Bizi-Body Travel Guides Australia

Daintree Village

I have taken this bit of the adventure from above Port Douglas as Port Douglas deserves a page of its own. So we are going to start in Mossman and work our way up to Cape Tribulation . You can do this in a day but to see as much as you can it is a good idea to have a stop at Daintree Village and again at Cape Tribulation . So my suggestion would be 3 to 4 days.

Mossman windows As you go past Mossman on the left when coming from Cairns is a bungalow with a vast array of windmills, this made my husband and I smile every time we past.

Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge Rex Creek suspension bridge

Part of the Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge is one of the most popular visitor spots in the Wet Tropics. The rainforest walks are spectacular and the creek offers scenic views and opportunities for swimming. You can picnic by the river and spend hours relaxing in the cool shade of the rainforest. The Short Loop takes you along the banks of Mossman River , with plenty of spots to swim and play in the cool mountain waters and enjoy the rainforest scenery along the banks.

River circuit track – 400m return (10minutes) Grade: Easy

This easy circuit track starts from the car park and runs alongside the Mossman River , returning through the forest. To extend your walk, you can continue on to the Mossman River lookout and further on to the Rainforest circuit track via the Rex Creek suspension bridge and the Manjal Dimbi lookout.

Rainforest circuit track – 2.7km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy

This 2.7km loop track is accessed from the river circuit track via a suspension bridge over Rex Creek . There are views of Manjal Dimbi plus an access point to Wurumbu Creek. Signs provide information on rainforest plants and their uses by the Kuku Yalanji people for food, medicine and materials.

Guided tours and talks

The local indigenous community operates Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walks through the ancient Daintree forest on community land. You can learn about traditional bush tucker and medicine, Dreamtime legends, enjoy a billy tea and freshly baked damper, as well as some retail therapy in the Gift Shop and Art Gallery .

Past Mossman Gorge is the Karnak Playhouse and Rainforest Sanctuary is a spectacular amphitheatre with the backdrop of the Daintree National Park , just one hour's drive north of Cairns and thirty minutes from the resort town of Port Douglas, Far North Queensland .

Along the road you will find Wonga Beach Equestrian Centre. Their beach and rainforest horse riding tours are suitable for the first timer to the very experienced rider of all ages.

Small creature Emu juniors Grumpy

Next is the Daintree Mangroves Wild Sanctuary, not to be missed, we enjoyed the Sanctuary a lot well worth the visit. At the Sanctuary rare and endangered species such as the north-east Queensland 's Golden-shouldered Parrot and Gouldian Finches are bred alongside our more common species. You can also stay the night. Go and meet Grumpy and find out why crocodiles are so dangerous, it will open your eyes and hopefully make you more careful around there habitats.

Daintree Village

Daintree River Cruise Kenadon Homestead Cabins

Daintree Village is a refreshing, relaxing little village. Not a lot there but well worth the detour and stay the night. Very friendly and the riverboat tour from this end of the river is well worth the hour trip. We saw two female crocodiles and a 10 month old baby crocodile. Birds were abundant, but no snakes, much to the disgust of our boatman who will tell you tales of crocodiles that may make you wonder why you want to see them.

If you want really good food go to the Papaya Café. Stuart and Jan Moon will give you a very friendly welcome. Though the others are just as good for lunch, we personally loved the Papaya Café which was an excellent place for lunch and dinner. The place next to the Timber Gallery was open during the day and did snack type foods but the other two Papaya and Ellenor's Place were open in the evening.

We stayed in Kenadon Homestead Cabins overlooking a field with the mountains in the background.

Some usefull Links:

The Daintree Tourist Information Centre is a great place to go for help, very informative.
Eliza's Daintree Rainforest Pottery Visit the Pottery shop – I could have spent a lot of money but unfortunately I would have had to think how to get it home in one piece.
Daintree Timber Gallery well worth the visit.

There is a caravan/ campsite as well as a few hotels/b&bs:

There are 3 café's/ restaurant :

There were three boats going up the Daintree River from the village

Back to top

Where Do You Want to GO