After flooding from ex-Cyclone Jasper, Queensland’s Daintree National Park has expanded access today, allowing FIT day-trippers to head north of the Daintree River however, tourists can still not venture further north to Cape Tribulation.
Daintree National Park initially reopened to tour groups only and the additional access after two months of restrictions will allow more visitors to explore more of the region.
Attractions open from 19 February include the Daintree Discovery Centre, Flora Villa Ice Creamery, Daintree Fan Palm boardwalk, Cooper Creek Wilderness guided walks, Daintree Ice Cream Company and Daintree Fishing tours along with beaches and lookouts.
Daintree River Cruises will operate tours daily and several accommodation and touring options have reopened along with local food and beverage suppliers. Visitors are urged to check operating hours with the individual operators.
The road from Alexandra Range to Thornton Beach is accessible from 5am to midnight via the Daintree Ferry or a single lane with vehicle restrictions in place. Locals can also nab a free trip on the Daintree Ferry with a Douglas Shire Card until 28 February.
Boosting TNQ tourism
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the reopening of the road to Thornton Beach was great news with only organised tours allowed to take people north of the river recently.
“Sadly, the public still cannot head further north to Cape Tribulation and our thoughts are with the people who live and work there,” he said.
“After such a long wait for greater access to the Daintree National Park, I encourage accommodation providers to suggest their guests travel north and support the operators who have faced 65 days without customers.”
The Great Barrier Reef Drive reopening in late January enabled access for locals and visitors from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas and Daintree National Park.
For more info, head to tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
