Explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on this private 12-hour tour from Cairns. You'll travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a naturalist guide, and visit Daintree National Park and its natural attractions such as Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. Discover the lush landscapes of what is probably the oldest rainforest in the world, explore the city of Port Douglas, take a ferry cruise across the Daintree River, and more.
After your private guide collects you from your Cairns hotel, your day trip begins with a drive north along the Captain Cook Highway, passing through the seaside suburb of Palm Cove. You'll learn about the history of the reefs at Double Island and Haycock Reef, and admire the towering Melaleuca trees that are hundreds of years old. If you want to stop for a photo op, just let your guide know: as this is a private tour, feel free to make requests.
Continue your journey north along the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, and stop at Rex Lookout for stunning views of Double Island and the backdrop of the Cordillera Australia mountains background. Your next stop will be the small seaside town of Port Douglas, where you can enjoy a short visit before heading to Mossman Gorge in the southern end of Daintree National Park, part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. , classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a morning tea break at Mossman Gorge Center.
You will then board a shuttle in the company of your naturalist guide, and reach the national park for a guided walking tour in the dense equatorial forest. Take in views of the granite boulders and crystal clear waters of Mossman River, and weather and weather permitting, you can go for a swim. Head north past the Mossman sugar cane fields, then stop for lunch before joining a short cruise down the Daintree River. If you're lucky, you might sneak a glimpse of a crocodile.
Back on dry land, continue north on a scenic drive to Cape Tribulation, enjoying the scenery of Daintree National Park en route. A stop at Alexandra Lookout will allow you to admire the coastal road you have just taken and enjoy the view of the mouth of the Daintree River, Snapper Island and Low Isles.
Continue even further north, stopping at the Marrdja Boardwalk for a guided walking tour through an area of the Daintree Rainforest with the richest biodiversity. Next, travel to Cape Tribulation, known as the location of two World Heritage Sites: the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. After admiring the beach, venture south towards the Daintree River, stopping along the way at the Daintree Ice Cream Company for an afternoon tea break. You will have the opportunity to taste local ice cream including seasonal tropical fruits (own expense).
Shortly after, you will arrive at the Daintree River and board the cable ferry to cross the waterway. You can then relax on the drive back to Cairns, where your day trip ends with drop-off at your accommodation.
