Port Douglas · Daintree · Cairns
Everything we'd tell a friend planning a trip to Port Douglas, the Daintree and Cairns: what to do, where to walk and swim, when to come and how to get around. Written by our local guides and checked regularly.
Things to do24 Best Things to Do in Port DouglasA local's guide to the best things to do in Port Douglas: Four Mile Beach, the Sunday markets, the reef, Mossman Gorge, the Daintree and easy day trips.Updated Oct 2026
Plan your tripThe Best Time to Visit Port Douglas and the Daintree: A Season-by-Season GuideFor most visitors, the best time to visit Port Douglas and the Daintree is the dry season, from May to September. Days are warm rather than hot, rain is light, and…Updated Oct 2026
Hikes and waterfalls20 Best Hikes Near Cairns and Port DouglasThe best hikes near Cairns and Port Douglas, from easy waterfall walks to Walsh's Pyramid and Bartle Frere, with distances, grades, drive times and current closures.Updated Oct 2026
Things to doRainy Day Things to Do in Port DouglasNew Oct 2026
Hikes and waterfallsWaterfalls & Swimming Holes near Port DouglasNew Oct 2026
Things to doDay Trips from Port DouglasNew Oct 2026
Things to doWhite Water Rafting Near Port Douglas and Cairns: A Local’s GuideNew Oct 2026Things to doRainy Day Things to Do in Port DouglasRainy day things to do in Port Douglas: what still runs in the rain, the best indoor activities, Daintree and Kuranda ideas, and wet-season weather facts.Updated Oct 2026Hikes and waterfallsWaterfalls & Swimming Holes near Port DouglasWaterfalls and swimming holes near Port Douglas, from guided hikes to Spring Creek and Mowbray Falls to Daintree creeks and crater lakes, with local safety tips.Updated Oct 2026Things to doDay Trips from Port DouglasThe best day trips from Port Douglas, with drive times, prices and what's open: Mossman Gorge, the Daintree, the reef, Kuranda, the Tablelands and more.Updated Oct 2026Things to doWhite Water Rafting Near Port Douglas and Cairns: A Local’s GuideBarron or Tully? Compare white water rafting near Port Douglas and Cairns: grades, ages, prices and pick-ups, plus a calmer float 20 min from town.Updated Oct 2026
The Daintree and Cape TribThe Daintree River: Cruises, the Ferry, Daintree Village and FishingYour local guide to the Daintree River: the best wildlife cruises, the cable ferry (hours and 2026 fares), Daintree Village, birdwatching and barramundi fishing.Updated Oct 2026
Hikes and waterfallsWangetti Trail Guide: What’s Open, What’s Being Built and What’s NextOur local guide to the Wangetti Trail between Palm Cove and Port Douglas: what's open now, what's being built, what's still being planned, and the latest updates.Updated Oct 2026
Rivers, beaches and swimmingRiver Safety: How We Keep the Mossman River SafeHow we keep River Drift guests safe: our own flood early-warning system, checks before every tour, first aid certified guides and a conservative approach.Updated Oct 2026
Hikes and waterfallsMossman Gorge: A Visitor’s Guide to the Shuttle, Walks and Swimming SafetyMossman Gorge is part of Daintree National Park, about 20 km north of Port Douglas, roughly a 22-minute drive. You park at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, catch a…Updated Oct 2026Plan your tripThe Best Time to Visit Port Douglas and the Daintree: A Season-by-Season GuideFor most visitors, the best time to visit Port Douglas and the Daintree is the dry season, from May to September. Days are warm rather than hot, rain is light, and…Updated Oct 2026Things to doCairns to Port Douglas Drive: The Best Stops on the Great Barrier Reef DriveThe drive from Cairns to Port Douglas follows the Captain Cook Highway for about 68 km and takes around an hour without stops. It’s the first leg of the Great Barrier…Updated Oct 2026
The Daintree and Cape TribThe Daintree River Ferry: A Practical Guide for Self-DriversThe Daintree River Ferry is the main way to drive to the Daintree coast and Cape Tribulation. It runs continuously from 5am to midnight every day, the crossing takes…Updated Oct 2026
Rivers, beaches and swimmingWhere can you swim around Port Douglas? A local’s guide to swimming safelyYes, you can swim safely in Port Douglas, but where you swim matters. The safest options are a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags (Four Mile Beach has a…Updated Oct 2026
The Daintree and Cape TribThe Diversity of the Mossman RiverVisiting the Mossman River with Back Country Bliss Adventures? Take a moment to learn about our incredible diversity and ecological history that brought us to where we…Updated Oct 2026
Things to do5 Must Do Cairns Rainforest ExperiencesIf 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…Updated Oct 2026
The Daintree and Cape TribThe Daintree With Kids: A Local Family GuideHow to do the Daintree with kids: the ferry, Daintree Discovery Centre, river cruises, Cape Tribulation boardwalks, a family zipline, fruit ice cream and family-friendly…Updated Oct 2026Hikes and waterfalls20 Best Hikes Near Cairns and Port DouglasThe best hikes near Cairns and Port Douglas, from easy waterfall walks to Walsh's Pyramid and Bartle Frere, with distances, grades, drive times and current closures.Updated Oct 2026
The Daintree and Cape Trib3 Day Daintree Rainforest Self Drive ItineraryLooking for the perfect Daintree Rainforest itinerary? We have you sorted. Starting and ending in Port Douglas, on this 3 day self drive Daintree Rainforest itinerary…Updated Oct 2026
Things to doThings to Do in the Daintree RainforestThe Daintree is where two World Heritage areas meet: the Wet Tropics rainforest runs right down to the Great Barrier Reef. Its rainforests are considered to be some of…Updated Oct 2026Things to do24 Best Things to Do in Port DouglasA local's guide to the best things to do in Port Douglas: Four Mile Beach, the Sunday markets, the reef, Mossman Gorge, the Daintree and easy day trips.Updated Oct 2026
Things to do22 Things to Do in Port Douglas With KidsFree beaches, the new splash park, Wildlife Habitat, the River Drift and family reef trips: 22 things to do in Port Douglas with kids, with prices, ages and local tips.Updated Oct 2026Our guides live here. Float the Mossman River on the River Drift, spend a day at Mossman Gorge, or plan a private day built around you.
