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Explosively fertile land doesn't necessarily come to mind when you think about Australia. But in the northeast corner of Queensland, about a two-hour drive south of Cairns, lies the Daintree – the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
For the last 135 million years rainfall has shaped the plant and animal life here. You look around and it feels almost as if you're in lush prehistoric times. The rainforest is so eco-rich that about 30% of all frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia can be found here. Plus, 20% of bird species in the country stretch out their wings under the thick forest canopy. If that alone doesn't sound extraordinary, keep in mind that the Daintree takes up only 0.2% of the landmass in Australia. This portion of the country is positively a scientific and natural marvel.
It's true, logging efforts once jeopardized the health of the Daintree Rainforest. (Australia's economy had rapidly expanded after World War II and the demand for timber was high.) But the threat has since been curbed. In 1981, it gained national park status. Now it's better protected. Plus, conservation efforts have been put in place to ensure the survival of the rainforest for years to come.
Still, all that doesn't paint a picture of what it's like to actually step foot in such a place. The Kuku Yalanji people can tell you. Take a half-day tour with the Mossman Gorge Centre. You'll discover waterfalls throughout the day and later on you might even be able to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Mossman River. To top it all off you get to hear stories from indigenous guides all about the culture and traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people.