Daintree Rainforest from Cairns: Day Trips and What to See

The Daintree Rainforest, part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, sits north of Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway through Port Douglas. The town of Port Douglas is about an hour from Cairns, and the Daintree River crossing (by cable ferry) marks the entry to the Daintree Lowland Rainforest section, where ancient rainforest meets the Coral Sea at Cape Tribulation. Key stops include the Daintree Discovery Centre near Cow Bay (a canopy walk and interpretive tower in the forest), Cape Tribulation beach, and guided night walks for wildlife. Many visitors combine Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation in a single day from Cairns, but an overnight stay in the Daintree allows a more relaxed experience.