Daintree and Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns

About This Experience

This is the big, well-oiled all-rounder from Cairns Adventure Group, and with 2,974 reviews it is the most-reviewed Daintree day trip on this site. Pickup runs from Cairns city hotels and the Northern Beaches, including Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Palm Cove, and the day follows the coast road north past Port Douglas before turning inland.

The first and longest stop is Mossman Gorge, where you get about two hours. It opens with a Welcome to Country and Smoke Ceremony led by Kuku Yalanji people, then a guided walk under the canopy beside the granite boulders of the Mossman River, with time for a dip where conditions allow. From there the group heads to the Daintree River for a one-hour wildlife cruise looking for crocodiles and birds.

After a short photo stop at a lookout, the ferry takes you over the river to the Cape Tribulation side, where lunch is served (about 30 minutes) along with a short nature walk through rainforest and mangroves. The last stop on the way home is the Daintree Ice Cream Company for around 15 minutes; the scoop there is at your own expense on this tour.

It suits first-time visitors who want Mossman Gorge, the river and the rainforest north of the ferry in one day without paying for a small-group upgrade. Plan for a long one: the listing puts it at about 11 hours door to door, and much of that is time on the bus.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a spare change of clothes, plus a long-sleeved layer because the forest can feel cool in the shade. Breakfast, snacks and drinks are not included, so bring water and something to eat on the drive.

Highlights

• Two hours at Mossman Gorge, the longest stop of the day, with a guided rainforest walk and a chance to swim
• Take part in a Welcome to Country and Smoke Ceremony led by Kuku Yalanji people
• Look for crocodiles and birds on a one-hour Daintree River wildlife cruise
• Cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and lunch on the Cape Tribulation side
• Short guided nature walk through rainforest and mangroves where the rainforest meets the reef
• Coastal drive north past Port Douglas with views over the Coral Sea

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup and drop-off at Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation, including Palm Cove
• ✓ Lunch
• ✓ Mossman Gorge Welcome to Country and Smoke Ceremony
• ✓ Guided rainforest walk
• ✓ One-hour Daintree River wildlife cruise
• ✓ Daintree River ferry crossing and all national park fees

Not Included

• Ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Company (own expense)
• Snacks and drinks
• Breakfast

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable shoes
• A spare change of clothes
• A long-sleeved layer or light jumper for the rainforest
• Water and snacks for the bus

Good to Know & Caveats

• Expect a day of about 11 hours door to door, with long stretches on the bus.
• The ice cream stop is included as a stop, but the ice cream itself is at your own expense.
• Mossman Gorge swimming depends on conditions: the Cultural Centre advises against swimming in the Mossman River because of strong currents and submerged objects, so only swim in the sheltered spot, in calm dry-season conditions, and where your guide directs.
• Cape Tribulation is the lunch stop (about 30 minutes) on this itinerary, not a long beach visit.
• The rainforest is green all year. The dry season (roughly May to October) is the most comfortable; the wet season (about November to April) brings heavy downpours and high humidity, and marine stingers are around the beaches from roughly November to May.

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup from Cairns city and Northern Beaches accommodation, including Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Palm Cove; your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.