There are so many amazing places to visit on the east coast in Australia and one destination not to miss off your itinerary is the stunning Daintree Rainforest.
Amy Salmon from the UK is currently on a trip around Australia and she recently travelled to North Queensland. One of her highlights was spending a few days in and around the Daintree Rainforest.
This is a beautiful part of the world but there are some important dangers that come with the territory that anyone thinking of travelling up there should know about.
Why Visit
When you think of Australia it probably conjures images of Sydney, the Outback and the Great Barrier Reef. All these are places you need to see when backpacking or taking a gap year in Australia, but the Daintree is somewhere you shouldn’t miss.
The Daintree Rainforest is both incredibly unique in its concentration of animals and plants, as well as extremely diverse. The region boasts many ancient plants with the majority of the world’s 19 primitive plant families. Not to mention the beautiful beaches!
Most people visit on day trips, but if you have more time 2/3 days is a great amount of time to explore.
How to Get Here
The Daintree Rainforest is isolated and most tourists visit from either Cairns or Port Douglas.
Most east coast tours and bus services include these locations in the itinerary, or from other destinations in Australia you could fly into Cairns International Airport (CNS).
From Cairns or Port Douglas you can either travel by yourself or book a group tour.
Should I Book a Tour or Explore Independently?
You can go and explore the Daintree Rainforest on your own but it can be safer and more fun to book a tour.
If you do plan on visiting independently you will need to drive as there is no public transport.
Several travel companies offer guided tours of the Daintree, you can experience the highlights and learn more about the rainforest with a local guide.
This is also a great way to meet other travellers.
How to Stay Safe
Whether you plan and visit independently or book a tour, these are some important things to know before you go.
Crocodiles
For those that have not yet travelled Australia, North Queensland is where the crocodiles live. There are both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles in this part of the world, and you most definitely do not want to come across one.
For our own safety, we were told never to swim in the sea in Northern Queensland because even if you think there are no crocs about, you can never be sure. And in this case, it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. It’s also advised that you don’t hang around by the edge of a river or lake as those are prime locations for crocodiles to catch their prey.
Crocodiles can dart out of the water at a rapid speed if they sense movement on the water banks so it’s best to stay inland. Crocodiles are deadly animals so I urge you to take every precaution you can to avoid them.
Rainfall
As the Daintree is a rainforest, there is often a lot of rain in the area. Consistent, heavy rain can be potentially dangerous because it can raise the water level of nearby waterfalls, rivers or lakes.
While we were travelling around the area we faced significant rainfall and while this made the waterfalls look incredible, it also made them a bit more dangerous.
At Josephine Falls, in particular, the increased water level had made the current much more aggressive. My friends tried to go in but decided that the current was just too strong and that there was simply too much risk of getting swept away.
You should never underestimate the strength of the current. If there is ever any doubt then do not go in the water.
Waterfall Safety
Even if the water level is safe, waterfalls can be very dangerous. If you are not a strong swimmer you could perhaps ask someone you are with, who feels more confident, to see how deep the water is and whether it would be safe for you to go in.
Lots of these waterfalls have perfect little pools of water for you to swim in, but you should remember that it is not a swimming pool. There will often be uneven rocks underfoot and sharp edges of rock beneath the water that you cannot see.
Be very careful when entering and exiting the water and just be mindful of your surroundings while you are swimming.
Travel Insurance
All of these cautions are underpinned by one thing: travel insurance.
There is an element of risk involved in lots of activities, but that won’t be so daunting if you are properly insured.
Most of the experiences that people seek in Australia require travel insurance and the Daintree Rainforest is no exception.
To ensure that you properly relax and enjoy your trip, make sure your travel insurance is sorted before you come.
If you don’t know where to start with travel insurance, start with the gov.uk website. It outlines some key things that a good policy will have which is a great place to start.
Once that’s sorted, you can get onto enjoying your adventure. Be mindful of your actions and always know your limits, especially around water.
If you do that and ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance plan, your trip will be one of the best in your life.
If you want to explore more places on the amazing east coast of Australia, check out my tips for visiting Fraser Island.
By Amy Salmon