The 11 best rainforests in Australia

Did you know that the emerald canopy of the Daintree Rainforest has been growing for more than 180 million years? Tropical, lush and leafy, the Daintree lives its life in all shades of green. This World Heritage-Listed wonder is the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, with more tree species in one hectare than in the entirety of the United Kingdom. Explore it via a river cruise, rainforest boardwalk, crocodile tour or treetop zipline. Keep an eye out for cassowaries!

Time Out tip: While you're here, visit Mossman Gorge, take a croc cruise on the Daintree River, travel to Cape Tribulation or visit the Great Barrier Reef.

Where: Cape Tribulation, Tropical North Queensland

How far: 1.5 hour-drive from Cairns or 30 minutes from Port Douglas

Yep, rainforests – plural. This massive stretch of tropical vegetation traverses both New South Wales and Queensland, encapsulating multiple national parks, including Lamington, Dorrigo, Springbrook and Barrington Tops. The Gondwana Rainforests is the world’s largest area of subtropical rainforest, offering plenty of accommodation options, like cabins, huts and campgrounds, where you can situate yourself right amongst the action. Here, you’ll also find some of the world’s best-preserved volcanic shields, glow worm caves, ancient Antarctic beech trees and some endangered species that you can't find anywhere else in the country, let alone the world. 

Time Out tip: If you like hiking, walk through Springbrook or Lamington National Park to discover cascading waterfalls, breathtaking lookouts, as well as lyrebirds and bowerbirds.

Where: Stretching from north-east NSW (near Newcastle) to south-east QLD (near Brisbane)

How far: Five-hour drive (350km) from Brisbane or an hour from the Gold Coast; in NSW, one-hour drive from Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie

The Tarkine is one of the most remarkable and ancient native forests on Earth. A cool temperate rainforest, this huge swathe of untouched, emerald-toned wilderness in Tasmania is home to massive ancient trees, countless waterfalls and incredibly significant ancient Indigenous sites. Wandering through, you'll be left speechless by the millions of shades of green, primeval trees and strong, tumbling rivers. Conservationists have fought for decades to preserve this phenomenal natural spot, so be sure to thank them when you're marvelling at this Tasmanian beauty.

Time Out tip: Corinna Wilderness Lodge and Corinna Wilderness Village offer warm showers, great food and a warm bed for those who don’t want to pitch a tent.

Where: Far northwest Tasmania

How far: A five-hour drive (350km) north-west of Hobart, and a 3.5-hour drive (250km) west of Launceston.

The lush and diverse ecosystem of K’gari’s Pile Valley is the only place on Earth where rainforests grow on sand dunes – which is a big part of the reason it nabbed a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Thousand-year-old satinay trees stretch high into the sky, creating a majestic canopy that exceeds 50 metres. You can experience the marvels of this rare natural wonder on foot by following the four-kilometre Pile Valley circuit track, starting and ending at Central Station. Pack a picnic to enjoy along the way, but stay alert to dingoes roaming the rainforest. 

Time Out tip: This place is remote – the only way in is by four-wheel drive (4WD), by plane or with a commercial tour.

Where: K’gari (Fraser Island), QLD 

How far: K'gari is 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane

Visiting this national park is a no-brainer if you’re driving the Great Ocean Road, especially if you like waterfalls. The park stretches from Torquay towards Princetown, and up towards Colac, and is one of the best places in Victoria to embrace a cool temperate rainforest. Head out on one of the many coastal walking trails and you’ll discover lush forests, quiet sandy beaches and more than one koala poking its head through the gum trees.

Time Out tip: Do go chasing waterfalls that dot the park, including the three cascades of Triplet Falls. 

Where: Southern Victoria

How far: Three-hour drive (220km) from Melbourne

Not only do the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area’s (TWWHA) gorges give insight into a time when the land was covered in glaciers, but human remains in some of the limestone caves show us that people have lived here for over 20,000 years. The ancient rainforests are full of history left by Indigenous people in the form of carvings and rock paintings. The area takes up about one-fifth of the whole of Tasmania and is considered one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests. 

Time Out tip: Visit the picturesque village of Strahan that sits right on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Where: Southern and western Tasmania

How far: One- to two-hour drive (93km) west of Hobart 

While Melbourne stands tall as a bustling metropolis, all it takes is a one-hour drive to land you at a natural mecca complete with botanic gardens, popular leafy bushwalks, picnic areas and sweeping views of the city in the distance. There are more than 30 walks, but a good place to start is the 1,000 Steps Memorial Walk. It commemorates the soldiers who fought in WWII on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. Being a temperate rainforest, the Dandenong Ranges present some pretty spectacular waterfalls alongside the vegetation – put Sherbrooke Falls high on your priority list.

Time Out tip: Feeling peckish? Head to Olinda, where you can eat some award-winning pies at Pie in the Sky.

Where: Dandenong Ranges, VIC 

How far: One-hour drive from Melbourne

The South Coast isn’t all just sparkly beaches and coastal living. The Minnamurra Rainforest Centre marks the start of a lush meander through greenery on raised boardwalks, and it's only a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney. Revel at Minnamurra Falls from various viewing points along the Minnamurra Falls Walk or take the Lyrebird Loop Walk for a quick track that’s perfect for families with little ones. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of the birds that the walk is named after, or you’ll more likely hear them – imitating dog barks, passing cars and even some human sounds.

Time Out tip: Extend your stay to explore the beautiful South Coast near Kiama, or the Southern Highlands.

Where: Jamberoo, NSW 

How far: 1.5-hour drive from Sydney

The only thing cooler than exploring a rainforest is doing so amongst the canopy of a cool temperate rainforest. Known for its giant mountain Aah trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, Tarra Bulga offers just that. Here, the Corrigan Suspension Bridge is part of a short walk that will take you from treetop to treetop. If you’re looking for something a little more daring, you can embark on one of the longer tracks. And if you’re really up for an adventure, you can hike the Grand Strzelecki Track, which will give you three to four days' worth of rainforest scenery. 

Time Out tip: Just like Minnamurra, it’s a great place to keep an ear out for lyrebirds. 

Where: Strzelecki Ranges, VIC

How far: 2.5-hour drive (195km) east of Melbourne

This lesser-known Queensland rainforest sits neatly between Cairns and Brisbane, making it a little less humid than the Daintree. Eungella National Park, and its sub-tropical rainforests, are one of your best bets for spotting little platypuses in the wild. You can even strap on the scuba tank and head out to Finch Hatton with the team at Rainforest Scuba for a real up-close-and-personal experience. If you like to stay on dry land, explore the canopy via zip line. 

Time Out tip: Broken River Camping Area is where you need to set up camp – and it’s right near the platypus viewing platform.

Where: Mackay Region, North Queensland

How far: 1.25-hour drive (80km) west of Mackay