Daintree Rainforest

Daintree Rainforest Tropical North Queensland, Australia

“There is a place in Far North Queensland where the world’s oldest rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Where rainforest has grown, unbroken, since the age of Gondwana. Where the Kuku Yalanji people have walked, sung and cared for Country for at least 50,000 years. You are about to discover the Daintree.”

Welcome to the World’s Oldest Living Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Located in Tropical North Queensland, it is one of the world’s oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests — a forest that has grown here without a break since the age of Gondwana. Declared a World Heritage Area in 1988 and part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, this extraordinary living ecosystem stretches from the mountains of the Great Dividing Range to the coral coast of the Great Barrier Reef.

At Cape Tribulation, in one of the most dramatic meeting points in the natural world, the rainforest spills directly into the sea. Ancient trees lean over coral-fringed beaches. Cassowaries move through the undergrowth. The river runs cold and clear over stone that has been there longer than memory. This is not merely a beautiful place. It is a living archive of life on Earth — and visiting it changes you.

The Kuku Yalanji — Custodians of Ancient Country

The Daintree is Kuku Yalanji Country. The Kuku Yalanji people have been the Traditional Custodians of this land for tens of thousands of years. Their deep knowledge of the rainforest — its plants, animals, waterways and seasons — is inseparable from its survival. When you visit the Daintree, you are a guest on their Country. We encourage every visitor to seek out Kuku Yalanji cultural experiences, beginning with the transformative Kuku Yalanji Cultural Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge. It is among the most meaningful things you can do in Australia.

What Awaits You in the Daintree

The Daintree rewards visitors who arrive curious and leave slowly. Wildlife found nowhere else on Earth — cassowaries, tree kangaroos, crocodiles, Boyd’s Forest Dragons and hundreds of bird species — inhabit every layer of the forest. Places of extraordinary beauty — Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, Emmagen Creek, the Daintree River — are within reach of every visitor. And tours and experiences guided by people who have spent their lives in this forest offer encounters you simply cannot find anywhere else.

VisitDaintree.com.au is your trusted guide to the Daintree — a Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.

Daintree Rainforest the oldest Tropical Rainforest on Earth

VisitDaintree.com.au is your complete guide to the vast World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest playground of the lush Daintree area.

The Daintree region is accessible by road from Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown.

Explore the Regions of the Daintree Rainforest

Daintree RainforestOne of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, home to ancient plants and rare wildlife.

South of the Daintree River

MossmanA welcoming Far North Queensland township and the southern gateway to the Daintree.Mossman GorgeWalk beneath ancient trees and see crystal-clear water from the boardwalk.Wonga BeachA peaceful beach where lush rainforest meets the sparkling Coral Sea.Daintree VillageA hidden gem in the Daintree, with chances to spot rare and colourful birds.Daintree RiverA living ecosystem most visitors see from the ferry or on a guided cruise.Cassowary FallsA waterfall on private property at Upper Daintree, south of the river.

North of the river (via the ferry)

Alexandra LookoutPanoramic views over lush rainforest and mountains, a short drive from the ferry.Cape KimberleyBeaches and lush rainforest at a serene corner of the Daintree.Daintree Discovery CentreExplore the rainforest’s beauty and diversity, including the aerial walkway.Cow BayA tranquil haven in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest.Cooper CreekA quiet creek within the Daintree Rainforest, offering a tranquil escape into nature.Thornton BeachWhere the ancient rainforest meets the Coral Sea, with beach walks and wildlife.Noah BeachA tranquil stretch of North Queensland coast surrounded by lush Daintree Rainforest.Cape TribulationWhere the rainforest meets the reef, about 35 kilometres north of the ferry.Myall BeachA beach in the heart of Cape Tribulation, where two World Heritage areas meet.Mount SorrowA steep, challenging ridge walk above Cape Tribulation, with views from the top.Emmagen CreekA rainforest creek on the Bloomfield Track, north of Cape Tribulation (4WD access).

Reef and islands

Snapper IslandAn island in a protected marine park, with pristine beaches and lush rainforest.Mackay Coral CayA coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, just off Cape Tribulation.Undine ReefA secluded coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off Cape Tribulation.

About the Daintree Rainforest

This spectacular region, about a two-hour drive north of Cairns, is unique as one of the only locations in the world where a thriving rainforest exists so close to a living reef ecosystem.

The Daintree region is home to one of the oldest forests in the world and, covering 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles), is part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent.

It is included in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics region with the Kuranda Rainforest and is home to many different plants and animals.

The Daintree region starts at Mossman Gorge near Mossman’s small sugar mill town. It then expands north through lush farmlands and extensive valleys to Daintree Village, the Daintree River and the ancient rainforests of the national park’s Cape Tribulation.

It spreads west to the mountain ranges and east to pristine beaches that meet the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.

From tours and attractions to events, restaurants, and unique historical sites, plan your trip in this vast region, offering plenty of fascinating experiences, activities, and thrills.

FAQs – Visit Daintree Rainforest