Mossman Gorge

Visiting Mossman Gorge from Port Douglas — ancient rainforest on the sacred land of the Kuku Yalanji people, about 20 minutes north. Want to visit with a guide? Compare & book Mossman Gorge & Daintree tours →

“The gorge arrives without warning, one moment you’re walking a path through forest, the next you’re standing beside cold, crystal-clear water rushing over granite boulders. Mossman Gorge does not disappoint.”

Mossman Gorge — Ancient Rainforest, Sacred Country and Crystal Water

Mossman Gorge is one of the most significant natural and cultural sites in Far North Queensland. Located in the Daintree National Park, 20 minutes north of Port Douglas and just south of the township of Mossman, the gorge is a sacred site of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, whose connection to this land stretches back tens of thousands of years. It’s also one of the most beautiful places in Australia,  a deep, boulder-strewn gorge cut by the Mossman River through ancient granite, shaded by the world’s oldest tropical rainforest canopy and accessible via well-maintained walking trails.

The Kuku Yalanji Connection

Mossman Gorge is managed as a joint venture between the Kuku Yalanji people and the national park authority, with the Mossman Gorge Centre operating as the visitor entry point and providing employment and cultural authority for traditional owners. All visitors access the gorge via a shuttle from the centre. Kuku Yalanji-guided walks are available and provide an irreplaceable perspective on the gorge, the rainforest and the living culture of the people whose country this is. These walks are deeply worthwhile and the guides are extraordinary storytellers. Booking ahead is recommended.

Walking and the Rainforest

The Mossman Gorge Walk is a 2.4-kilometre circuit through lowland rainforest, crossing suspension bridges over the river and passing through some of the most impressive canopy in the Daintree region. The Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre recommends against swimming in the Mossman River. Swimming there can be dangerous at any time, water levels rise quickly without warning, and people have died here. Enjoy the river from the boardwalks and lookouts. The gorge is most pleasant early morning or late afternoon when light filters through the canopy and the heat is manageable.

Getting There from Port Douglas

Mossman Gorge is approximately 20 kilometres north of Port Douglas,  about 25 minutes by car via the Captain Cook Highway. The Mossman Gorge Centre is well-signposted and has ample parking. Shuttle buses run from the centre to the gorge entry point. Entry to the gorge is free, though shuttle fees apply and guided tour bookings carry their own pricing. From Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge is one of the most accessible Daintree rainforest experiences and combines well with a visit to Mossman township for lunch or a coffee. For more, visit our Daintree Rainforest page or explore Daintree Rainforest Tours from Port Douglas. A Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.