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19 February, 2024

North of Daintree River accessible for the first time since Cyclone Jasper

Visitors to the Daintree National Park can again venture north of the Daintree River for the first time in over two months after being damaged in Cyclone Jasper.

Up until now, organised tours were the only way to head north of the river after the category four Cyclone, the wettest ever in Australian history, hit the coast in North Queensland in early December last year.

“Landslides north of the Daintree River have created at least 2,500 truckloads of debris which is yet to be cleared from the Shire’s Road network which will take some months to manage,” CEO, Douglas Shire Council, Scott Mason, said at the time.

“We are encouraging tourists and travellers to take extra care when driving in more rural areas and look out for fallen and loose vegetation.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO, Mark Olsen, said it was great news that the road would open to Thornton Beach after being closed for more than two months, with only organised tours allowed to take people north of the river in recent weeks.

“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 will have faced 65 days without customers.

“There are guided walks, fishing tours, tropical fruit ice creams to taste and crocodile spotting tours open.

“Please check opening days and times as these vary with some operators starting later in the week.

“The Douglas Shire Card allows locals a free trip on the Daintree Ferry until 28 February and I encourage the community to make the most of this access.

The new road conditions for Alexandra Range to Thornton Beach are:

The Daintree Ferry is open from 5 am to midnight.
Alexandra Range is open with a single lane from 5 am to midnight.
It is open to vehicles under 12.5 metres in length and less than 25 tonnes.
Vehicles towing caravans, trailers or campervans must measure less than 12.5 metres or less than 25 tonnes.
Vehicles will be able to stop at the Alexandra Lookout. When leaving the lookout, vehicles will need to wait to join the end of the queue, and this will be under traffic control.

From today 19 February, a range of attractions, river cruises, food and beverage options, accommodation, points of interest and tour operators are again accessible to the public.

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Daintree Daintree National Park mark olsen tourism tropical north queensland