TNQ Writer
With so much to see and do in the Daintree and Port Douglas, it’s easy to pack your itinerary full before considering your dining experiences. However, with a range of incredible eateries, micro-farms, fisheries and producers scattered along the coastline, you'll want to make room to savour the region's delicious offerings along the way.
The Australian Chocolate Farm
Take a walk on the sweet side of the local food scene at a boutique cocoa plantation nestled in the beautiful Shannonvale Valley, 15 minutes from Port Douglas.
At The Australian Chocolate Farm, owners Jenny and Darryl are at the heart of this small single origin chocolate farm. On the guided Farm Tour, you’ll learn about the bean-to-bar production process and the personal touches that make this handmade business a favourite with visitors.
The highlight of the tour is the chocolate tasting session where you can sample four of their creations, some of which feature distinctly Australian flavours like wattleseed and lemon myrtle.
Whether you’re doing the tour or would simply like to pop in, the on-site café serves up hot chocolates, fresh scones with jam and cream, biscuits and light meals.
Chocolate lovers, you are in for a treat. Here is a sweet treat with an even sweeter tale of local farming and small business.
Scomazzon Farming
A fourth-generation family-owned business, Scomazzon Farming has become a local landmark that travellers and locals flock to for tantalising produce, foodie gifts and souvenirs.
Nestled along the scenic Mossman-Daintree Road sits a quaint country store clad in corrugated iron that is a sensory experience from the moment you walk through the doors.
Immediately you’re met with the wafting sweet smells of fresh fruit that has been harvested from the surrounding hills and valleys. The kaleidoscope of colours is made up of jackfruit, dragonfruit, custard apples and pineapples to mamey sapotes, durian and papaya.
Wandering the aisles, Scomazzon’s rustic wooden shelves are also stocked with a curated range of artisanal products. Every item reflects the creative talents found in Tropical North Queensland and is popular for edible and non-edible souvenirs. You’ll find granola, chutneys and elixirs through to organic beauty products and art.
Founded in 1930, this local family continues its traditions of purveying fine local foods to share with its guests from near and far.
Hook-A-Barra
So you want to work up an appetite before hooking into lunch? An hour of catch-and-release Barramundi fishing should do the trick. When there’s ‘fish on’, get ready for jumping, popping, kick flips and dorsal smashing.
Located at the Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm, Hook-A-Barra is a land-based fishing experience suitable for beginners through to experienced anglers. Fishing for Barra is an exhilarating activity the whole family can enjoy.
Hook-A-Barra provide all the equipment and their expert guides are on hand for tips and tricks and to explain the care and lifecycle of the fish on the property. They’re also excellent photographers so when you return from your holiday you’ve got the proof to show your friends it really was “thiiiiis big”!
When you’ve had your adrenaline rush, let the lure of freshly made Barra burgers guide you to the Big Barra Café on site. Of course, Barramundi is the hero ingredient in many of the meals including classic fish and chips, fish tacos, smoked fish and even Barra gyoza. You can even book a Farm & Fishing Combo Tour for an all-inclusive half day out.
Don’t just take our word for it, this fish is delicious on a national award level! It’s won over 20 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the prestigious Sydney Royal Fine Food Show over the last 10 years, including 12 Golds and 5 Championships.
So what do you say? ‘Fish on’?
Daintree Village
Travel back to the 1870s and explore the original settlement town founded by timber cutters, now a funky modern-day community with a collection of cafes and restaurants and hub for exploring the region.
Situated on the southern bank of the Daintree River, Daintree Village is a foodie pitstop before embarking on a wildlife cruise, self-guided historical walk or scenic valley drive.
At the Daintree Village Hotel you can sip on cold beers and enjoy classic Aussie pub food in the outdoor garden where bright blue Ulysses butterflies flutter amongst the foliage.
This one stop shop also is also adjoined by the Daintree General Store where you can stock up on locally-grown fruit, dairy products, fresh bread, coffee, treats and of course plenty of local knowledge and friendly advice.
Daintree Gateway Fruit Stall
Located along Mossman-Daintree Road, the Daintree Gateway Fruit Stall is another iconic roadside fruit stall offering fresh tropical fruit, preserves and dried fruits.
Keep your eyes peeled for the tiny timber hut with shelves and tubs bursting with colourful pineapples, paw paws, passionfruit, bananas and anything else that’s in season.
The stall operates with an honesty system so bring along cash or transfer using the electronic payment details on site.
Daintree Ice Cream Company
This isn’t your average ice cream company. It’s not just the spectacular scenery that makes it different, or the fact that the fruit used in the ice-cream are all grown organically on site, or even the fact that the ice-creamery is entirely solar and generator powered.
The thing that makes this iconic local business different, is that the flavours are ever-changing depending on what ingredients are best in season. Here, small batches are changed out weekly to feature the best local flavours, and each combination is hand crafted by ice-cream maestro and owner Dave Mainwaring – with flavours you won’t find anywhere else like Black Sapote.
There’s likely to be flavours you never knew existed, as well as incredible new takes on your classic favourites. The ice cream, gelatos and sorbets are all expertly crafted using artisan methods meaning they are as delicious as can be.
A visit to the 22-acre Daintree Ice Cream Company is one you won’t easily forget. Enjoy the scoops of pure happiness and then enjoy the sights and sounds of this sprawling rainforest estate.
Daintree Fan Palm Farm
What happens when an expert barista and health food enthusiast make the move from suburban Syndey to the lush Daintree rainforest?
You end up with the Daintree Fan Palm Farm, a must-visit wholefoods store, café and coffee spot complete with a lush fan palm boardwalk.
The warm hospitality of Gina and Peter is complimented by the great range of freshly baked pies, homemade cakes, gluten-free salad bowls and organic ice-cream as well as a well-stocked wholefoods store.
Touted as the best cup of coffee in the Daintree, set your GPS for this little slice of paradise on Cape Tribulation Road.
Cape Trib Farm
Fruit lovers rejoice! It’s time to tantalise the taste buds and tour the world through the medium of tropical and exotic fruits.
Located on Cape Tribulation Road, this orchard grows over 70 rare fruits, from the delectable chocolate pudding fruit to the creamy mamey sapote.
Join local guides on a Farm Tour where you can sample a variety of these fruits, learn about their origins and uses and see first-hand the regenerative farming principals in action.
Keen to sleep over on an operating tropical fruit farm? Cape Trib Farm has collection of cottages where you can rest, revitalise and use as a base to explore the larger region.
Daintree Sensations
It’s time to sit back, relax and let the passionate guides of Daintree Sensations take the wheel on your Daintree food adventure.
Once aboard the air-conditioned mini coach, ahead of you is eight hours of the very best food experiences of this bountiful region.
You’ll visit private properties, meet local growers and farmers, and sample their award-winning produce along the way, including stops at Australian Chocolate Farm, Scomazzon’s Fruit Farm and Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm.
To finish, you’ll enjoy a signature Tastes of the Daintree artisan grazing board beside a pristine waterfall at Cassowary Falls.
Daintree Food Trail
Now that you’ve read up on some of the region’s most exciting foodie destinations, it’s time to plan your ultimate road trip using the online resources provided by Daintree Food Trail.
With a network local eateries, farms and producers spanning the coast from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation, you can pick your must-see favourites from the directory and then plot your map for your journey.
From sunrise to sunset, breakfast to dinner and every snack in between, this self-guided trail will unearth memorable bites set against a magical backdrop of towering mountains, rainforest rivers and golden beaches.
