Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park
Getting there and getting around
From Cairns, travel north for 80km along the Cook Highway to Mossman. In the centre of Mossman turn left into Johnston Road. This 5km bitumen road leads directly to the Mossman Gorge car park. Please drive slowly and with particular care when passing the Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community on your way to the park. Caravans and large campervans are not recommended on this narrow road.
Wheelchair accessibility
The toilets and picnic area near the car park are wheelchair accessible but beyond that, no areas are accessible by wheelchair .
Park features
Much of the 56,500ha Mossman Gorge Section of Daintree National Park includes rugged, largely inaccessible slopes of the Main Coast Range and Carbine Tableland, adjoining Mt Windsor and Mt Lewis. It is these steep mountain ranges that trap moisture blown in from the ocean and ensure frequent rainfall, maintaining the rainforest and ultimately feeding the Mossman and Daintree Rivers.
Tall, dense rainforests clothe the lowlands and stunted windswept rainforests occupy the mountaintops. To the west of the Main Coast Range, open forest and woodlands grow on the drier western slopes. The park provides a home for a wonderful variety of rainforest animals including tree-kangaroos, musky rat-kangaroos and Boyd’s forest dragons.
Over millions of years, the Mossman River has carved a steep-sided valley from the upper reaches to the coastal lowlands. Through this valley, crystal clear water cascades amongst large granite boulders which have been washed down from the hills during times of heavy flood.
The Mossman Gorge Section is part of the traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji people.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of Daintree National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
There is no campground in Mossman Gorge Section of Daintree National Park.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Mossman, Port Douglas and Cairns.
For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
There are two circuit tracks. A short, 400m track provides access to lookouts over the Mossman River. Beyond this is a 2.7km loop track through the rainforest.
Seasonal track closures may occur from time to time due to localised flooding or track maintenance.
River circuit track – 400m return (10minutes) Grade: Easy
This easy circuit track starts from the car park and runs alongside the Mossman River, returning through the forest. To extend your walk, you can continue on to the Mossman River lookout and further on to the Rainforest circuit track via the Rex Creek suspension bridge and the Manjal Dimbi lookout.
Rainforest circuit track – 2.7km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy
This 2.7km loop track is accessed from the river circuit track via a suspension bridge over Rex Creek. There are views of Manjal Dimbi plus an access point to Wurumbu Creek. Signs provide information on rainforest plants and their uses by the Kuku Yalanji people for food, medicine and materials.
Guided tours and talks
The local indigenous community operates Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walks through the ancient Daintree forest on community land. For more information, see www.yalanji.com.au or contact (07) 4098 2595.
To find out more about Kuku Yalanji culture, contact the Mossman Gorge Community Rangers on (07) 4098 1305 or Wujal Wujal Council on (07) 4060 8155.
Picnic and day use areas
Toilets and picnic tables are provided at the car park. Toilets are wheelchair-accessible.
Viewing wildlife
Strangler fig trees and a variety of epiphytic plants are prominent features of the rainforest at Mossman Gorge. Fish and turtles can been seen in Mossman River. Bright butterflies are commonly encountered and observant visitors may find a Boyd’s forest dragon, a large colourful lizard, clinging to a tree trunk.
See the description of the park’s natural environment for more details about the wildlife at Mossman Gorge.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
Bring sturdy shoes for walking. It is also advisable to bring sunscreen, hat and clothes for protection from the sun.
Opening hours
The Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park, is open 24 hours a day. The Mossman Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Permits and fees
If camping in the remote section of the park, a permit must be purchased from the Mossman Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Office. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. It is essential to discuss your plans in person with ranger staff.
Camping fees are $4.00 per person per night or $16.00 per family per night. A family group is up to two adults and accompanying children under 18. Children under five are free.
Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in any section of Daintree National Park.
Climate and weather
The area in which Daintree National Park is located has one of the wettest climates in Australia. During the wet season, from December to April, there are heavy, frequent downpours. Some areas receive over six metres of rainfall annually. Maximum temperatures through the wet season range from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity often exceeding 80 percent.
The cooler, drier months, from May to September, are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm during this time, with reduced humidity and the maximum temperature averaging 26 degrees Celsius.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at various locations at Cairns, Port Douglas and Mossman.
Staying safe
It is dangerous to enter the river, due to swift currents, flash flooding, cold water and slippery rocks. Drownings have occurred in Mossman Gorge.
Avoid stinging trees. These plants are found at rainforest edges. They grow to approximately 3-4 metres high and have large, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges. DO NOT TOUCH these plants as it will almost certainly result in a very painful sting. If you are stung, seek medical advice.
Do not leave cars unattended overnight as they could be vandalised.
If you intend to hike within the park beyond the river and rainforest circuit tracks, you must discuss your plans with park staff and complete a bushwalking registration form. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is not responsible for ensuring the safe return of walkers so you need to provide a responsible person with details of your trip and advise this person upon your return. If going on extended walks, ensure you have enough drinking water and protect yourself from the sun. Wear sturdy shoes and wear appropriate clothing. Be prepared for weather changes.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
As part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Daintree National Park contains outstanding examples of major stages in the earth’s evolutionary history, continuing biological evolution and exceptional beauty, and provides habitat for many rare and threatened species. Please minimise your impact on this special place by taking the following measures.
- Take your rubbish with you when you leave.
- Don’t use shampoos and soaps in or near waterways.
- Stay on walking tracks, as taking short cuts leads to erosion and adjacent areas may be unstable.
- Obey signs and regulations – they are in place to protect this area for conservation and nature-based recreation.
See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park, is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
A management plan for Daintree National Park will be prepared in the future.
Tourism information links
- The Gateway Discovery Centre
- www.tropicalaustralia.com.au
- 51 The Esplanade, Cairns Qld 4870
- ph (07) 4051 3588
- fax (07) 4051 7509
- email info@tropicalaustralia.com.au
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au
Further information
- QPWS Cairns Information Centre
-
- 5B Sheridan St, Cairns
- PO Box 2066, Cairns Qld 4870
- ph (07) 4046 6600
- fax (07) 4046 6751
- email cic@epa.qld.gov.au
- QPWS Mossman office
- Level 1 Centenary Building, 1 Front St, Mossman
- PO Box 251, Mossman Qld 4873
- ph (07) 4098 2188
- fax (07) 4098 2279
- EPA Customer Service Centre
- 160 Ann St, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East Qld 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 05 June 2006
