Daintree Rainforest Hikes Near Port Douglas & Cape Tribulation – Including Mossman Gorge
We hiked through the lush Daintree Rainforest, exploring some of the best rainforest walks near Port Douglas, including the beautiful Mossman Gorge and the remote landscapes of Cape Tribulation. Along the way, we encountered the elusive cassowary, spotted crocodiles and snakes, and admired the rich birdlife that makes this ancient rainforest so special. This journey through tropical North Queensland combined unforgettable wildlife encounters with easy yet rewarding Daintree Rainforest hikes in one of Australia’s most remarkable natural settings.
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Port Douglas
Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, is a tropical gem. Its stunning beaches and warm climate provide the perfect backdrop for swimming, Daintree Rainforest hikes, golf, and Great Barrier Reef cruises. The town’s relaxed main street offers a delightful mix of shops, cafes, and galleries.
During our week in Port Douglas, we loved swimming and strolling along the wide sweep of Four Mile Beach. We hiked through the lush rainforest of Mossman Gorge and enjoyed wandering through the town’s relaxed, laid-back neighbourhoods.
Evenings in Port Douglas were especially memorable. We often headed to the wharf for dinner or a drink by the water. The Port Douglas Yacht Club quickly became a favourite, where we loved sitting outside, soaking up the views, and cooling off with a refreshing drink.
If you are in Port Douglas, a visit to Mossman Gorge is a must. Part of the World Heritage–listed Daintree Rainforest, the gorge is easy to access and just a 20-minute drive from town. Several short but rewarding walks lead through lush rainforest, and there is a beautiful waterhole where you can cool off with a swim. A pleasant café at the visitor centre makes it an easy place to linger — we enjoyed it so much that we visited twice during our short stay in Port Douglas.
Among the most impressive sights while walking through Mossman Gorge are the giant strangler fig trees, identifiable by their enormous buttress roots that help anchor them in the shallow rainforest soil.
There are several beautiful waterholes, perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day. After walking through the rainforest, cooling off in the clear water felt like the perfect way to finish our visit and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of Mossman Gorge.
From Port Douglas, we drove about an hour to Daintree Village, where we boarded a 90-minute wildlife cruise along the meandering Daintree River. The river felt alive with movement and sound — birds calling from the mangroves, dragonflies skimming the water’s surface, and the occasional splash hinting at hidden creatures below. We were thrilled to spot two massive crocodiles gliding next to us, and saw snakes slithering silently among the trees. Every turn of the river revealed something new, making it an unforgettable encounter with the raw beauty of Tropical North Queensland.
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Daintree & Cape Tribulation
The Daintree Rainforest, one of the world’s oldest rainforests, is millions of years old and teeming with life. It’s home to a remarkable diversity of plants and animals, many of which exist nowhere else on Earth — including about 30% of Australia’s frogs, pouched mammals, and reptiles. For nature lovers and adventurers, the Daintree offers outstanding rainforest hikes where you can spot unique wildlife such as cassowaries and tree kangaroos. With its lush trails, dramatic landscapes, and abundant wildlife, the Daintree Rainforest is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring tropical North Queensland.
Our two-hour drive from Port Douglas brought us to the iconic Daintree River and its famous ferry crossing — the gateway to the ancient rainforest. To reach Cape Tribulation, you take the Daintree Ferry, a short cable ferry that carries both vehicles and pedestrians across the river, connecting to the sealed roads that wind through the rainforest all the way to Cape Tribulation. Operating daily from 5 am to midnight, the ferry is more than just a crossing — it’s a fun, essential part of the journey, offering a first taste of the northern Daintree National Park and the lush wilderness that awaits beyond.
We spent two days in Cape Tribulation, a stunning coastal area within Daintree National Park where ancient rainforest meets pristine beaches. It’s an ideal base for exploring some of the most beautiful walks in the Daintree Rainforest.
We stayed at the Daintree Rainforest Retreat in Cow Bay, an immersive experience surrounded by lush greenery and hosted by warm, welcoming people. On arrival, we were initially puzzled to see local cars parked everywhere with their doors left open, day and night. The mystery was solved as soon as we entered our lovely room, scented with incense candles and sticks: in the intense tropical humidity, closing doors—cars included—would quickly turn them into steam rooms.
We were incredibly lucky on our first hike in the Daintree Rainforest to encounter the elusive cassowary, a magnificent, large, flightless bird. Remarkably, it behaved like a true gentleman, even pausing briefly as if for a photo session. Thankfully, it showed no aggression—important, as cassowaries can inflict severe and potentially lethal injuries if threatened. These powerful birds can run at surprising speed and are generally solitary, coming together only during the mating season, which made this calm, close encounter all the more special.
We had only a couple of days to explore Cape Tribulation, so we kept things easy—no hard hikes, just gentle walks through the rainforest. One of these was the Madja Boardwalk, a lovely loop winding through lush rainforest and muddy mangroves. At just 1.2 kilometres, the boardwalk is wheelchair-accessible and an easy, rewarding way to experience the diversity of the Daintree.
We also walked another wonderful boardwalk, the Dubuji—aptly named “place of spirits.” It took us about 45 minutes to stroll through the mangrove swamps, with frequent stops to read the interpretive signs explaining the local plants and wildlife.
Finally we did the Jindalba (meaning ‘foot of the mountain’) walk. This is an easy boardwalk through the Daintree rainforest at the foothills of Mount Alexandra.
On Cow Bay Beach we came across one of nature’s quiet artworks: delicate patterns of tiny sand balls scattered across the wet sand like miniature constellations. These intricate designs are created by soldier crabs, which sift the sand for food at low tide, rolling the cleaned grains into neat pellets and leaving them behind in radiating patterns. Each tide erases the canvas, and each day the crabs begin again, creating fleeting works of art that exist only for a few hours.
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Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, renowned for its amazing marine life. It is home to hundreds of coral species, 1.500 species of fish, as well as sea turtles, sharks, and rays. Each year, millions of visitors come here to explore the beautiful reef. From Cains and other places going cruises, snorkelling trips, and scuba diving tours out to the reef. However, rising sea temperatures and pollution are putting the future of the reef at risk.
When visiting North Queensland, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. We had planned to go while staying in Port Douglas, but strong winds forced us to postpone. Now in Cairns, where our journey began, we finally had our chance. On our last day the weather was perfect, and we headed out on a reef tour just before flying home—a fitting finale to our time in the tropics.
It took about two hours to reach the reef, giving us plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed morning tea on board while soaking up the stunning ocean views. The coastline slowly faded into the distance as we cruised toward the reef.
We enjoyed two wonderful snorkelling sessions: one directly from the boat and the other from a pristine sand cay alive with seabirds. The water was crystal clear, and slipping beneath the surface felt like swimming through an aquarium. Below us, vibrant coral gardens glowed in the sunlight, teeming with colourful tropical fish. We were lucky to spot graceful sea turtles gliding past and enormous giant clams resting among the coral—an unforgettable underwater world and a perfect finale to our Great Barrier Reef experience.
View at the underwater world
On the way back to Cairns, everyone was relaxed and happily exhausted after a fantastic day on the reef. The boat tour company, Passions of Paradise, was excellent—knowledgeable and caring guides, high-quality snorkelling gear, and, to top it off, a surprisingly delicious buffet.
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Our North Queensland adventure was a feast for the senses—vibrant landscapes, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests teeming with life. From the relaxed charm of Port Douglas to the remote beauty of Cape Tribulation, every moment offered something unforgettable. Whether sipping wine at sunset, hiking through mossy trails, or spotting rare wildlife like the elusive cassowary, this journey reminded us why this part of Australia is truly extraordinary. It’s a place that stays with you long after you leave, calling you back to explore its wonders again.
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