The vast expanse of the Daintree Rainforest is home to a huge range of recreational activities. If you’re planning a visit to the region, here are some of the most popular attractions and activities on offer.
Daintree River cruises
Explore the meandering Daintree River as it winds through the rainforest. Home to crocodiles and a wide range of birdlife, there’s so much to see. Go birdwatching, fishing or see and photograph wildlife close up. Several options depart from close to the ferry including Crocodile Express and Solar Whisper.
Daintree Rainforest attractions
While you can explore the rainforest on your own (see free options below), there’s a host of guided Daintree Rainforest tours and experiences to choose from.
For an exciting and informative introduction to the forest, The Daintree Discovery Centre is ideal for families and visitors of all kinds. With its award-winning interpretive displays, canopy tower, rainforest skywalk and café, you’ll learn all about conservation initiatives to protect this special part of Australia.
Daintree Rainforest Beaches
Where the rainforest meets the sea, you’ll find stunning beaches with small resorts and camping areas. Cape Kimberley is one of the first coastal areas to explore once you’ve crossed the river.
Cow Bay has a small coastal village. Its three secluded beaches offer great places to walk and fish. Beautiful Thornton Beach is a great place to wander along the shore enjoying views of the Coral Sea, with a beachfront café for weary travellers.
Perhaps the most famous Daintree beach location is Cape Tribulation. Located about 35km north of the Daintree Ferry (where the sealed road ends), this beach resort community offers horse riding, Great Barrier Reef tours and truly beautiful secluded beaches. Don’t miss Myall Beach on the southern side of the Cape’s headland, and Kulki beach on the northern side.
Food and Farm Attractions
Nestled deep in the rainforest you’ll find a paradise for foodies. High in the hills near the township of Diwan, the Daintree Tea Company grows its highly regarded and unblended tea thanks to the ideal climate and soil conditions. Visit the plantation and learn about the journey from bush to teacup.
Nearby, ice cream connoisseurs will be delighted at the range of flavours on offer at the Original Daintree Ice Cream Company. Enjoy the lush tropical gardens as you sample real fruit ice cream with a unique range of tropical flavours including dragonfruit, breadfruit and starfruit as well as favourites like pineapple, mango and macadamia. You can also tour the orchard and learn about
Up at Cape Tribulation, experience a tropical fruit tasting tour with a difference. This family farm has a vast range of exotic fruits including chocolate pudding fruit, sapote and durian (if you’re feeling brave!).
Thanks to the prevalence of unique accommodation options and eco-lodges in the Daintree, there are also many intriguing restaurants to choose from. Dine on fresh local produce on a balcony overlooking the rainforest at Julaymba Restaurant in the Daintree Ecolodge, with a regularly changing seasonal menu. The Treehouse Restaurant at Silky Oaks lodge also offers local fare with an elegant twist – try kangaroo or crocodile with local fruits and vegetables.
Free Daintree Activities
The Daintree Rainforest has a vast network of rainforest boardwalks to explore. including the popular Jindalba boardwalk, which is also wheelchair-accessible.
Don’t miss the lookout at Walu Wugirriga (Mount Alexandra). A short walk from the carpark brings you to this high point, with stunning views over the rainforest, the Daintree River and surrounding coastline.
Keep an eye out for wildlife wherever you walk, stay on the track and pay attention to signage.
Image by Tourism Tropical North Queensland