How to get to the Daintree Rainforest

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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The Daintree Rainforest is a world away from civilisation but a snap to get to. And the drive north from Cairns is something worth marvelling at.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, the Daintree is barely touched and completely isolated. So, you might be wondering how to get to the Daintree Rainforest. Well getting there is actually really easy, so follow our guide for everything you need to know before you leave.

Where is the Daintree?

The Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Great Barrier Reef Drive takes you to where the rainforest meets the reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Daintree’s closest airport is roughly 110 kilometres south of the rainforest in Cairns. Located in Tropical North Queensland, the trip up is nothing short of amazing, with incredible coastal views and scenery that will blow your mind.

There are two ways you can get to the Daintree from Cairns; hiring a car and making your own way on a mini road trip or jumping on one of the tours that will take you to the Daintree from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas.

Drive yourself

The Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Great Barrier Reef Drive offers unmatched views of the Coral Sea. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Did someone say road trip? Although not a huge drive, the Great Barrier Reef Drive has some beautiful stops along the way that you simply can’t go past. Whether you’re just passing through and stop for a coffee and lunch, or you stay the night, both Palm Cove and Port Douglas are must-stops.

Palm Cove

Couple standing at Palm Cove beach at sunset. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The sunset in Palm Cove is incredible. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Palm Cove is home to Nick Holloway’s iconic Nu Nu restaurant which brings award-winning Australian dishes and a great atmosphere to the table. With spectacular views of the Coral Sea, the beachfront location framed by stunning palm trees is dreamlike.

Port Douglas

Aerial shot of Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Four Mile Beach is the most popular beach in Port Douglas. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Another 40 kilometres up the highway you’ll reach the laid-back coastal town of Port Douglas. A hot spot in Tropical North Queensland, Port Douglas has plenty of incredible places to eat and accommodation for every budget, so even if you stay here for a couple of days, you won’t run out of things to do.

Daintree Ferry

The Daintree Ferry crossing the Daintree River. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Daintree Ferry can fit 27 vehicles. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

When you’re ready to make the final leg to the Daintree, you’ll come across the Daintree Ferry about 50 kilometres up the road. Some Daintree accommodation options are located before the ferry near Daintree Village, so you may not need to cross the river until you’re ready to explore the wealth of things to do in the Daintree.

The 43-metre-long Daintree Ferry provides vehicle access across the Daintree River, connecting the northern Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with the rest of Far North Queensland.

The Daintree River running side by side with the Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Daintree River is a hot spot for crocs. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The ferry operates between 5am and midnight 365 days a year, with a priority lane for locals between 9am and 4.30pm from July to September. The crossing is pretty quick and easy, taking approximately 15 minutes, including time for boarding and disembarking all vehicles. During peak season there might be a bit of a wait though, so factor that into your travel time.

Ferry tickets are $45 per car for a return ticket and an extra $16 if you’ve got a trailer. You can buy the ferry tickets on the southern side of the river before you cross.

You might even see a croc while you cross the river, but if you don’t, the Daintree has plenty of river cruises designed for spotting crocodiles in the wild.

Cape Tribulation

The incredible views from Mount Alexandra Lookout. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)
The views from Mount Alexandra Lookout are amazing. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Once you’ve passed the Daintree River, you’ve reached the oldest living rainforest, which is estimated to be 180 million years old – tens of millions of years older than the Amazon. Make sure you stop by the Mount Alexandra Lookout located shortly after the ferry, which offers excellent views over the Coral Sea and the mouth of the Daintree.

You’ve then got about an hour until you get to Cape Tribulation, the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet. You’ll have the best of both worlds exploring the rainforest, but also heading out onto the Great Barrier Reef for a bucket list reef experience.

There are lots of places to stay in Cape Tribulation and also plenty of camping spots, so whether you’re into luxury accommodation, budget stays or sleeping under the stars, there’s something for you.

4WD sits beneath trees near the beach in the Daintree. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Camping in Cape Trib is a common choice. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

With no mobile phone service and one of the highest concentrations of plants and animals anywhere on earth, the call to adventure beckons loudly here.

Do not forget the essentials – a torch and plenty of time up your sleeve – because exploring the beaches and the rainforest at night, especially around Cape Trib, increases your chances to see some of the most amazing wildlife on earth. For example, ghost crabs (they are translucent, so you see right through them) are best spotted scurrying around at night.

It takes less than three hours (with no stops) to get from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, an easy journey for anyone looking to get away.

Mother and child swinging on rope swing Cape Tribulation beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Cape Tribulation Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Take a tour

Tour bus driving along the Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)
Sometimes a tour of the Daintree is the best option. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

If you’d rather just come up for a day or two, and you don’t want to hire a car, then a tour is your best bet. Getting to see all the best bits in a fast-tracked tour is a great way to see the Daintree and Cape Tribulation for the time-poor.

Most of the tours have a stop at Mossman Gorge where you’ll get to go on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk with a local Kuku Yalanji guide. Some tours will also take you on one of the Daintree River cruises that get up close and personal with the native saltwater crocs.

Aerial shot of Mossman Gorge. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)
Mossman Gorge is a stunning spot. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

If you’re staying in Port Douglas and your Daintree tour doesn’t take you on a crocodile cruise, we’ve also found the best spots in Port Douglas to spot a crocodile.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Dubuji Boardwalk through the foothills of Mount Alexandra. (Image: Tourism Australia)
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6 reasons why Townsville is the new events capital of Queensland

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Beyond the sand, sea and food scene, Townsville is shaping up to be the new events capital of the Sunshine State.

    Townsville is quickly making a name for itself as an events capital of Queensland. From worldwide sporting events to celebrations of the arts, there’s never been a better time to align your next tropical getaway with the unbeatable vibes of an event in Townsville.

    The yearly calendar is full, meaning there’s an event for everyone. But these are shaping up to be some of the biggest events in 2025.

    1. North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA)

    24 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

    While sun, sea and sand might be the first images conjured up at a mention of Townsville, the tropical city is fast making a name for itself as a cultural hub. Experience it at its best during the North Australian Festival of Arts.

    Over several weeks, the famous Strand in Townsville will be bursting with colour, sound and energy as it celebrates the arts, culture and community. Catch theatre, cabaret, dance, circus acts and so much more. Stop to listen to world-class live music and even get involved with interactive workshops.

    In previous years, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra performed a free outdoor concert and Brisbane Author, Trent Dalton, was there to share his latest book.

    performers at North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA)
    Catch live music and more.

    2. Supercars NTI Townsville 500

    11-13 July, 2025

    Sports fans will be pleased to know that Townsville boasts more than just the NRL Cowboy’s. Those facing the comedown of this year’s Formula 1 can bounce back with the 2025 NTI Townsville 500. Each year, the event draws motorsport enthusiasts from around the country as Supercar racing takes over the streets of Townsville.

    Off the race track, the weekend also promises plenty of car tricks and displays – think drifting, car builds and the MotorEx automotive expo  – plus live music, ADF displays, freestyle motocross and more.

    crowd watching Supercars NTI Townsville 500, townsville events
    See supercars take over Townsville.

    3. Australian Festival of Chamber Music

    25 July – 2 Aug 2025

    Clear your ears of the sounds of revving engines with one of the city’s longest-running events,  The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM). Here, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians head to Townsville to perform an impressive 30 concerts over nine days.

    The best part? AFCM features exclusive shows that can only be experienced at the festival, like AFCM Concert Conversations, where visiting festival musicians share their personal and professional lives.

    lead image for Australian Festival of Chamber Music, townsville events
    Experience exclusive events at the AFCM. (Image: Andrew Rankin)

    4. SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week

    28 Aug – 2 Sep 2025

    Just 20 minutes from the city, koala-filled Magnetic Island is a must-do at any time of year. Time the trip for the annual SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week to not only enjoy paradise, but also five days of tropical racing fun with a twist.

    Every August to September, enjoy live bands, parties, beach festivals, markets, long lunches and even mud crab races. All while taking in tropical island views.

    SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
    Enhance Magnetic Island trips with five days of tropical racing. (Image: TEQ)

    5. Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition

    23 Apr – 24 Aug 2025

    Hailing from England, Wedgwood has been a household name almost since the brand started in 1759 (by Charles Darwin’s grandfather). With over 260 years under the company’s belt since then, its ceramics and designs are popular all over the world.

    And now, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry will showcase highlights of the brand’s history – straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum – at Townsville’s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

    Wedgwood teacup
    See the best of Wedgwood. (Image: Getty/ Photonewman)

    6. Wallabies v Argentina

    6 September

    Rugby fans should time their Townsville getaway for September to add watching the Wallabies clash against Argentina from Queensland Country Bank Stadium to their itineraries.

    The home ground of the NRL North Queensland Cowboys, this vibrant and stylish $185 million sporting venue in South Townsville is the perfect setting to enjoy sports.

    aerial of Queensland Country Bank Stadium in townsville
    See the rugby at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your event-filled getaway at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au .