Location

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.

We suggest that you arrive by private car - it will give you the freedom and flexibility to discover the best this unique area has to offer. Cockatoo Hill Retreat is accessible by conventional vehicle, however if you wish to explore the area beyond Cape Tribulation and towards Cooktown you will need a 4WD vehicle.

The Retreat is approximately 2 hours drive north of Cairns by the scenic Captain Cook Highway, and 1 hour north of Port Douglas. (Click here for a location map.).

On the way north from Port Douglas you can visit Mossman and the beautiful Mossman Gorge. Just before Daintree Village turn right at the Daintree River Ferry Crossing.

The vehicle ferry operates between 6am and midnight and will take you over the Daintree River to where the World Heritage rainforest and reef are side by side.

The entrance to Cockatoo Hill Retreat is 17 kilometres north of the ferry crossing on the Cape Tribulation Road. It is clearly signposted on the right hand side of the road just after the tea plantation, and 300m before the petrol station.

The other option is to take a private light aircraft or a helicopter from Cairns and Port Douglas respectively to the country airstrip of Cow Bay, just 4 kms from Cockatoo Hill Retreat, and combine your transfer with a scenic flight.

This is a magnificent way to discover the two World Heritage areas, and see the rainforest meet the reef. Your hosts will meet you at the airstrip.