The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree is the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on earth, an ancient, dense green jungle on the far north Queensland coast that has grown for some 180 million years. A UNESCO site where the rainforest tumbles down to meet white-sand beaches and the Great Barrier Reef at Cape Tribulation, it is alive with rare and ancient species, from the flightless cassowary to primitive plants found nowhere else.

History

The forest takes its name from the Daintree River, named in honour of the Australian geologist and photographer Richard Daintree. In 1988 the Wet Tropics, the Daintree among them, were listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. Part of the forest is protected as the Daintree National Park, and in 2021, under an agreement with the Queensland government, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people won formal ownership of 160,213 hectares of their country (Wikipedia, Daintree Rainforest).

What you'll find

• The ancient rainforest - the dense, primeval jungle of the oldest forest on earth.
• Cape Tribulation - where the rainforest meets the reef and white beaches.
• The wildlife - the cassowary, crocodiles and rare species.
• The boardwalks and river cruise - the walkways and Daintree River wildlife cruise.

When to go

May to October, the dry season, for the most comfortable weather, fewer mosquitoes and safer roads; the wet season from November to April brings heavy rain, flooding and marine stingers. Wildlife cruises run year-round.

Practical notes

It is remote, reached by a ferry over the Daintree River, with limited services and no phone signal in places, so plan ahead. Saltwater crocodiles make many waterways and beaches unsafe for swimming, so heed the warnings. It is hot, humid and buggy, and the cassowary, though iconic, is rarely seen.

Nearby

The Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas and Cairns are along the coast to the south.

Key facts