A green tree frog clings to a brown tree branch against a black background, reminiscent of the sights you might encounter on a Daintree Nocturnal Tour.
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Daintree Afternoon and Nocturnal Tour

from A$500
11 hours
Cairns
All Ages (14+)
Free Cancellation (7 days prior)
This tour operates on Mondays and Wednesdays only, departing Cairns at 12:15pm and returning by approximately 11:00pm. Not suitable for children under 14.

An afternoon into night Daintree tour from Cairns or Port Douglas for guests aged 14 and over. Cruise the Daintree River on a solar electric boat, walk the rainforest at Cape Tribulation, toast the sunset on the coast and have dinner at a rainforest lodge, then spotlight for wildlife on a guided night walk.

  • A green tree frog clings to a brown tree branch against a black background, reminiscent of the sights you might encounter on a Daintree Nocturnal Tour.
  • Aerial view of a sandy beach with palm trees in the foreground, turquoise water, and a few people sitting on the sand near the shoreline under partly cloudy skies—the perfect setting to relax before or after an unforgettable Afternoon Tour through the nearby Daintree rainforest.
  • Four people sit on a boat touring the Daintree River, looking at the scenery. One woman holds binoculars. The guide stands behind them. Trees and hills are visible in the background, setting the perfect scene for an unforgettable Afternoon Tour.
  • A common brushtail possum with grey fur and a pale belly sits on a tree branch at night, looking towards the camera with one paw raised—a classic sight on a Daintree Nocturnal Tour. Moss covers the branches and tree trunk, adding to the enchanting night-time atmosphere.
  • Roasted chicken breast served with green olives, grilled courgette, pine nuts, and fresh herbs on a rustic ceramic plate—the perfect dish to enjoy after an afternoon tour of the Daintree.
  • Four people sit at a wooden table outdoors, smiling and clinking glasses with tropical drinks during an Afternoon Tour in the lush Daintree, surrounded by green plants and a black metal fence in the background.
  • Five people sit around a wooden table at a restaurant in the Daintree, eating, drinking, and talking with each other about their recent Afternoon Tour.
  • Aerial view of a sandy beach with palm tree shadows stretching onto the shore; dense green palm trees—reminiscent of the lush Daintree—line the bottom edge, evoking the vibrant scenery often admired during an afternoon tour.
  • A small bird with bright blue and orange plumage is perched on a branch, facing left, against the blurred green backdrop of the Daintree.
  • A group of five people listen to a guide speaking on a covered Daintree boat tour, surrounded by lush greenery and a river.
  • A large crocodile lies on the muddy ground in the Daintree, its mouth open to display sharp teeth and rough, textured skin—an impressive sight often glimpsed during an afternoon tour.
  • Two people stand in the lush, green Daintree forest holding torches, looking up at the tall trees and dense foliage around them on an unforgettable Nocturnal Tour.
  • A cassowary with a bright blue head, brown casque, and black feathers stands in the lush Daintree forest, its striking appearance illuminated during an adventurous Afternoon Tour.
  • A camouflaged spider blends into a mottled brown and green tree bark background, much like those you might spot during a Daintree Afternoon Tour.
  • A close-up of a snake’s head resting on a mossy surface, showing its scales, eye, and part of its mouth against a dark background—an intriguing sight often encountered during a Nocturnal Tour in the Daintree.
  • A warmly lit wooden lodge with a high pitched roof is surrounded by lush tropical plants at dusk, viewed from a wooden walkway—evoking the enchanting ambience of a Daintree nocturnal tour.
  • A green tree frog clings to a brown tree branch against a black background, reminiscent of the sights you might encounter on a Daintree Nocturnal Tour.
  • Aerial view of a sandy beach with palm trees in the foreground, turquoise water, and a few people sitting on the sand near the shoreline under partly cloudy skies—the perfect setting to relax before or after an unforgettable Afternoon Tour through the nearby Daintree rainforest.
  • Four people sit on a boat touring the Daintree River, looking at the scenery. One woman holds binoculars. The guide stands behind them. Trees and hills are visible in the background, setting the perfect scene for an unforgettable Afternoon Tour.
  • A common brushtail possum with grey fur and a pale belly sits on a tree branch at night, looking towards the camera with one paw raised—a classic sight on a Daintree Nocturnal Tour. Moss covers the branches and tree trunk, adding to the enchanting night-time atmosphere.
  • Roasted chicken breast served with green olives, grilled courgette, pine nuts, and fresh herbs on a rustic ceramic plate—the perfect dish to enjoy after an afternoon tour of the Daintree.
  • Four people sit at a wooden table outdoors, smiling and clinking glasses with tropical drinks during an Afternoon Tour in the lush Daintree, surrounded by green plants and a black metal fence in the background.
  • Five people sit around a wooden table at a restaurant in the Daintree, eating, drinking, and talking with each other about their recent Afternoon Tour.
  • Aerial view of a sandy beach with palm tree shadows stretching onto the shore; dense green palm trees—reminiscent of the lush Daintree—line the bottom edge, evoking the vibrant scenery often admired during an afternoon tour.
  • A small bird with bright blue and orange plumage is perched on a branch, facing left, against the blurred green backdrop of the Daintree.
  • A group of five people listen to a guide speaking on a covered Daintree boat tour, surrounded by lush greenery and a river.
  • A large crocodile lies on the muddy ground in the Daintree, its mouth open to display sharp teeth and rough, textured skin—an impressive sight often glimpsed during an afternoon tour.
  • Two people stand in the lush, green Daintree forest holding torches, looking up at the tall trees and dense foliage around them on an unforgettable Nocturnal Tour.
  • A cassowary with a bright blue head, brown casque, and black feathers stands in the lush Daintree forest, its striking appearance illuminated during an adventurous Afternoon Tour.
  • A camouflaged spider blends into a mottled brown and green tree bark background, much like those you might spot during a Daintree Afternoon Tour.
  • A close-up of a snake’s head resting on a mossy surface, showing its scales, eye, and part of its mouth against a dark background—an intriguing sight often encountered during a Nocturnal Tour in the Daintree.
  • A warmly lit wooden lodge with a high pitched roof is surrounded by lush tropical plants at dusk, viewed from a wooden walkway—evoking the enchanting ambience of a Daintree nocturnal tour.

Quick read before you book.

  • See the rainforest after dark, when it is at its busiest
  • Your best chance of a wild Southern Cassowary
  • Sunset where the rainforest meets the coast
  • Crocodile spotting with a near perfect success rate
  • Small group of no more than 11 guests

What people say about this operator.

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4.9 Stars|41 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom so you don't miss a thing.

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Included in this tour.

  • One hour Daintree River wildlife cruise aboard the Solar Whisper
  • Guided afternoon rainforest walk at Cape Tribulation
  • Guided nocturnal rainforest walk
  • Afternoon tea
  • Complimentary sunset drink on the Cape Tribulation coast
  • Dinner at a private rainforest lodge
  • Binoculars and torches for spotlighting
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent and a first aid kit
  • Umbrellas on rainy days
  • Return transport from Cairns, Palm Cove, Thala Beach or Port Douglas

Commonly asked questions.

Pickups start at 12:15pm in Cairns and 1:30pm in Port Douglas, with Palm Cove and Thala Beach also on the route. You are back in Port Douglas around 10pm and Cairns around 11pm.

The Daintree Afternoon and Nocturnal Tour runs on Mondays and Wednesdays only, with a minimum of two and a maximum of 11 guests.

Expect spiders, katydids, beetles, frogs, lizards, microbats and fruit bats, and occasionally snakes, owls and possums, with sightings changing with humidity, temperature, tide and moon phase. Our local guide to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation covers more of what lives here.

Guests must be 14 or older, as the group night walks are not suitable for younger children.

Tours are not cancelled for rain. Umbrellas are provided and the itinerary is adjusted, though a tour may be cancelled if a tropical cyclone cuts access to the National Park.

Cancel more than 7 days before departure at no charge. Between 7 days and 48 hours before, a 25% fee applies, and within 48 hours or for a no show the full price is kept.

Each walk is about a kilometre, and the night trail is not a boardwalk, so it is not recommended if you have a severe fear of spiders. The vehicles are not ramped and have a step to get in, so they are not suited to wheelchairs or guests with very limited mobility, and most stops do not have an accessible bathroom. Call the team before booking to talk through your needs.

Pack a hat, sunglasses, good walking shoes, a camera, a water bottle and a day pack; torches and binoculars are supplied. Our Daintree packing checklist has the full list.

More about this tour.

Most Daintree days end just as the rainforest wakes up. This one keeps going. Pickups start at 12:15pm in Cairns and 1:30pm in Port Douglas, and you do not head home until the night walk is done, arriving back in Cairns around 11pm.The afternoon opens with an hour on the Daintree River aboard the Solar Whisper, a quiet solar electric boat that slips up close to crocodiles, birds and snakes without engine noise, with afternoon tea along the way. Then it is into Daintree National Park at Cape Tribulation for a guided rainforest walk of about 45 minutes, your best chance of meeting a wild Southern Cassowary.As the light drops you are on the Cape Tribulation coast for sunset with a complimentary drink, followed by dinner at a private rainforest lodge. After dark, torches on, your guide leads a spotlighting walk of about a kilometre over roughly an hour and a half, looking for frogs, lizards, microbats, fruit bats and katydids, and on lucky nights owls, possums or snakes. Then it is back across the Daintree River on the cable ferry.Prefer to see the river by daylight? The Daintree River and Mossman Gorge Experience with the same team pairs the cruise with a swim at Mossman Gorge. Explore the itinerary, check availability for a Monday or Wednesday, then book.

Additional info.

  • Runs Mondays and Wednesdays only, with pickups from 12:15pm in Cairns and 1:30pm in Port Douglas.
  • Back in Port Douglas around 10pm and Cairns around 11pm.
  • Guests must be 14 or older.
  • Wear proper walking shoes, as the night trail is not a boardwalk.