Independent day visitors can head north of the Daintree River from 5am on Monday 19 February to see the iconic view from the Alexandra Lookout and visit attractions such as the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer 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 5am to midnight.
• Alexandra Range is open with a single lane from 5am 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.

What is open from Monday 19 February

Attractions

• Daintree Discovery Centre - attractions and cafe 10am- 4pm
• Flora Villa Ice Creamery 
• Daintree Fan Palm boardwalk - Opening Wednesday. Monday to Friday 9am-2pm. Saturday closed.  Sunday 10am-2pm
• Cooper Creek Wilderness - guided walks through the rainforest must be prebooked. 8.30am 4 hour walk , 10am & 2pm - 2 hour walk
• Daintree Ice Cream Company - open 1pm-4pm.
• Daintree Fishing

Daintree River Cruises

• Solar Whisper - daily
• Crocodile Express - daily
• Daintree Crocodile Tours - daily
• Daintree River Wild Watch - sunrise and sunset cruises 

Food & Beverage

• Daintree Fan Palm Farm - Daintree Cafe Open Monday to Friday 9am-2pm. Saturday closed. Sunday 10am-2pm
• On The Turps at Heritage Lodge - open 12pm-2pm
• Thornton's Restaurant & Bar - Opening Saturday 24 February 11am-2.30pm (Closed Tuesdays/Wednesdays). No website.

Accommodation

• Crocodylus, Cow Bay  - Cabins/Safari Tents
• Daintree Seascapes, Cow Bay, Holiday Home
• Daintree Magic, Cow Bay, Holiday Home
• Daintree Ocean View, Cow Bay, Holiday Home
• Daintree Peaks Eco Stays, Diwan, Cabins
• Heritage Lodge Diwan, Resort style
• Daintree Secrets - Diwan
• Daintree Manor - Forest Creek

Points of interest

• Alexandra Lookout
• Cape Kimberly Beach
• Cow Bay Beach
• Thorntons Beach

Daintree Tours (south and north of the Daintree River)

• Back Country Bliss
• Billy Tea Safaris
• Cairns Adventure Group
• Daintree Discovery Tours
• Down Under Tours
• FNQ Nature Tours
• Reef Unlimited
• Tony's Tropical Tours
• Tropic Wings
• Uncle Brian's Tours
• Walkabout Cultural Adventures

ENDS

Images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2w2vvj4rjr5f9oo2f3j67/h?rlkey=554q8hwf3sxhxqa1yjq70dopd&dl=0