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    Daintree National Park

    Australia

    Daintree National Park

    Natural Park

    North of Daintree River, lowland rainforest meets the Coral Sea. The National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Wet Tropics of Queensland, since 2021 co-managed with the Eastern Kuku Yalanji.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    2. Destinations
    3. Australia
    4. Tropical North Queensland
    5. Daintree National Park
    North of Daintree River, lowland rainforest meets the Coral Sea. The National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Wet Tropics of Queensland, since 2021 co-managed with the Eastern Kuku Yalanji. Boardwalks, remote beaches, and roadside cassowaries shape the days here.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation

    Ziplines and platforms in the canopy near Cape Tribulation. You hang securely between the treetops and see the rainforest from above. Booking essential, bring sturdy shoes.
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    2Cape Trib Farm

    Fruit orchard at Cape Tribulation with tasting tours. Sample tropical fruits rarely found in Europe and learn how they thrive in the humid climate. Pre-book tours.
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    Cape Tribulation

    3Cape Tribulation

    Here the rainforest meets the reef. James Cook named the cape in 1770 after the Endeavour ran aground on a reef further north. From Kulki Boardwalk, you look out over the beach. Swimming is risky due to crocodiles and jellyfish; heed the signs.
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    Daintree Rainforest

    4Daintree Rainforest

    One of Earth's oldest rainforests and part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage site. Home to many unique species, including the Helmeted Cassowary. Explore it best on boardwalks along the road to Cape Tribulation.
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    5Dubuji Boardwalk

    Wooden boardwalk through mangroves and lowland rainforest near Cape Tribulation. The flat loop takes about half an hour, with information panels explaining plants and animals. Bring insect repellent.
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    6Emmagen Creek

    Clear creek at the start of the Bloomfield Track north of Cape Tribulation. The ford is often the first obstacle on the 4WD track. Check water level before crossing.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    The Sandbar

    Casual spot in Cape Tribulation for dinner after your rainforest day. Check hours ahead; many close early up north.
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    2

    Turtle Rock Cafe

    Simple cafe in Cape Tribulation for coffee, sandwiches and cake for a break. Convenient as a stop between the boardwalks.
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    3

    Cape Trib Beach House

    The namesake accommodation's open restaurant in the rainforest near the beach. Simple dishes and cool drinks, also in the evenings when elsewhere is already closed.
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    4

    Masons Café

    Cafe and shop south of Cape Tribulation. Famous for burgers, also with kangaroo or crocodile meat. Behind the house lies a swimming hole in the creek.
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    Food and Drink

    North of the river there are only a few cafés and restaurants, mostly with daytime business. In the evenings, many close early.

    Tropical Fruit

    Farms around Cape Tribulation grow fruits such as Rambutan, Mangostan, and Sapote. On tasting tours, you can sample what's currently ripe.

    Rainforest fruit ice cream

    The Daintree Ice Cream Company at Cow Bay makes ice cream from fruits of its own plantation.

    Kuku Yalanji Country

    Traditional OwnersThe rainforest is the land of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji. In 2021, the National Park was officially returned to them and has since been managed jointly with the State. Many places now bear their original names again.The best way to get to know the land is with local Indigenous guides, for example, on guided tours at Mossman Gorge or Walkabout tours along the coast. Respect restricted areas and stay on the paths.

    Exploring Daintree

    Without your own car, you can only get here with day tours from Cairns or Port Douglas. By rental car, you drive from Port Douglas for about 45 minutes to the Daintree River Ferry, which operates a shuttle service during the day.Up to Cape Tribulation, the road is paved and passable with a normal car.The Bloomfield Track further north is only accessible with a 4WD and in dry weather.Drive slowly: Cassowaries often cross the road.

    Accommodations in Daintree National Park

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    Nearby

    Port Douglas

    Port Douglas

    A small holiday resort an hour's drive north of Cairns. A main street, a long palm-fringed beach, and a harbour where boats depart for the outer reef. The Daintree begins just under an hour further north.
    Cairns

    Cairns

    Cairns, with approximately 160,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in tropical North Queensland and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Life revolves around the Esplanade, featuring a large swimming lagoon, BBQ areas, and a promenade.From the Reef Fleet Terminal, boats depart daily for the outer reefs and islands. The best time to visit is the dry season from May to October.
    Tropical North Queensland

    Tropical North Queensland

    Tropical North Queensland is the state's northeast, centered around Cairns. Here, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites converge: the Great Barrier Reef offshore and the Wet Tropics rainforests, including Daintree, on land.Cairns and Port Douglas are the main gateways. In the hinterland lie the cooler Atherton Tablelands, featuring lakes and waterfalls.
    Atherton Tablelands

    Atherton Tablelands

    Volcanic high plateau behind Cairns, at 700 to over 1,000 meters. Here it's cooler than on the coast: pastures, coffee plantations, crater lakes, and waterfalls abound. A good day trip, even better with two nights in Yungaburra.
    Mission Beach

    Mission Beach

    Four small towns on a roughly 14-kilometer long beach between Cairns and Townsville. The rainforest almost reaches the water, and Dunk Island lies off the coast. It's quieter here than in Cairns or Port Douglas, and with a bit of luck, you'll spot cassowaries by the roadside.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI