In order to enjoy the beauty of the World Heritage that is the Daintree Rainforest, head north from Cairns and drive for a couple of hours, or for about half that time from Port Douglas.
1. Orient yourself at the Daintree Discovery Centre
Credit: Visit Port Douglas Daintree
The Daintree Visitor Centre is located around 10 km north of the Daintree River. This is a great place to start a visit, as the centre provides information on all of the many things that there are to enjoy in the Daintree rainforest. Walk along the ancient forest floor and then ascend into the tree tops by following the aerial walkway routes.
Explore the prehistoric landscape that is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Join a group tour and head out into the forest with the assistance of an experienced guide, or you may choose to guide yourself using the audio tour provided upon arrival at the centre when paying the entry fee.
There is a theatre where films concerning the many conservation projects can be viewed. A recent addition to the things to do are 3D dinosaur exhibits that include a seven metre long Ripper Lizard, a Giant Thunderbird and a dynamic Diprotodon. These are massively appreciated by visitors, particularly children.
2. Explore Mossman Gorge
A series of walks, starting from the shuttle bus stop, provide viewing points providing stunning vistas of the river and mountains. Take the Baral Marrjanga trail to discover the Rex Creek Suspension Bridge. All the walks are rated as being ‘easy to moderate’ in their difficulty. The walks are considered to be among the best things to do in Daintree and take from 10 to 45 minutes. Maps are provided at the entrance and the walks are suitable for visitors of all ages.
3. Walk with the Original Custodians
A popular option for visitors is to take the ‘DreamTime’ walk in which an Aboriginal guide will provide an insight to ancient ceremonies, natural foods or ‘bush tucker’ and explain the background of the KuKu Yalanji culture that has been developed by the indigenous people over many millennia.
4. Go on a Daintree River Cruise
Of all the things to enjoy in Daintree rainforest, the river cruise is amongst the most popular due to the large amount of wildlife that is always available to be seen. Everybody wants to see a giant saltwater crocodile, there are many, but the cruise offers much more with an opportunity to view many exotic creatures, including birds, marsupials and spiders. The area has an international reputation for bird watching and draws ‘twitchers’ from all over the world.
5. Stay at a Luxury Eco Lodge
Credit: treehousebnb.com.au
Looking to complete the ultimate outdoor adventure? Why not stay in a luxury eco-friendly treehouse? Depending on what you booked for, the treehouse can range from simple rooms with ordinary furnishing to luxurious accommodation with a lot of comforts like a spa or hot tub or Jacuzzi.
This website has listed some luxury treehouse lodges all over Australia where you can luxuriate in the comfort of a treehouse room while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
6. Jungle Surf with a Zipline
Credit: denisbin – flickr.com
Fly through the tree canopy and get an exhilarating view of the prehistoric forest. Each two hour tour includes an hour in the forest canopy. The Zip lines are between 7 and 16 metres above the ground. The distance traveled on each zip line ride are between 37 and 95 metres. Most of the lines run parallel, side-by-side at speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour. This attraction is suitable for all ages.
7. Visit the Daintree Village
This was the original settlement in the area. It was established by wood cutters who moved to the area and dates back to the late 1800’s.
The wood cutters are long gone and today the village is based on ECO tourism and is home to a craft market, exhibitions and a number of cafes. Bed and Breakfast and a caravan park are available for visitors.
8. Head to Cape Tribulation
Credit: pixabay.com
This is the place to step out of the rainforest and on to the beach. Cape Tribulation is where the Daintree and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage sites meet. Among the attractions available at Cape Tribulation are horse riding and 4X4 expeditions. Boat trips are available to the Great Barrier Reef.