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Subscribe The Dreamiest Rainforests in Australia for a Tropical Traverse
Embark on an unforgettable adventure and trawl through these lush havens across Australia.
Australia is a land of breathtaking natural contrasts. With our Red Centre and sparse outback fanning out from the middle of our country like a sun, tropical rainforests fringe the edges with lush, emerald canopies teeming with life, creating a vibrant contrast between arid heartland and coastal abundance.
We consider ourselves lucky to be living in a country so rich and naturally diverse, which is why we’ve rounded up the best rainforests in Australia to add to our bucket list and slowly tick off, one adventure at a time.
Best Rainforests in Australia: Queensland
Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is one of Australia’s most cherished natural wonders. Nestled in Far North Queensland, it’s the oldest tropical rainforest in the world—over 180 million years old, making it even older than the Amazon Rainforest. The Daintree has multiple scenic walking tracks for you to explore, ranging from easy strolls to difficult hikes.
This natural beauty also connects to the Great Barrier Reef, and is the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage areas exist side-by-side. From ancient ferns and towering fig trees to elusive cassowaries and luminous insects, the Daintree is a living, breathing time capsule of evolution. Whether you’re cruising along the Daintree River or wandering through mossy trails, every corner feels like a step into another world. It kind of is, since it was the inspiration for Avatar!
Gondwana Rainforests
This expansive rainforest is another World Heritage-listed site, and it’s easy to understand why. Encompassing the last remaining rainforests of south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, the Gondwana Rainforest region in Queensland comprises four national parks: Lamington, Springbrook, Main Range and Mount Barney—all equally as magical.
Dating back to the historic supercontinent, Gondwana, these are some of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world. The ancient trees whisper the secrets of the forest, the moss-covered floor and fern-lined paths offering a glimpse into a world that existed millions of years ago.
Sitchu Tip: If you enjoy hiking, then put Springbrook National Park at the top of your list, where windy paths will lead you to cascading waterfalls and the breathtaking Natural Bridge.
Best Rainforests in Australia: Victoria
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Despite being only an hour’s drive from the CBD, you’ll feel like you’re in another world as you amble through towering trees, lush fern gullies and spilling waterfalls. Embark on one of the park’s walking trails up the mountain to witness panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline in between spotting wallabies, echidnas and birdlife including crimson rosellas and superb lyrebirds. There are plenty of picturesque picnic spots in the forest as well, so make sure you pack a spread to enjoy among nature.
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Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park will transport you far beyond Victoria into a world that feels almost otherworldly. Beneath an expansive, lush canopy of ferns, sleepy koalas, adventurous platypuses, and lumbering echidnas roam freely, calling this awe-inspiring landscape home.
Stretching from Torquay to Princetown and up to Colac, the park is famed for its rugged coastlines, cool temperate rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and quiet beaches. Spend the day weaving through mossy trails and chasing waterfalls — with around 226 scattered throughout the park, there’s no shortage to discover. Erskine Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and Henderson Falls are among the most popular and are perfect starting points to fuel your wanderlust.
Tarra-Bulga National Park
A walk through Tarra-Bulga National Park suspends time in a way that only the force of nature can. Giant mountain ash trees, ancient myrtle beech trees and lush fern gullies shade you as you make your way through the forest, straight towards the famed Corrigan’s Suspension Bridge which hangs high above the forest floor. Abundant with native wildlife and birds, this rainforest is majestic, plus teeming with picnic spots for you to rest, refuel and recharge.
Best Rainforests in Australia: New South Wales
Minnamurra Rainforest
This captivating day trip destination is nestled within Budderoo National Park at the foothills of Jamberoo Valley. Its subtropical climate and dense foliage allow visitors an immersive experience through elevated boardwalks, scenic walking trails and educational Minnamurra Rainforest Centre. As you wander through the Minnamurra Rainforest, keep your eyes peeled for rainforest residents: lyrebirds, eastern water dragons, swamp wallabies and brush turkeys darting through the undergrowth or resting among the tangled vines and towering trees.
Grand Canyon Track in Blue Mountains
While this rainforest hike may be challenging, it’s one hundred percent worth it. The Grand Canyon Track in the Blue Mountains is one of the few canyons you can explore on foot without extensive hiking or abseiling gear. You’ll pass seas of ferns and dense foliage, waterfalls and trickling creeks as you descend into the depths of the canyon, bearing witness to spectacular views. Be sure to take it slow on the way back up—it’s very tiring!
Sitchu tip: Check the weather before you head to the Grand Canyon Walk, as you should never walk in a canyon before, during or after heavy rainfall.
Best Rainforests in Australia: Western Australia
Mitchell Plateau Rainforest
Hidden in the remote region of the Kimberley, Mitchell Plateau Rainforest is a remarkable and unique blend of rugged landscapes, ancient rainforests, and rich biodiversity. Home to dense one of the largest pockets of monsoon rainforest, towering Livistona palms, and rare wildlife like the elusive monjon, this untouched wilderness feels like stepping into another world. One for the bucket list, for sure.
The Valley of the Giants
The Valley of the Giants is a breathtaking forest region along Western Australia’s southern coast, famous for its towering ancient tingle trees and the iconic Tree Top Walk that lets visitors stroll high among the canopy. Nestled between Denmark and Walpole, this enchanting forest offers a rare glimpse into some of the world’s tallest eucalyptus trees, with trunks so wide they can reach up to 20 metres in circumference.
Visitors can wander through elevated walkways that rise 40 metres above ground, providing sweeping views over the lush, green expanse below. Down on the forest floor, the Ancient Empire boardwalk weaves between giant tree trunks, offering an intimate experience with these centuries-old natural wonders.
Warren National Park
Warren National Park is a pristine natural haven, and one of the best rainforests in Australia. Located approximately 15 kilometers south of Pemberton in Western Australia’s South West, this temperate rainforest is home to towering karri trees, some soaring up to 90 metres high.
Wander through the cool, misty forest along scenic walking trails, canoe down the tranquil Warren River, or climb the famous Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree for breathtaking views over the abundant canopy.
Best Rainforests in Australia: Tasmania
The Tarkine Rainforest
This vibrant green wonderland is the second largest temperate rainforest in the world, and a must-visit for nature lovers. The Tarkine Rainforest spans almost 500,000 hectares of Tasmania’s north west and is a little bit of a forgotten treasure. Pine, myrtle, and leatherwood trees store thousands of years’ worth of secrets, flora and fauna, plus unique and endangered creatures like the Tasmanian Devil. From trudging through the forest to cruising along the river or hiking the rugged coastline, the Tarkine Rainforest is a spectacular sanctuary, where every corner reveals ancient ecosystems and breathtaking views.
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
The most magical parts of the world are often discovered on foot, and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is no exception. Covering one fifth of Australia’s southernmost state, this vast rainforest offers a living testament to ancient heritage waiting to be explored. Comprising seven national parks—Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Hartz Mountains National Park, and Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, among others—each promises a unique adventure and exceptional natural beauty.
For an immersive rainforest experience, head to Southwest National Park, which exudes a distinctly Jurassic vibe. Its jagged Precambrian quartzite mountain ranges, including the Frankland and Arthur Ranges, enhance the park’s ancient atmosphere. In this remarkable landscape, you might be lucky enough to spot the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, which migrates to the area between October and March, with Melaleuca being its main breeding ground.
Feeling more excited than ever to book a plane ticket and start travelling to the best rainforests in Australia? Check out the latest travel sales to score a cheaper flight or book your accommodation at one of these stunning new hotels.
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