Daintree Discovery Centre

The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most fascinating and diverse eco-systems on the Earth and your introduction to this very special place starts at the Discovery Centre.

"The Daintree Discovery Centre elevated tree top walks offers a unique rainforest experience. The 11 metre-high aerial walkway provides unrivalled views of the unique beauty of the Daintree’s ancient flora and fauna, from the rainforest floor up into the soaring heights of the treetops. Climb to the top of the 23-metre high Canopy Tower, stopping at each of the five viewing platform for unparalleled access to the individual layers of the rainforest canopy. Descend to the rainforest floor and enjoy the serenity along the Cassowary Circuit, taking in the ancient king ferns at the McLean’s Creek lookout."

CLIMB INTO THE CANOPY

Opened in 1998, the spectacular 23 metre Canopy Tower has been an outstanding success and allows unprecedented access to the Daintree Rainforest in a unique and intimate way.

The Tower comprises five different viewing platforms allowing visitors of all ages to access the various levels of the rainforest – from the forest floor to the uppermost reaches of the canopy.

As with the rest of the Centre, the Tower has been designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment but provide maximum access for all.

The Canopy Tower:

• Has information on each of its five levels
• Has a micro-weather station on the top level which is part of the OzFlux Rainforest Research Program
• Was built to withstand cyclones

WALK THROUGH THE TREETOPS

This spectacular mid-canopy walkway provides a living link between the Entrance, Coffee Shop area and the Canopy Tower. The Aerial Walkway allows unprecedented access to the mid-level rainforest and offers stunning views over McLean’s Creek. Constructed with visitor safety and comfort in mind, the walkway enables wheelchair access to both the Interpretive Display Centre and the base of the Tower.

At an impressive 11m High, This Daintree Rainforest Skywalk is rated as one of the Top Ten Skywalks in the Country By Australian Geographic!

The Aerial Walkway:

• Is ecologically responsible; it allows air, sunlight and rain to reach the forest floor
• Has a mesh system that helps to prevent mosquitoes breeding
• Protects the fragile rainforest root systems by keeping people off the ground

VENTURE OUT - RAINFOREST BOARDWALKS

At the Daintree Discovery Centre, we are passionate about conserving this ancient landscape – for you and your children – which is why all our self-guided tours are set out on elevated boardwalks. Take your time exploring the Cassowary Circuit, Bush Tucker Trail, Reptile Room, Jurassic Forest and 500-year-old strangler fig tree.

Visitors are encouraged to venture out into the actual rainforest itself. Four hundred metres of elevated boardwalks thread their way through the rainforest allowing the public to really experience this unspoiled wilderness for themselves – at the same time protecting the fragile rainforest environment.

There are strategically placed viewing platforms situated around the boardwalk where you can sit and enjoy the ambience of the rainforest at your leisure.

These well-maintained and intimate Boardwalks are by far the best in the Daintree Rainforest and surrounding areas.

CASSOWARY CIRCUIT

This upper boardwalk runs through a natural Cassowary Corridor where many of the Cassowary’s favourite fruits are found. Discover unique plant species along the boardwalk and follow the interesting story of how the Cassowary survives in this ancient environment. Stop at McLean’s Lookout, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the sounds of the rainforest.

BUSH TUCKER

The Kuku Yalanji people thrived for thousands of years in the Daintree Rainforest, with rich sources of food to hunt and gather. Find out more about the traditional and Indigenous uses of many local rainforest fruits and learn about important Australian native species that helped shape survival in tough outback conditions.

JURASSIC FOREST

Science and entertainment collide in the Centre’s ‘lively’ dinosaur exhibit, the Jurassic Forest. It will take you back more than 65 million years, when giant carnivorous dinosaurs and megafauna roamed the ancient rainforests of Australia. The Daintree rainforest has survived around 130 million years. Why didn’t the dinosaurs last?

INTERPRETIVE CENTRE - MAKING SCIENCE FUN 

The Interpretive Centre is a large, open plan complex incorporating a number of themed interactive displays. The displays begin with an historical perspective starting with the big bang theory of evolution. This is followed by an animated film that explores the formation of Gondwana Land and the ‘age of the dinosaurs’. The flora and fauna of the rainforest is presented in considerable detail including information about the Cassowary, Crocodiles and many other creatures unique to the Daintree. Highlights of the Interpretive Centre include the Sustainability Corner, Mini Beasts, Theatre, Rainforest Aquarium and Children’s Corner.

The Sustainability Corner aims to raise awareness about human’s impact on Earth from pollution, burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

It also shines the light on what can be done at an individual level to reduce one’s impact on their local environment.

SIZING UP A CASSOWARY

Just how big to cassowaries grow? What do they eat? Where do they sleep? What can be found on the Daintree Rainforest floor? What is the oldest organism on the planet Earth?

All will be answered in a fun and interactive way at the Discovery Centre’s award-winning interpretive centre.

GONDWANA DISCOVERY

Pull up a stool and go back in time 500 million years.

Earth was a very different place, a hostile environment, that life as we know it today, would not have been able to survive.

So, just how did the ancient super continent of Gondwana come to be?

Walk through time, as the Discovery Centre takes you back to the age of the dinosaurs, mega fauna and later human life.

DISCOVERY THEATRE STAGE HOLOGRAM

Welcome to the Discovery Centre’s newest and most exciting exhibit.

Step into a 3D stage hologram experience as you go on country or ‘walkabout’ with KuKu Yalanji man Juan Walker of Walkabout Cultural Adventures.

Providing an insight into the culture and country of these First Nations people, Juan explains how traditionally their estate provided for all their needs in a heart warming and moving presentation.

This is one very special show not to be missed.

Now showing at the Daintree Discovery Centre.

ENTRY TICKET PRICES

Adult - $39 each

Child (5 – 17 years) - $19 each

Concession/Student - $36 each

Family (2 adults and all children) - $95 each

OPENING HOURS (from Tuesday 6 February 2024)

Daily 10.00 am – 3.00 pm *last entry 2.00 pm

INCLUDES:

Audio Tour (8 languages)

68 Page Interpretive Guide Book

7 Day Re-Entry Pass

Children’s Audio Tour (5-9 years)

PLEASE NOTE

The new road conditions for Alexandra Range on Cape Tribulation Road will be as follows:  

 Single lane open 5am to midnight. 

 Range is open to all vehicles under 12.5 metres in length and less than 25 tonnes.

Road is open to all, but only through to Thornton’s Beach.

Vehicles towing caravans, trailers or campervans measuring 12.5 metres or less and less than 25 tonnes, will be able to travel over Alexandra Range.

Vehicles will be able to stop at the Alexandra Lookout if they wish.  When leaving the lookout, vehicles will need to wait to join the end of the queue, and this will be under traffic control.