The Daintree River Ferry is a cable ferry across the Daintree River between the localities of Forest Creek and Lower Daintree in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia. The ferry is situated some north of Port Douglas, and gives access to the northern section of the Daintree National Park and to Cape Tribulation. The ferry provides the only sealed road access to this area.[1] The 43.2m ferry carries a maximum of 27 vehicles, and takes about 5 minutes to cross the river. It operates from early morning until midnight, seven days a week, with limited hours on Christmas Day. The ferry is operated by a TNQ Transport Services, a commercial contractor, on behalf of the Douglas Shire Council.[2] A toll is charged for the crossing, $45. - return for a car in 2023 but this toll keeps rising every year, managed through the local council's Ferry Fund.[1] [3]
At busy times, for example during school holidays, some delays can occur waiting to cross the ferry. The construction of a bridge has been discussed, but has been rejected by Queensland State Government. The ferry was replaced in 2006, replacing the previous ferry which carried a maximum of 16 vehicles. This has substantially reduced any delays in making the crossing.[4]
The ferry travels along a steel cable 38mm in diameter, which is connected to one point on each of the two sides of the river crossing point. The ferry is pulled along the cable by an onboard hydraulic winch. The cable is replaced annually.