Cockatoo Hill Retreat – in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest
Cockatoo Hill Retreat – Daintree Rainforest
Cockatoo Hill Retreat’s position is breathtaking. It is situated on a Daintree rainforest ridge with spectacular panoramic views extending from Hutchinson Hill towards Cape Tribulation and the Coral Sea to the east and to the dramatic heights of Thornton Peak in the west.
Matching the expansive views is the rich wildlife seen regularly at the retreat. A large variety of birds, including the reclusive rainforest cassowary, live in this forest habitat which also supports the beautiful Ulysses and Cairns Birdwing butterflies, the friendly green tree frog, shy goannas and water dragons.
Cockatoo Hill Retreat is in the very heart of the Daintree – Cape Tribulation World Heritage area known for its superb biodiversity. In the eastern valleys of Thornton Peak (Hutchinson, Cooper and Noah creek) new species of rainforest plants and animals are still being discovered in refugial rainforests thought to be 180 million years old.
As Sir David Attenborough exclaims the Daintree Rainforest is one of his favourite destinations –“The rainforests of Far North QLD are extraordinary – it’s full of great things. Wonderful birds and extraordinary animals.”
Getting to the Daintree & Cockatoo Hill Retreat
Beautifully remote yet accessible, Cockatoo Hill Retreat is in the living heart of the Daintree coastal wilderness. Beyond the Daintree River, across the ferry towards Cape Tribulation, lies Cockatoo Hill Retreat and another world.
Come over by private car; it will give you the freedom and flexibility to discover the best this unique and beautiful Daintree region has to offer.
Hire cars are readily available from Cairns and Port Douglas.
Cockatoo Hill Retreat is accessible by conventional vehicle, but best to hire an AWD. If you wish to explore the area beyond Cape Tribulation towards Cooktown you will need a suitable 4WD vehicle.
Cockatoo Hill Retreat Location
The retreat is approximately 2 hours drive north of Cairns on the scenic Captain Cook Highway, and approximately 1 hour north of Port Douglas.
After passing through Mossman, keep driving north and then turn right in the direction of the Daintree River Ferry Crossing and Cape Tribulation.
The vehicle ferry operates constantly between 5am and midnight and will take you over the Daintree River to where the World Heritage rainforest and reef are side by side.
The ferry costs $45 for a return ticket.
The entrance to Cockatoo Hill Retreat is 17 kilometres north of the ferry crossing on Cape Tribulation Road on the right hand side of the road just after the tea plantation, and 300m before the petrol station.
Upon confirming your reservation we will email you precise directions on how to get here.
