Trek Home > All Treks > QLD > Far North Qld

Cairns to Daintree

Start		Daintree
Finish		Cairns
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	113.86 km
Minimum Days	1
Average Speed	63.44 km/hr
Travel Time	1 hr 47 mins 41 secs

Trek By: Michelle Martin

Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

The Daintree Village is a small settlement located 12km upstream from the Daintree River ferry crossing. If you're driving to Cape Tribulation you'll turn off before reaching the quaint village so its a little off the main tourist route. For 4WD adventurers looking for the start of the CREB Track, you'll need to come this way however as the start of the CREB is the Upper Daintree Crossing, which is just 9km further on past Daintree Village. The area is a wonderful place for a quiet overnight stay with many birds, frogs, and butterflies to delight the senses.

Using this trek note, you'll drive north from Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway, passing Port Douglas, and onto Mossman, so you could also take a side trip to Mossman Gorge or Wonga Beach on the way.

How to Use this Trek Note

To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP	ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2025 mapset!

History

Daintree Village was settled during the 1880s to provide services for the timber workers and dairy farmers. For the next 50 years the only means of getting supplies in and out of the Daintree Village was via the Daintree River, as there was no road up from Cairns. In 1933 the road to Mossman was opened which included putting a bridge across Barratt Creek.

Today the Daintree Village is home to around 100 people, with a 15-student school. It is the farming and tourism industries that sustain the town.

TrekID: 345

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP	Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 16 litres	4cyl 18 litres	4cyl 23 litres
6cyl 17 litres	6cyl 21 litres	6cyl 20 litres
8cyl 17 litres	8cyl 19 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Low Isles Lighthouse

Distance from Trek Mid Point 22.72km N

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	32.2	31.7	30.8	29.4	27.6	25.9	25.5	26.7	28.5	30.4	31.7	32.3
Mean Min. °C	25.5	25.5	25.1	24.1	22.8	21.2	20.4	20.7	21.9	23.2	24.5	25.3
Mean Rain mm	401.3	418.9	435.8	230.7	98.8	62.3	35.6	37.2	36.9	45.5	91.1	210.0

Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Daintree to Junction Mossman-Daintree Rd & Cape Tribulation Rd

Driving: 9.73 km

Heading: 121°

Avg Speed: 64.7 km/hr

EST Time: 09:01

Junction Mossman-Daintree Rd & Cape Tribulation Rd to Wonga Beach

Driving: 9.03 km

Heading: 150°

Avg Speed: 73.78 km/hr

EST Time: 07:20

Drive south on Wonga Beach Esplanade. for: 0.2 km time: 00:39
Turn right onto Wonga Beach Road. for: 0.54 km time: 01:07
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Mossman Daintree Road for: 8.3 km time: 05:34

Wonga Beach to Dayman (Rocky) Point

Driving: 5.86 km

Heading: 175°

Avg Speed: 60.77 km/hr

EST Time: 05:47

Drive south. for: 0.08 km time: 00:18
Turn right onto Mossman Daintree Road. for: 5.04 km time: 04:05
Turn right onto Wonga Beach Road. for: 0.54 km time: 01:10
Turn left onto Wonga Beach Esplanade. for: 0.2 km time: 00:14

Dayman (Rocky) Point to Mossman

Driving: 12.64 km

Heading: 211°

Avg Speed: 67.02 km/hr

EST Time: 11:18

Drive south on Front Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:12
Make a right U-turn at Bow Street to stay on Front Street. for: 2.16 km time: 02:39
Bear right onto Cedars Street. for: 5.68 km time: 04:41
Bear right onto Mossman Daintree Road. for: 4.63 km time: 03:27
Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:20

Mossman to Captain Cook Hwy & Port Douglas Rd

Driving: 13.59 km

Heading: 129°

Avg Speed: 76.47 km/hr

EST Time: 10:39

Captain Cook Hwy & Port Douglas Rd to Pebbly Beach

Driving: 8.8 km

Heading: 138°

Avg Speed: 75.45 km/hr

EST Time: 06:59

Drive north on Captain Cook Highway/44. for: 8.79 km time: 06:59
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, ontofor: 0 km time: 00:00

Pebbly Beach to Ellis Beach

Driving: 23.17 km

Heading: 138°

Avg Speed: 73.76 km/hr

EST Time: 18:50

Drive northwest on 44/Captain Cook Highway. for: 23.17 km time: 18:51

Ellis Beach to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Driving: 17.5 km

Heading: 158°

Avg Speed: 59.98 km/hr

EST Time: 17:30

Drive south on Skyrail Drive. for: 0.23 km time: 00:47
Turn left onto Kamerunga Road/91. for: 0.23 km time: 00:27
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 0.9 km time: 01:03
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 2.23 km time: 02:30
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 1.11 km time: 01:05
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 1.51 km time: 01:19
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 1.14 km time: 01:05
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 10.15 km time: 09:15

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Captain Cook Hwy & Yorkeys Knob Rd

Driving: 1.22 km

Heading: 98°

Avg Speed: 28.06 km/hr

EST Time: 02:36

Drive northeast on 1. for: 0.18 km time: 00:18
Exit the roundabout onto 1/Captain Cook Highway. for: 0.57 km time: 00:55
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Kamerunga Road for: 0.23 km time: 00:20
Turn right onto Skyrail Drive. for: 0.24 km time: 01:02

Captain Cook Hwy & Yorkeys Knob Rd to Cairns

Driving: 12.32 km

Heading: 138°

Avg Speed: 54.41 km/hr

EST Time: 13:35

Drive southwest on Maranoa Street. for: 0.05 km time: 00:11
Turn left onto Draper Street. for: 0.07 km time: 00:16
Turn left onto A1/Florence Street. for: 0.61 km time: 01:24
Turn left onto 1/Sheridan Street. Continue on 1. for: 7.67 km time: 08:40
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 0.79 km time: 00:46
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Captain Cook Highway for: 3.02 km time: 02:07
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, ontofor: 0.1 km time: 00:10

Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - QLD

Tourist Attraction

Position: -16.84777 145.69521

Facilities

Where to Stay

No Places To Stay available for this trek

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Treks

Related Travel Journals

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