As a small group operator we do emphasise more time for walking and enjoying beautiful sceneries. However, on both the Daintree and Tablelands experiences, there are several  options that can be considered. Below are the details of our regular walking areas.

Daintree

Mossman Gorge offers an Easy to Moderate 2.4 kilometre return walk surrounded by lush green rainforest. The crystal-clear water of the Mossman River cascading over granite boulders forms beautiful water holes. These sheltered retreats offer the perfect location for a rest or a swim!

Cape Tribulation

There are three National Park walks within the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree Rainforest. All three are situated on raised platforms or boardwalks to ensure the safetly and comform of both the observer and the ecosystem. These walks can all be acheived within one hour, walking slowly and discussing the many botanical features.

Crater Lakes

During our Tableland day tour we enjoy two short walks. Both these walk are an Easy grade, around 600 meters and you can still enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the tropical rainforest

Private Tours

Walks can be completely modified to suit private tour bookings.

Thanks to North Queensland’s sun-soaked tropical climate, there’s no real “Winter” here—just endless warmth and adventure waiting to be discovered! The best time to visit Far North Queensland (FNQ) depends on what you’re craving, whether it’s unique cultural experiences, wild landscapes or animals encounters.

From May to October, during the Dry Season, the weather is nothing short of perfect—warm with low humidity and barely any rain. Expect daytime temperatures between 20°C and 28°C (68°F to 82°F), making it the ultimate time for outdoor escapades, from hiking through rainforests to exploring pristine beaches.

But if you’re looking to embrace something truly special, November to April (the Green Season) is where the magic happens. The temperature rises to a tropical 30°C to 34°C (86°F to 93°F), and humidity fills the air, along with regular afternoon showers. This season might be a little wetter, but it’s also when FNQ truly comes alive. The rainforest is lush, waterfalls roar to life, and the wildlife gets busier with synchronized breeding patterns. Plus, with fewer crowds around, you’ll have the place to yourself.

In the Wet Tropics region during the Dec-April period we experience seasonal wet weather. This can be a very rewarding time to visit and experience the ‘Rain’-forest.

When Tropical Cyclones are approaching the FNQ coast we get ample warning and may cancel tours due to potential flooding and fallen trees blocking access to National Parks.

We do not cancel RAINforest tour due to rain. We simply carry umbrellas for the walks and tailor the itinerary to create the best experience possible!

For our standard day tours, we require a minimum of two passengers to travel. During the off-peak season, we may experience cancelations for an individual.

Our tours are all about less time driving and more time exploring! Nature lovers of all ages will enjoy our tours! Our group Nocturnal tours are not suitable for children under 14.

FNQ Nature Tours is a Cairns based operator hosting tours into the nearby Tablelands and Daintree World Heritage Rainforests. Tour-specific pickup times are conveniently listed on each individual tour page for your reference

Comfortable clothes as you are in the tropics, our winter or ‘dry season’ can be slightly cool in the mornings, a light jacket may be handy. Natural light colors are recommended for wildlife spotting and staying cool in the warmer months.

Hiking shoes are not necessary for our day tours. Flat comfortable shoes or sandals are okay for our day walks.

All our tours have access to safe swimming areas and therefore a towel and spare clothes are great to have in a day pack.

Guests often wear long sleeve shirts and pants to combat the occasional insect. Keep in mind it might not be advisable during the Summer months, due to higher humidity. Some areas can be worse than others with mosquitos. Our guides will keep you informed when it’s advisable to wear repellant. We do carry eco-friendly insect repellant in our vehicles.

Saltwater Crocodiles are best spotted in the cooler months of the year (April-Oct). As the water temperature drops, Crocodiles spend more time bathing in the sun to warm their reptile bodies. This greatly improves the quality of our observations, however Saltwater Crocodiles breed during the summer months (Nov-March) and therefore get quite active in the river. We see more Crocodiles swimming and sometimes fighting, rather than laying in the sun.

In Queensland we do not feed or entice our wild animals including Crocodiles. It can be dangerous to form an association between boats and food. Quite favorably when we witness Crocodile activity it is without any intervention and that makes it fantastic! We have a 100% success rate with Croc spotting, during difficult weather,we may spend extra time on the cruise to fulfil our desires.

We welcome all guests, and our direct booking guest support provides us with an opportunity to ascertain guests’ special requirements and customise private tours to suit guests needs wherever possible. Our range of tours do detail the walking tracks length and nature of hikes as a guide to level of mobility required. Some tracks are not suited to younger children.

We are however constrained in the service we provide by our vehicle fleets infrastructure and the infrastructure of the locations visited on tour. We are unable to provide for an accessible bathroom at most locations visited and access into the vehicles is not ramped and involves a step so is not suited to wheelchairs or guests with more limited mobility. We contact each potential guest personally when booking to discuss their needs and the services we are best able to provide and encourage guests to contact us to discuss their needs and suitability of different tour options.

As a small-group operator, we’re proud to offer a more intimate and immersive experience with nature. Our tours allow you to truly connect with the environment through rainforest walks, wildlife encounters, and opportunities to swim in pristine natural settings.

We have exclusive access to several private areas beyond the boundaries of National Parks, offering a more secluded and peaceful experience. These quiet locations significantly enhance the chances of spotting wildlife—and more often than not, you’ll have these breathtaking trails all to yourself.

Our expert guides each bring experience and a genuine passion for the outdoors. Their deep knowledge and enthusiasm make every tour engaging and memorable—this is more than a job for our team, it’s a lifestyle that reflects a true commitment to nature and conservation.

We also collaborate with other eco-certified tourism providers for experiences like crocodile river cruises and nocturnal mammal spotting. By choosing our tours, you’re supporting responsible tourism and helping to preserve the unique ecosystems of Far North Queensland for future generations.

Both areas are located within the Daintree National Park. Rest assured, whichever section of the region you choose to explore on your visit, you will be rewarded with magical rainforest scenery regardless.

Here are a few things we can advise to assist your decision.

If you are based in Cairns or Palm Cove, we highly suggest Mossman Gorge over Cape Tribulation. Cape Tribulation is location 2.5 hours’ drive from Cairns and therefore not ideal for an immersive day in the rainforest. 

If the ‘Southern Cassowary’ is high on your wildlife bucket list, we would recommend the Cape Tribulation section of the National Park. Much of the forest is lowland is more suitable habitat for these beautiful birds. Remember to keep your expectations low and enthusiasm high when hoping to spot these elusive birds.

If ‘more time walking’ through the rainforest is a preference, we would recommend Mossman Gorge. The 2.5-kilometre trail is the longest available walk within the National Park that does not require mountain trekking.

If you have an interest in learning more about local indigenous culture from First Nation Australians, we recommend Mossman Gorge. The Kuku Yalanji traditional owners have several activities/walks available that we can combine with our Daintree Exclusive Tour.  

Why We Don’t Combine Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge in a Single-Day Tour

At FNQ Nature Tours, we believe in offering meaningful, unhurried experiences that allow our guests to truly connect with the natural beauty and cultural significance of each destination. Both Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge are iconic locations in Far North Queensland, each deserving of more than just a quick visit.

To explore either destination properly requires at least half a day.
Cape Tribulation is located deep in the Daintree Rainforest, offering unique walks, beaches, and scenic lookouts that deserve time to soak in. Similarly, Mossman Gorge, with its rich Indigenous heritage and immersive rainforest trails, is best appreciated when guests aren’t watching the clock.

Trying to squeeze both into a single day would result in a rushed experience with limited time at each location, more time in transit, and less opportunity to engage meaningfully with the environment and local culture.

For these reasons, we offer separate full-day tours to each location — ensuring our guests leave with lasting memories, not just photos from the window of a tour vehicle.