INDUSTRY ATTRACTIONS UPPER DAINTREE

The Daintree River Cruise Centre is located on privately owned land, on the banks of the Daintree River, where the mangroves merge with the rainforest.

Since 1987 the Cruise Centre has provided one hour to full day specialised cruises. Their river guides are well informed naturalists and biologists. The vessels are designed to allow visitors excellent viewing and comfort. Equipped with the most technologically advanced OEDA 3 Rating Yahama 4 stroke motors, the vessels are extremely fuel efficient and quiet. It is the aim of their company to have as little harmful impact on the environment as possible and consequently they have
achieved advanced ecotourism certification Level IV, ROC Accreditation, Green Travel Leader, Climate Action Business, with 2010 marking 10 years of eco tourism.

A peaceful 30 acre rainforest hideaway at the end of a beautiful valley, surrounded by Daintree National Park, 8 km beyond Daintree Village. Ideal for couples, honeymooners and birdwatchers. Three modern, private self-contained B&B bungalows overlook rainforest, exotic tropical fruits trees, dam, tropical gardens and easy walking trails. Two have Queen beds and convertible sofa for a third guest, one has a King/Twin plus sofa. Not suitable for children under 12. Air-conditioned and insect-screened, they have ensuite bathroom, well-equipped kitchenette and private verandah overlooking water and rainforest. A complimentary daily breakfast basket includes tropical fruits, home-made jam and yoghurt and local tea and coffee. Self-cook meals and drinks are also available. Designed for couples or a maximum of three adults the bungalows are perfect for that romantic getaway or a quiet interlude during a busy holiday. It's a haven for birdwatchers and nature-lovers with over 130 species of seasonal birds, plus abundant tropical butterflies and other wildlife. 'The Shed' provides barbecue, jacuzzi, books, games, dartboard, DVD player with wildlife discs, small library and Free Wifi. Far from the city hustle and bustle yet within a short drive of Daintree Village, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and the Atherton Tablelands....

Wait a While Retreat is a stunning pole framed timber house offering private and secluded accommodation for up to nine guests in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, and only 600 metres from the picturesque Cow Bay Beach. Stay in one of the most beautiful houses in the Daintree Rainforest - the perfect place to relax and enjoy the rainforest and you have a choice of restaurants and cafes close by. Wait a While Retreat is just a few minutes walk from Cow Bay Beach where the reef and rainforest meet. The Daintree - Cape Tribulation region lays claim to being the only spot on the planet where two world heritage areas meet - The Great Barrier Reef and the North Queensland Wet Tropics. Wait A While Retreat in the Daintree is one of the largest single dwellings ever constructed in the Daintree Rainforest. Designed by award-winning, South African architect Gavin Paddock, and modelled on the traditional New Guinean long-house, Wait a While Daintree provides almost 500 square metres of living space....

Cape Tribulation, in Daintree National Park, is famed for steep rainforested mountains sweeping down to long sandy beaches and turquoise coastal waters. One of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, this park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the coastal waters are within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. At Cape Tribulation, rainforest meets reef, and two world heritage areas collide, in spectacular style! The Cape Tribulation section of the park stretches in a narrow strip from the Daintree River in the south to the Bloomfield River in the north and the dense upland rainforest that cloaks the coastal range contains many ancient plants and animals. Camp at Noah Beach camping area and explore the park on walks ranging from the 650 metre return Jindalba boardwalk through tropical lowland rainforest, to the 1.2 kilometre return Marrja boardwalk through rainforest and mangroves. Experienced and well-prepared bushwalkers can tackle the 7 kilometre return Mount Sorrow ridge trail. Keep an eye out for cassowaries and drive slowly through cassowary territory. Remember to be croc wise around creeks and beaches....

Stretching from Daintree Village across the river, the Daintree encompasses Cape Kimberley, Cow Bay, Thornton's Peak, Cooper Creek, Thornton Beach, Noah Valley, Cape Tribulation and the Bloomfield Track to the north. This is the home of the world's oldest surviving rainforest with examples of plant species that existed millions of years ago. Be dwarfed by king ferns and giant bull kauri pines, watch for the flash of blue that gives away the cassowary moving through the evergreen forest or discover tiny fish in cool freshwater pools. Winding for 140 kilometres, the Daintree River is one of the longest rivers on Australia's east coast providing diverse habitats for many species. Cruise along it to spot prehistoric crocodiles and colourful birds or join a fishing charter to haul in a mighty barramundi. Guided walks, Four Wheel Drive or Eight Wheel Drive tours also give an insight into this special environment. Sir David Attenborough described the Daintree rainforest as extraordinary after a recent visit filming in the area, telling viewers around the world he was particularly impressed with the region's diverse birdlife. Daintree village has a number of eateries, artists' studios, local souvenir shops and a general store with a post office, bottle shop and information and tour booking centre. It is the last stop-off before the Daintree River Ferry which takes you across the river even deeper into the Daintree rainforest. Choose to stay in a discreet eco-resort, amazing tree house, join the fun crowd at a backpacker resort or get to know the locals at an intimate bed and breakfast. Venture out at night when the rainforest puts on a spectacular show with mammals emerging for midnight feasts, bush turkeys hosting noisy parties and frogs providing the rainforest chorus. ...