Self Drive Information - Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

Rex Look Out:

If you want a breathtaking photo opportunity, Rex Lookout is  where you need to go. Located in between Cairns and Port Douglas, Rex Lookout provides a pristine viewpoint of Trinity Bay below, and pairs as a perfect backdrop to any photo. It doesn't matter if you're a fan of sun and sand, this view is worth the stop.

Janbal Indigenous Art Gallery:

Janbal Gallery located in Mossman is more than just an Aboriginal Art Gallery, it is a wonderful Aboriginal art experience that is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and operated. Come and learn about Aboriginal art and culture through hands-on painting workshops and storytelling experiences or simply browse that gallery at your leisure. Binna is a local Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman and he is passionate about sharing his culture, dreamtime stories and visual interpretations with visitors from all over the world. Join an Aboriginal Art Workshop where you will learn about the Kuku Yalanji history and culture whilst Binna shows you how to create your own art piece that you can take home with you. Entry to the gallery is free, however, there is a charge for the Art Workshops.

Port Douglas Four Mile Beach:

Four Mile Beach is considered the premier beach of Port Douglas, beginning at the northern rocky headland and continuing for four more miles without any buildings or construction interrupting the pristine views.

Port Douglas Flagstaff Hill Lookout:
If you need a picture worth framing (or posting) look no further than the Flagstaff Hill Lookout. Located at the summit of Island Point Road, it is an easy walk, bike ride or even short drive to the lookout viewing area. From here you will witness sweeping, majestic views of Four Mile Beach and the rainforest-clad mountain ranges to the south. Venture along the Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail down to Four Mile Beach and to the viewing platform and take in the 180-degree views to the Coral Sea, Low Isles and Snapper Island to the north.

Port Douglas Markets:

If you're making a visit or staying in hotel accommodation in Port Douglas, be sure to drop by the Sunday markets. Vendors come from all over the Far North to sell their products; you'll find arts and crafts, jewellery, fruit and vegetables, glassware, books, coffee, boats, and more.  Every Sunday from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures:

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is simply the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in Tropical North Queensland. With over 2100 metres of timber boardwalks and pathways leading you on a journey of discovery through woodlands and rainforest where you can see an array of wildlife, including beautiful tropical birds, reptiles, insects and other native fauna.

Enjoy entertaining and educational wildlife presentations including snakes, cassowaries, koalas, crocodiles, quolls and much more. Take a boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon to see crocodiles and other wildlife on our melaleuca wetland. Learn about sustainable use and conservation on our Crocodile Farm tour.

Open from 8:30am to 5:00pm every day of the year except Christmas Day and the Iron Man Event- located just 100 metres off the Captain Cook Highway on the spectacular scenic drive between Cairns and Port Douglas.

Mossman Gorge:

You'll be met with a truly magical scene of glistening, crystal-clear water flowing rhythmically over ancient granite boulders that have come to rest in the shallow waters of the gorge. Put on your swimming costumes and jump into the cool waters of the gorge. Mossman gorge provides the absolute perfect place to kick back, relax and enjoy the ambience of your surroundings.

The gorge also has several easy walking trails to offer, all of which allow you to explore the area and view some of the many marvels that this rainforest has on display. Entry can be pre booked or paid at the door.

Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walk:

You are welcomed with a traditional 'smoking' ceremony that cleanses and wards off bad spirits. The walk then meanders through stunning rainforest and takes in traditional huts or humpies. Your experienced interpretive Indigenous guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identify bush food sources and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Your guide demonstrates traditions like making bush soaps and ochre painting. At the end of the tour enjoy traditional bush tea and damper.

Mossman Gorge Drift Snorkel:

Would you like to do something unique in amongst the Daintree Rainforest that is one of a kind in Australia? This small group half day tour will see you drift with the river current and snorkel in the cool refreshing waters of Mossman River.

Explore the life under the water's surface amongst the tropical rainforest and keep an eye out for the occasional turtle. The perfect way to cool off in the tropics.

Daintree ferry:

The vehicle ferry is the only way to cross the Daintree River. The Daintree Ferry operates daily between 5am and midnight. The crossing itself takes about 10 minutes but there can be a waiting times, especially during the peak season. During these months the busiest hours tend to be mid morning to lunch time going north, and between mid afternoon and 5pm returning south. 

Alexandra Lookout:

From the lookout, visitors can gawp out over jaw-dropping views of the Daintree Rainforest and its coastline where it meets the impressively blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef. There's also the chance to spot the Daintree River as it snakes through the landscape.

Daintree Discovery Centre:

The Daintree Discovery Centre is an award-winning world class interpretive facility that allows visitors easy access to every level of the Daintree Rainforest. Admission includes personal handheld audio guides, a take home 68 page Daintree Rainforest Guide Book, loads of interesting signage, displays and wildlife exhibits. The specially designed Daintree Rainforest tours allow you to absorb all the fascinating information about this precious environment at your own pace; audio tours are available in 8 different language; learn about the history, culture, plants and animals of the Daintree and how they have survived for millions of years!

Cape Tribulation Boardwalks - Jindalba, Dubuji and Marrdja Boardwalks:

Jindalba is the traditional Kuku Yalanji people's name for this area. This 700 metre rainforest boardwalk circuit winds up the hill and sometimes reaches four metres off the ground. It offers some elevated views of this lowland rainforest, including creeks, king ferns and fig trees. The information signs explain the complexities of rainforest structure and ecological processes - how different species have evolved to survive in the rainforest environment.

The Daintree Rescue Program funded the construction of the Dubuji Boardwalk to minimize tourism impacts on this sensitive area. The 1.2 kilometre track begins at the carpark and meanders through the vine forest, mangroves, sedge swamps and fan palms of this special forest. Spring fed creeks flow through area, which supports a wide diversity of plant and animal life. There are many viewing areas along the path, allowing you to stop, read the information signs and take in the surrounding beauty at this popular destination.

The Marrdja Boardwalk is among the most accessible, and most interesting of all these trails. It is a looped walk that begins and ends at Oliver's Creek, a glistening stream that emerges from beneath the thick rainforest canopy. Since it is only 1.2km in length and is entirely wheelchair accessible, many people don't expect much of the trail, but although the walk is short, it will take you on a 350-million-year journey through the park's history. The informative signs along the boardwalk will teach you of this land from prehistoric times, and as you walk you will find the signs explaining that this rainforest is one of the only places on earth to still be preserving many ancient trees.

Beaches - Myall Beach, Cow Bay and Cape Tribulation Beach:

Cow Bay Beach is located between the magical Daintree and Cape Tribulation in North Queensland. It is a sight of paradise, where you can easily get lost for hours in its beauty. It is a feast your eyes cannot help but immerse themselves in with the incredible merging colours of beauty from the hues of the sea to the lush green surrounding forest and to the golden sands.

Myall Beach is on the southern side of the Cape Tribulation headland; the place where two World Heritage areas meet, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. It is at this magnificent location that the end of the Great Barrier Reef Drive journey is achieved.

Cape Tribulation Beach is literally the place where the rainforest meets the reef! At low tide, you can spot fringing coral almost kissing the sand on the beach, whilst you can look back in land and see the lush trees of the ancient Daintree rainforest. Alongside this, a backdrop of mountains and a mangrove-dotted cape make this beach ultimately picture perfect.

Snorkelling - Ocean Rafting:

Leave the crowds behind with our half day Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour. You'll share your experience with only 24 fellow snorkelers on reefs that no other tour boats visit. The journey to these pristine reefs takes only 25 thrilling minutes in a rigid inflatable boat that is driven by 700hp engines and departs from the shores of Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest.

Visit Undine and Mackay Reefs for two hours of snorkelling beautiful untouched corals beds, teeming with a huge variety of marine life. A regular hotspot for turtles, also keep your eyes peeled for rays, little reef sharks, giant clams and the odd octopus passing by not to mention the many species of colourful resident fish.