Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest, around Cape Tribulation north of Port Douglas, is one of the most extraordinary natural places on Earth — widely regarded as the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, and famously the place where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. This ancient, World Heritage-listed wilderness is a genuine bucket-list destination.

The appeal is that combination of primordial beauty and remarkable biodiversity: dense, ancient rainforest, pristine beaches at Cape Tribulation, boardwalks, swimming holes, river cruises and the chance to spot the elusive cassowary. The drive north from Port Douglas, crossing the Daintree River, only adds to the sense of journeying into somewhere truly special.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 800 reviews, it's an overwhelmingly admired destination. Access, river crossings, tours, road conditions and seasonal factors all vary, and parts are remote, so it's essential to check current information and plan ahead before you go — and to take water, sun protection and insect repellent, respect the wildlife, and heed all stinger and crocodile warnings.