Start your day in style with a delicious cooked English breakfast, delivered straight to your chalet door. Enjoy it on your private deck, where the valley stretches out before you, and witness the rainforest residents beginning to stir. With fresh orange juice in the fridge and tea or coffee at your fingertips, it’s the perfect way to ease into the morning. As mist lifts from the mountains and birdcalls echo through the trees, butterflies drift past on warm air currents, you know you’re already somewhere special and today, that sense of wonder continues as you journey to the incredible Great Barrier Reef. Get away by 9am to enjoy the day. Breakfast is in addition to accommodation and needs to be booked in advance.

The Daintree Ferry crosses the Daintree River, providing a connection between the southern and northern sections of the Daintree Rainforest. Running daily from 5am to midnight, this cable ferry offers a scenic crossing with sweeping views of the river as you cross, keep your eyes peeled for birdlife, reflections in the still water, and maybe even a crocodile. The journey takes about 15 minutes (each way), with space for up to 27 vehicles at a time. Tickets can be purchased online or at the southern tollbooth using cash or EFTPOS. Note that during peak periods, such as school holidays, there may be wait times to cross the river. For current pricing and operational updates, visit their website. Tickets do not need to be pre-booked.

Catch your first glimpses of the sea this morning, with a stop at the Alexandra Lookout, also known as Walu Wugirriga. Located just a short drive after crossing the Daintree Ferry, this elevated lookout offers sweeping views over the rainforest hinterlands, winding Daintree River and out to the Coral Sea and Snapper Island. It’s a popular stop for photos, especially in the morning light or on clear days when the layers of forest, river and reef are all visible. There’s a small parking area and interpretive signage sharing insights into the landscape’s cultural and ecological significance.

The Madja Boardwalk offers a captivating 1.2 km loop through the Daintree Rainforest, showcasing a transition from dense lowland rainforest to mangrove-lined creeks. This comfortable trail features interpretive signage detailing the evolutionary journey of plant life over 400 million years. Along the way you’ll see ancient cycads, fan palms and mangrove species, as well as a rich array of fauna including green ants and fiddler crabs. Located along Cape Tribulation Road, approximately 27 km north of the Daintree Ferry, the Madja Boardwalk is open year-round and access is free. Please note it’s a 10 minute drive from here to Ocean Safari. Make sure you leave time to grab a snack before the 11.30am check in.

Ocean Safari is a small number, big adventure reef tour with a focus on fun. Check-in begins at 11:30am at the Turtle Rock Café at Cape Tribulation, and you board their boat straight from the beach. After a swift 25-minute ride aboard a high-speed, rigid inflatable boat, you’ll snorkel at two pristine reef sites at Mackay and Undine Reefs. Encounter vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish, sea turtles and more. The tour includes all snorkelling equipment, personalised instruction and reef presentations by experienced guides. With a maximum of 25 passengers, this is an intimate and eco-friendly experience letting you see the Reef and the Rainforest, all in one day. You get back at to the beach around 4.30pm. You need to book ahead for this one and seats fill fast – www.oceansafari.com.au

Drive time from Ocean Safari back to Cassowary Falls is around 90 minutes, getting you back here around 6pm – so we suggest making dinner plans to suit your style. As our guest, you can self-cater in the chalet – just grab your own supplies and whip up your own post-tour feast. Or there’s two options in Daintree Village. The Julaymba Restaurant at the Daintree Ecolodge serves seasonal, organic cuisine with a focus on flavour and local produce. Think Daintree Barramundi or Duck Breast with Davidson Plum, served up in elegant rainforest surrounds. Dinner is served from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, last reservation at 8pm. Book ahead for this one. Or for more casual dining there’s the Daintree Village Hotel with hearty, affordable meals. They’re open until 7.30pm for dine-in and takeaway. We’ve included pictures of meals from both places here.