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
Mar 18, 2023
4 things you can expect when hiking...
One thing's for sure, hiking the Larapinta Trail will be one of the greatest...
Mar 26, 2023
7 ways to prepare for the Larapinta...
Here are 7 things you can do to set yourself up for success.
Aug 23, 2022
Championing coastal wetlands: Blue...
Intrepid Foundation partner Blue Carbon Lab is working to mitigate climate change...
May 16, 2023
The 6 things you should know before...
This trail will leave you feeling different. In the best way possible.
May 04, 2023
22 new ways we’re creating positive...
Our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, is welcoming 22 new partners in 2023....
Sep 11, 2022
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape: stories...
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Western Victoria is one of Australia’s most...
Oct 28, 2022
5 amazing First Nations travel...
Got a trip to Sydney on the cards? The iconic harbour city is home to some...
Nov 21, 2022
5 of Australia’s best First Nations...
Together with our friends at Welcome to Country, we’ve compiled a list of some of...
Apr 29, 2023
Best time to visit Australia
No matter what time of the year you want to travel, Australia’s mild climate and...
Jun 29, 2022
“NAIDOC is like a beacon.” We asked...
Held in the first week of July each year, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises...
Dec 07, 2022
How to connect to Country on your...
Drew Roberts is the founder of Shared Knowledge, an organisation delivering...
Dec 31, 2022
Born to be wild: this Australian...
This year, we’re encouraging travellers to choose wildlife experiences that give...
Jan 01, 2023
7 unforgettable wildlife experiences...
If you dream of spotting sloths and sea turtles in Costa Rica or channelling your...
Jan 02, 2023
6 ways you can celebrate, support and...
Travel isn’t just about the places you go. It’s about the people you meet – and...
Jan 30, 2023
Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye:...
The significant Women’s Dreaming site Angkerle Atwatye (also known as Standley...
Apr 05, 2023
5 amazing First Nations travel...
Planning a trip to Brisbane? Queensland's sunny capital has a rich Indigenous...
Jan 20, 2022
6 of the best Northern Territory...
You'll never run out of fascinating natural wonders to explore in the Northern...
Aug 17, 2022
The top 9 destinations for travel in...
From hiking in Patagonia to spotting newborn wildlife in Uganda, here's where you...
Jul 29, 2018
10 stops you can’t miss along the...
Feasibly the most famous of all the Australian road trips, the Great Ocean Road...
Dec 08, 2021
6 incredibly breathtaking Cradle...
Walk, hike, and trek your way through Cradle Mountain.
May 01, 2022
Life after cancer: the survivor who...
“A few years ago, my husband was killed. My children grew up and got married...
Sep 04, 2022
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...
Feb 16, 2022
12 things to add to your Eyre...
The Eyre Peninsula ticks all the boxes for an ocean-meets-outback adventure.
Aug 12, 2022
Australia or New Zealand? Where to go...
Here's an idea: visit one and then immediately go to the other one straight after.