Daintree Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Cairns is the closest airport to the Daintree with domestic flights flying to and from most major Australian cities. There are regular long distance buses which travel up and down the coast to Cairns which is the closest major town to the Daintree. From here, you can drive or join a tour to get to the Daintree. Port Douglas is also a popular jumping off point for visits to the Daintree. 

Read more about how to get to The Daintree

Most people choose to hire a car to drive the scenic Captain Cook Highway on their way to the Daintree. You can only get so far into the Daintree without a four-wheel drive vehicle, but you can cross the Daintree River on a cable ferry and drive to Cape Tribulation. 

Summer in the Daintree is hot and humid and perfect for swimming. Spring and Autumn are cooler and the region tends to be quieter. Winter is ideal for those who don't enjoy humid temperatures and the weather is typically good. If you are visiting between October and May and swimming in the ocean in the Daintree, it is advisable to wear a 'stinger suit' to protect yourself from possible jellyfish stings. 

Read more about the weather in the Daintree

The Daintree is a rugged off-the-beaten-track destination that is so laid back it's almost horizontal. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt to dinner is considered 'dressy' so leave your fancy clothes at home. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, swimmers and a hat and remember to bring any essentials as there are no major stores in the Daintree. A flashlight is also a good idea as street lights are minimal and many places run on generators so power outages are common. 

Clothes that breathe are a good idea as the Daintree can be humid, even in winter. Pretty much anything goes when it comes to dressing for dinner at this remote destination, provided it's (reasonably) clean. 

In short, pretty much non-existent, but that's a good thing. With nothing to distract you, it's easy to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of this special place. Some accommodation providers offer Wi-Fi but as this service runs on satellite, the speed is very slow and the service is often only available as a paid option. It can be easier to treat your trip to the Daintree as a chance to disconnect and de-stress. 

If you only want use it to take photos - sure - but it's unlikely you'll have a signal once you get off the car ferry. Think of it an opportunity to disconnect and de-stress. 

The traditional owners of the Daintree are the Eastern Kuku Yulanji who have lived on this land for the past 50,000 years, fishing, hunting, crafting, and painting much in the same way as their ancestors did before them. 

Read more about the traditional owners of the Daintree

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. Some of the walking trails and remote beaches in the Daintree can make walking difficult for travellers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid