Spanning around 130 million years, the Daintree has outlasted the dinosaurs and plays a crucial role in scientific research for medical conditions such as AIDS and cancer. Here are my top activities for this incredible rainforest.

1. Drift Down the River (No Crocs!)

The excitement began as I walked into the forest carrying a floatie for a river drift. The walk from the forest to the cool river was a welcome relief in the hot, humid rainforest, despite the water being quite cold. The team provided rash guards for the activity and conducted a test drift to show us how to maneuver the floatie. My first attempt was chaotic, with me bouncing off trees, but it was great fun!

We then moved to a larger part of the river, which was easier to navigate. We also tackled a fast, narrower section through the mangrove trees, where I still managed to bounce off a few trees. At the end of the drift, we relaxed in the shallows while the team shared the forest’s history before heading back for cookies and water.

I joined Back Country Bliss for this 2-hour river drift experience, which cost $139 per adult. I’d rate it 4.5/5. It was a fantastic adventure, and although I was initially worried about crocodiles, we were reassured that they avoid the shallow, cool, and fast-flowing waters of the mountains.

2. Explore the Rainforest

To start our rainforest adventure, we took a vehicular ferry across the Daintree River—a unique experience in itself, driving onto the ferry across croc-infested waters. After buying tickets from the Daintree Discovery Centre, we drove another 10km through ancient-looking trees.

At the Daintree Discovery Centre, we walked through treetop boardwalks for a unique perspective of the rainforest and climbed the 112-step canopy tower for an elevated view. The centre also has wildlife displays and animated dinosaur exhibits, which are great for kids. We saw one of the biggest accessible strangler figs in Daintree, which was impressive.

Although we couldn’t drive further into the rainforest to Cape Tribulation due to time constraints and cyclone damage, the discovery centre visit took about three hours from our hotel. I’d recommend spending more time to thoroughly explore the centre and walks. The ferry tickets cost $47 return per private vehicle, and access to the discovery centre was $39 per adult, including an audio tour, interactive booklet, and a 7-day pass.

I’d rate this experience 4.5/5. The ancient trees and unique rainforest views were captivating, although the centre felt more geared towards families and kids.

3. Take a Helitour

This was a bit challenging for me because I discovered that my motion sickness extends to helicopters. Despite my best efforts to enjoy the flight and capture footage, I struggled with nausea. We booked a 30-minute reef flight with Nautilus Flights through our hotel, but due to a miscommunication, we ended up on this flight instead of the rainforest tour we intended.

In hindsight, I was glad for the mix-up because we saw where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef—two world heritage sites. The pilot pointed out stingrays and turtles in the reef, adding to the experience. However, by the end of the flight, I was too nauseous to continue filming. The pilot apologized, thinking I didn’t enjoy the flight, but it was all fine since a rainforest flight would have been canceled due to cloudy skies.

The flight cost $1098 for 30 minutes. Although pricey, it was an incredible experience. I’d rate it 3.5/5 due to the high cost and my struggle with motion sickness.

4. Experience a Dreamtime Cultural Walk

The Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk starts at the Mossman Gorge Centre, where you meet your Kuku Yalanji tribe tour guide. After a quick toilet break and browsing the shops, we headed to the campsite. The guide offered us citrus-scented insect repellent, which I gladly used.

We began with a smoking ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits. The guide pointed out various plants, like the stinging nettle and black bean tree, used for food and tools. The black bean tree is also significant in research for conditions like AIDS. Another fascinating plant was the blushwood berry, known for its tumor-destroying properties.

We saw areas for traditional ceremonies and learned about the use of ochre for body paint, which helped tribes identify each other when crossing territories. Despite my arachnophobia, which caused a few freak-outs, the cultural insights were enriching.

The walk ended with damper, butter, and jam back at the campsite. This 90-minute walk cost $90 per adult, which I found to be good value. Booking directly with the cultural centre is recommended for the most accurate information. Overall, I’d rate this 4/5 for its cultural immersion and the opportunity to learn from an indigenous guide.

Other Recommended Activities

• See two world heritage wonders side by side at Cape Tribulation, where the Daintree National Park and Great Barrier Reef meet.
• Visit Mossman Gorge (can be seen as part of the dreamtime cultural walk as it’s in the same area and they do a drop off after the tour)
• Discover glow-in-the-dark plants, including bioluminescent moss, fungus, and glow worms.

Help Protect the Daintree

The Daintree is historically significant and home to many endangered species like the southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree kangaroo. The Queensland government has undertaken conservation efforts, including buying back privately owned parts of the rainforest and focusing on restoration and education.

Exploring the Daintree Rainforest was a remarkable journey, filled with adventure, cultural insights, and a deeper appreciation for nature’s wonders. Whether you’re drifting down a river, exploring ancient trees, or learning about indigenous traditions, the Daintree offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience.