Know before you go- How to Pick a Tour

Once you have arrived in the area, there will be a multitude of information kiosks and travel centres ready to provide you with all the information you'll need to choose your destinations, tours and activities. While planning your itinerary, keep in mind that the time it takes to get somewhere should not be estimated based on the travel times where you come from. Roads in the area are often a single lane in each direction and speed limits are restricted by the terrain. There are plenty of dirt roads and some require 4WD vehicles. There are no high speed highways in the Wet Tropics, and besides - you're on vacation - take your time and soak up all that spectacular scenery!

Look for the genuine ecotourism logo

There are tour companies and accommodation places within the Wet Tropics which have certified ecotourism accreditation. The Eco Certification logo is a globally recognized brand which assists travellers to choose and experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction, cruise or accommodation that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. The Eco Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences.

Green Travel Guide

To find a comprehensive list of Eco Certified products from all over Australia look at this year’s Green Travel Guide.

Take a Local Guide

There's no better way to visit the Wet Tropics than with a local guide. Local tour operators with a permit are all supplied with World Heritage tour Operator stickers (left). There are dozens of tours available for most areas of interest. You can bungy jump, ride a cable car through the rainforest canopy, coast over the landscape in a hot air balloon or a helicopter, go white water rafting, look for possums during the night, go birdwatching, do an educational walk or travel further afield on 4-day treks up to Cape York Peninsula. A knowledgeable guide will enrich your rainforest experience by taking you to places off the beaten track and telling you the "inside story" of local history, culture and the tropical lifestyle. You'll also learn why the Wet Tropics was considered so important that it was proclaimed a World Heritage Area.

Some visitors opt to see the rainforest through indigenous eyes. Aboriginal guides offer insights into the culture and bush survival skills of the people of the rainforest. There are stories to tell about how plants and animals were used and the place they hold in Aboriginal legends.

Taking a tour is a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and to share your experiences. Many tours are limited to small numbers of people to keep the experience personal. There are also sound environmental reasons for taking a tour. Groups travelling in a single vehicle reduce the threat to wildlife on the roads, reduce air pollution and feature a knowledgeable guide to point out features of interest and answer your questions. Taking a tour also means that you'll never have to worry about getting lost!