The hook
One of the oldest rainforests on Earth, a dense, ancient jungle of dinosaur-era plants that tumbles right down to the sea, the only place on the planet where two natural World Heritage wonders, rainforest and coral reef, meet on the same shore.
01Why it's worth it
The Daintree, in Australia's tropical far north, is a living relic: a rainforest that has grown continuously for well over a hundred million years, one of the oldest surviving anywhere, harbouring ancient plant lineages and a wealth of unique wildlife. Its most extraordinary feature is geographical: at Cape Tribulation, the rainforest runs straight down to the beach and meets the Great Barrier Reef offshore, the only place on Earth where two such natural World Heritage areas sit side by side, so you can walk beneath the jungle canopy and snorkel a coral reef on the same day. It is wild and primeval, home to the endangered cassowary (a huge, flightless, dinosaur-like bird), tree kangaroos, and, in the mangrove rivers, saltwater crocodiles you spot on cruises. Boardwalks, guided walks, river trips, and canopy experiences let you explore it, while gateway towns like Port Douglas offer reef access and comfort. Steamy, ancient, and teeming with life, the Daintree is a highlight of tropical Australia and the perfect complement to the reef offshore.
02How to experience it
Base around Port Douglas or venture up to Cape Tribulation, and explore the rainforest on boardwalks, guided walks, and a river cruise to spot crocodiles (mind the warnings, and never swim in the rivers or unpatrolled sea). Snorkel the reef offshore, and watch for cassowaries. Go in the drier season, and combine it with the Great Barrier Reef.