Travel bucket list idea:
Daintree Rainforest, Queensland, Australia
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At 180 million years old, this remarkable biodiversity hotspot is home to many ancient and primitive plant forms found nowhere else.
Its wildlife is extraordinarily diverse. Among the critters that call the Daintree home are 430 species of bird, 90% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, and over 12,000 different insects. The scenery is equally impressive – a landscape of rugged peaks and gorges, spectacular waterfalls, white sandy beaches, mangrove swamps and extensive vistas of pristine tropical forest.
To visit the Daintree to experience millions of years of natural history; the forest is a treasure trove of rare fauna and flora, much of it found nowhere else. David Attenborough called it ‘the most extraordinary place on earth.’
Nearby is Cape Tribulation – where the Daintree meets the Great Barrier Reef. Aside from pristine sand beaches, it’s famed for being the spot where Captain Cook first ‘discovered’ Australian in 1770, and where European settlers first arrived.
Daintree Rainforest, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise through a 180 million-year-old rainforest of ancient flora, to spot hundreds of bird species, turtles, colourful tree frogs, exotic snakes and gigantuan ‘salties’ (saltwater crocodiles).
Adult price: £11
Best for ages 4+
Duration: 1-2 hours
Mossman, Queensland, Australia
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Discover aboriginal customs and culture along with the secrets of one of the worlds’ oldest rainforests on a guided Dreamtime walk through the Daintree.
Adult price: £44
Min age 5
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 1 hour
Mossman, Queensland, Australia
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Discover a different perspective on the Daintree Rainforest by drifting along the Mossman river on an inflatable raft, with turtles and waterdragons under the water and soaring mountains above.
Adult price: £65
Min age 4
Best for ages 4+
Duration: 3.5+ hours
The Daintree is connected to Port Douglas by sealed road – allow 30 minutes for the drive to Mossman. There are numerous ways to experience the rainforest – including guided walks in the Mossman Gorge, solar-powered cruises on the Daintree River, or even drift snorkelling down the Mossman River.
There’s plenty of parking if you are self-driving, but it’s better to book onto organised tours that will pick you up and drop off from your hotel, provide all of the equipment and refreshments, take you to the best viewing spots, and teach about the history and environment.
Cape Tribulation, 65kms north of Mossman, is usually included on any Daintree tour itinerary.
The rainforest and is accessible all year round, and tours will run most of the year weather permitting.
The cooler, drier months (May to October) are best to visit, with warm pleasant days, though it gets busy in the Australian school holidays (late June and early July).
The wet season (December to February) is hot and humid, with the highest rainfall plus the occasional thunderstorm and cyclone warning, but it’s quieter, with fewer tourists.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Port Douglas
Price: A35
Min age: 0
Rating 4.88 / 5 [1124 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A35
Min age: 0
Rating 4.78 / 5 [793 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A35
Min age: 0
Rating 4.84 / 5 [228 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cape Tribulation
Price: A49
Min age: 0
Rating 4.62 / 5 [69 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A70
Min age: 0
Rating 4.95 / 5 [150 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A70
Min age: 0
Rating 4.94 / 5 [156 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A134
Min age: 3
Rating 4.80 / 5 [331 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A134
Min age: 3
Rating 4.82 / 5 [149 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A190
Min age: 4
Rating 5 / 5 [10 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A238
Min age: 7
Rating 4.88 / 5 [255 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cape Tribulation
Price: A240
Min age: 4
Rating 4.72 / 5 [79 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
Price: A252
Min age: 7
Rating 4.92 / 5 [1584 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Queensland, Australia
Swish, cosmopolitan and delightfully laid-back, Port Douglas is an ideal stepping off point for trips to the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef, and to connect with authentic indigenous culture.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Former travel editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine James Fair round-ups the earth’s greatest natural wonders, which will literally take your breath away.
