Roam an ancient tropical rainforest
The Wet Tropics is 80 million years older than the Amazon, a vast swathe of pristine wilderness running from Cooktown to Townsville in the south. Within its 9000sq km (about the size of Cyprus), you’ll find an extraordinary array of landscapes and landmarks, including 30 national parks. Discover waterfall after waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands; witness where two World Heritage areas (reef and rainforest) meet at Cape Tribulation and Mission Beach; cruise the Cooper Creek wilderness within the spectacular Daintree.
The Wet Tropics biodiversity is staggering – home to more than 650 species of vertebrates and 230 types of butterfly as well as hundreds of tiny creatures, reptiles and mammals. Sheltering 47 animal and 227 threatened plant species also makes this World Heritage-listed rainforest region an Arcadian ark of global significance. The Wet Tropics are also home to Australia’s own avian icon, the southern cassowary, the world’s second-heaviest bird. Not only is it visually striking, but it’s also fleet of foot, clocking up speeds of 50km/h.
Eighty per cent of the Wet Tropics looks just as it did at the time of European settlement, as though these ancient Gondwanan rainforests have just emerged from a prehistoric time capsule. Rugged isolation has allowed ancient species to survive and evolve in this cool mountainous refuge, including rare and endemic animals such as the Thornton Peak skink and Kuranda tree frog. This land is also home to more primitive flowering plants – such as the native guava and the pepper tree – than any other place on Earth.
A bird’s eye view
The Wet Tropics rainforest is a motley of textures and shapes featuring an endless expanse of greens. Disappear into the primitive world atop of the canopy, so close you can almost touch it.
Skyrail Rainforest CablewayModern ways to explore ancient rainforest
There are so many shining stars in the Wet Tropics – Discover the wonders of the World Heritage Area.
6 reasons to see the rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Welcome to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, an aerial experience through Australia’s most famous rainforest, the Wet Tropics.
Rainforest Adventures in Tropical North Queensland
From mild to wild, there's endless opportunities for rainforest adventures in Tropical North Queensland.
How to explore the rainforest near Cairns
Flying into Cairns, you can see the city’s close proximity to the rainforest so you know don't have to go far to explore this wonder. In fact, you can even find it in an inner-city suburb.
Walk on the wild side with these rainforest boardwalks
From wandering through the top of the rainforest canopy, to venturing to thundering waterfalls, these rainforest boardwalks are short on distance but big on experience.
10 relaxing ways to sleep in the rainforest
This summer, swap your inner city stresses for cool, rainforest rejuvenation, checking into one of these accommodation providers in the rainforest.
Unlock the secrets of the rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Discover the history of this ancient rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which glides across the top of this World Heritage-listed wonder, 364 days of the year.
The Rainforest People of Kuranda
Known as the colourful village in the rainforest, Kuranda has a much deeper history that stretches way beyond its famous quirky markets. Learn more about the Indigenous people who have called Kuranda home for at least 10,000 years.
10 Things you didn’t know about the Wet Tropics Rainforest
Get to know our famous forest, which spans 8940 square-kilometers and covers more ground than Samoa, Luxemburg and Puerto Rico, with this list of 10 things you didn’t know about the Wet Tropics.
Embrace Summer in the Wet Tropics
Summer in the Wet Tropics brings a different beauty to the area. For locals, it offers a sense of nostalgia; for visitors, an understanding of why it’s affectionately named “the big wet”.
Endemic species of the Wet Tropics to tick off your list
The Wet Tropics is a living museum, home to a myriad of animals; furry, feathery and scaly, some of which can be found no where else on the planet. Here's the endemic species that you can only see in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest.
Everything you need to know about Fitzroy Island
If you want proof not all Great Barrier Reef islands are born equal, pay a visit to the supermodel of the island world, Fitzroy Island.
20 waterfalls near Cairns
Mighty mountain ranges and Wet Tropics Rainforest create the optimum environment for a myriad of extraordinary waterfalls. Fall in love with these 20 waterfall wonderlands only a short drive from Cairns.
Tropic Tweets – Guided Birdwatching Tours in TNQ
Short on time or new to birding? Consider a guided birdwatching tour in the wet tropics. With over 300 species to discover, let the experts lead you to avian wonders. It's the perfect solution for capturing that elusive species or maximising your birding experience. Join a guided tour and let the birding adventure begin!
Explore attractions
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accessibleSkyrail Rainforest Cableway
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atherton tablelandsWaterfall Wanderers – Cairns Adventure Group
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cairns & northern beachesRainforest River Tubing – Cairns Adventure Group
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adrenaline activitiesTreetops Adventure Cape Tribulation
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adrenaline activitiesRaging Thunder Adventures
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eco certifiedMossman Gorge Cultural Centre
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accessiblePamagirri Aboriginal Experience
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camping holiday parksParonella Park
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accessibleAustralian Butterfly Sanctuary
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accessibleTropic Wings Cairns Tours and Charters
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accessibleBirdworld Kuranda
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accessibleKuranda Koala Gardens
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accessibleRainforestation Nature Park
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accessibleKuranda Scenic Railway
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daintree & cape tribulationWalkabout Cultural Adventures
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accessibleDaintree Discovery Centre
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daintree & cape tribulationDaintree Discovery Tours
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cassowary spottingKuranda Riverboat Tours
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creeks rivers streamsEmmagen Creek
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bird watchingDaintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises
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daintree & cape tribulationMossman
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cottagesCape Trib Farm
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adrenaline activitiesWindSwell Kitesurfing and Standup Paddle Boarding Port Douglas
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bird watchingBack Country Bliss Adventures
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daintree & cape tribulationCape Tribulation, Daintree National Park (CYPAL)
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bird watchingSolar Whisper Wildlife Cruises
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boat fishing chartersDaintree River Fishing and Photography Tours
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daintree & cape tribulationDaintree Siesta Restaurant
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bird watchingTony’s Tropical Tours
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daintree & cape tribulationDaintree Sensations
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