Mossman Gorge, Queensland: Walks, cultural tours & swimming
Mossman Gorge in Queensland’s Daintree rainforest offer self-guided walks and Aboriginal cultural tours. Swimming in the Mossman River is dangerous, however, even though crocodiles don’t live there.
What is Mossman Gorge?
Mossman Gorge is a rainforest valley in the Daintree National Park, Queensland, created by the Mossman River. It is a popular tourist destination from both Port Douglas and Cairns, both for its natural beauty and the Indigenous cultural experiences that are offered.
Several tours visit Mossman Gorge, including a Cape Tribulation day tour from either Cairns or Port Douglas.
You can also do a half-day tour from Port Douglas combining Mossman Gorge with a Daintree River cruise.
5 Daintree experiences worth booking in advance
- Daintree Discovery Centre tickets.
- Hour-long Daintree River cruise.
- Mossman River drift snorkelling.
- Daintree River late afternoon cruise.
- Barramundi fishing experience.
Where is Mossman Gorge?
Mossman Gorge is far north Queensland, just inland from the coast at the eastern edge of Daintree National Park. The distance from Cairns to Mossman Gorge is 78km, and the distance from Port Douglas to Mossman Gorge is 22km.
Those without a car can book a return transfer to Mossman Gorge from Port Douglas.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.
Mossman Gorge shuttle bus and parking
There is no pedestrian access to Mossman Gorge from the Cultural Centre car park, as the road is narrow and dangerous. You have to get to the gorge itself on the shuttle bus, which departs every 15 minutes.
The Mossman Gorge shuttle bus costs $14 for adults and $7 for children at the time of writing. This is essentially an entry fee for the gorge, and you can use the shuttle as many times as you like during the day.
Mossman Gorge walks
Most visitors to Mossman Gorge are heading there for the rainforest walks, of which there are several available. For a simple stroll, the Baral Marrjanga walk is 270 metres long and suitable for wheelchairs. It goes along two sections of elevated boardwalk towards a lookout with views of the Mossman River and surrounding mountains.
The Baral Marrjanga walk starts at the shuttle bus stop.
The 2.4km Rainforest Circuit Track is the most classic Mossman Gorge walk, however. Beginning at the far side of the Rex Creek Bridge, the circuit heads through the rainforest after visiting a lookout that offers views of Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi).
9 Port Douglas experiences to boost your holiday
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour – visiting three amazing snorkelling sites on the Outer Reef. This is the one for seeing the very best of the Reef.
- Visit Agincourt Reef – with a cruise, underwater observatory and coral viewing in a semi-submersible. This is the best Port Douglas Reef tour for less confident swimmers.
- Half-day Low Isles snorkelling tour – ideal for those with less time.
- Daintree River wildlife cruise combo – see lots of crocs, then visit the cascades of Mossman Gorge.
- Sunset sailing cruise – with welcome drinks and appetisers aboard a luxury catamaran.
- Scenic helicopter flight – see the Great Barrier Reef from above.
- Go fishing at a barramundi farm – with lunch included.
- Aboriginal cultural walk – including bush tucker tasting and traditional hunting techniques.
- Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – meet all manner of native Australian animals.
Mossman Gorge cultural experiences
Mossman Gorge is owned by the Kuku Yalanji people, and Aboriginal cultural experiences are a key part of the experience here. Indigenous-guided Dreamtime walks, lasting around 90 minutes, are the star attraction.
These Mossman Gorge tours start with a traditional smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits, then head into the rainforest along private tracks. The guides point out culturally significant places, demonstrate how rainforest plants are traditionally used by the Kuku Yulandji people.
At the time of writing, these Mossman Gorge tours cost $90.
The Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre has a café-restaurant and Aboriginal art gallery.
Can I swim at Mossman Gorge?
It is possible to swim at Mossman Gorge – and people do – but it is strongly discouraged. The river is cold, deep and fast-flowing, with many submerged objects. Flood water from upstream can suddenly surge through the gorge with little prior warning.
There have been injuries and deaths at Mossman Gorge. Hence the strong discouragement from swimming.
Are there crocodiles at Mossman Gorge?
Saltwater crocodiles don’t like cold, fast-flowing water, so it is highly unlikely that there will be any crocodiles at Mossman Gorge. They do inhabit creeks in the Daintree Rainforest, however.
For further information, visit the Mossman Gorge website.
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What to see on a Brisbane to Proserpine road trip.
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