The Daintree Rainforest is not only one of the most popular landscapes in Australia but also the only place where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites meet each other, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. This magnificent region has been a drawcard for travellers from all over the country for years and thankfully it's easy to get to. Regardless of where you're travelling from, there are a couple of ways to get to the Daintree Rainforest including flying and self-driving.
Flying to the Daintree Rainforest
While there's no airport located in the Daintree Rainforest, flying is still the quickest and most popular way to travel to this isolated paradise. The closest airport to the Daintree is Cairns International Airport (CNS), around 120km north of the rainforest. There are several flights available daily from all major cities including Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Hobart with the flight time differing depending on where you're flying from. Travelling from Hobart to Cairns will take you the longest at just over 6 hours while travelling from Brisbane will take the shortest amount of time at 2 hours.
The prices for a ticket will also differ depending on which state you're travelling from and what season you're travelling in. The cheapest flight starts at around AUD$160 from either Sydney or Brisbane and the most expensive flight is around AUD$550 for a Hobart to Cairns route.
From Cairns International Airport, you can choose to hire a car from one of six car rental companies (Avis, Budget Car Rental, Thrifty, Hertz, Redspot, and Europcar) onsite or catch public transportation to take you to the Daintree Rainforest. If you're self-driving from the airport, the journey will only take you 1 and a half hours, however, if you're catching the bus, the journey will be a bit longer at 2 hours.
Driving to the Daintree Rainforest
Driving to the Daintree Rainforest is a big undertaking regardless of the state you're travelling from with many routes taking over 24 hours. While this option of transportation might not be the quickest way to get to the Heritage-listed site, it does make for one epic road trip and gives you the opportunity to see some pretty incredible landscapes along the way.
All major freeways leading to the Daintree Rainforest are relatively well maintained and have good, bold signage. Be sure to watch out for speed limitations, traffic, and animal crossings (especially in rural or country areas) that may impact your journey. See below the driving times from major cities in all states:
- Driving from Melbourne to the Daintree Rainforest takes around 34 and a half hours.
- Driving from Sydney to the Daintree Rainforest takes around 31 hours.
- Driving from Hobart (plus a ferry crossing) to the Daintree takes around 52 hours (2 days & 4 hours).
- Driving from Adelaide to the Daintree Rainforest takes around 35 hours
- Driving from Perth to the Daintree takes around 59 hours (2 days & 10 hours)
- Driving from Darwin to the Daintree Rainforest takes around 31 hours
- Driving from Brisbane to the Daintree takes around 24 hours.
How to get from Cairns to the Daintree
Getting from the city centre of Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest is extremely easy, only taking 2 hours by car via the National Route 1. The journey can take you longer if you want to make a few stops along the way with iconic places such as Cape Tribulation scattered along the route. If you don't have access to a car to make the trip, you can hire a vehicle from several car rental companies in Cairns. This option is extremely affordable with most car rental companies offering vehicles for between AUD$5-$8 per hour or from AUD$25-$40 per day depending on the vehicle type you're after and how long you need the vehicle for.
When you get to Forest Creek, you will need to take the Daintree River Ferry over in order to continue with your journey to the Daintree Rainforest. You can purchase tickets (AUD$30 return for a car pass) from the manned booth at the dock before you board the ferry or you can pre-book them online if you want to avoid long wait times. The trip across the river only takes around 10 minutes but this time can be longer during peak periods so make sure to allow for extra time if you're planning a tight itinerary.
How to get from Port Douglas to the Daintree
How to get from Port Douglas to the Daintree Rainforest is very similar to that of travelling from Cairns to the Daintree with self-driving really the only available option. From the city centre of Port Douglas, the total travel time by car is roughly 50 minutes but there are a few stops you can make along the way to ensure you're getting the most out of the beautiful Queensland scenery.
Car hire is also available from Port Douglas with similar prices to those found in Cairns and you will need to factor the return ferry pass over Forest Creek into your total budget for the journey.
Read more about Australia
Jun 29, 2022
“NAIDOC is like a beacon.” We asked...
Held in the first week of July each year, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises...
Nov 25, 2020
Connecting with country
I have spent years travelling the length and breadth of the country, gathering...
May 26, 2021
Enrich your Queensland holiday with...
Learn about cultural traditions past and present, including knowledge that has...
Jul 14, 2021
Our Reconciliation Action Plan update...
Travel isn’t about numbers or data sets. It’s about people, cultures, connections...
May 25, 2021
10 incredible First Nations...
This National Reconciliation Week, we want you to get out, take action and...
Dec 18, 2021
The 7 best day walks in Freycinet...
Discover the beauty of Freycinet National Park on these fantastic walking tracks.
Feb 16, 2022
12 things to add to your Eyre...
The Eyre Peninsula ticks all the boxes for an ocean-meets-outback adventure.
Sep 04, 2019
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
We're looking at where to travel in May, a balmy, sunshine-in-a-bowl sort of month...
Jun 23, 2021
Family fun for every age in Australia...
Even if your family has already seen a lot of Australia and New Zealand, these kid...
Mar 03, 2022
9 animals to see in Kings Canyon & Uluru
How many of these local wildlife residents will you see on your Red Centre...
Feb 28, 2022
Northern Territory vs Western...
Coming to a decision was harder than you could ever imagine...
May 13, 2020
The top destinations for travel in...
Whether you're based in Tasmania, Queensland or anywhere in between, this...
Nov 06, 2021
A foodie’s guide to Margaret River
From surf to cellar door and bush to brewery, Margaret River is one of Australia’s...
Aug 31, 2021
11 amazing things to do on K’gari ...
This ever-changing sand island promises an amazing outdoor adventure whether it's...
Jun 02, 2022
Connecting to Country on Tasmania’s...
Tasmania’s wukalina Walk is an Indigenous-owned, multi-day hike through some of...
May 15, 2022
“At that moment I just burst into...
We sent Rachael Sarra on our Flinders Ranges Explorer trip – a seven-day journey...
May 25, 2022
Exploring Arkaroola, the best kept...
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the South Australian outback offers a...
Mar 16, 2022
5 incredible First Nations...
Perth is home to some amazing First Nations experiences for travellers, from...
Apr 14, 2022
6 First Nations bush foods you need...
Australia has a fascinating culinary history, and if you haven’t tasted First...
Apr 19, 2022
“What happened needs to be...
Set in the heart of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park,...
Dec 01, 2021
9 amazing restaurants you need to...
If you have a passion for travel, great food and good times, Hobart could be your...
Apr 14, 2022
6 of the best things to do in the...
Surround yourself with scenic beauty and rich First Nations culture with these...
Oct 12, 2017
Your ultimate guide to Melbourne,...
Eat, drink and stroll your way around the world’s most liveable city.
Apr 19, 2018
What it’s like to explore Tasmania on...
First time in Tasmania? Check. First time on a group tour? Check.