Being able to venture into the heart of one of the world’s oldest rainforest on a tour blending nature, culture, and adventure into one package was simply priceless.
Sure, you could check out the rainforest on your own, but you won’t be able to see this special place the way it’s meant to be. I highly recommend taking one of the top Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation tours, offering a rare glimpse into an ecosystem that’s flourished for millions of years.
With plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth and the opportunity to learn from Indigenous guides, these tours have been some of the most insightful and beautiful. Let’s jump right into the 5 best tours of this kind!
Best Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Tours
Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip | Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield Track Tour | Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns | |
---|---|---|---|
Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
Start: | 7:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:45 AM |
Duration: | 10 to 12 hours | 10 hours | 12 hours |
Includes: | Welcome ceremony and Mossman Gorge, Daintree River cruise (if option selected), lunch, live commentary, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle, guided rainforest walk | 1-hour Daintree River cruise with coffee, tea, and biscuits, lunch, National Park fees, guided walk through rainforest, Cable Ferry crossing | Travel in custom-built vehicle, professional driver guide, live commentary, guided walk in Mossman Gorge, river cruise, tropical lunch |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Tours For 2024
- Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip
- Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield Track Tour
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns
- Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge and Daintree Rainforest Day Tour
- Cape Tribulation & Daintree Wilderness (TCT)
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Tour Reviews
1. Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip
- Duration: 10 to 12 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Welcome ceremony and Mossman Gorge, Daintree River cruise (if option selected), lunch, live commentary, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle, guided rainforest walk
Located right in the heart of tropical North Queensland sits a little piece of heaven waiting for adventurers to explore: the Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree.
Australia is known for having breathtaking landscapes, but I have to say this was one of the most impressive regions for me – not only because of the nature, but the history and culture surrounding it.
You’ll get to see it all, with the Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip tour, taking you through the more popular areas to the elusive hidden gems that most don’t get to see.
If it’s your first day in the region, I highly recommend taking this all-day tour that just seems to make the whole experience streamlined and convenient.
Our tour started out with our guide picking us up right from our hotel in a spacious vehicle with climate control, making it nice and comfortable for us. Our guide and driver was very informative and friendly, offering interesting commentary as we drove out to the very center of the wilderness.
Our first stop for the day was the Mossman Gorge, offering all the magic of everything you’d expect from a lush rainforest filled with exotic wildlife and plants.
While I’m definitely a nature person, the highlight for me here was learning about the Kuku Yalanji and experiencing the Welcome to Country and Smoke ceremony in this important place.
Expand To See More
We then we hiked up the hills to a beautiful gorge where we were able to take. rewarding dip in the clear, green waters!
After that, we checked out the Daintree River Wildlife and Crocodile Cruise on the river, which was much less scary and much more beautiful than it might sound!
We had a short break then headed to the Daintree Village Hotel for a relaxing, filling lunch with fresh produce to fuel up before having dessert at a local ice cream company made from their own orchards!
Finally, we relaxed and explored Thronton Beach, offering a unique blend of stunning ocean views and thick rainforest.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield Track Tour
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:00 AM
- Includes: 1-hour Daintree River cruise with coffee, tea, and biscuits, lunch, National Park fees, guided walk through rainforest, Cable Ferry crossing
If you’re one of those adrenaline junkies like me, you’ll find that your run-of-the-mill tours into the wilderness often aren’t exciting enough.
They take you on a very sterile tour with cookie-cutter commentary that you could realistically find from a simple Google search. For those who want more in both adventure and knowledge, check out the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield Track Tour!
I really feel that if you’re heading into such a culturally important, delicate area filled with wildlife, it needs to be in small group settings, only.
This way, you do not disturb the environment, and you get adequate attention from your guide if you have any questions. They picked us right up from our hotel in a vehicle perfect for off-roading, complete with 4-wheel drive!
After our early morning pickup, we headed straight to Mount Alexandra Lookout in the Alexandra Mountain Range, which was simply breathtaking!
We got to see completely panoramic views of World Heritage, Wet Tropics, and the rainforest meeting with the bright blue Coral Sea!
Expand To See More
After that, we headed down to the Daintree River for a relaxing cruise complete with morning tea as we learned about the crocodiles, mangroves, and other wildlife!
Then we took the 4WD to the Bloomfield Track, racing over the bumpy landscape, arriving at a cool rainforest stream for a dip at Emmagen Creek’s clear waters!
We dried off with a little stroll along the beach and boardwalk at Cape Tribulation, enjoying a tasty lunch and ice cream here! It was a fantastic day perfectly balancing relaxation and good food with gorgeous scenery and lots of excitement!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns
- Duration: 12 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 6:45 AM
- Includes: Travel in custom-built vehicle, professional driver guide, live commentary, guided walk in Mossman Gorge, river cruise, tropical lunch
I’ve spent plenty of time hiking and exploring rainforests around the world, but few are as captivating as the ancient landscape of Daintree and Cape Tribulation!
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a little bit and breathe some fresh air into your lungs, look no further than this next tour!
The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns takes you to the depths of the world’s oldest rainforest, guided nature walks, an authentic Aussie lunch, and much more!
Starting off with our guide picking us up first thing in the morning right from our hotel, we took advantage of the daylight as much as possible.
Our vehicle was very spacious, with comfortable seats, air-conditioning, and big windows so we can enjoy the picturesque landscapes as we cruised on.
Throughout the right, our guide offered interesting narration about the history, culture, geology, and much more as we passed different areas.
Expand To See More
Our first stop was the Mossman Gorge, where we learned about the local Kuku Yalanji people, their culture, as well as the ancient rainforest, itself, on a guided walk.
Following this up, we relaxed and enjoyed a serene cruise down the clear green river, while learning about their native crocodiles and other wildlife! After, we’d worked up quite the appetite, and enjoyed a mouthwatering BBQ lunch right in the middle of the ancient rainforest!
After refueling, we headed to Cape Tribulation Beach, where we walked on the soft sands while learning about Captain Cook’s time here.
After that, we had time to soak up all the knowledge we’ve gained at the Mount Alexandra Lookout while taking photos and videos. Last but not least, we ended with a sweet treat of a tasting cup with 4 local ice cream flavors made from their local ingredients.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge and Daintree Rainforest Day Tour
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:00 AM
- Includes: National Park fees, lunch, coffee and/or tea, driver/guide, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, cruise on Daintree River
Mixing luxury with nature, the Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge and Daintree Rainforest Day Tour lets you explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness found in the northern part of the country.
If you’re in Cairns and would like a day away from the city, there’s no better way to spend it than on this beautiful, educational tour with a professional guide. With small groups limited to just 14 people, you can expect personalized attention with a friendly bunch of people to accompany you.
Just like with the other tours I’ve covered in this guide, we started our tour off early in the morning with our guide picking us up from our hotel in Cairns.
We didn’t have to worry about driving ourselves anywhere – rather, we were able to sit back and relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery and educational commentary by our guide. We even made a stop at Rex Lookout for amazing views and excellent photo ops!
Our first official stop was at the charming little seaside village of Port Douglas for a quick tour and great coffee before going to Mossman Gorge for a little morning tea at the Gorge Centre.
Mossman Gorge was gorgeous, but the fresh scones with local jams and the Naturalist guide really made it so much more special and enriching!
Expand To See More
We then made a welcome break at the Daintree Teahouse Restaurant, which is the oldest one in the area with high standards for their tasty dishes!
After that, we headed down to the river for a cruise with our small group, while our expert guide pointed out crocodiles and other local flora and fauna!
I had a ton of fun at Thornton Beach, stopping at Marrdja for a guided walk as they pointed out ultra-rare plants and even some local critters to us! It was a day that required a lot of energy, but it was so exciting that the hours just flew by!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Cape Tribulation & Daintree Wilderness (TCT)
- Duration: 12 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:00 AM
- Includes: Morning tea, lunch, air-conditioned vehicle, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Daintree River Cruise
If you’re a nature lover and have found yourself in Australia, I’m willing to bet you want to see some koalas and kangaroos!
If so, you should put the Cape Tribulation & Daintree Wilderness (TCT) tour at the top of your list! Not only does it involve cute critters, but you’ll get to get away from the city and head into a remote paradise complete with ancient rainforests and pristine beaches.
Setting off from Cairns, you’ll be picked right up at your hotel from your guide, so there’s no need to book Ubers or anything.
The air-conditioned vehicle is very spacious and comfortable, winding through lush coastal landscapes as your guide regales you with interesting anecdotes and historical accounts.
Arriving first at Mossman Gorge, you’ll step into a world brimming with natural splendor, with towering trees and crystal-clear streams.
We learned about the area’s rich Indigenous heritage, along with the diverse ecosystem complete with hidden waterfalls, tranquil pools, and plenty of wildlife and exotic plants.
Expand To See More
Our visit to Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas was so educational and interesting, where we even got to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies! Seeing the endangered Cassowary and Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo was also something special, as we likely won’t get the chance to see them again.
We then got back into nature, crossing the Daintree River on a cable-driven ferry, which was a beautiful experience taking in the magnificent landscapes.
Make sure to get your cameras ready, because once you arrive to the Mount Alexandra Lookout, you’ll definitely want to have photo evidence! Overall, it was an amazing time that gave me a whole new perspective on this region.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip is our Editors Choice for the best Daintree Rainforest tour