• ***Please note this tour operates on an alternate itinerary until further notice - due to extensive road works you will visit Thorntons Beach instead of Cape Tribulation Beach***
• Cape Tribulation Beach & Lookout- the only place in the world where two World Heritage Listed areas meet
• Crocodile spotting during 1h Daintree River cruise
• Alexandra lookout- on a clear day you can see the coastline all the way from Cape Tribulation to Double Island off Palm Cove
• Take a selfie from Flagstaff Hill in Port Douglas with the iconic For Mile Beach on the background

Small group full day Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge. Imagine visiting a place that has escaped untouched by the world of urban development.

***Please note this tour operates on an alternate itinerary until further notice - please view details under the Itinerary section***

What to Expect

Small Group Full Day Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge Tour

Dive into a world untouched by urban development as you explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge. This guided tour offers an immersive experience in one of the world's oldest tropical lowland rainforests, estimated to be over 135 million years old. You'll traverse lush greenery, stand under giant fern leaves, and marvel at the unique flora and fauna that have thrived for millennia.

Your expert tour guide will bring the history and significance of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation to life, making this tour both educational and entertaining for all ages. Families will especially enjoy this journey back in time, with children learning through engaging and fun activities.

Native Australian Wildlife

Encounter an astonishing variety of wildlife as you journey through the Wet Tropics. The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation are home to 663 species of vertebrates, 135 dung beetle species, 230 butterfly species, and 33 types of land snails. You may spot the rare "Idiot Fruit," rediscovered in 1971, or catch sight of the towering Bull Kauri trees. Look out for the iconic Cassowary Bird, Ulysses Butterflies, and other exotic species that contribute to the rich biodiversity of this region.

Features and Highlights

Scenic Lookouts and Historic Sites

• Rex Point Lookout: Enjoy panoramic views of Ellis Beach and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of hang gliders or migrating whales.
• Flagstaff Hill Lookout: In Port Douglas, experience a breathtaking view of Four Mile Beach and the Great Dividing Range.

Cultural and Educational Stops

• Mossman Gorge Centre: Learn about Aboriginal culture and history while exploring the lush rainforest at Mossman Gorge.
• Daintree Tea House: Savor a tropical fruit tasting and a delicious lunch with locally grown produce.

Guided Nature Walks and Wildlife Cruises

• Daintree River Cruise: Glide along the Daintree River, spotting crocodiles and vibrant birdlife.
• Marrdja Boardwalk: Walk through mangroves and rainforest, observing the unique flora and fauna.
• Rainforest Guided Walk: Discover the intricate ecosystem of the Daintree Rainforest with your knowledgeable guide.

Unique Experiences

• Cape Tribulation: Visit the only place where two World Heritage Sites meet—the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Kulki Lookout: Admire the stunning views of Cape Tribulation and the surrounding rainforest.
• Daintree Ice Cream Company: Taste exotic fruit ice cream made from locally grown tropical fruits.
• Cable Ferry: Cross the Daintree River by cable ferry, adding a quirky and memorable touch to your adventure.

Food and Refreshments

• Morning Tea: Traditional Australian damper muffins with fresh local tea and coffee.
• Lunch: Choose from a selection of gourmet dishes at the Daintree Tea House.
• Tropical Fruit Tasting: Enjoy a variety of exotic tropical fruits, depending on the season.

Alternate Itinerary

• Itinerary Adjustment: Due to the impact from Tropcal Cyclone Jasper, there are extensive road works causing delays that do not allow us to visit Cape Tribulation beach. We will visit Thorntons Beach until further notice.

Inclusions

• Full interpretation and commentary by naturalist guides.
• Morning tea and lunch with various options.
• Daintree River Cruise and visit to Daintree Village.
• Mossman Gorge Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony, guided walk, and optional swim.
• All national park fees and permits.
• Comfortable, air-conditioned small group touring vehicles.

Experience the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge in a full-day adventure that combines natural beauty, wildlife encounters, cultural insights, and gourmet dining. This tour offers an unforgettable journey through one of Australia's most treasured landscapes.

See more Daintree Rainforest tours and attractions.

Alternate Itinerary Valid Until Further Notice

Due to the impact from Tropical Cyclone Jasper, there are extensive road works causing delays that do not allow us to visit Cape Tribulation beach. We will visit Thorntons Beach until further notice.

This premium full day tour has pick-ups in Cairns, the northern beaches and Port Douglas.

Where you commence your journey, will impact the itinerary slightly. For those being collected in Cairns and the beaches, the day begins with a trip along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive, to Port Douglas where you will enjoy morning tea and a visit to Flagstaff Hill which overlooks 4 Mile Beach.

We then continue north to the Daintree River where you will experience a 1 hour wildlife and river cruise before visiting the Daintree Village.

The next stop is Mossman Gorge, where the cool, clear waters of Mossman River tumble through and over giant granite boulders. Here we will have lunch, with a choice of meals available.

After lunch you will experience a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony, a guided walk and you also have the opportunity for a swim, should you wish to do so.

If your return destination is Port Douglas, we’ll get you into town around 5.30pm, Cairns and the northern beaches a little later.

One amazing day in our very own, natural paradise.

Inclusions:

• Full Interpretation and commentary by naturalist guides.
• Port Douglas. Flagstaff Hill lookout with views over 4 Mile Beach.
• Thorntons Beach
• Morning Tea & Lunch. Choice of meals at lunch.
• Daintree River Cruise. 1-hour cruise.
• Daintree Village. Visit this unique rainforest village.
• Mossman Gorge. Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony, guided walk and swim in the cool waters of Mossman River.
• Attractions and all national park fees and permits as per itinerary.
• Small Group Touring in comfortable, late model, air-conditioned vehicles.

Lunch Menu at Mayi Cafe

Choose from these delicious options:

• Smoked Chicken & papaya salad
• Coconut Battered Barra with Rainforest Salad
• Roast Vegie stack with Macadamia, brie and balsamic
• Salt and Pepper Crocodile with Soba Noodle Salad
• Beef Burger with Yam Fries
• Calamari with wombok salad

Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Full Day Tour

Immerse yourself in the luxuriant foliage as vines drape down to the forest floor – very tempting to swing on them et al Tarzan.  Stand under ancient fern leaves spreading like giant umbrellas.

You can almost tangibly feel the energy as every tendril and stem fights to reach the light and the moisture of the rainforest canopy.  This tumbling foliage fills 1,200 sq. km and is the largest rainforest area on the Australian continent.

What Native Australian Wildlife Will I See on The Daintree, Cape Tribulation Tour?

The rich diversity of the wildlife and flora and fauna is stunning.  The Wet Tropics is home to at least 663 species of vertebrae, 135 dung beetle species, 230 butterfly species and 33 types of land snails.

Over 12,000 types of insects inhabit their homes in Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation and there are over 3000 species of plants, 395 of which are listed as rare or threatened.

Botanists in Cape Tribulation have even re-discovered the “Idiot Fruit” thought to be extinct and rediscovered in 1971, (perhaps named after the idiot who couldn’t find it).

You could chance upon one of the amazing Cassowary Birds, all 6ft of them, as they pick their way through the forest floor. Looking like punk rockers with crested Mohicans on their head, these magnificent birds are threatened with extinction (only 1200 remaining). Find out on your tour how important their role is the life cycle of the Daintree Rainforest.

The Daintree Rainforest is also home to some of the biggest tropical trees in the world, the Bull Kauri species, a threatened tree that is restricted only to Far North Queensland. It’s height of 50m (160ft) with a diameter of 2.7m (8ft 10 in) will make your neck crick as you look up at its branch’s way above in the Rainforest canopy.

Out of the corner of your eye you might see a flitting flash of fluorescent blue.  Ulysses Butterflies are commonly seen flitting amongst the palm throngs of the Daintree Forest. These iridescent insects are always such a spectacular sight.

Where will the One Day Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Visit?

Below are the stops that your guided tour will take.  I think you will agree that there are a lot of wonderful stops with so much to feast your eyes on - unbelievable what you can fit into one day!

Rex Point Lookout

Gaze from Rex Point Lookout as the bank drops away to a drop that reveals the scenery below. Ellis Beach’s white sand beach stretches to the next mountain range and on a clear day you can see the dark spots of Double Island and Haycock Island as black humps on the horizon.

You might be able to watch the hang gliders launching themselves off the edge of Rex Point Lookout like large eagles swooping and circling in the thermals if they are there.

You might be lucky between May to September to see an outlined shadow of a majestic Humpback Whales and Dwarf Minke Whales as they come to the warmer waters in the Coral Sea to mate and calve.

Port Douglas – Flagstaff Hill Lookout

Catch your breath at the scenic Flagstaff Hill Lookout in Port Douglas not because you’ve walked up it, but because the beauty of the place will simply make you gasp.

You will be able to see the route of the Captain Cook Highway where you have just travelled, as it wends its way along the shoreline.

With an almost 360-degree breathtaking panorama of the area you can see all along the pristine sands of the iconic Four Mile Beach of Port Douglas to the peaks of the Great Dividing Range in the distance.

Port Douglas, which started as a pioneer town in 1877 abounds with character and history.  Its development through the decades with the building of the Reef Marina and high-end hotels has made it a haven for Movie stars, rock stars, super models, millionaires and billionaires who just love to hide out incognito in this quaint Queensland Township.

Mossman Gorge

The Mossman Gorge Centre is a wonderful place where you will celebrate the aboriginal culture and understand how nature and man lived in harmony.  It is an informative and important cultural centre that combines beautifully the aboriginal culture with the history of the Mossman Gorge rainforest.

Welcome to Kuku Ylanji Country. The aboriginal heritage here dates back 50,000 years to man’s earliest occupation of Australia. In this Wet Tropics World Heritage Area there are 18 Rainforest Aboriginal tribal groups, with the Traditional Owners being the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.

On visiting the Daintree Rainforest nearby, you will feel the rush of the Mossman River as it cascades over gigantic boulders under your viewing platform and swirling in scenic watering holes all surrounded by the lush rainforest.

Daintree Tea House – Lunch and tropical fruit tasting

You will not only get to see Paradise, but you will get to taste it as well! Give your taste buds a real explosion of strange and exotic flavours as you taste locally grown tropical fruits organically grown in local orchards. 

Exotic tropical fruits come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are lumpy, hairy, bumpy and others have sharp spikes, but most often they taste delicious. Depending on the season you could be experiencing the new taste of custard apples, soursops, rambutans, mangosteens, salaks, chocolate pudding fruit and carambolas.

Daintree River Cruise

Get up and close with the local crocodiles (but don’t worry, not too close!). 

With the gentle lapping of water on the hull you will gently cruise the Daintree River, weaving in and out of tributaries among the leafy mangrove branches and rare hanging orchids. Your tour guide will point out interesting things for you to see and learn about along the way.

The vision of a mighty saltwater crocodile languidly lazing on a bank like a discarded piece of expensive luggage is a sight to behold and a great photo opportunity! See the flutter of wings as birds and herons also inhabit the river’s banks.

Alexandra Lookout

Not long after crossing over the Daintree River by cable ferry (which is an experience in itself), you will arrive at the breathtaking Alexandra Lookout where views stretch back over the Daintree’s low-level rainforest, out to Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef and Port Douglas.

Yet another breathtaking view! After this trip you will have no breath left!

Marrdja Boardwalk in the Daintree Rainforest

Your footsteps on the boardwalk will mingle with the gurgling of the gentle stream as you explore the mangrove and rainforest of the Marrdja Boardwalk.

Marrdja is a Kuku Yalanji word that means rainforest walk. This well-designed 1km circular walk begins and ends at the side of Oliver Creek, a slowly rambling mountain stream that emerges from under a dense pristine canopy of foliage and trees from the rainforest trees and shrubs.

Follow the crystal waters as they flow gently over the rocky bed.  Look up, and you can see the give-away clue of suspended tendrils in the higher branches showing that this gentle stream can be a raging torrent in the wet season. Signs along the boardwalk trace the evolution of the Daintree Coast as the mangroves develop into the Daintree Rainforest.

Cape Tribulation

You have now made it to the only destination on earth where Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, two World Heritage Listed Sites, lay side by side. The area also boasts another world title of also being the only place in the world where the Rainforest meets the Reef…. And you are in it!

Take a guided stroll down the boardwalk that twists through the rainforest to the sandy golden beaches of Cape Tribulation. The Great Barrier Reef is located just metres from these shores.

Kulki Lookout – Cape Tribulation (Not currently visited)

This stunning viewing platform is situated to the north side of Cape Tribulation headland.  Gaze over to the north and be prepared to be stunned by the sheer beauty of the scenery.  Towards Cape Tribulation, you can see a profusion of twisting vines, especially matchbox beans, whose enormous pods you can see dangling like earrings in the treetops.

Cape Tribulation Beach (Not currently visited)

Wander along Cape Tribulation Beach and feel like you are the only person in the world (was this how Robinson Crusoe felt?).  This mostly empty pristine beach stretches as far as your eye can see, punctuated by the rounded blob of Snapper Island on the horizon.  As fringing coconut trees dip onto the sand this is truly a taste of paradise.

There were reports a while ago of a resident Cassowary that featured in many a visitors Cape Tribulation Beach You Tube video so you could be lucky that he might make a personal appearance.

Cape Tribulation Beach is an excellent example of natural beach vegetation (called ‘littoral’ rainforest). This rainforest protects the beach from the harmful effect of storm surges and acts as a natural shock absorber.  Though it can’t absorb the shock of visitors gaping at the beauty of the sights of this natural wonder!

Rainforest Guided Walk

Under a roof of spreading leaves, you will be taken on a guided walk, where the beauty of the flora and fauna will be bought alive. The sheer magnitude of this natural wonder is even more amazing when your guide can inform you how this fragile ecosystem has survived for so many millions of years.

Daintree Ice Cream Company

How about a unique experience for your taste buds? Tropical fruit ice cream! Forget Ben and Jerry’s, this is hand-made, and hand grown in the Daintree Rainforest. Depending on the season there are flavours like macadamia, black sapote, passionfruit and wattle seed.

Cross The Mighty Daintree River By Cable Ferry

Imagine sitting in your vehicle as you are pulled from one side of the Daintree River to the next. This quirky cable ferry is the only means of access to the northern section of the Daintree National Park and to Cape Tribulation.

It only takes about 5 minutes and thankfully is a powered one as there are still in existence hand operated ones, which would make the journey time a little slower!

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Departs from Cairns: 7:00am, Northern Beaches: 7:45am and Port Douglas: 8:45am
• Return to Cairns: 6:30pm, Northern Beaches: 6:00pm and Port Douglas: 5:00pm

Departure Instructions

Please present your fully paid voucher to your guide/driver

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove
• Port Douglas

Destinations

• Daintree Rainforest
• Mossman Gorge
• Palm Cove Rex Lookout, Flagstaff Hill Lookout Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River, Alexandra Lookout, Cape Tribulation Beach & Lookout, Daintree Ice Cream Company

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Cairns: 11.5 hours (approx)
Northern Beaches: 10.25 hours (approx)
Port Douglas: 8.25 hours (approx)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Daintree Ice Cream Company
• Souvenirs & Snacks

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Swimwear & Towel, Hat & Sunscreen, Comfortable Clothes, Walking Shoes, Camera / Spare Batteries, Cash For Extras

• Tour is not suitable to children under 4 years of age
• Children 4 - 14 years