Park areas

Guide updated 12 Sept 2026 · two sections, not one loop — verify Queensland Parks

Daintree National Park (CYPAL) is jointly managed Eastern Kuku Yalanji country: a Mossman Gorge section and a Cape Tribulation coastal strip, separated by settled land. The Daintree River ferry is the vehicle chokepoint, not a third park. Pick the section that matches your day — then open the area guide.

Always verify live alerts on the official Queensland Parks Daintree page.

Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mossman Gorge section

About 80 km north of Cairns via the Captain Cook Highway, then Johnston Road / Mossman Gorge Road to Mossman Gorge Centre. No ferry required.

The southern section of Daintree National Park (CYPAL): clear Mossman River over granite, short rainforest walks from a shuttle-served day-use area, and Eastern Kuku Yalanji cultural experiences at Mossman Gorge Centre.

Mwarnes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Cape Tribulation section

From Mossman, about 30 km north to the Daintree River ferry, then Cape Tribulation Road. Conventional 2WD reaches Cape Tribulation. North of the village toward Bloomfield is 4WD-only.

The northern coastal strip of Daintree National Park (CYPAL): rainforest meeting the Coral Sea, Kulki lookout, Madja and Dubuji boardwalks, Noah Beach camping, cassowaries, and the remote Mount Sorrow ridge trail.

Dinkum · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Daintree River & ferry access

Cape Tribulation Road meets the ferry north of Daintree Village / south of Cow Bay. Budget queue time in peak dry season.

The river is not a third park section — it is the access chokepoint between Mossman country and the Cape Tribulation section, plus estuary wildlife (including estuarine crocodiles).