12 undeniable reasons to visit the Daintree Rainforest

There's nothing quite like falling asleep in a 100-million-year-old rainforest. And you don't have to lug in the camping gear to do so, thanks to a range of Daintree accommodation options.

Daintree Ecolodge is a retreat for all five of your senses. Shrouded in peaceful greens, submerged in bird calls and frog sounds, and fitted with 15 eco-friendly bayans, this retreat is a perfect execution of luxury and sustainability.

Rejuvenate your mind at Daintree Ecolodge's Rainforest Wellness Spa, or onsite waterfall. The local Indigenous people of the Kuku Yalanji tribe named the surrounding rainforest ‘Wawu-karrba’ meaning ‘healing of the spirit’, an environment the spa has harnessed in their treatments. Then, excite your taste buds at the Julaymba Restaurant, which showcases locally sourced and seasonally featured Australian cuisine. Then give in to the pull of adventure and

Silky Oaks Lodge has long been synonymous with luxury in Queensland’s tropical north. Beautiful treehouse inspired retreats are tucked among the World Heritage rainforest beside Mossman River, complete with an award-winning restaurant and unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences that allow you to explore the Daintree in magical ways.

Take the ferry across Daintree River to reach relaxed rainforested haven, Daintree Siesta. Set on 20 acres, choose from motel style rooms or the rustic campground with powered and unpowered sites suitable for tents, campervans and caravans. Be sure to grab a meal at their outdoor tropical restaurant among the trees, and explore the private walking trails – it’s completely enchanting and will change your perspective on where we humans fit into this world. 

Here are some more incredible places to stay when you visit the Daintree rainforest.

2. Be awe-inspired at Daintree Discovery Centre 

Grant yourself permission to learn. Established in 1989, The Daintree Discovery Centre is renowned for its leadership in ecotourism, educating visitors on the conservation of its surrounds. No matter your age, there’s something to explore at the centre: a Jurassic experience with animated dinosaurs, 23m high canopy tower and 125m long skywalk, and one of the best places to spot a cassowary in the wild.

Located in the heart of the rainforest, the discovery centre is one of the most popular attractions when visiting the Daintree rainforest. Admission to the centre gives you unfettered access to the surrounding attractions, with a complimentary guide book and seven days to explore the host of self-guided tours, boardwalks, attractions and the Bush Tucker Trail. See how much wildlife you can spot and identify during your time here.

3. Taste flavours of the rainforest at Daintree Ice Cream Company 

Not only is Daintree Ice Cream Company affectionately known as the ‘most scenic ice cream experience you’ll have’ but they whip up famous Aussie flavour combinations like star fruit, lychee, custard apple, macadamia and mulberry.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you'll be able to taste tropical flavours a little left of centre like jackfruit (the world’s largest tree borne fruit), sapodilla (a chewy caramel fruit) and Malay apple (known for its incredible red flower).

It tastes delicious and feels awfully good too: a portion of the Daintree Ice Cream Company land is dedicated to revegetation and wildlife rehabilitation projects. 

4. Learn from the world's oldest culture

There's no better way to come to understand the history and significance of the Daintree, on Kuku Yalanji country, than with an Indigenous guide.

Start at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, where Indigenous guided Dreamtime Walks will introduce you to spectacular beauty and culturally significant sites, along the way sharing ngadiku (nar-di-gul) - meaning stories and legends from a long time ago.

Aboriginal-owned Walkabout Cultural Adventures offers hands-on half day and full day Daintree tours aimed at sharing the cultural connection the people have with their land. Learn about the environment, forage for bush tucker, go mud-crabbing among the mangroves, and take time to unfold the many stories of this ancient land - with those who know it best.

5. Float through the Daintree's cool waters

Skip the walking tracks and take a different path through the Daintree – peacefully river drifting down the Mossman River. Back Country Bliss offers this unique adventure and once-in-a-lifetime perspective of the world’s oldest rainforest. Peer into the waters to spot elusive platypus, look up to match native birdlife to their sweet calls, and be amazed by nature as electric blue butterflies flutter around.  

6. Fuel your soul at Flames of the Forest 

Connect with timeless traditions and Indigenous foods during Flames of the Forest’s Aboriginal culture experience. Two local Indigenous brothers run this spiritual experience in the heart of one of the world’s oldest rainforest, sharing a piece of their remarkable culture in a setting they explored and adventured as children.

Flames of the Forest invites you to connect with your surrounds through storytelling, didgeridoo and song, all while sharing in an abundant and locally sourced banquet. It's a soul-stirring experience and one of the best reasons to visit the Daintree rainforest.

7. Shop local along the way

Wind your way along the Daintree's country roads and you'll quickly discover what a tropical fruit bowl this neck of the woods really is. Local farmers often sell their produce at roadside farm gates, so bring some spare change to stop and shop en route.

Want a deep dive into the Daintree's flavours? Visit Cape Trib Farm for a truly delicious adventure that includes a guided orchard walk and farmer-led tasting session of in-season tropical fruit. 

Owners Jeremy and Merryn showcase a selection of 10 or 11 fruits from their tropical fruit orchard, which grows over 70 varieties. Depending on when you visit, you can sample chocolate pudding fruit, creamy sapote, crunchy breadfruit chips, jackfruit, durian and more. 

One for the tea lovers: the Daintree Tea plantation is one of the best opportunities to drink local during your visit. Established in the late ‘70s by the Thompson family, Daintree Tea produces pure, unblended black tea without the use of pesticides. If you’re staying local, you’re likely to find their label on your morning cuppa, but we recommend stopping by the honesty box and swapping some cash for your own private stock.

If you want to make a day of filling your stomach, follow the Daintree Food Trail. 

8. Cool off in wild swimming holes

A local secret can be found where the Daintree rainforest meets the reef in Cape Tribulation. Mason’s Café is known for dishing up exotic Australian meats like kangaroo and crocodile, but this humble general store draws a crowd for another reason: it's swimming-friendly waterhole. 

Mason's Swimming Hole is a tranquil and safe spot to dip in cool waters among the rainforest's beauty, so be sure to stop and pause among the peace here. 

9. Experience the Daintree by night

If you thought the Daintree is vibrant by day, just watch it come alive under the cover of darkness - when many of its curious inhabitants emerge to feed and forage. Let the croaks and clicks of wildlife guide you through the night, as you tour through their neighbourhood with a torch in hand, a 'hide and seek' style adventure that lets nature lead the way. 

Head out on a nocturnal tour with FNQ Nature Tours, or take an overnight adventure with Jungle Tours where you'll spend the night in rainforest accommodation after your night walk. 

10. Spot crocs on the Daintree River

There’s a staggering grandeur to witnessing a crocodile in the wild, especially from the safety of a boat. Let the croc-curiosity surge within you as you quietly cruise through through the peaceful Daintree River. Adrenaline spikes when you spy one nestled within the muddy mangroves ashore.

Numerous tour operators will get you out on the water to catch a glimpse of these prehistoric giants, among plenty of other wildlife. Check out Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises, Solar Whisper, Bruce Belcher's or Crocodile Express. 

11. Road trip the Great Tropical Drive 

Any great Queensland adventure includes a road trip, and the Great Tropical Drive is yet another reason to visit the Daintree Rainforest. 

The most popular route is to stick to the coast, tracking north from Cairns to Port Douglas, before meeting Daintree and Cape Tribulation. But the drive is actually made up of 26 different route options - a choose your own adventure of Queensland beauty. 

It's the perfect map of inspiration to further explore the Atherton Tablelands, Hinchinbrook Island, stretches of Great Barrier Reef and the Undara Lava Tubes. 

12. Sink your toes into the sand at Cow Bay

With rainforest on one side and the beach on the other,  there’s no greater spot to get the best of both worlds than Cow Bay.

Aptly named for the dugongs (sea cows) that feast on the seagrass in the bay bed, Cow Bay is home to tranquil stretches of calm water, where you can explore the inshore reef or fish from waters’ edge. There are several accessible boardwalks dotted around these parts that you can enjoy no matter your age or ability. The Dubuji Boardwalk provides a 1.2-kilometre meander under the shade of some truly spectacular, and rare, fan palms. Dubuji is a Kuku Yalanji word meaning ‘place of spirits’, and a walk along this boardwalk will have you feeling a deep connection with the forest around you.

Ready to visit the Daintree Rainforest? Check out this four-day itinerary and start planning your trip.