Welcome to the lush wilderness of SEITs newest tour destination, Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. This extraordinary World Heritage-listed site never fails to captivate with its timeless beauty, rich Indigenous culture, and unparalleled experiences. Discover why this mesmerising destination attracts over 400,000 visitors each year, starting with these five interesting facts that make the Daintree Rainforest an essential addition to every bucket list.
1. It is the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest.
Prepare to step into a living museum as you explore the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on Earth. As you wander through the lush foliage and towering trees, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. With an estimated age of over 180 million years, this ancient ecosystem predates the Amazon Rainforest, making it a remarkable testament to the resilience and endurance of nature.
2. The Daintree Rainforest is rich in Indigenous culture.
The Kuku Yalanji people have cultural roots in the Daintree Rainforest that date back thousands of years. For countless generations, the Kuku Yalanji have nurtured a profound connection with this ancient land, shaping their way of life around its abundance and beauty. Through oral traditions passed down through the ages, they have preserved a rich tapestry of Dreamtime creation stories that explain the origins of the rainforest and the significance it holds in their cosmology. These stories unveil the ancestral wisdom and spiritual connections that have shaped their traditions, rituals, and deep respect for the natural world.
3. It is a massive 1,200 square kilometres in size!
Prepare to be awestruck by the sheer size and diversity of the Daintree Rainforest. Spanning an incredible 1,200 square kilometres (462 square miles), this tropical paradise is a staggering 162 times the size of Sydney Harbour.
4. 430 different species of wildlife call the Daintree Rainforest home.
The Daintree Rainforest is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream, offering a mesmerising array of diverse and unique species. As you step into this lush paradise, you’ll be greeted by the sights and sounds of a thriving ecosystem. Upon visiting this stunning destination, you are sure to encounter several iconic species, like the cassowary and platypus, while being surrounded by colourful butterflies and the enchanting sounds of frogs. With 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, and 35% of its frog, marsupial, and reptile species residing here, the Daintree Rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot.
5. It is a haven for primitive plant life.
The Daintree Rainforest is renowned for its exceptional plant life, hosting the highest concentration of primitive species globally. Towering ancient ferns, majestic fan palms, and resilient cycads paint a picture of the Earth’s distant past. This remarkable display of flora not only showcases the beauty of nature but also highlights the intricate interconnectedness that sustains the Earth’s rich biodiversity.
Discover the Daintree Dreaming tours by SEIT:
To make the most of your Daintree Rainforest adventure, we invite you to check out our two new tours: Daintree Dreaming – Aboriginal Art & Culture and Daintree Dreaming – Traditional Aboriginal Fishing.
On the Aboriginal Art & Culture tour, departing from Cairns and Cairns beaches, you’ll journey into the heart of the rainforest, exploring Ngadiku with indigenous guides. Experience a dreamtime journey as you visit the Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery, where the Yiki people’s protected art depicts ancient stories and traditions.
For those seeking a more hands-on experience, the Traditional Aboriginal Fishing tour offers an immersive day on Cooya Beach. Accompanied by Kuku Yalanji guides, you’ll learn traditional fishing techniques and join in the hunt for mud crabs and periwinkles. This unique adventure grants you an intimate understanding of the indigenous people’s relationship with the land and sea.