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Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation Tour

 

Daintree National Park was founded in 1981 and became a World Heritage Site in 1988 because of its exceptional biodiversity.  The southern and larger part of the park is called the “Mossman Gorge section” while the northern part is called the “Cape Tribulation section”.

The name of the park comes from the Daintree River, which was named after pioneering Australian geologist and photographer Richard Daintree.

The Daintree Rainforest is likely the oldest continuously existing rainforest on the planet.  It is estimated that it is more than 110 million years old.

The park houses more than 430 bird species, several rare mammals, at least 23 reptile and 13 amphibian species. 

 

Most importantly: There is absolutely no swimming in the ocean due to crocodiles, poisonous jellyfish and other hostile sea creatures in the water!

 

There are multiple companies offering day trips to Daintree, but you can self-drive if you like. 

The drive from Cairns to the Mossman Gorge Centre was about 1h 15min. 

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Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing Cape Tribulation beach at Daintree National Park, Australia
Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing big rounded boulders at Mossman Gorge at Daintree National Park, Australia
Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing crocodile during the Daintree River Cruise at Daintree National Park, Australia

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Our Australia Travel Guide has detailed information about the individual destinations, links to their locations in google maps, reviews and websites (if available).

Please see the Backpack & Snorkel Travel Store for more information.

Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing Cape Tribulation at Daintree National Park, Australia
beach views during the drive from Cairns to Diantree National Park, Australia
ocean and island views during the drive from Cairns to Diantree National Park, Australia
ocean and island views during the drive from Cairns to Diantree National Park, Australia
beautiful beach views during the drive from Cairns to Diantree National Park, Australia
yellow kangaroo next 6 km sign at night

The Mossman Gorge section covers 56,500ha of mostly inaccessible rainforests and mountain woodlands.  Coming from Cairns, you will enter Daintree National Park near Mossman Gorge.

 

At Mossman Gorge Centre you can board a shuttle bus that brings you to the gorge where you can see the Mossman River and all the rounded rocks it has created.  Swimming is permitted but can be dangerous.

Mossman Gorge at Daintree National Park, Australia
big rounded boulders at Mossman Gorge at Daintree National Park, Australia

Your next stop could be the Daintree River Cruise Centre for a 1h Daintree River cruise where you can spot large saltwater crocodiles.

crocodile during the Daintree River Cruise at Daintree National Park, Australia
crocodile during the Daintree River Cruise at Daintree National Park, Australia
Daintree River during the Daintree River Cruise at Daintree National Park, Australia

The next stop is the Daintree River Ferry, which is the only operating cable ferry in tropical Australia.

trees while crossing the Daintree River during the Daintree River Ferry ride at Daintree National Park, Australia
trees while crossing the Daintree River during the Daintree River Ferry ride at Daintree National Park, Australia

After the ferry, the wilderness starts and the road narrows and you will soon enter the Cape Tribulation section of the park.

The Cape Tribulation section covers 17,000ha including Australia's last extensive stretch of lowland rainforest.  Originally, this section was its own separate park, called “Cape Tribulation National Park”, but it was absorbed into Daintree National Park in 1983.

 

The next stop is the Mount Alexandra Lookout.

View from Mount Alexandra Lookout at Daintree National Park, Australia

The last stop is the Kulki Boardwalk that leads to Cape Tribulation Beach.  Alternatively, you can take Myall Beach track or Dubuji Boardwalk to Myall Beach.

Kulki Boardwalk at Daintree National Park, Australia
animal at Kulki Boardwalk at Daintree National Park, Australia
animal at Kulki Boardwalk at Daintree National Park, Australia
trees at Kulki Boardwalk at Daintree National Park, Australi
Cape Tribulation at Daintree National Park, Australia
Cape Tribulation beach at Daintree National Park, Australia
Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing view from Mount Alexandra Lookout at Daintree National Park, Australia
Australia Travel Guide by Backpack & Snorkel showing beautiful beach views during the drive from Cairns to Diantree National Park, Australia

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