Go wild: thrill-seeking adventure experiences to have in the Queensland rainforest

While Queensland’s rainforests are serene places where you can disconnect and unplug, they’re also home to unique action-packed adventures and experiences that you’ll be telling your friends about for years to come. Think: white knuckle rides down foamy river rapids to bungy jumping over an ancient canopy. 

From bookable tours to self-guided experiences, the chance to get your pulse racing in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is endless. 

Check out this list of the best adventure experiences in the Wet Tropics Rainforest. 

Swim with some salties

Want to know the quickest way to get your adrenaline pumping? Jumping in the water with the closest living relatives to dinosaurs.

Fortunately, there’s a plethora of spine-tingling crocodile experiences in Tropical North Queensland. At Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, you’ll come eye-to-teeth with one the world’s most feared predators - the Estuarine Crocodile. You’ll dive into the CrocArena’s 2.3 metre deep enclosed pool, swimming mere centimetres away from two 400kg beasts. Offering 180-degree underwater viewing of the crocs, your pulse will be racing as they follow your every move just as they would their next prey. 

If you’d rather stay dry, try Crocodile Express Daintree River Cruises. Glide along the river, marvel at the World Heritage Listed surroundings and keep an eye out for the scaly creatures that lurk beneath the surface. 

Tackle the river rapids

Feel the roar of thundering rapids in your chest as you propel down a cool river, white knuckled clutching the sides of a raft. Cairns Adventure Group is a locally-owned and family run business, who have been traversing Tropical North Queensland’s wild rivers since 1986, so whether you’re a beginner or thrill-seeking enthusiast they’ve got you.

Take your pick from a half-day adventure on the Barron River, or commit to a full day of full throttle fun on Tully River - a world class destination (it hosted the 2019 World Rafting Championships) with over 45 rapids surging against granite boulders and weaving through dense rainforest.  

Feeling brave enough to forgo the raft? Cairns Canyoning Tours will see you abseiling and cliff jumping from waterfalls to freshwater swimming holes. Be sure to brave their River Boarding experience - where you’ll jump on your individual board as the mighty Barron River sweeps you through its foamy rapids. This is not one for the faint-hearted.

Soar to new heights

There’s really no better way to experience the Wet Tropics of Queensland than from above. Climb aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - opt for the Diamond view gondola with a glass bottom - for a truly unique view of the ancient landscape below. You’ll then descend into the heart of the rainforest to Red Peak, on a ranger-guided tour where the temperature will drop as nature’s air conditioner kicks in.

Home to birds, butterflies, ferns and climbing palms that curl up towards the rainforest roof, this is one of the most eco-friendly ways you can experience this enchanting spot. Round out your adventure with a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The refurbished vintage train winds through the coastal plains of Cairns, through Freshwater Railway station to the village of Kuranda - while perched on the tracks 328 metres above sea level. 

At the Daintree Discovery Centre you can walk amongst the tops of the trees on the 11 metre high skywalk or climb to the top of the canopy via The Tower - a stomach-dropping 23 metre high structure comprising five viewing platforms

Take a leap of faith

Lose your stomach at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett - home to Australia’s only bungy. Shuffle your way to the edge of the plank, sitting 50 metres high and feel the bucket list-worthy rush as you step off the edge - the glistening natural lagoon snapping you back to reality as you dunk your head and hands in the crisp water. Or grab a mate and strap yourself into the giant swing as you soar above the rainforest at speeds of up 120km/h in just 3.5 seconds. 

Go off-road in the rainforest 

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of traversing through greenery steeped in history - 100 millions years worth to be exact - in a 4WD. Cairns Discovery Tours, Billy Tea Safaris and Tony’s Tropical Tours offer exceptional eco-friendly explorations through the Daintree and Cape Tribulation that will see you travel beyond the sealed roads, deep into remote regions that are seldom seen by visitors.

Soak up the rugged terrain and learn about the history of the area and the traditional land owners, the Kuku Yalanji people. Get your heart racing as you spy crocs lurking in muddy mangroves, calm your nerves with a dip in prehistoric pools, get a sugar hit at the famous Daintree Ice-Cream Company, and discover where the rainforest meets the reef. 

Another epic off-road adventure experience to tick off in the Wet Tropics Rainforest is mountain biking. The area is awash with cross country tracks that weave through mountain ranges, along pristine waterfalls, taking you deep into the belly of the rainforest. Must-dos tracks include Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park and the Bump Track in Port Douglas. 

Chase waterfalls

Explore nature’s real-life playground at some of the best Wet Tropics waterfalls. For the ultimate adventure experience, you have to check out the Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit. Go it solo or join the legends at Barefoot Tours who will guide you to the secret spots only locals know about. Non-negotiable waterfalls to hit include Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls, Nandroya Falls and Ellinjaa Falls. Pro tip: when you get to the Ellinjaa Falls, venture into the heart of the waterfall at the base - there's a natural viewing platform perfect for curling up in and feeling the beat of the crashing water in your chest.  

Another spectacular waterfall worth your time is Mena Creek Falls. Watch in awe as water cascades over seven million-year-old basalt rock. The scene is particularly stunning when the sun goes down. At nearby Paronella Park you can catch their incredible light show illuminating the falls.

Be spellbound by nature and history at Mossman Gorge

One of the best adventures you can experience in the Wet Tropics rainforest is simply pulling on your sneakers and meandering through the breathtaking surroundings. Base yourself at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre (just 20 minutes from Port Douglas), pack a picnic and check out their self-guided tours. Ranging from easy to moderate, the tracks will take you on a journey along the river's edge to deep within the canopy of the rainforest.

While you’re there, immerse yourself in the history and culture of Mossman Gorge with Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks. Led by a First Nations guide, you’ll experience a traditional smoke ceremony, learn about the importance of native plants, bush food sources and the important relationship the traditional owners, the ​​Kuku Yalanji people, have with the rainforest. 

Feeling inspired to discover even more incredible adventures in Queensland’s rainforests? Check these magical swimming spots and incredible hikes just outside of Cairns.