4WD Excursion and Boat Cruise to Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, Cairns

4.3 (7 reviews)
Explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with a 4WD excursion, guided walk, river cruise, and traditional lunch.
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Debbie
Debbie M.
Mar 18, 2024
Great day out exploring the rainforest.
J
Joe H.
Mar 02, 2024
Not to be missed! Gavin our guide was great. Very knowledgeable and passionate about the rain forest. Great experience.
Carl
Carl V.
Jul 24, 2023
The Daintree day tour was fascinating. We got to see crocodiles during a pontoon boat ride on the Daintree River. The tour was way more extensive... Read more
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Overview

Experience Australia's rainforests and reefs on this excursion led by a local naturalist. Your guide will pick you up in Cairns or Port Douglas in a custom-built, air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and take you to the Daintree River, where you'll take a crocodile-spotting cruise. After a guided walk to learn about the area's flora and fauna, you'll hop back into the 4WD for a ride through a UNESCO-listed rainforest. Replenish your energy with a traditional Aussie barbecue, billy tea, and homemade ice cream. A visit to Cape Tribulation will offer sweeping views of the Great Barrier Reef, and the day will end with a scenic drive back to your accommodation.

Highlights

  • Explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation in a 4WD vehicle 
  • Spot crocodiles during a Daintree River cruise and learn about the flora and fauna 
  • Experience a traditional Aussie barbecue with classic food in the company of wallabies
  • Enjoy a swim in Emmagen Creek and visit the famous Cape Tribulation Beach
  • Savor a delicious homemade Daintree ice cream

Know before you go

Duration
12 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

Your day begins with a pickup at your accommodation in Cairns or Port Douglas, where your informative naturalist guide will meet you in a comfortable air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. Your first stop will be a Daintree River cruise, where you'll get a chance to spot crocodiles and learn about the local flora and fauna and the history of the Daintree region.

Next, your guide will take you into the rainforest to stroll along a boardwalk and discover more about the diverse ecosystem there. After this walk, you'll ride through a UNESCO-listed rainforest along the rugged Bloomfield Track, where you might spot rare animals like the Cassowary or Boyd's Dragon. 

After this, it'll be time for a traditional Aussie barbecue lunch at a local café in the Daintree Rainforest region. Following lunch, you can cool off with a refreshing swim in Emmagen Creek, a secret rainforest jewel away from the crowds. 

You'll then venture next to Cape Tribulation Beach to admire views of the rainforest meeting the reef. Here, you can stroll along the beach and the boardwalk and stop at a platform overlooking the mountains and coast to take epic photos of the Great Barrier Reef. Stop at the Daintree Ice-Cream Company for a homemade exotic fruit ice cream to end the day.

Finally, hop back onto your 4WD for the return journey, taking the scenic coastal route along the Captain Cook Highway. Relish in the area's history and admire the coastline views and the azure waters of the Coral Sea, as you head back to your accommodation..

What's included

  • Pick up and drop off at accommodation
  • Accredited driver-guide
  • Travel in an air-conditioned, custom-built 4WD vehicle
  • All National Park fees
  • Tea or coffee and biscuits at the Cruise Centre
  • 1-hour Daintree River Cruise
  • Stop at Alexandra Lookout Guided boardwalk tour
  • Lunch at a local café in the region
  • Swim at Emmagen Creek
  • Cape Tribulation Beach walk
  • Ice-cream stop on your return journey - Signature ice-cream cup included

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

7 total ratings, 7 with reviews
4.3
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.4
Transport
3.8
R
Ronald K.
Savannah, GA | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024

We were picked up from the hotel a little later than we had planned, had to have desk staff call tour operator for us ( about 25 minutes late). river ride was fine but no crocodiles for us to see, oh well. The Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation was beautiful, unspoiled wilderness. The guide told us 'it's where the rainforest meets the sea". We also got a stop for beautiful pictures and free sample (3 scoops!) of homemade ice cream made in the area from fruit.

Tips for future travelers

Long day, but worthwhile

G
Grace V.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on May 19, 2024

We probably could have skipped this tour given we had already seen the rainforest on other day trips. It was cool to say we saw the Daintree Rainforest, but it was quite similar to other experiences we had earlier on our trip. If this was the only rainforest visit we had, it would have been 4 stars.

Debbie
Debbie M.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024
Great day out exploring the rainforest. Read more

Great day out exploring the rainforest.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride was comfortable.
J
Joe H.
Oneonta, AL | Reviewed on Mar 02, 2024
Not to be missed! Gavin our guide was great. Very knowledgeable and passionate about the rain forest. Great experience. Read more

Not to be missed! Gavin our guide was great. Very knowledgeable and passionate about the rain forest. Great experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dennis
Dennis H.
Midvale, UT | Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023
The Billy Tea Safari tour to the rainforest showed us some great flora and fauna. Our guide/driver as great.
However our safari vehicle was too rough-riding for our old bones. For us, the same travel route in a more conventional vehicle would have made the day tour more comfortable. Read more

The Billy Tea Safari tour to the rainforest showed us some great flora and fauna. Our guide/driver as great.
However our safari vehicle was too rough-riding for our old bones. For us, the same travel route in a more conventional vehicle would have made the day tour more comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Carl
Carl V.
Middletown, DE | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023
The Daintree day tour was fascinating. We got to see crocodiles during a pontoon boat ride on the Daintree River. The tour was way more extensive than just the boat ride. Read more

The Daintree day tour was fascinating. We got to see crocodiles during a pontoon boat ride on the Daintree River. The tour was way more extensive than just the boat ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kelsey
Kelsey D.
Elgin, IL | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2023
Full day experience. Lots of hours being jostled in 4wd tour bus but views and locals were worth it. Especially enjoyed seeing rare insects in their native habitats and swimming in the river. Provided lunch was tasty. Tour guides were jovial and knowledgeable. Saw lots of wildlife despite being off season according to guides. Read more

Full day experience. Lots of hours being jostled in 4wd tour bus but views and locals were worth it. Especially enjoyed seeing rare insects in their native habitats and swimming in the river. Provided lunch was tasty. Tour guides were jovial and knowledgeable. Saw lots of wildlife despite being off season according to guides.

Tips for future travelers

If you have back problems request to sit in front of the bus, the bumpy, jostling ride is no joke. There are adequate bathroom breaks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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