Driving Times
Here are some approximate driving times starting from Cairns:-
From Cairns to Port Douglas - 60 minutes
From Port Douglas to Mossman - 15 minutes
From Mossman to Wonga Beach - 20 minutes
From Wonga Beach to either South of Daintree Ferry or Daintree Village - 15-20 min
From North of Ferry to Cow Bay/Diwan - 15-20 min
From Cow Bay/Diwan to Cape Tribulation - 20-25 min
The Daintree Ferry
The vehicle ferry is the only way to cross the Daintree River.
It takes about 30 vehicles and operates continuously between 5am and midnight (12am) every day, including Christmas Day.
The crossing itself takes about 15 minutes including time for boarding and disembarking all vehicles, but there can be waiting times, especially during the peak season (July to September). During these months the busiest hours tend to be mid morning to lunch time going north, and between mid afternoon and 5pm returning south.
The cost for cars and busses with up to 10 seats is $49 return. If, however, you are staying for a while there is a Multi-day Pass for $125, allowing for 5 return trips with a car or ute. Further information on fees for travel on the ferry is outlined on Ferry Tickets & Prices | Daintree Ferry.
EFTPOS is available at the ferry between 8am-4:30pm seven days a week. At all other times users of the ferry need to pay cash unless they have a concessional card.
Douglas Shire Council offers locals residing in the regions of Douglas Shire, Mareeba Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Cairns Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cook Shire Council free travel on the Daintree Ferry from November 1 until February 28 annually with a free “Douglas Card”. The Douglas Card also gives the holder two free bus passes at Mossman Gorge.
Mobile phone coverage
Mobile phone (cell phone) access is quite limited throughout the Daintree
Leaving Mossman there is reasonable reception until just past the Wonga Beach area then some coverage in the Daintree ferry region. Across the river Optus and Telstra offer some coverage along Cape Tribulation road until about Thornton's Beach. Currently there is no mobile reception past that point and at Cape Tribulation.
Daintree Village has good coverage but not outside the Village.
The Daintree Marketing Co-Operative acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.
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