Situated north of Cairns, the Daintree offers approximately 1200 square kilometres of partly protected National Park beside the Great Barrier Reef and Port Douglas. Popular for both daytrips and overnight stays, the Daintree was given World Heritage listing in 1988 and is renowned as the world's 'oxygen factory'. Home to millions of plants, this vegetation forms a matrix that supports a unique and delicate ecosystem.
The Daintree River runs through the rainforest which is considered on the oldest on earth and is home to an impressive number of reptile, frog, bat, marsupial, butterfly and bird species as well as 13 species of birds that don't exist anywhere else on earth.
Many of the plants that exist here date back to the dawn of time and provide an unforgettable wet tropics experience in Tropical North Queensland. Nestled on the banks of a bend in the mighty Daintree River is the secluded, tranquil and unspoilt Daintree Village.
The Daintree offers the best of both worlds with huge expanses of unique natural environment to enjoy in peace, relaxing to the sound of birdcalls and discovering the abundance of wildlife which perfectly contrasts with the adventure to be had on the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree River.
There are a number of tour operators who provide reef adventures allowing you to swim, snorkel and dive the crystal clear waters and discover the colourful corals and tropical marine life that call it home. There are also a number of Daintree Rainforest and Daintree River tours available that perfectly showcase this scenic region including river cruises, kayaking, 4WD adventures, rainforest treks and wildlife spotting. The Daintree Discovery Centre is a great location for learning more about the rainforest and its wildlife (see our Daintree location map).
The Daintree also offers easy access to a number of other holiday destinations should you wish to explore this spectacular part of North Queensland further. Port Douglas is just a short trip away as is Cape Tribulation.
Cross the Daintree River by vehicular ferry and follow the winding road through the pristine rainforest and over tidal rivers and creeks often inhabited by crocodiles to the diverse tourist areas of Cape Tribulation, one of the only places in the world where the reef meets the rainforest.
