Daintree Rainforest Bucket List
I lived and worked in the Daintree Rainforest while I was completing my Australian working holiday visa. The rainforest is an incredibly beautiful and unique place to explore. It is the perfect destination to go off the grid and reconnect with nature. As a foreigner, living in the Daintree Rainforest allowed me to see a wild, and unbelievably beautiful side of Australia. I definitely recommend adding it to your road trip or making it your next vacation destination. The Daintree is sure to satisfy everyone; from adventurous backpackers to nature enthusiasts. Here are 21 Awesome things to do in the Daintree Rainforest.
My Favorite View
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1. Go Crocodile Spotting
Ask a local where the crocs hang out or go on one of the Cape Tribulation Wilderness Cruises to get up close to these awesome beasts.
2. Relax on a secluded beach
There are heaps of beautiful beaches to explore throughout the Daintree Rainforest. Bring a good book, or just soak up the sun. My favorites are Cape Tribulation Beach and Cow Bay
3. Cool off in a swimming hole
Nothing beats splashing into a refreshing pool of water on a hot sunny day. Since the ocean is off limits, the swimming holes are the place to be. Emmagen Creek is my favorite spot to cool off. Channel your inner Tarzan and launch into the water via rope swing.
Emmagen Creek
4. Take a tour to the Great Barrier Reef
Cape tribulation is the closest place to access the reef, and in my opinion the best! Far fewer crowds, and flourishing reefs is what you will find. Most likely you will even get to swim with Sea Turtles. Sailaway offers a fun Catamaran cruise out to the reef and a ton of time to check out all the fish and coral formations. Feeling adventurous? Jump on the Ocean Safari speed boat and zip through the waves.
5. Try exotic Ice Cream
Visit the Daintree Ice Cream Co. and taste the unique flavors of the tropics. All the ice cream is made from the plants grown in the rainforest. The flavors are always changing so you never know what you will get. Stroll around the fruit farm and see the plants that created your treat.
6. Venture up to Cooktown
If you have a 4wd car, head north from Cape Tribulation for an off the beaten path adventure. Start the journey crossing through Emmagen creek and follow the scenic drive all the way to to Cooktown. Don’t miss the beautiful Bloomfield Falls at Wujul Wujul, and go off roading on the beach at Archer Point. Once you make it to Cooktown, enjoy some fresh fish for lunch on the harbor.
Bloomfield Falls
7. Chase Waterfalls
Alexandra Falls are accessed via the Heritage Resort. Get ready to trek up a creek to reach these beautiful falls. It’s a strenuous climb but well worth it!
Alexandra Falls
8. Catch a fish!
There are heaps of places to throw a line in the water. Just be careful not to stand too close to the edge, you don’t want to have to wrestle a crocodile.
9. Have a beach bonfire
Gather some driftwood and palm fronds from the beach and light up a fire any night. Nothing beats beers, music and friends around the fire.
10. Watch the sunrise
Crawl out of your tent at Cape Trib Camping in time to witness a beautiful sunrise coming up over the ocean.
11. Find a Secret Swimming hole
Befriend a local and ask for directions to the secret swimming holes. You’ll be amazed by the beauty tucked into the jungle. My Favorite is cough* cough* Noah’s Creek cough* cough.
Noah’s Creek
12. Camp under the stars
Cape Tribulation camping offers the ideal location to view the stars. A nice grassy campground is cut out of the jungle. View the starts from your tent or walk onto the beach for an even better view.
Cape Trib Camping
13. Horseback riding on the beach
Cape Trib Horse Rides gives you the opportunity to gallop along the beach and through the jungle. Local Steve, will definitely give you an Aussie experience.
14. Spot a Cassowary
Sounds like a mythical creature right? There are signs all along the highway to look out for Cassowarys, but they aren’t easy to find. If you are lucky enough to see one, these native birds will amaze you! Just don’t get too close
15. Enjoy a delicious Wood Fire pizza
Grab a drink and enjoy the vibes at the Cape Trib Campground restaurant. Can’t beat cheap beers and pizzas named after sea turtles and the Daintree itself.
16. Treat yourself to fancy cocktails and delicious food at Whet Restaurant
Whet Restaurant looks like it grew out of the jungle, and is a beautiful restaurant to enjoy a meal. Its also a popular spot amongst locals, and you can’t get a better cocktail anywhere else in the jungle
17. Don’t forget to check out Port Douglas
This is a cute town located between Cairns and the Daintree. You can enjoy a dip in the ocean here (as long as its not jelly fish season) and there are a lot of cute restaurants and shops. One of the best pies I ever tried was from Grant Street Kitchen.
18. Fly across the jungle canopy
Jungle Safaris offers a fun zip lining experience through the forest. Learn more about the botany and have fun flying through the air.
19. Climb Mt. Sorrow
The name says it all. This is a difficult 4-5 hour hike to the peak of Mt. Sorrow. When you reach the top you will get to look down on the rest of the jungle and ocean below.
20. Go on a nature walk
There are a few well made paths that will take you through the jungle and allow you too see tons of different plants and animals living in the rainforest.
21. Enjoy a fresh coconut
Climb into a tree or find an untouched coconut on the sand. Crack it open and enjoy the delicious juice!
I hope this list inspires you to explore the Daintree Rainforest. We are so fortunate to have access to the oldest rainforest in the world. The beauty is unmatchable, and there are so many things to do in the Daintree Rainforest.
Did I miss anything on my list? Leave a comment
Heyyyyy! Beautiful post on things to do. Will endeavor to do them all! I did some research of Noah’s creek and it seems to be a private lodging to access, the photo of the rocks and swimming hole on this blog – is it off the bridge access from the road?
Hi Cassie,
We accessed Noah’s Creek off the bridge access from the road. The trail was not well defined and it was definitely an adventurous mission. We mostly followed the creek. I wrote this post in 2018 and I have not visited again since then so it is possible that things have changed! Either way, the Daintree Rainforest is beautiful and you will have an incredible time.