Where saltwater meets rainforest
Cooya Beach and the Daintree are rich in biodiversity, cultural heritage, and living traditions. Visitors can join Traditional Owners for guided walks on tidal flats, learning fishing and gathering skills, before venturing into lush rainforest for bush tucker and storytelling. These landscapes are home to unique wildlife, seasonal foods, and deep cultural knowledge passed down through generations.
Storytelling
Passing Knowledge at Cooya Beach
By Linc Walker
Cooya Beach is a traditional fishing beach where hunting has long provided for families every day. Linc Walker grew up learning from his grandfather, grandmother and father, who shared culture and guided people safely on country. From 1996 to 1998, the family developed a business to create employment in remote places where opportunities were limited. Native title negotiations supported Cooya Beach remaining open for public access, while also embedding cultural knowledge. Today, the Walker brothers continue to share their traditions with visitors and schools, teaching safety, respect, and cultural value. Linc now passes this knowledge to the next generation, hunting alongside his grandson.
Storytelling
Looking After Country for Future Generations
By Juan Walker
Juan Walker, a Kuku Yalanji man, shares his deep ties to Mossman Gorge, the Daintree River and Port Douglas. In this video, Juan speaks to the way every element of country, from stone and sand to insect and leaf, is interconnected and cared for. His pride comes from seeing young people on country, learning, having fun and continuing culture. Juan’s message for visitors is clear: Aboriginal culture is alive, practiced and teaching us how to respect both one another and the land for future generations.
Photo Gallery
Tides and Canopies
A meeting place where sand, mangroves and rainforest come together. The shifting tides, coastal landscapes and rainforest waterways reflect the story of saltwater and rainforest country.
Experiences
Key Experiences
Experience guided cultural tours across beach, river and rainforest, where knowledge of country is shared through stories, bush foods and traditions.
Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours
Guided walk on Cooya Beach tidal flats to learn traditional fishing, gathering, and bush food preparation.
Walkabout Cultural Adventures
Cultural tours led by Kuku Yalanji guides from Cooya Beach to the Daintree, sharing bush tucker, medicine plants, and traditional skills.
Daintree Rainforest
Ancient lowland rainforest home to Bennett's Tree Kangaroo, Striped Possum, Southern Cassowary, kingfishers and pythons, and crocodiles at the river crossing.
Travel and Preparation
Cooya Beach is minutes from Mossman Gorge, while the broader Daintree is reached via the Daintree River Ferry. Book cultural tours in advance and prepare for warm, humid conditions year-round.
Places to visit
Other locations in this region
Mossman Gorge & Surrounds
Mossman Gorge invites travellers into lush rainforest and living culture, home of the Kuku Yalanji people. Begin your visit at the Cultural Centre with a guided Dreamtime Walk through the Daintree Rainforest, then explore artworks at nearby Yalanji art galleries, where story and creativity come together.
