Daintree and wonderful to see  crocodiles, large and small.

Brisbane, Australia

Highly recommended Crocodile Express Daintree River Cruise, all the staff are wonderful, but a special mention to Bill our tour guide who went above & beyond to make sure we saw a least one Croc, a Huge one at that!

Port MacQuarie

Loved being out on the magnificent Daintree River and  experiencing it through the eyes of our guide Justin who is just so passionate about the area. The boat is covered so you have no worries about the weather and we were lucky to only have 6 people on our tour so there was plenty of room to move about and take photos

Gatton, Australia

• 5 Stewart St Daintree QLD 4873
• Opening Hours Mon-Sun 9am-5pm

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Daintree Rainforest Tours

Discover the world's oldest living rainforest from port douglas, premium experiences, local expert guides, package options, explore the daintree rainforest with us.

Our original rainforest and Ultimate zipline tours are currently closed for maintenance. Our team have created more half and full day options to bring you up close with the Daintree Rainforest!

Book Full Day Discover Daintree Tour

Book half day southern daintree tour, the original daintree rainforest tour.

Our original Daintree Tour takes you on an adventure through ancient rainforests of the Daintree. Our mission is to showcase some of the highlights of this incredible natural wonder by walking through the Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge and exploring the waterways rich in flora and fauna on a river cruise. Suitable for ages 7 years + and is a full day tour.

The only Zipline tour in the Daintree Rainforest

Combine the best of the original Daintree Rainforest tour with a zipline tour through the trees. Tour includes the guided walk, river cruise, air conditioned vehicle and the zipline experience. Suitable for ages 4 years + and is a full day tour.

Book Ultimate Zipline Daintree Tour

Choose your tour.

Ultimate Daintree Tour

• Gentle slow paced Zipline tour
• Walk through the Daintree Rainforest
• 1-hour crocodile cruise on Cooper Creek
• Visit Cape Tribulation
• Picnic Style Lunch & Swimming Opportunity at Heritage Lodge
• Min age 4 years +

Enjoy the Daintree in a whole new way with our Ultimate Daintree zipline tour. Our guides will take you past all the beautiful sights of the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation including an amazing zipline experience with our friends from Treetops Adventure.

• Available Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday only
• Please bring swimwear, towel and a change of clothes if intending on swimming.
• Please note this tour is unavailable for infants or 3 years and under

Daintree Rainforest Tour

• Premium Mercedes with only 11 guests
• 7:20am or 8:20am departures, daily
• Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park & Cape Tribulation
• Gourmet lunch at Heritage Lodge
• Min age 7 years +

Enjoy interpretive rainforest walks, lush lunch site, estuarine crocodile and wildlife spotting on Cooper Creek and, of course, friendly and knowledgeable local guides with Daintree Tours.

• Available 7 days a week
• Port Douglas pick ups available
• Please note this tour is not available for infants or 7 years and under

• Save by combining tours!
• 3 amazing packages to choose from
• Experience the Great Barrier Reef & Daintree National Park
• Combine with a snorkelling or diving tours
• Multi day, full day tours
• Flexible conditions

Please contact us on 07 4231 8012 for pricing information

Enquire about our packages with Calypso Reef Cruises. Subject to availability

Daintree Tours From Port Douglas

Explore your own tropical backyard.

Customer Reviews

“ Sandra Mclaren “ We had an amazing day, our guide Ben is fantastic, so knowledgeable, lots of talking and laughing. Food was great, very comfortable tour bus couldn’t ask for any better. Highly recommend this service if you want to know about this beautiful part of our country. ”

“ Lisa Bakker “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! ”

“ Ross Beamish “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! Thank you Daintree Tours and in particular Ben for putting together a great tour. ”

“ Eloise Barker-Re “ We had the best day out today with Ben our extremely informative and knowledgable tour guide! and a lovely guy. We highly recommend this trip, it’s suitable for all ages and ticks all the boxes. We had a lovely lunch followed by a dip in the creek which was bliss! Then locally made ice-cream what more could you want. Thanks so much! ”

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The ECO Certification logo is a globally recognized brand which assists travellers to choose and experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction, cruise or accommodation that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

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Daintree Tours

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Daintree Tours 1/11-17 Macrossan Street Port Douglas Queensland 4877 Australia

Phone: +61 7 4231 8012

Daintree Tours Email: [email protected]

• Full Day Discover Daintree Tour – NEW
• Half Day Southern Daintree Tour – NEW
• Ultimate Zipline Tour
• Daintree Tour – Currently Closed

See a croc in the wild: Top 6 Daintree River cruises

Emily Murphy

Social Media Manager & Writer

03 August 2023

Want to see a salty in the wild? There’s no better place than a Daintree River Cruise.

As  Queensland’s crocodile country , Daintree has tours that take you up the river where crocodiles have lived for a million years. A bucket list moment when you’re in the Daintree rainforest is seeing a giant saltwater (estuarine) crocodile in the wild. There are plenty of them around, but stumbling upon one isn’t really what you want, so the best way to see them in their natural habitat is through one of the many Daintree River cruises that operate each day.

The Daintree River is something to marvel at. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Daintree River boasts some of the best sightseeing in the world. From the beautiful rainforest to the stunning wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All the tours have their own specialities, whether that be their breadth of experience or their focus on sustainability, so we’ve found the best of the bunch.

Here are the top six Daintree River cruises for spotting crocodiles.

1. Daintree River Cruise Centre

The Daintree River Cruise Centre showcases all the wonderful aspects of the Daintree – from huge estuarine crocodiles and flocks of tropical birds to schools of fish, native mangrove species and everything in between.

With a 60–90-minute tour, the knowledgeable guides will impart their knowledge to you about the Daintree and the crocodiles who call the river home.

Tickets are $35 for adults or $17.50 for kids.

Why we love them: The Daintree River Cruise Centre is an Ecotourism Australia ECO-certified tour operator that displays the spectacular wildlife of the Daintree Rainforest without hurting the environment!

Daintree River Cruise Centre is an ECO-certified tour operator. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

2. Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises

Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises one-hour wildlife cruises will take you on a journey down the river to see the crocs up close and personal. You’ll also see plenty of tree snakes and birds! Guests are encouraged to stand on the front deck of the boat to really immerse themselves in the experience.

There are seven cruises per day, so you’ll be able to book a tour that suits your schedule.

Tickets are $30 for adults or $14 for children.

Why we love them: Bruce has a keen eye for spotting wildlife due to his over 32 years of experience as a tour guide on the Daintree River and more than 40,000 trips!

Stand on the front deck of the boat to get up close and personal. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

3. Solar Whisper

The Solar Whisper Crocodile Cruise River Tour allows you to get closer to nature, and really be able to hear, smell and experience the tour without the noise and fumes other boats create. That’s because Solar Whisper is a quiet, clean, solar electric boat!

Solar Whisper has a 99 per cent success rate of spotting crocs and other wildlife because the crocs spend more time underwater in summer. Don’t worry, if you don’t see a croc on your tour, they’ll keep taking you until you see one!

Why we love them: Solar Whisper is the only zero-emission boat on the Daintree River. So, get close to the crocodiles and other wildlife without impacting their natural habitat!

Get even closer to the crocs on the Daintree River’s only zero-emission boat. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

4. Crocodile Express

Crocodile Express is the only cruise operator with two different departure points along the Daintree River, giving you the choice of two different river cruises. Experience the incredible wildlife of the Daintree’s amazingly diverse ecosystem with each tour!

The Lower Daintree River Cruise from the Daintree Ferry crossing goes through mud banks and mangroves and is guaranteed crocodile country. The Upper Daintree River Cruise from Daintree Village is popular for bird watching as it winds its way through dense rainforest.

Tickets are $29.70 for adults and $14.85 for children.

Why we love them: Crocodile Express was the very first tourism operator on the Daintree River, having begun operation in 1979.

Observe the crocs from Crocodile Express. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

5. Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises

Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises offers small group wildlife cruises that give you an insight into the Daintree’s environment and wildlife. With a maximum of 10 guests on board, there is plenty of opportunities to see the crocodiles and have a personalised experience.

The cruises go for two hours and are conducted at dawn and dusk – when the sun is at its best and you’ll get the most stunning pictures.

Tickets are $65 for adults and $40 for children.

Why we love them: The boat is a hybrid vessel with both a regular outboard and an electric motor powered by a portable lithium battery!

Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises go for two hours and are conducted at dawn and dusk. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Daintree Crocodile Tours

Daintree Crocodile Tours offers both private tours and one-hour guided group tours of the Daintree River, so you can choose the option that best suits you. With an emphasis on education, you will gain all the knowledge about the rainforest itself, but also its resident reptiles.

Tickets are $40 for adults.

Why we love them: Kids aged 16 and under ride for free, so it’s a great family idea if you’re hoping to keep the costs down.

Learn all about estuarine crocodiles. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Emily Murphy found her passion for writing at a young age and knew her future was in travel after she moved overseas solo at 18. Em loves to write about beautiful, under-the-radar destinations and anything that will ignite a desire in more people to explore the vastness and beauty that is Australia. She is a devoted bun mum and in her spare time you'll find her by the sea, reading a good book, binge-watching a TV show or exploring Sydney's dining scene.

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About Daintree Rainforest

The daintree rainforest.

The Daintree Rainforest located in Tropical North Queensland, Australia is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world.

The largest rainforest in Australia, the Daintree Rainforest is over 1,200 square kilometres and is home to many animal and plant species not found anywhere else in the world.

The Daintree Rainforest is a popular Day Trip destination from Cairns and Port Douglas. Visit Mossman gorge, experience a croc cruise on the Daintree River, cross the river on the Ferry and travel to Cape Tribulation. You can even visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cape Tribulation with Ocean Safari.

Daintree River Cruises

Taking a cruise on the Daintree River, located north of Port Douglas, gives you an intimate rainforest experience with the flora and fauna in this World Heritage protected region. The Daintree Rainforest is one of the largest in Australia and one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at over 135 million years old. Stretching over 1,200 square hectares, you will find animal and plant species that call the Daintree home, not found anywhere else in the world.

Daintree River Cruises are operated by eco-certified low fuel consuming river vessels that produce no wash, helping to protect the environment, so people like yourself and generations to come can appreciate this amazing part of the world. This also includes limiting the number of licensed river cruise operators.

Spotting a saltwater crocodile amongst the river banks or mangroves is definitely the highlight of the Daintree river cruise. Seeing these ancient reptiles in their natural environment is much more exciting than at a zoo and what a great photo opportunity! Other animals you may encounter include hundreds of tropical bird species such as the great-billed heron and kingfishers, tree kangaroos, possums, cassowaries and goannas. Cruises are operated by informative tour guides ready to answer any questions, while you relax and enjoy the scenic ride on the Daintree River.

Walks & Trails In The Daintree

For hiking enthusiasts, the Daintree Rainforest provides a wilderness experience that ranks as one of the most exotic and challenging in the world. When hiking in this area it is vital to bring ample supplies of drinking water to combat the intense tropical humidity.

Myall Beach to Cape Tribulation Beach One and a half hour round trip From Myall Beach (accessed from Cape Tribulation village along a gravel track and wooden boardwalk through the mangroves) walk for a kilometre towards the cape until you reach a small creek. It is wise to cross this creek at low tide, because it can be quite deep and will saturate your boots at the very start of the hike. Not something you want to do.

200 metres past the creek is a sign pointing to Cape Tribulation beach. This track leads into the rainforest and over the Cape Tribulation headland. The hike concludes at the Cape Tribulation beach car park. Returning to Myall Beach is a simple matter of retracing your steps through the rainforest, or walking back along the road until you reach Cape Tribulation Village.

Dubiji Boardwalk One hour round trip At the Cape Tribulation Park is a sign pointing to the Dubuji car park. From here, the 1.8 kilometre Dubiji boardwalk meanders through the rainforest and mangroves with informative signs along the way telling stories about the plants and animals living in the area. The boardwalk is circular, so you will return to the car park at the end of the walk.

Mardja Botanical Walk Half an hour At the south of Cape Tribulation, a path leads through the rainforest with informative signs posted along the way. The boardwalk reaches Oliver Creek, home of crocodiles, birds and other tropical creatures. This boardwalk is often inundated with tourists who arrive in buses, so if you want to avoid the rush it is best to make this walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Mount Sorrow Ridge Six hours return trip This is the challenging hike in the Daintree area. The Mount Sorrow Ridge hike leads high into the mountains behind Cape Tribulation, offering wonderful views of the area. The hike begins at the National Park Office at Cape Tribulation. The office will have detailed maps of the area that show where the hike leads. Please note this is a challenging hike and is not for the faint hearted.

Getting To The Daintree Rainforest

Most travellers to North Queensland have heard about the famous Daintree Rainforest. This world heritage listed Rainforest has a good walking trail that starts at Mossman Gorge only 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Cairns or 25 minutes from Port Douglas. Alternatively you could drive a little further and visit the Daintree Village. This little hub has some Daintree River cruises and a couple of little cafe's. Or, for the more adventurous you may decide to go directly to Cape Tribulation. You will need to follow the signs to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River Ferry after Mossman. We suggest you allow 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive to Cape Tribulation from Cairns and over 1 hour from Port Douglas. The Daintree River Ferry operates from 6am to midnight daily. It is possible to take a conventional vehicle to Cape Tribulation.

The Daintree River ferry concession cards are now available for purchase by eligible residents at the Cairns Regional Council Mossman Service Centre 64-66 Front Street, Mossman. For any enquiries please contact Customer Service on (07) 4099 9444.

For tourists arriving at Cairns Airport or Cruise Ship terminal, car hire offers the freedom to travel and explore in your own time and an opportunity to see and do more than an in organised tours.

Daintree River Ferry

The Daintree River Ferry, 50km north of Port Douglas, is the only way to cross the river. It operates on a cable system and is capable of taking up to 16 vehicles across the river at a time. The trip from the south bank to the north bank of the river takes about 5 minutes. This is the only cable ferry operating in a World Heritage area in the world.

The Daintree Ferry makes its first crossing for the day at 6AM and doesn't rest until midnight. This pattern is repeated seven days a week.

The Daintree Ferry is the only means of crossing the river; therefore visitors are warned to expect delays. With over 400,000 visitors per year using this ferry to enter the World Heritage Area, this is a major undertaking for the operators.

Daintree Ferry Prices (Updated July 2021)

Motor Car & Utilities $23 | One Way $39 | Return

Motor Bikes $10 | One Way $17 | Return

Bicycles & Pedestrians $3 | One Way $4 | Return

Daintree River

The Daintree River is the great dividing river that separates the Daintree rainforest from the rest of the world. Passing over the river is a symbolic entry into the beautiful tropical forest, and it feels as though you are entering a unique and ancient place.

The Daintree River is home to a dazzling array of tropical life. It supports saltwater and freshwater marine life, including the dreaded saltwater crocodile. There have been numerous reports of deaths in the Daintree River from crocodile attacks, so it is important not to step close to the riverbank and absolutely never swim in the river.

The mouth of the Daintree River opens onto a giant sandbar that shifts with each changing tide. Due to the ever-shifting deep centre of the sandbar, entering the Daintree River has always been a problem for ship captains. The river winds through thick mangrove swamps where the water remains very salty. As it progresses through the rainforest, the water turns fresh. At this convergence point, an abundance of wildlife congregate, particularly fish.

Wildlife In The Daintree

Similar to the plants in the Daintree Rainforest, this area is home to the greatest concentration of animal species that are rare, or threatened with extinction, anywhere in the world.

Estuarine Crocodile One of the most well known animals living in the Daintree Rainforest area is the Estuarine Crocodile. This creature has been the bane of many explores and settlers in the region during the past 100 years, and it continues to be a threat to visitors to the Daintree who are unaware of the dangers associated with swimming among them.

The crocodile is from the reptile family, and has a cold-blood system which means it needs to regulate it's own body temperature closely. For this reason, it is common to see a saltwater crocodile lying still with its mouth gaping - a cooling process to maintain body temperature between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.

A crocodile feeds upon prey with sudden fury. It will normally wait near the riverbank, very still, and pounce upon unsuspecting prey in a rapid movement. The victim is thrashed into submission, and dragged underwater where it is stashed underneath a ledge or some other obtrusion from the river. The victim is then left to soften for a few days before the crocodile returns to have a feast.

The crocodile will eat anything including smaller animals such as fish, crabs and insects. Meals also include larger animals such as turtles, birds, reptiles, dingoes, wallabies, domestic cattle, and people if you're careless.

The temperature at which a crocodile egg is kept determines the sex of the baby crocodile. If the egg is kept at 31.6 degrees Celsius it will be male. Any other temperature and the baby crocodile will be a female.

Please note that the Estuarine Crocodile became a protected species in 1970 due to overly aggressive hunting by humans. It is illegal to injure or kill a crocodile.

Cassowary A 1993 CSIRO survey found that the number of cassowary birds in the Daintree Rainforest had fallen to an alarming amount of 54. The species that had once been strong had been reduced by unnatural threats to its habitat including collisions with vehicles, accidental trappings intended for feral pigs, and killings by dogs. As a result, the cassowary is listed as an endangered species. However, it is making a comeback. Recent estimates put the population over 500 - a significant jump in numbers since 1993.

The cassowary is vital to the wet tropics region throughout Far North Queensland because it provides a role of seed disperser for over 100 species of rainforest plants with large fruits. Without the cassowary, these plants would be concentrated around a parent plant and would not spread throughout the rainforest ecosystem.

The skin on the cassowary's head is pale blue, becoming darker further down the neck. Two swinging red wattles hang at the front of the neck with an orange patch on the back of the neck. The body is black.

The cassowary's feet have three large toes, with a spike on each foot up to 120mm long. The female cassowary is larger and more attractive than the male. Average size of the bird is 1.75 meters high.

The cassowary is flightless and is normally quite shy. However, if the bird is agitated in any way - such as being cornered in a small area, or if any animal including human approaches it's nest - it will lash out violently with its sharp claws. Serious injury can result, so avoidance of these large birds is recommended. If you see a cassowary, do not turn and run away from it. Instead, face the bird and back away slowly. Do not feed the cassowary either.

Insects The Daintree Rainforest is home to millions of insects. To experience the feeding patterns of the insects, simply wander into a cool shady part of the forest without wearing any insect repellent.

Golden Orb Spider Don't worry; the Golden Orb Spider is totally harmless to humans. It may look scary, but it's actually a very passive creature. The body of the spider is only 1-2 millimetres in diameter, however the legs grow to make the spider up to the size of a spread hand.

The leg joints are golden in colour. The web these spiders weave is vast in scope. They can be several metres across, and are often built at head level on hiking trails - a wonderful experience for visitors to the area!

Rufous Owl Usually only seen at night, the Rufous Owl is more dangerous than it looks. Weighing up to 1.3 kgs, it is capable of swooping upon the nests of other birds and stealing youngsters for its nightly meal. Visitors are unlikely to see the owl during the day, so a nocturnal tour is the best option.

Musky Rat-Kangaroo Is it a rat, or is it a kangaroo? Maybe this animal should be called a kangarat.

This small creature feeds on the leaves, insects and fallen fruits. It is most active in the early morning and late afternoon, avoiding the intense tropical heat of midday. Its sleeping bed is found among the root systems of large trees, padded with fallen leaves.

The Musky Rat-Kangaroo gets its name from the way it moves along the ground - half kangaroo jump and half rodent walk. The creature begins a hop forward by extending the forelegs, and then it brings the hind legs forward. This is an effective way of traversing the uneven ground of the rainforest.

Feral Pigs This introduced animal is blamed for many environmental problems in the Daintree Rainforest. The large pigs thrash through the rainforest with brute strength, eating large quantities of native trees and animals. They spread the root-rot fungus with their hoofs, and contribute to the spread of exotic seeds and worms. The feral pigs are declared a pest by National Parks authorities, which estimate the population of pigs at 3 per square kilometre.

Azure Kingfisher The Azure Kingfisher is one of eleven kingfishers in Australia, and is commonly seen in the Daintree Rainforest. Frequent contact with humans means the birds will come within 2-3 meters of visitors. It has azure blue wings, with an orange breast.

Ulysses Butterfly The Ulysses Butterfly is an icon of Tropical Northern Australia. It has spectacular large iridescent metallic-blue wings that can be seen from a great distance.

Witchetty Grub Not a particularly beautiful animal, the Witchetty Grub was an important source of ‘bush tucker' in years past. It lives underneath the bark of large gum trees, and resembles a thick worm. It is white in colour and is high in protein - a yummy treat for the adventurous of stomach.

Spotted Cuscus The cuscus is very similar to a sloth - and has about the same vigour and energy too. It is a very shy nocturnal mammal that sleeps most of the day perched on a tree branch.

The body of the Spotted Cuscus is covered in tan fur, with spots of chestnut and black on the back. It has reddish-brown legs and a small round face with small eyes. The animals can be up to 80 cm long.

The unique feature that enables the Spotted Cuscus to cling upside down to tree branches is its "two-thumbed" hands. The innermost toe is opposable, creating an ideal grabbing tool.

Bandicoot Visitors to the Daintree Rainforest often mistake the Bandicoot for a tiny kangaroo because they hop around on their hind legs. They grow to about 30 centimetres in length, with fur that ranges in colour from orange, grey, brown, or striped.

You normally only see Bandicoots at night, as they are a nocturnal creature and spend the daylight hours hiding in crevices, logs or tunnels.

Sugar Glider The name for the Sugar Glider comes from the fact that they glide through the air and feed on sweet things like honey and sugar. They are silvery blue grey in colour with a dark stripe on the back. Their body length is around 200mm.

Goanna Goannas are huge lizards that can be seen high in trees, scampering along the ground, swimming over creeks, and leaping from branch to branch. The goanna forages for food among leaves on the ground, usually eating insects, spiders, scorpions, centipedes and even small mammals.

Goannas can run quickly on their hind legs and will rear up in a two-legged posture when threatened.

White Lipped Tree Frog The White Lipped Tree Frog is one of the largest variety of tree frog, reaching up to 14 centimetres in length. It is predominantly green in colour, with a white stripe covering its lower lip. It lives throughout the Daintree Rainforest wherever there is a water supply and plenty of shade.

The mating call is similar to a dog's bark.

Plant Life In The Daintree

The diversity, intricacy and age of plant species in the Daintree Rainforest are greater than any other ecosystem in Australia, and many places around the world. The area is home to the greatest concentration of plant species that are rare, or threatened with extinction, anywhere in the world.

The Daintree rainforests is home to one of the highest populations of primitive flowering plants in the world. Of 19 primitive plant families on earth, 12 are found in the Daintree. A similar number of primitive families are found in all the rainforests of South America, including the Amazon Rainforest. These ancient plant families may hold secrets to a number of unanswered questions regarding the origins of the flowering plants - plants on which the human race depends for food and medicines.

Of Australia's 36 mangrove species, 28 are found in the Daintree region.

Every plant in the rainforest is placed in relation to other plants to serve a special role. Many plants cannot survive without the characteristics of another plant along side it.

It is impossible to list every plant and tree species in the Daintree Rainforest, so only a few notable plants are listed here. Needless to say, a great appreciation of the scope and variety of life in this part of the world can only be gained by visiting to the area itself.

Idiot Fruit One of the most primitive of all the flowering plants in the Daintree Rainforest, this uniquely named plant was discovered only recently in 1970. This plant has a quirky history relating to its discovery.

Four cattle belonging to local farmer John Nicholas from the Daintree Tea Company were unexpectedly found dead in their paddock. A veterinary officer was summoned to check the reasons for the death of the four cattle, and while he was at the property he witnessed the death of two more. Autopsies revealed the partly chewed remains of large seeds in the cattle's stomachs. After scientific examination, it was found that that the seeds produced a poison similar to strychnine, and they were responsible for the death of the cattle. These seeds were from the Idiot Fruit.

Blue Quandongs This is a giant of the rainforest. The Blue Quandon is an integral part of the rainforest canopy layer, hiding the sun from plants below it. It has a blue fruit about 3cm in diameter.

Burrawang Palm A member of the Cycad family, this palm produces highly toxic seeds.

Wild Ginger Members of the ginger family often contain poison, so an intricate knowledge of the types of ginger plants is required before attempting to eat any. This ginger grows up to six metres high, and is occasionally used to supplement drinking water for hikers who are thirsty. By chopping the ginger near the ground, water will drain out of the stem.

Wait-a-while vine Watch out for these vines when hiking through the rainforest. The thin strands of vine are covered with small spikes that grab clothing, rip at skin, and generally tear up anything that comes within reach of them. The vines hang from large trees to the rainforest floor and can be gathered in thick clumps in places.

Stinging Tree This is a tree to be avoided at all costs. Any cost.

It has large leaves that look harmless, but they are covered with thousands of microscopic pricks that embed themselves into skin if touched. And these little blighters itch like crazy. So just remember not to touch them because you'll go through a lot of pain and trouble!

Daintree Village

Daintree Village was originally a settlement created in the 1870's by timber-cutters and is now an unspoilt oasis in the midst of some of the loveliest and most varied scenery in the far north of Queensland. Today low-impact tourism and sustainable cattle- and tropical fruit-farming in the beautiful valleys beyond the Village form the lifeblood of this laid-back little township with all it's charm of yesteryear.

Daintree Village was the base for timber-cutters who came to log the red cedar which once flourished in the area. Today the timber industry is long-gone but there is an interesting timber gallery, featuring beautiful work by a local craftsman.

The Village hosts a number of restaurants, artists' studios, locally-created souvenirs and picnic areas complete with free electric barbeque and picnic table. There are guided walks, river cruises and an exciting 8wd Argo tour.

Crocodile express The mighty Daintree River flows past the Village and is home to many estuarine crocodiles which are frequently spotted from the safety of one of a number of wildlife-watching cruise-boats which leave from the Village jetty. Birds and butterflies abound - the Daintree Village region is a world-renowned birdwatcher's paradise and there are several specialist guides.

Accommodation choices in the Village and it's surrounding valleys range from a famous spa resort, traditional B&Bs, retreats, farm-stays to budget cabins.

Beyond the Village are scenic drives which take the visitor along winding valley trails which follow the courses of the upper reaches of the Daintree and into the valleys of Stewart Creek, Douglas Creek and Upper Daintree through a delightful mix of rolling green cattle country and areas of lush tropical rainforest.

The cattle are tropical breeds now bred for their beef whereas in earlier days there was a thriving dairy industry. The butter factory in Daintree finally closed down in 1962 when it was no longer profitable to produce butter there. Descendants of the original settlers still live here, some operating thriving beef-cattle properties.

Daintree Valley The Daintree River was only discovered by Europeans in 1873 when Scottish geologist and explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple named the river and the first settlement, Daintree Village, after Queensland's Agent-General in London, Richard Daintree. Before the road to Mossman was completed in 1933 Daintree Village was an inland port with the only access being by river.

The Village gave it's name to the famous World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park which stretches in sections between Mossman Gorge in the south to the Bloomfield River in the north.

So, if you are seeking a quiet, relaxing base from which to explore all that the tropical north has to offer, the Daintree Village region has everything you could wish for.

By Daphne Titus-Rees www.daintreevalleyhaven.com.au

Daintree Rainforest Accommodation

The Daintree rainforest and surroundings areas cannot possibly be explored in just one day. Fortunately, a variety of Daintree accommodation options are available to make your stay a truly magical experience. The Daintree area has accommodation to suit each visitor's tastes and budget.

Accommodation ranges from luxury four star resorts, to boutique cabins, luxurious rainforest retreats, self contained holiday houses, backpackers and camping grounds all featured in unique settings.

Read Daintree Rainforest Reviews

We took the 1 day tour to Cape Tribulation and Hayden was an amazing guide. There?s no way we would ever have packed so much into one day on our own. We got to drive through Port Douglas, walk along a beach and visit a look out, admire the view as we drove to the ferry crossing, taking us into the Daintree Rainforest.

Had a fantastic day trip to Cape Trib & Daintree with Charlie! Our group of tired Irish girls definitely woke up quickly with the belly laughs and knowledge Charlie gifted us! Couldn?t recommend him and uncle Brian?s tours more! Had such an eye opening and fun filled day, jumping into all the creeks and learning all about the Trib & Daintree history and facts! Will be telling everyone to go on this tour when Charlie returns from his holidays. Can?t wait to come back to Cairns for more fun ???? not a bad DJ either

The Daintree Explorer tour exceeded all my expectations. Our guide was knowledgeable and had fascinating stories and insights. The wildlife cruise on the Daintree River was a highlight.

We had Greg who was an amazing tour guide and very knowledgeable. Amazing value for money, we were surprised at how much was included in the tour. Would highly recommend to anyone exploring the far north of Australia !

SHARON MAXIMIW

We had an absolute ball our guides made us feel at ease and were very helpful

Ben was engaging and very well informed. This made a big difference to our day at the Daintree rainforest. The group size was great: any more than the total of 8 might have made interaction within the group more difficult. A great day was had by everyone on the bus. Worth every cent.

KENNETH MARK WILKINSON

A fantastic day would recommend

Great day out on the reef have been before covid love the evolution, this time we saw whales just amazing. The Cape tribulation just so quite and peaceful put this number 1 on your list

Karina Denyer

An great flora and fauna cruise along the Daintree. Murray was a wealth of knowledge.

Tour was good with a friendly tour guide. Flash lights were not that bright.

Joshy Andrews

It was very good, we enjoyed only problem was raining little bit but we are happy

Fantastic family experience Thanks to Dylan and Kate!!

Night walk exceeded my expectations! Kane, our guide was awesome. So passionate about the rainforest and what it has to offer and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour.

Susy Spinoso

Vincent was a great guide, very knowledgeable, warm & friendly

Susan Concon

My partner says Paul made it feel like we were friends for a long time. He was an amazing tour guide and attentive to everyone in his group. Thank you Paul you are the best and we wish you all the best!

Christina Vinehall

Fantastic trip and the driver/guide was very very knowledgeable and made the trip so much more interesting!

Jenene Acland

An enjoyable, informative experience. Highly recommend even if you have no horse experience.

Tour guide Greg was fabulous. His humour made the day even better.

Highly recommended

Adrian Read

Hirani was a knowledgeable, witty and personable guide.

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Daintree Rainforest News

7 The Daintree Ecolodge will reopen on March 15

The Daintree Ecolodge will reopen on March 15 after a rapid two-month renovation. The resort introduces new guest experiences like beekeeping and bush tucker courses to revive tourism and job opportunities in the region. The resort sustained flo

The Daintree Ecolodge will reopen on March 15 after a rapid two-month renovation. The resort introduces new guest experiences like beekeeping and bush tucker courses to revive tourism and job opportunities in the region. The resort sustained flood damage in 2023. These activities aim to support the local economy still recovering from cyclone Jasper and the flooding in late 2023. 

5 Daintree Treetops Opening in June 2024

Daintree Treetops wishes to inform its valued customers and partners that, due to ongoing access challenges within the Daintree Rainforest, operations are temporarily suspended. The organization extends its sincerest apologies for any inconvenie

Daintree Treetops wishes to inform its valued customers and partners that, due to ongoing access challenges within the Daintree Rainforest, operations are temporarily suspended. The organization extends its sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to those planning to visit.

The team at Daintree Treetops is pleased to announce that they are set to welcome guests once again in June 2024, when the facility will reopen.

Visitors can look forward to experiencing the unique thrill of the zipline canopy tour, a highlight of any trip to Cape Tribulation.

This approximately two-hour guided adventure offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the Daintree Rainforest from a vantage point up to 15 meters above the forest floor.

Participants will glide along nine ziplines, ranging from 15 to 130 meters in length, and walk along timber pathways, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of one of the world's oldest rainforests.

4 Tropic Wings Launches Fully Electric Tour in the Daintree Rainforest

Tropic Wings are set to launch an electric coach tour to the Daintree.

This innovative move by Tropic Wings highlights their commitment to cleean energy and promoting eco-friendly travel. The tour is not just an exploration of the breathtaking

Tropic Wings are set to launch an electric coach tour to the Daintree.

This innovative move by Tropic Wings highlights their commitment to cleean energy and promoting eco-friendly travel. The tour is not just an exploration of the breathtaking World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge, but also a landmark in sustainable tourism.

The tour features an array of inclusive experiences, from an exclusive wildlife encounter and a relaxing morning tea to a delightful cafe lunch. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to visit Mossman Gorge and enjoy a captivating crocodile cruise.

7 Access to the Daintree Rainforest | 16th Jan 2024

The Douglas Shire Council has issued an update regarding the efforts to reopen the main road north of the Daintree River. The Council's crews are diligently working to ensure safe and accessible routes for locals and visitors.

Noah's Range Acce

The Douglas Shire Council has issued an update regarding the efforts to reopen the main road north of the Daintree River. The Council's crews are diligently working to ensure safe and accessible routes for locals and visitors.

Noah's Range Access

• As of now, the road at Noah's Range is open but only under escort and strictly for local traffic.
• Starting from Wednesday, 17th January, the road will be accessible from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM, and then again from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM, in both directions.
• The crews are set to undertake a complex clearing job on top of Noah’s Range, which is both challenging and essential for safety.
• The Council is seeking cooperation and understanding from the community as they navigate this delicate operation, hoping for favorable weather conditions.
• These traffic conditions will remain in effect until it is deemed safe to fully reopen the road.

Alexandra Range Access

• The Alexandra Range is currently open from 6:45 AM to 5:15 PM, exclusively for local traffic. This schedule facilitates road inspections and the removal of traffic control devices overnight.
• Vehicles are restricted to a maximum of 25 tonnes and a length limit of 12.5 meters, applicable to all vehicles including trailers, buses, and trucks.
• The Council's team is continuously monitoring the road conditions for any necessary updates.
• Given that large sections of the Alexandra Range are single-laned and controlled by traffic lights, drivers are advised to proceed with caution.

Daintree Ferry Service The Daintree Ferry is operational daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

8 Update on the Daintree Rainforest Tours Post-Cyclone Jasper

Here is the current status of the Daintree Rainforest following the recent impact of Cyclone Jasper. This natural event has significantly affected our beloved rainforest, leading to flooding, landslides, and damage to the infrastructure, particu

Here is the current status of the Daintree Rainforest following the recent impact of Cyclone Jasper. This natural event has significantly affected our beloved rainforest, leading to flooding, landslides, and damage to the infrastructure, particularly the roads.

The roads north of Cairns, leading to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, have been notably impacted. To ensure the safety of all visitors and the integrity of our natural surroundings, these roads are currently undergoing extensive repair work. As a result, access to these areas is temporarily closed.

We understand the disappointment this may cause to many who have been looking forward to experiencing the unique beauty of the Daintree Rainforest. However, we are committed to restoring access as quickly and safely as possible.

The good news is that we are making steady progress, and we are optimistic about reopening soon. We are pleased to announce that most Daintree day tours are now accepting new bookings for Cape Tribulation, Daintree, and Mossman Gorge starting from the 12th of January 2024.

We are incredibly grateful for your patience and understanding during this time of recovery. The resilience of the Daintree Rainforest is remarkable, and we are committed to preserving its natural beauty for future generations to enjoy.

We look forward to welcoming you back to this special part of the world, where you can once again immerse yourself in the lush greenery, unique wildlife, and serene landscapes that make the Daintree Rainforest a truly unforgettable destination.

Thank you for your continued support, and please stay tuned for further updates.

9 Change to Ferry Service | Oct - Nov 2023

From 15 October 2023, ferry services from Sunday to Thursday will operate from 5am to 8pm. Services will operate as usual - 5am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. 

The change to operating hours is needed to modify four davits which are used

From 15 October 2023, ferry services from Sunday to Thursday will operate from 5am to 8pm. Services will operate as usual - 5am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. 

The change to operating hours is needed to modify four davits which are used to raise and lower the ramps.  Normal services are expected to resume 26 November 2023.  

The maintenance work will begin mid-October and run over six weeks to modify four davits (crane-like devices) which are used to raise and lower the ferry’s ramps. 

9 New Daintree River Ferry planned for 2025

The Douglas Shire Council has announced plans to build a new, bigger Daintree River ferry. The current ferry is 40 years old and has been experiencing increasing problems with corrosion. The new ferry will be able to carry more vehicles and pass

The Douglas Shire Council has announced plans to build a new, bigger Daintree River ferry. The current ferry is 40 years old and has been experiencing increasing problems with corrosion. The new ferry will be able to carry more vehicles and passengers, and will be more environmentally friendly.

The proposed new ferry is 70 meters long and 20 meters wide, and will be able to carry up to 200 passengers and 50 vehicles. It will be powered by electric motors, and will have a solar panel roof to help reduce its environmental impact.

The construction of the new ferry is expected to cost $20 million, and it is scheduled to be completed in 2025. The council is currently seeking funding for the project from the Queensland government.

6 Temporary partial closure of Jindalba boardwalk

Effective Dates: April 4, 2023, to May 8, 2024 The Jindalba Boardwalk within Daintree National Park will experience a partial closure from April 4, 2023, to May 8, 2024. During this period, only the first 200 meters of the boardwalk will be ope

Effective Dates: April 4, 2023, to May 8, 2024 The Jindalba Boardwalk within Daintree National Park will experience a partial closure from April 4, 2023, to May 8, 2024. During this period, only the first 200 meters of the boardwalk will be open to the public. Visitors must use the same path for entry and exit.

To ensure the safety of all visitors, a substantial section of the boardwalk circuit will be closed temporarily. This closure is in place to facilitate necessary maintenance and repair work. All visitors are required to comply with safety instructions and directional signs posted at the site. 

5 Daintree Ferry stopping early on the 28th & 29th June

The Daintree River Ferry will be closed from 9pm - 5am on Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29 for inspections and minor maintenance works.

The essential works will take place between 9pm and 5am and no ferry service will be provided during

The Daintree River Ferry will be closed from 9pm - 5am on Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29 for inspections and minor maintenance works.

The essential works will take place between 9pm and 5am and no ferry service will be provided during these periods.

This will result in the ferry closing at the earlier time of 9pm, instead of midnight on these two days.

9 Daintree Discovery Centre's new hologram attraction

Daintree Discovery Centre launched their new hologram attraction this week. The special 3D hologram attraction gives visitors an immersive experience of KuKu Yalanji country and culture from the comfort of the new theatre. Visitors to the attrac

Daintree Discovery Centre launched their new hologram attraction this week. The special 3D hologram attraction gives visitors an immersive experience of KuKu Yalanji country and culture from the comfort of the new theatre. Visitors to the attraction will 'go on country' or ‘walkabout’ with KuKu Yalanji man Juan Walker of Walkabout Cultural Adventures as he provides an insight into the culture and country of these First Nations people.

3 The Daintree Ferry will re-open today at 10:30am | Monday 13th March 2023

The Daintree Ferry will re-open today at 10:30am after a successful mandatory inspection and the extra repair works at the weekend. Monday 13th March 2023

The Daintree Ferry will re-open today at 10:30am after a successful mandatory inspection and the extra repair works at the weekend. Monday 13th March 2023

6 The Daintree vehicle ferry closed until Tuesday 14th March

The Daintree Ferry will remain closed until at least 5am Tuesday 14th March 2023. due to maintenance.

Douglas Shire Council has a team of staff and contractors working around the clock to ensure the vessel can return to the water as quickly as

Douglas Shire Council has a team of staff and contractors working around the clock to ensure the vessel can return to the water as quickly as possible.

3 Daintree River Vehicle Ferry not available March 6th - 10th 2023

The Daintree River Ferry will be out of the water Monday 6 March 2023 through to Friday 10 March 2023, with services resuming 5am Saturday 11 March 2023. A passenger vessel will be operating from sunrise to sunset for the five days the ferry is

The Daintree River Ferry will be out of the water Monday 6 March 2023 through to Friday 10 March 2023, with services resuming 5am Saturday 11 March 2023. A passenger vessel will be operating from sunrise to sunset for the five days the ferry is out of the water.  It will operate continuously back and forth across the river for the five-day closure.  On the northern side, parking will be available near the amenities block and along Cape Tribulation Road.  A security guard will be on the northern side of the river after hours to ensure vehicles are safe. The Forest Creek parking area will not be used.

3 Ocean Safari Now available

Ocean Safari is the only reef trip availble from the Dairtnree Rainforest which is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef. Travel time is just 25 minutes! Ocean Safari offers morning and afternoon half day tours giving you 2 hours to snorke

Ocean Safari is the only reef trip availble from the Dairtnree Rainforest which is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef. Travel time is just 25 minutes! Ocean Safari offers morning and afternoon half day tours giving you 2 hours to snorkel at 2 reef locations.

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DAINTREE RAINFOREST TOURS & RIVER CRUISES

Unforgettable daintree forest tours from port douglas, australia.

Daintree Discovery Tours lets you experience this area rather than just looking! The only tour that can get you to this beautiful waterfall!

• Most popular
• Hour Glass 8 hours

Southern Daintree Tour

Join this exciting full-day tour that takes you on a journey through the Daintree Rainforest, one of the world’s oldest rainforests.

• Hour Glass 4.45 hours

Daintree River & Mossman Gorge - Half-day Morning Tour

Enjoy a morning out in the Daintree Rainforest. Start by cruising along the Daintree River in search of wildlife including the mighty Estuarine Crocodiles, before tucking into morning tea. Then down to the beautiful Mossman Gorge for an interpretive rainforest walk and swim in the stunning, crocodile free, waters of the gorge.

Daintree & Mossman Gorge - Half-Day Afternoon Tour

This is a great tour for those of you who only want to spend a half day out, are short on time, or want to enjoy a nice sleep-in while on holiday!

• Hour Glass 10 hours

Total Daintree Experience

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest continual living Rainforest in the world, and this is your opportunity to truly discover this World Heritage Listed area in a small group and with your personal tour guide.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST TOURS OF DAINTREE FOREST WITH DAINTREE DISCOVERY TOURS