If you’re visiting Cairns there is no surprise that the Daintree Rainforest and Cairns Rainforest are sitting high on your list of must do things in Cairns. Situated north of Cairns and Port Douglas, the Daintree National Park is famous for being one of the most biodiverse rainforest areas in the world. The Daintree Rainforest and National Park are a part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, a slither of green stretching along the Queensland coast between Cooktown and just north of Townsville.
A holiday to Cairns and Port Douglas is the easiest way to visit the Daintree Rainforest and immerse yourself in everything there is on offer. With so many rainforest experiences on offer in Cairns, you might find yourself asking what is the best Cairns rainforest experience? Or what is the best way to see the Daintree Rainforest? We’ve summed up a few of our favourite Cairns rainforest experiences below…
1. River Drift Snorkelling through the Mossman River
If you’re looking for the most unique way to experience the Daintree Rainforest, you can’t go pass a River Drift Snorkelling tour with Back Country Bliss Adventures. Explore the Daintree Rainforest via river sled over the Mossman River. Tackle small river rapids, float under a canopy of green and uncover how this tropical rainforest is the world’s oldest. Accessible for a range of ages and swimming abilities, there is no other tour like this in the Daintree. To find out more see here: River Drift Snorkelling Tour and to take a sneak peak at what to expect: #RiverDriftSnorkelling Instagram.
2. Soar above with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Explore the Cairns rainforest from above with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Over the course of 7.5km, glide where only the birds can over the tropical rainforest canopy. Along the way there are two boardwalk stops to get out and uncover more about the ancient rainforest’s incredible story of survival. Situated near Cairns, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journeys between Smithfield (Cairns) and Kuranda Village.
3. Explore the canopy with Mamu Tropical Skywalk
If you’re visiting the south of Cairns/Innisfail area, you can’t go pass dropping by at Mamu Tropical Skywalk. Explore the rainforest floor, mid-level and canopy on especially designed rainforest walkways. This is a great stop to see south Cairns rainforest on your way to the nearby Atherton Tablelands.
4. Immerse yourself in the Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is something special and is a must do for everyone visiting Port Douglas and Cairns. Home to the Kuku Yalanji people, explore the emerald green pools, mossy boulders and beautiful Cairns rainforest. Here you can partake in a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk and immerse yourself in the ancient Indigenous stories of the area.
To maximise your time exploring Cairns rainforests (no one likes a day spent on a bus!) combine your Mossman Gorge and River Drift Snorkelling experience on Back Country Bliss Adventures’ Mossman Gorge Adventure Day. On this tour you’ll experience River Drift Snorkelling and Mossman Gorge, spending more time in the rainforest than any other Tropical North Queensland tour. Learn more about the experience here: Mossman Gorge Adventure Day.
5. Uncover more at Daintree Discovery Centre
Holiday but make it educational? We’ll find you at the Daintree Discovery Centre! Just north of the Daintree River, wander through the rainforest floor boardwalks and aerial walkways learning more about how this impressive rainforest has survived for over 130 million years.
