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Australia🇦🇺 | national parksWet Tropics of QueenslandMount Bartle Frere, crater lakes, Josephine Falls, tree kangaroos | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Wet Tropics of Queensland
UNESCO World Heritage site
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The Wet Tropics is not a single park you drive into. It is a World Heritage strip of rainforest, about 450 kilometers long, running along the coast of Queensland in the north of Australia, with Daintree, Wooroonooran and Atherton pockets all stitched together. Hiking ranges from short boardwalks to multi-day tracks, wildlife includes cassowaries and tree kangaroos, and crowds thin fast once you leave the car parks. Public transport is patchy, so you will want wheels. I expected silence in the Daintree. Instead, at dusk, the canopy roared with frogs and insects loud enough to drown out my own muttering about the mosquitoes. Then a palm-sized blue Ulysses butterfly drifted past my face, bright as a dropped phone screen.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 national park in AustraliaWhat makes this national park worth exploring

Backpackers come for the freedom to string together rainforest walks at their own pace. The region rewards self-driving or hitching between Cairns, Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tablelands, where tours skip the quiet corners and trailheads sit beside free or cheap campgrounds. Trail variety is the other draw. You can pair a short boardwalk with a proper day climb, or commit to the Misty Mountain Trails, a network of long tracks through upland forest that suits self-guided hikers with a map and a tolerance for mud. Wildlife seekers get a real shot at cassowaries, platypus and tree kangaroos without a guide. It suits independent travelers who like improvising, though the wet season can cancel plans overnight.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation: One of the few places where rainforest meets reef-fringed beach. Mossman Gorge and the Marrdja Boardwalk give easy walks among buttress roots and strangler figs.
  2. Mossman Gorge: Clear granite-boulder river with a swimming area and the Rainforest Walk, a short loop run in partnership with the Kuku Yalanji people.
  3. Wooroonooran National Park and Mount Bartle Frere: Queensland’s highest peak at 1,622 meters, reached by a demanding cloud-forest track.
  4. Josephine Falls: A granite water slide and pool south of Cairns, reached by a short, well-made path from the car park.
  5. Atherton Tablelands crater lakes: Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine fill volcanic craters, with easy circuits and a good chance of turtles.
  6. Barron Gorge National Park: Waterfalls, lookouts and walking
… read more 👉
  1. Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation: One of the few places where rainforest meets reef-fringed beach. Mossman Gorge and the Marrdja Boardwalk give easy walks among buttress roots and strangler figs.
  2. Mossman Gorge: Clear granite-boulder river with a swimming area and the Rainforest Walk, a short loop run in partnership with the Kuku Yalanji people.
  3. Wooroonooran National Park and Mount Bartle Frere: Queensland’s highest peak at 1,622 meters, reached by a demanding cloud-forest track.
  4. Josephine Falls: A granite water slide and pool south of Cairns, reached by a short, well-made path from the car park.
  5. Atherton Tablelands crater lakes: Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine fill volcanic craters, with easy circuits and a good chance of turtles.
  6. Barron Gorge National Park: Waterfalls, lookouts and walking tracks close to Cairns, best after wet season rain.
  7. Curtain Fig Tree: A huge strangler fig near Yungaburra, reached on a short boardwalk, with tree kangaroos sometimes seen nearby after dark.
Allow four to seven days to see these properly, or a long weekend if you pick only two or three.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Wet Tropics of Queensland

Night Wildlife Walk in the Cairns Botanic Gardens

Night Wildlife Walk in the Cairns Botanic Gardens

5.0(163) 2h
From €38
per personViator
Bungy Jump Experience at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett

Bungy Jump Experience at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett

5.0(108) 2h
From €119
per personViator
Afternoon & Evening Tour of Paronella Park

Afternoon & Evening Tour of Paronella Park

5.0(94) 10h
From €147
per personViator
30 minute Reef Scenic Flight

30 minute Reef Scenic Flight

5.0(68) 30m
From €292
per personViator
Full-day Tour at the Atherton Tablelands with Food Tasting

Full-day Tour at the Atherton Tablelands with Food Tasting

5.0(38) 10h
From €158
per personViator
Cairns to Port Douglas ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax

Cairns to Port Douglas ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax

5.0(37) 1h 30m
From €182
per personViator
Private Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge Day Tour

Private Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge Day Tour

5.0(29) 12h
From €1,183
per personViator
4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

5.0(29) 96h
From €595
per personViator
Private Half Day Tour: World Heritage Rainforest & Waterfall

Private Half Day Tour: World Heritage Rainforest & Waterfall

5.0(20) 5h
From €737
per personViator
Mountain Bike Tour - Cairns

Mountain Bike Tour - Cairns

5.0(19) 4h
From €175
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

The dry season from May to October is the most comfortable window for hiking the Wet Tropics rainforests.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F), nights in the uplands drop to 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Daylight lasts about 11 to 13 hours. Crowds and accommodation prices peak in July and August.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Expect 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F), heavy humidity, and afternoon downpours. Tracks flood, leeches multiply, and roads such as the Bloomfield Track can close. Prices drop, but cyclones are possible from January to March.
  • Stinger Season (November to May): Box jellyfish close the coastal swimming beaches, so freshwater holes and rainforest walks become the focus.
  • Cassowary and Wildlife Season: Sightings are possible all year, though cooler months make long
… read more 👉
The dry season from May to October is the most comfortable window for hiking the Wet Tropics rainforests.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days run 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F), nights in the uplands drop to 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Daylight lasts about 11 to 13 hours. Crowds and accommodation prices peak in July and August.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Expect 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F), heavy humidity, and afternoon downpours. Tracks flood, leeches multiply, and roads such as the Bloomfield Track can close. Prices drop, but cyclones are possible from January to March.
  • Stinger Season (November to May): Box jellyfish close the coastal swimming beaches, so freshwater holes and rainforest walks become the focus.
  • Cassowary and Wildlife Season: Sightings are possible all year, though cooler months make long walks easier.
Book dry-season campsites and cabins a couple of months ahead for school holidays.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Cairns is the best base for backpackers, with the largest cluster of hostels and the easiest access to Daintree, Atherton Tablelands and Wooroonooran tracks.
Inside the World Heritage area, accommodation is limited to national park campgrounds such as Henrietta Creek near Palmerston, Goldsborough Valley and Noah Beach in the Daintree, all booked online through Queensland’s parks system. Cape Tribulation has a few backpacker lodges right beside the rainforest, which suit travelers wanting to wake up to birdsong, though supplies are pricey there.
Port Douglas is a quieter alternative with hostels … read more 👉
Cairns is the best base for backpackers, with the largest cluster of hostels and the easiest access to Daintree, Atherton Tablelands and Wooroonooran tracks.
Inside the World Heritage area, accommodation is limited to national park campgrounds such as Henrietta Creek near Palmerston, Goldsborough Valley and Noah Beach in the Daintree, all booked online through Queensland’s parks system. Cape Tribulation has a few backpacker lodges right beside the rainforest, which suit travelers wanting to wake up to birdsong, though supplies are pricey there.
Port Douglas is a quieter alternative with hostels and easy access to Mossman Gorge. Kuranda sits in the rainforest uplands and has a handful of hostels and guesthouses. Mission Beach, south of Cairns, offers hostels amid cassowary habitat. Yungaburra on the Tablelands has small guesthouses and is handy for lakes, waterfalls and platypus watching at dusk. Cooktown works if you are continuing north.
Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A backpacker covers the Wet Tropics of Queensland for roughly US$55 to 155 a day, with most of that going to beds and the Cairns-to-Daintree transport. Many rainforest areas are free to enter, and travelers pay in Australian dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 15Most national park walking tracks are free. Paid extras include the Daintree River ferry crossing (about US$17 return per car) and swimming or boardwalk attractions such as Mossman Gorge shuttle buses (about US$15 return).
Accommodation (high season, May to October)US$25 to 45Hostel dorms in Cairns, Port Douglas and Mission Beach run US$25 to 40. Powered campsites and bush camping outside the Crater Lakes cost US$8 to 30, and camping is not permitted at Lake Eacham or Lake Barrine.
Local transportUS$10 to 35Buses
… read more 👉
A backpacker covers the Wet Tropics of Queensland for roughly US$55 to 155 a day, with most of that going to beds and the Cairns-to-Daintree transport. Many rainforest areas are free to enter, and travelers pay in Australian dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 15Most national park walking tracks are free. Paid extras include the Daintree River ferry crossing (about US$17 return per car) and swimming or boardwalk attractions such as Mossman Gorge shuttle buses (about US$15 return).
Accommodation (high season, May to October)US$25 to 45Hostel dorms in Cairns, Port Douglas and Mission Beach run US$25 to 40. Powered campsites and bush camping outside the Crater Lakes cost US$8 to 30, and camping is not permitted at Lake Eacham or Lake Barrine.
Local transportUS$10 to 35Buses between Cairns and Port Douglas cost US$12 to 18 one way. Car hire is about US$50 to 90 a day, so split it between several people.
Food and suppliesUS$20 to 35Supermarket self-catering in Cairns or Mareeba is the cheapest route. Cafe meals run US$12 to 25, and remote Daintree stores charge noticeably more.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 25Waterfall swims and rainforest walks cost nothing. Guided walks or river cruises start at about US$40 and are optional.
Total Daily BudgetUS$55 to 155Roughly US$95 a day is realistic for a mid-range backpacker.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Wet Tropics of Queensland: routes, terrain, and sights

The walks here range from boardwalk strolls to serious summit days, all through dense, humid forest with slippery roots and creek crossings.
  • Mount Bartle Frere Trail: About 15 kilometers return from the Josephine Falls trailhead, taking 8 to 12 hours. Hard, steep, often in cloud, with rock scrambles near the summit.
  • Marrdja Boardwalk: A short, flat loop of about 1 kilometer, around 30 minutes, easy, through mangroves and rainforest with a good chance of birds.
  • Mossman Gorge Rainforest Walk: A short loop of about 2.4 kilometers, taking about an hour, easy and mostly paved.
  • Lake Barrine Circuit: About
… read more 👉
The walks here range from boardwalk strolls to serious summit days, all through dense, humid forest with slippery roots and creek crossings.
  • Mount Bartle Frere Trail: About 15 kilometers return from the Josephine Falls trailhead, taking 8 to 12 hours. Hard, steep, often in cloud, with rock scrambles near the summit.
  • Marrdja Boardwalk: A short, flat loop of about 1 kilometer, around 30 minutes, easy, through mangroves and rainforest with a good chance of birds.
  • Mossman Gorge Rainforest Walk: A short loop of about 2.4 kilometers, taking about an hour, easy and mostly paved.
  • Lake Barrine Circuit: About 5 kilometers, 1.5 hours, easy and flat, passing giant kauri pines.
  • Misty Mountain Trails: A network of longer tracks near Wooroonooran, for multi-day hikers, with rough terrain and variable signage.
Cassowaries wander the lowland forest, so keep your distance and never feed them. Platypus show up in quiet creeks around the Tablelands at dusk. Expect leeches in the wet season, and avoid creek swimming in the north because of crocodiles unless the spot is signed as safe.
Getting around is easiest with a car, since buses reach only a few access points and many trailheads are remote. Cairns is the main gateway. Crowds gather at Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation in the dry months, but the upland tracks stay quiet. Most walks are free, though some gorge sites and camping areas charge fees.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

The Wet Tropics is straightforward for prepared hikers, with the main hazards being heat, humidity and water.
Carry more water than seems necessary, walk in the cooler morning hours and wear long, quick-dry layers against leeches, ticks and stinging trees (gympie-gympie), which you should never touch. Saltwater crocodiles live in estuaries and tidal creeks, so obey signs and stay out of the water there. From November to May, box jellyfish make ocean swimming unsafe without stinger suits and patrolled enclosures. Cassowaries can be dangerous if approached, so keep at least 30 meters back and never feed them. Drive slowly on rainforest roads, since cassowaries cross them. In the wet season, never cross flooded creeks, and tell someone your plans because mobile coverage is patchy.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Wet Tropics of Queensland

Plan on 4 to 7 days to cover the main areas. Two days in Cairns and Kuranda, two in Daintree and Cape Tribulation, and one or two on the Atherton Tablelands covers the highlights, while Mission Beach adds another day.
Yes, but only partly. Buses and tours run from Cairns to Port Douglas, Kuranda, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and Mission Beach, with fares around A$20 to 60 one way. Tablelands lakes and remote tracks are far easier with a rental car, usually A$50 to 90 a day.
Most of the area has no general entrance fee, though some sites charge for specific services. Camping in national parks needs a permit booked online, about A$7 to 8 per person per night. Mossman Gorge requires a shuttle ticket from the centre, around A$12 return, and some private attractions have their own fees.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian national parks near Wet Tropics of Queensland

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on exploring Wet Tropics of Queensland

This place is best for hikers who like mud, humidity and wildlife over polished viewpoints. If you want sealed trails and guaranteed sunshine, look elsewhere. I would pack a rain jacket, leech socks and a spare pair of dry socks, then pick one proper summit walk and spend the rest of the time on slow short ones.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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