Destination Daintree: Things to Do in Daintree Rainforest

Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its natural beauty, with leafy green rainforests and a coastline worth travelling for. Located just a two-hour drive from Cairns, you’ll find the world’s oldest rainforest — the Daintree. Heritage listed in 1988, the Daintree is an inviting landscape, imploring you to explore lush green vistas filled with natural wonder, ancient history and captivating wildlife.

The Daintree Rainforest is so spectacular that Sir David Attenborough himself once called it “the most extraordinary place on Earth”, a claim we’ll happily accept. The towering canopy of the Daintree has been growing for over 180 million years, a number that seems utterly inconceivable. Visiting this ancient rainforest is an incredible opportunity to learn from the traditional custodians of the land, the Kuku Yalanji, and discover the Dreamtime stories that connect them to Country.

Whether you camp in a quiet pocket or opt for luxury accommodation, any visit to this bucket list destination will be packed with awe and adventure, so don’t forget to slow down and soak in the experience. Read on for the best things to do when visiting the Daintree. 

Marrdja Botanical Walk

One of the best things to do in the Daintree is to take the time to savour the ancient history of this revered rainforest with a stroll along the Marrdja Botanical Walk. Explore the natural history of Australia with sightings of plants representing all stages of the evolution of land plants over the last 180 million years. Stroll along the boardwalk and concrete path, and if you follow signs to Oliver Creek, you can pull up a stump to sit and watch for crocodiles. We recommend taking your time to explore the various trails and boardwalks that branch off from this looped walk around Olivers Creek.

Lot 10 Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation

Float Under The Canopy

Float your way through the Daintree!  A Back Country Bliss tour combines the leisure of drifting beneath the green canopy and the excitement of spying below the surface with a snorkel. Bobbing along on an inflatable river sled, you’ll have the chance to swim, snorkel and explore as you make your way down the river. Through the clear waters, you’ll spot fish, turtles, water dragons and maybe even an elusive platypus as you make your way through the Daintree.

Wildlife Habitat

With a conservation-first approach, Wildlife Habitat was first opened to the public in 1989 as a bird and butterfly sanctuary. Since then, the Habitat has expanded its conservation and public education efforts to include animals such as crocodiles, koalas, gliders, possums, tree kangaroos and much more. You can easily spend an entire day here exploring the five different habitats, catered to each animal type, as well as having your very own wildlife experience with ‘Feature Creature’ photos or the Crocarena saltwater croc swims!

Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas

Cape Trib Farm

Combining regenerative farming principles with sustainability and state-of-the-art technology, Cape Trib Farm maintains a light footprint on the Earth whilst celebrating the fruits of the area. This one is a must-do for foodies, with over 70 rare and exotic fruits available for tasting, grown right here in their orchards. You can also enjoy a stroll through the orchard to learn more about each plant and its origins, uses and legends. Cottages are available for accommodation so that you can stay a little longer to drink in the expansive mountain views — we can’t imagine anything better!

3939 Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation

Experience the Rainforest Meeting the Reef

Offering the shortest ride out to the reef(and an exhilarating one at that!), Ocean Safari take no more than 25 guests out to the Mackay Reef, a rare place in which two world heritage sights meet. You’ll visit two different snorkel locations where you can expect to find giant clams, tropical fish, corals and turtles. After what can only be deemed to be a wildlife encounter of a lifetime, jump back aboard, grab a cool drink from the Esky and enjoy the ride back as you transition from reef to rainforest again. 

Daintree Discovery Tours

If you’re not sure where to start with your exploration of the Daintree, hand over the reins to the experts at Daintree Discovery Tours. Their tours are intimate and informative, so you’re covered on all fronts. The ‘Total Daintree Experience’ is a great entry point to exploring the area and begins with a wander through Mossman Gorge. Your guide will point out all kinds of natural gems that you might have otherwise missed like basket ferns, spiders and bird calls. Nip over to the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre for some wattle seed damper, jam and cream paired perfectly with some Daintree Tea! 

Then it’s back on the bus before a river cruise and some croc spotting. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of these ancient creatures moving, gear up for a thrill! As you trawl the banks, don’t forget to look up and absorb the glistening green of the lower Daintree. You’ll then take a turn around the Madja Boardwalk, an incredible insight into the mangrove-lined habitat.

Daintree Tea Company

If you love a cuppa, this is one of the best things to do in the Daintree on your next tropical escape. Established in 1978, the Daintree Tea Company is proudly 100% Australian-owned, grown and operated and you can see it for yourself by visiting the Cubbagudta Plantation. It only takes a mere 24 hours for a tea leaf to be plucked, processed and packaged, ensuring one of the freshest tea products available on the Australian market. A visit to the plantation allows you to explore old tea machinery, shop at the roadside store and experience a little bit of homegrown history.

Lot 12 Cape Tribulation Road, Diwan

Daintree Discovery Centre

No trip to the Daintree is complete without visiting the Discovery Centre. Learn the history of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world through audio-visual theatres, self-guided walks, an aquarium and an interpretative display centre equipped with colourful infographics chock-full of information. The incredible aerial and canopy walkways will leave you awestruck; you’ll be elevated above the forest floor, not only allowing a better view but also protecting the rainforest from damaging foot traffic.

Corner Cape Tribulation Road & Tulip Oak Road, Cow Bay

Daintree Ice Cream Company

This one is a non-negotiable. As you make your way to or from Cape Trib, be sure to pop in for a sweet treat. Using an incredible assortment of tropical fruits grown on the farm, Daintree Ice Cream Co will intro you to flavours you didn’t even know existed. Think soursop, abiu, wattleseed and yellow sapote.

1819R Cape Tribulation Road, Diwan

Daintree Ecolodge 

For those who have escaped to Tropical North Queensland for some well-deserved R&R, look no further than the Wellness Spa, located in the Daintree Ecolodge. Inspired by the Indigenous wisdom of the traditional land owners, the Kuku Yalanji people, the healing properties of Australian botanical ingredients come to the forefront here. We recommend indulging in a Vichy (rain shower) treatment for the ultimate, full-body relaxation experience.

3189 Mossman-Daintree Road, Daintree

Mossman Gorge

Be mesmerised by the beauty of Mossman Gorge, located in the southern part of the Daintree. Take a guided walk through the rainforest, swim in the crystal-clear waters and learn about the history of the area from a local Indigenous guide. Unbelievably clear, sparkling water trickles over smooth boulders in the gorge and the nearby Mossman Gorge Centre is the place to hit for Indigenous walks, an art gallery and advice for exploring on your own.

Walk With An Aboriginal Custodian

The First Nations guides at Walkabout Cultural Adventures hold an abundance of knowledge about the history of their Country and how people interacted with the Daintree over the years. On an all-day tour, you’ll learn about this special environment from a Kuku Yalanji perspective, opening your eyes to an ancient way of seeing the world. Choose from a morning or an afternoon half-day tour, or a full-day Ngana Julymba Dungay (‘we all going Daintree’) tour visiting a number of culturally significant sites and local attractions to really solidify your knowledge of the Daintree and its ancient history and magic. You’ll get to taste bush tucker, learn about the environment, native plant use and even plant medicine, all while you’re experiencing the best of the Daintree.

Mossman, Port Douglas

So there you have it, the best things to do in the Daintree from water adventures to on-foot expeditions! Whilst you’re in the tropical Northern region of Queensland, don’t forget to add some of Cairns’ best food, wine and entertainment to your itinerary. If you’re killing time until your next big getaway, explore our favourite dreamy day trips from Brisbane for any time of year.

Writer

Lexie Mamo

5 November 2025

Lexie is the Brisbane Editor at Sitchu and has been part of the team since October 2020. Her background lies in fashion eCommerce and content marketing, having worked in digital roles across brands like Lorna Jane, Black Milk Clothing and dk active. A Brisbane native, Lexie covers food, lifestyle, events, and travel guides for the Sunshine State. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting coffee spots or snapping shots of her rescue cat for his Instagram account.