Top things to do in the Daintree Rainforest and Port Douglas

Why is the Daintree Rainforest such a big deal you ask? It’s estimated to be around 180 million years old, making it the oldest tropical lowland rainforest in the world. That’s quite insane when you think about it! It makes the Amazon and its 11 million years feel like a baby.
It covers a territory 16 times the size of Singapore. And if that wasn’t special enough, it sits alongside the Great Barrier Reef, making it the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites meet (in Cape Tribulation).

Explore the Daintree rainforest

It’s located about 1 hour drive north of Port Douglas. After crossing the Daintree River on the only cable ferry in tropical Australia (it only takes 5 minutes), you’ll start driving on the sealed road to Cape Tribulation. The road meanders through the lush Daintree Rainforest covered Alexandra Range. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful drive. If you feel hungry or need some energy on the way, take a break at the Daintree ice cream company. The fruits they use for their hand made ice cream are grown in their orchard. Trust me, it’s delicious.

What can I do in the Daintree Rainforest?

Well, one thing is certain, you won’t get bored. There are plenty of things to do here. You can choose amongst the many activities available or just wander on the tropical beaches to enjoy great views (don’t think of going in the water though as crocodiles prowl the area).

We thought that the best way to start would be to see it from the top of the canopy. So we went ziplining in the heart of the forest with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours. Ziplining from platform to platform was great fun, but what made it awesome for us was listening to the guides talk about the forest and its relationship with the aboriginal tribes in the area. If you’re lucky, you might even see a wild endangered Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo. They are sooooooooooo cute!

It’s the perfect introduction to the Daintree Rainforest and you’ll definitely feel more connected to the forest when you’re finished. It’s a great option if you have kids or if you’re ziplining for the first time.

On our way there, we stopped at Whet Cafe and Restaurant. There are several options around but this one was one of the many recommendations from Astrid and Kirsty from the Daintree EcoLodge & Spa. It was delicious. So if you need to grab a bite before or after your Jungle Surfing tour, don’t miss it 🙂

The next stop on your trip should definitely be the Daintree Discovery Center. Here, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the Daintree Rainforest and its inhabitants. They have an elevated boardwalk to see, smell and experience the rainforest first hand, a canopy tower sitting 23 meters above the ground and a couple of walks on the forest floor. The staff is welcoming and very helpful (ask them if the Tree Frogs are still hiding in the bathroom haha). There is also a reptile display where you’ll meet several types of pythons. I find those animals so fascinating. With a bit of luck, you might spot a wild Cassowary too. Together with the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo and the White Lipped Tree Frog (the biggest tree frog on the planet), the Cassowary is one of the endangered Australian species you can find here in the Daintree Rainforest.