Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation day tour from Cairns
Two World Heritage sites meet at Cape Tribulation, where rainforest drops to reef.
This full-day guided tour from Cairns explores the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation in a small group of up to 14 travelers, with hotel pickup included. You'll walk among ancient trees and granite boulders at Mossman Gorge, take a Daintree River wildlife cruise to spot crocodiles and native birds, cross the river by cable ferry into the world's oldest living rainforest, and stand at Cape Tribulation where two World Heritage areas meet. Morning tea with freshly baked scones, jam and cream, and a restaurant lunch featuring local produce (barramundi, chicken, steak, kangaroo or vegetarian) are included. The tour runs 11 hours with an experienced English-speaking guide.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
- Travel scenic coastal drive to Rex Lookout
- Stop in Port Douglas for orientation
- Shuttle to Mossman Gorge for walk and swim
- Enjoy morning tea with scones and jam
- Lunch at rainforest restaurant with local produce
- Guided Daintree River wildlife cruise
- Cross Daintree River by cable ferry
- Guided walk in Cape Tribulation rainforest
- Visit Alexandra Lookout for coastal views
- Stop for tropical fruit ice cream tasting
What’s included
- National Park entry fees.
- free hotel pickup from Cairns CBD, the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas.
- an experienced English-speaking guide with local knowledge.
- a multilingual audio guide app.
- travel in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter with a small group of up to 14.
- a Daintree River wildlife cruise.
- a guided rainforest walk and swim at Mossman Gorge.
- morning tea with freshly baked scones, jam and cream.
- and a restaurant lunch with a choice of barramundi, chicken, steak, kangaroo or vegetarian options.
Times
- Every day 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Discovery Tours Australia
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with a drive along one of the world's most scenic coastal roads, stopping at Rex Lookout for views over the Coral Sea and the Great Dividing Range before reaching the seaside town of Port Douglas. From there, you head into Daintree National Park for a guided walk through rainforest among ancient trees, granite boulders and crystal-clear waters. If conditions allow, you'll swim in the Mossman River. Morning tea with pastries, coffee and tea comes next, then a restaurant lunch in a relaxed rainforest setting with a choice of barramundi, chicken, steak, kangaroo or vegetarian options.
After lunch, the guide leads a Daintree River wildlife cruise where you watch for crocodiles, birds and other river species from the water. You then cross the river by cable ferry into the world's oldest living rainforest and explore the Cape Tribulation region: a guided walk through one of the most biodiverse areas of the Daintree. A stop at Alexandra Lookout gives you views back over the coastal road, the Daintree River mouth, Snapper Island and Low Isles. On the way back, there's a stop at one of the Daintree Ice Cream Shops where you can sample locally made ice cream featuring seasonal tropical fruits (at your own expense).
You travel in a luxury recent-model Mercedes Sprinter with up to 13 other travelers, led by an experienced local guide who knows the area intimately. National Park entry fees are included, as is free pickup from Cairns CBD, the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas. A multilingual audio guide app lets you follow the tour in your preferred language, and the pace is relaxed enough to absorb what you're seeing without feeling rushed.
Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means you leave early and return late, which rules out a second activity the same day but lets you move through all three major sites (Mossman Gorge, the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation) without backtracking or splitting the experience across two days.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What wildlife will I see on the Daintree River cruise?
The Daintree River wildlife cruise focuses on native species including crocodiles, birds and other river fauna. The guide points out what's visible from the boat, though sightings depend on the day and season.
Can I swim in the Mossman River, or is it optional?
A refreshing swim in the Mossman River is offered at Mossman Gorge if conditions allow. It's not guaranteed every day, but the guided walk through the gorge happens regardless.
What's included in the restaurant lunch?
Lunch at a rainforest restaurant includes your choice of barramundi, chicken, steak, kangaroo or a vegetarian option, all featuring local produce. Drinks and extras beyond the main meal are at your own expense.
How long is the drive from Cairns to the first stop?
The tour departs Cairns and travels along the scenic coastal drive to Rex Lookout, then continues to Port Douglas and into Daintree National Park. The total tour runs 11 hours, with the drive time built into that schedule.
What happens at Cape Tribulation?
At Cape Tribulation, you take a guided walk through one of the most biodiverse areas of the Daintree Rainforest, standing at the point where the rainforest meets the reef: the meeting place of two World Heritage-listed areas, the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef.
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation day tour from Cairns
11h · EN · at your hotel
from AU$ 283 per person
≈ US$ 202 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.