Updated in October 2026, this Daintree Discovery Centre guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Daintree Discovery Centre is a rainforest interpretive centre at Cow Bay in the Daintree Rainforest, Far North Queensland. Elevated boardwalks, an aerial walkway and a 23-metre canopy tower let you explore the forest from floor to canopy. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, the centre opens at 9:00, not the 8:30 that some listings show, and the last entry is 16:00.
Quick facts for the Daintree Discovery Centre
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Cnr Cape Tribulation Road and Tulip Oak Road, Cow Bay, Queensland 4873 |
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry 16:00. Closed Christmas Day |
| Adult admission | AUD $41 |
| Concession (seniors and students) | AUD $38 |
| Child (5 to 17) | AUD $19 |
| Family pass | AUD $100 |
| Included | Audio tour in 8 languages, 68-page guide book and 7-day re-entry |
| Distance | About 2 hours from Cairns and 1 hour from Port Douglas |
| Typical visit | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Why book tickets for the Daintree Discovery Centre?
- 🌳 A 23-metre canopy tower: You climb above the treetops of one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
- 🌉 An aerial walkway through the mid-canopy: A gentle incline takes you through the forest on steel-grated boardwalks.
- 🐦 The Cassowary Circuit: An upper boardwalk follows a natural cassowary corridor lined with the birds’ favourite fruits.
- 🎧 A free audio tour in 8 languages: The ticket also includes a 68-page guide book and a children’s audio tour.
- 🔁 Seven days of re-entry: Your ticket lets you return as often as you like within a week.
Ticket prices for the Daintree Discovery Centre – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars and are valid until March 2027.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | AUD $41 |
| Concession (seniors and students) | AUD $38 |
| Child (5 to 17 years inclusive) | AUD $19 |
| Family pass | AUD $100 |
| Companion Card holders | Free |
Every ticket includes the Canopy Tower, the Aerial Walkway, the Cassowary Circuit and Bush Tucker Trail and the Interpretive Display Centre. You also receive a self-guided audio tour in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese. A children’s audio tour suits ages 5 to 9.
Your ticket is valid for seven days. Get your guide book stamped when you leave on your first visit, and return free within the week. Vouchers give a 10% discount, with no other concessions. Tickets are sold at the front counter, and you can book through Viator or at the Book Now page in advance.
7 Cape Tribulation experiences you should book in advance
- ▶️ An attraction-packed Cape Tribulation day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas.
- ▶️ (Highly recommended ✅) Small group reef snorkelling – on the Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef tour.
- ▶️ See the Daintree come to life – on a guided rainforest night walk.
- ▶️ Uncover jungle secrets – on a small group rainforest trekking adventure.
- ▶️ Whizz through the trees – on a thrill-a-minute zipline adventure course.
- ▶️ Saddle up, and go horse-riding along the beach.
- ▶️ Stretch those legs on a full day waterfall hike.
Opening hours for the Daintree Discovery Centre
The centre opens every day except Christmas Day. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. Last entry is at 16:00, so allow at least an hour before closing.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Last entry | 16:00 |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
How to get to the Daintree Discovery Centre
The centre is about two hours’ drive north of Cairns and one hour from Port Douglas. The only vehicle access is the Daintree River ferry, which runs continuously from 5:00 to midnight daily. After the ferry, drive about 10 kilometres to Cow Bay. Turn right at Tulip Oak Road once you pass the Alexander Lookout, and look for the Discovery Centre signs.
The road is sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation, so you do not need a 4WD. A car crossing costs A$57 return in 2026/27, and fares are reviewed each July. Allow extra time in the peak months from July to September.
Parking at the Daintree Discovery Centre
An accessible car park is at the closest point to the main entry ramp. Spaces near the entrance are limited, so arrive early in busy periods. A drop-off point for accessible buses and coaches is at the start of the ramped pathway.
How long to spend at the Daintree Discovery Centre
Allow one and a half to two hours. Many visitors take about 90 minutes to walk the boardwalks, climb the tower and see the displays. Serious rainforest fans can stay all day, and the seven-day ticket lets you return.
Accessibility at the Daintree Discovery Centre
The Jarrabina Terraces mid-canopy walkway is fully accessible, with step-free paths and ramps. It links the Interpretive Centre and the Discovery Theatre. The 3D hologram theatre, café, reception and Aerial Walkway are also accessible.
The Aerial Walkway uses steel-grated panels 1.2 metres wide, so small front wheels can drop into the grates. Larger wheels are generally fine. The 23-metre Canopy Tower has stairs and no wheelchair access to the upper levels. The Cassowary Circuit, Bush Tucker Trail and Jurassic Forest have limited access, but you can explore them in the VR Zone and through the Canopy Cam.
The accessible toilet is next to Reception, and there is none at the Interpretive Centre. Guide dogs benefit from protective shoes on the metal grating. Audio guides have a T switch for hearing aids.
What to see at the Daintree Discovery Centre
The Canopy Tower. This 23-metre tower rises above the trees, and you climb the stairs to look out over the canopy. The top platform shows birds, nests and the layers of the forest.
The Aerial Walkway. A steel-grated elevated walkway passes through the mid-canopy on a gentle incline. A rest node sits roughly halfway, and numbered signs match your audio guide.
The Cassowary Circuit. This upper boardwalk runs through a natural cassowary corridor with the birds’ favourite fruits. McLean’s Lookout is a place to stop and listen to the forest.
The Bush Tucker Trail. The trail explains how the Kuku Yalanji people used rainforest fruits and plants. It also covers native species that helped people survive in the outback.
The Jurassic Forest. This dinosaur exhibit takes you back more than 65 million years. The Daintree rainforest itself has survived around 130 million years.
The Jarrabina Terraces. This accessible mid-canopy walkway is named after the Kuku Yalanji word for the tree kangaroo. Look for climbing vines and towering red cedars.
The Discovery Theatre and the VR Zone. The 3D hologram stage shows Walkabout with Juan. The VR Zone offers narrated 360-degree rainforest experiences.
The boardwalks, Reptile Room and strangler fig. Four hundred metres of elevated boardwalks protect the forest floor. They pass a Reptile Room and a 500-year-old strangler fig tree.
Practical visitor tips for the Daintree Discovery Centre
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | You can pay at the front counter, but book tickets in advance to plan your day. |
| Use your seven days | Get your guide book stamped on your first visit, then return free within a week. |
| Wear closed shoes | Closed-in, secure footwear is recommended, and bring water, sunscreen and a change of clothes. |
| Expect little phone reception | Reception is poor in the Daintree, so travel with someone if you can. |
| Skip the tower if needed | The VR Zone and Canopy Cam show the 23-metre view without the stairs. |
Frequently asked questions about the Daintree Discovery Centre
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What time does the Daintree Discovery Centre open? | It opens at 9:00 and closes at 17:00 daily, with last entry at 16:00. It is closed on Christmas Day. |
| How much does entry cost? | Adults pay AUD $41, concession AUD $38 and children aged 5 to 17 AUD $19. A family pass costs AUD $100. |
| What does the ticket include? | The Canopy Tower, Aerial Walkway, Cassowary Circuit, Bush Tucker Trail, audio tour, guide book and seven-day re-entry. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Staff process entry at the front counter, but advance booking is recommended to secure your day. |
| Is the centre wheelchair accessible? | The Jarrabina Terraces, Aerial Walkway, café and theatre are accessible. The Canopy Tower and some lower boardwalks are not. |
Things to do near the Daintree Discovery Centre
The Alexander Lookout is a roadside lookout just before the centre.
Thornton Beach is a long beach backed by rainforest, north of the centre.
Cape Tribulation is the rainforest-meets-reef headland about 35 kilometres north on a sealed road.
The Marrdja Boardwalk is a short boardwalk near Cape Tribulation through mangroves and lowland rainforest.
The Daintree Ice Cream Company is a farm-style ice cream stop on Cape Tribulation Road.
Alternatives to the Daintree Discovery Centre
The Daintree Discovery Centre is the only dedicated interpretive centre in the Daintree. The options below are other rainforest experiences within about two hours’ travel.
Mossman Gorge is a rainforest gorge near Port Douglas with swimming holes and guided Indigenous walks.
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a gondola ride above the rainforest canopy between Cairns and Kuranda.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a heritage train that climbs through rainforest gorges from Cairns.
Millaa Millaa Falls is a waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands that suits a swim and a picnic.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas is a wildlife park with birds, kangaroos and koalas in rainforest and wetland settings.
More Far North Queensland travel
Other Far North Queensland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Exploring the Great Barrier Reef: Best islands and tours.
- Advice for walking and swimming at Josephine Falls and Nandroya Falls.
- When to visit Mamu Tropical Skywalk and what you’ll see there.
- Wildlife encounters on the journey up to Cape Tribulation.
- Planning a visit to the Jindalba Boardwalk, Myall Beach, Cow Bay Beach and Noah Beach near Cape Tribulation.
