WELCOME TO DAINTREE VILLAGE
The 140 km. long Great Barrier Reef Drive takes you from the city to the jungle and along the way there are many pleasant and scenic stops such as Daintree Village. Here you can stop for some lunch, go on one of the many croc spotting tours, or spend a night before heading up in to the Daintree rain forest.
Daintree Village on the Great Barrier Reef Drive
Daintree Village
Daintree Village is a laid-back little town where a small community lives on tourism, cattle and tropical fruit farming. It sits on the bank of the Daintree river and is reached along a scenic winding road. Most people turn around here but for serious fourwheeldrivers there is the infamous CREB track which during the dry season can take you up to the indigenous community of Wujal Wujal.
History Of The Village
When the giant red cedar trees were discovered in the Daintree rainforest timber cutters moved in and started settling here around 1870. They decimated the cedars and the timber industry is long gone now and the community pursues more environmentally friendly activities like eco-tourism and dairy farming.
Daintree River Tours
This is the main industry in this village, everywhere you go around the village you see the signs of all the various croc tour operators, even along the road in to the village you will see two river cruise centres already. There are also cruises that focus on birds, cruises that do not specialize in anything but try to show you as much diversity as possible, and boats that can take you out fishing.
Timber Museum
The Daintree rain forest has an amazing variety of tree species and for over 25 years, the Timber Gallery has sought out only the most unique species of wood to create their world famous vases, bowls and other natural works of art. You can buy crafts like vases and bowls and other timber creations, and see some photos of the massive red cedar trees that once stood here.
The Village
There are a couple of places to eat in the village, a local shop, some tour booking offices with souvenirs. and some arts and crafts for sale. There are segway tours available too, and some nice views over the Daintree river.
Travelling On
After Daintree Village it is time to travel on direction Daintree river ferry to the highlight of the Great Barrier Reef Drive; the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
WHAT WILL YOU SEE ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF DRIVE?
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF!
This drive takes you along the edge of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but make sure you hop on a boat from Port Douglas or Cape Tribulation too so you can immerse yourself in this amazing world of wild coloured coral and tropical fish.
THE DAINTREE RAIN FOREST!
While you can see some rain forest in various places along the drive you definitely have to cross the Daintree river to see the real ancient Daintree rain forest, do some of the National Park board walks, swim in the pristine creeks, or book a guided tour in Cape Tribulation to learn more about it.
A CASSOWARY?
You can see cassowaries in zoos around the world but meeting a cassowary in the wild is an experience not to be forgotten. This ancient flightless bird has been walking the planet ever since all continents were still joined together as one and dinosaurs roamed the earth. The cassowary is listed as endangered but has been making a good comeback, and there is a fair chance you will see one in the Daintree if you spend a few days there.
LOTS OF BEACHES!
If you love the beach then you will love the Great Barrier Reef Drive, there are dozens of stunning beaches to explore along the way, just in the Daintree there's ten of them already, and even in the busy season there is a good chance you will find one all to yourself.
There is an amazing variety of things to do and see along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, click here for more information
LOTS OF OTHER STUFF!
What ever you can imagine, you will find it along the Great Barrier Reef Drive. Exotic fruit wines, hang gliding, home made icecream, crocodiles, rainforest sculpture trail, tea, insect museum, cassowaries crossing the road, massage, jungle surfing, Aboriginal culture tours, helicopter rides, More info added soon on the multitude of attractions and sights to see.
About THE DRIVE
140 kilometres of coastal views, beaches, rainforests, resorts, natural and manmade attractions, crocodiles and cassowaries, and two World Heritage listed National Parks from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. You can do this in 2.5 hours non-stop, in a full day exploring along the way, or take a few days to a week if you stay overnight in some places.
Just make sure you don't run out of time, Cape Tribulation is the crown on this majestic drive and you need at least two or three nights there to see it all !
