Daintree Ferry

Crossing the Daintree River

The Daintree River ferry is the only vehicle crossing of the Daintree River. Cow Bay, Thornton Beach, Cooper Creek and Cape Tribulation are all reached this way, so if you are driving north of the river, you are catching this ferry.

It spans the river about 50 kilometres north of Port Douglas. Coming from Cairns, Port Douglas or Mossman, turn off the Mossman–Daintree Road onto Cape Tribulation Road and follow it 3.8 kilometres to the ferry tollbooth.

Hours and crossing time

• Operating hours — the ferry shuttles back and forth continuously between 5am and midnight, every day of the year, including Christmas Day.
• Crossing time — about 15 minutes, including loading and unloading all vehicles.
• No timetable — it is a cable ferry running a continuous shuttle, so there is nothing to book a seat on. You join the queue and cross on the next available run.

The last crossing is at midnight. If you are heading north for the day, that is your hard boundary for getting back.

Tickets — how it actually works

• Buy online in advance, or pay at the ferry. Online payment is by credit card. At the ferry you can pay by cash, EFTPOS or credit card, either at the booth or onboard.
• You do not need to print anything. Staff will scan the QR code from your phone.
• A return ticket costs less than two one-way tickets in every vehicle category. If you are coming back the same way — and almost everyone does — buy the return.
• Buying in advance does not let you skip the queue. This is the single most common misunderstanding. The priority lane is reserved for local residents holding a Douglas Card or Daintree Ferry Concessional Card, tourism bus operators and emergency vehicles. A pre-purchased ticket gets you no priority access.

What it costs

Fares are set by Douglas Shire Council and are reviewed each year, taking effect on 1 July. Because of that we do not publish the figures here — a price list that is a year old is worse than no price list.

Check the current fares on the official ticketing page at daintreeferry.com.au before you travel.

Which rate applies to your vehicle

• Cars, utes and campervans — charged at the car/utility rate.
• Caravans and trailers — charged at the trailer rate, and the ticket must be bought together with a vehicle ticket, not on its own.
• Commercial vehicles — charged at the machinery rate.
• Motorbikes, buses, bicycles and pedestrians — all have their own rates, with buses priced by seat capacity.

Queues — when you will wait

In peak season the queue for the ferry can extend back along Cape Tribulation Road. It moves in cycles rather than continuously, because each crossing takes about 15 minutes to load, cross and unload.

Two things worth planning around:

• Allow for the queue in both directions. A day trip to Cape Tribulation means crossing twice, and the afternoon return crossing is often the busier one.
• Stay in your vehicle where you can. Queue management asks for this, and it keeps loading quick for everyone.

There are public toilets in the carpark on the northern side, directly before the ferry departure point.

What is on the other side

The road from the ferry to Cape Tribulation is sealed the whole way — about 35 kilometres, and comfortable in any ordinary car. Along it you will find the Daintree Discovery Centre, several rainforest boardwalks and walks, and the beaches at Cow Bay, Thornton and Cape Tribulation.

The sealed road ends at Cape Tribulation. Beyond it, the Bloomfield Track to Wujal Wujal and Cooktown is a 4WD-only route with creek crossings and steep sections. It is not a continuation of the drive you have been doing — it is a different kind of driving, and most standard hire agreements do not permit it.

If your vehicle is not suited to the far north

Crossing the ferry and driving to Cape Tribulation needs nothing special. Continuing to Cooktown by the coast road does.

If the Bloomfield Track is the part of the journey you actually want, a guided multi-day trip is the practical way to do it without a suitable 4WD or the experience to drive it. Departures are seasonal rather than year-round, so check current dates before planning around one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Things to do in the Daintree Rainforest

Daintree River CruiseAlexandra LookoutPanoramic views over lush rainforest and mountains, a short drive from the ferry.Cape KimberleyBeaches and lush rainforest at a serene corner of the Daintree.Uncle Brian’s Tours – Cape TribulationBookable tour

Quick Answers

Do I need to book the Daintree ferry?

No. It is a cable ferry running continuously, so you join the queue and cross on the next run. Buying a ticket ahead does not let you skip the queue.

What are the ferry hours?

5am to midnight every day of the year, including Christmas Day. The crossing takes about 15 minutes.

How much does the ferry cost?

Fares are set by Douglas Shire Council and change each 1 July. A return costs less than two one-way tickets. Check current fares at daintreeferry.com.au before you travel.

Rather not drive? Uncle Brian’s Tours – Cape Tribulation →