Best of Daintree in a small group

About this experience

Daintree Discovery Tours keeps this day to ten guests. That changes how it feels: the guide walks with you on the mostly boardwalk track at Mossman Gorge, morning tea is at the Mossman Gorge Centre, and there is room to ask questions. After a drive past the cane fields comes a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River, looking for snakes, birds and saltwater crocodiles.

North of the river, the listing includes a boardwalk of about 600 m, a lunch cooked to order at Heritage Lodge by Cooper Creek with an alcoholic drink included, and an optional swim in the creek. The listing describes that swim spot as free of crocodiles. Then a beach walk at Cape Tribulation with some history, tropical fruit ice cream and a last view from Alexandra Lookout before the ferry home.

The age limit is ten, which rules this out for young families. Guests staying in Cairns are not collected: they drive up and meet the group at the Wildlife Habitat car park in Port Douglas. Raincoats, umbrellas, repellent and chilled water are on board.

• Ten guests at most, with a personal guide
• Guided walk at Mossman Gorge and morning tea at the Centre
• River cruise looking for crocodiles, snakes and birds
• Lunch cooked to order at Heritage Lodge, with a drink
• Optional swim in Cooper Creek
• Fruit ice cream and Alexandra Lookout

How the day runs

1. MorningPickup and Mossman Gorge

   Pickup at your Port Douglas accommodation, then a guided walk on the mostly boardwalk track at Mossman Gorge.

2. Mid-morningMorning tea and the cane fields

   Morning tea at the Mossman Gorge Centre, then a drive north past the cane fields to the river.

3. About 1 hDaintree River wildlife cruise

   Looking for saltwater crocodiles, snakes and birds along the banks.

4. MiddayBoardwalk and lunch at Heritage Lodge

   A boardwalk of about 600 m, then lunch cooked to order by Cooper Creek, with an optional swim.

5. AfternoonCape Tribulation and ice cream

   A beach walk with the history of the cape, then tropical fruit ice cream.

6. Late afternoonAlexandra Lookout and home

   The view over the river mouth, the ferry and the drive back to Port Douglas.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can swim at Cooper Creek without fuss.
• Coming from Cairns? Allow about an hour to drive to the Wildlife Habitat car park in Port Douglas.
• With ten seats at most, book well ahead if your dates are fixed.
• Bring a dry bag for your phone if you plan to swim.

Read next:

• The best Daintree tour
• Is a tour worth it?

Frequently asked questions

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