Lower Daintree, Queensland

Lower Daintree is a coastal rural locality in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Lower Daintree had a population of 83 people.^[1]

Lower Daintree Queensland
Lower Daintree landscape
Lower Daintree
Coordinates	16.28°S 145.3911°E / -16.28; 145.3911 (Lower Daintree (centre of locality))
Population	83 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	1.246/km2 (3.228/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4873
Area	66.6 km2 (25.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	25.6 km (16 mi) N of Mossman 101 km (63 mi) NW of Cairns 141 km (88 mi) S of Cooktown (4WD) 1,798 km (1,117 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Douglas
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal division(s)	Leichhardt
Suburbs around Lower Daintree: Daintree Forest Creek Kimberley Stewart Creek Valley Lower Daintree Coral Sea Whyanbeel Whyanbeel Wonga Beach

Geography

Daintree River Ferry on the Daintree River

The Daintree River (16.2890°S 145.4524°E / -16.2890; 145.4524 (Daintree River (mouth))) forms the northern boundary, and Trinity Bay in the Coral Sea the eastern.^[3][4][5]

The western part of the locality is within the Daintree National Park (16.2828°S 145.3502°E / -16.2828; 145.3502 (Daintree National Park)), while the eastern part is a nationally important wetland (16.2949°S 145.4194°E / -16.2949; 145.4194 (Lower Daintree wetlands)).^[6] The land in between is used for crop growing, predominately sugarcane.^[7]

The Mossman Daintree Road runs through from south to north-west.

The Daintree River Ferry carries vehicles from Cape Tribulation Road in Lower Daintree (16.26087°S 145.39761°E / -16.26087; 145.39761 (Daintree River Ferry terminal)) across the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation Road in Forest Creek.^[8]

History

The Daintree River was named by explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple after geologist Richard Daintree.^[4] T

The locality was named and bounded on 8 September 2000.^[2] The locality's name reflects its proximity to the lower reaches of the river.^[7]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Lower Daintree had a population of 98 people.^[9]

In the 2021 census, Lower Daintree had a population of 83 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Lower Daintree. The nearest government primary schools are Daintree State School in neighbouring Daintree to the north-west and Wonga Beach State School in neighbouring Wonga Beach to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Mossman State High School in Mossman to the south.^[7]

Amenities

There is a boat ramp with pontoon and floating walkway at Cape Tribulation Road on the south bank of Daintree River (16.2616°S 145.3933°E / -16.2616; 145.3933 (Cape Tribulation Road boat ramp)). It is managed by the Douglas Shire Council.^[10]

Attractions

The Daintree River Cruise Centre is at 2914 Mossman Daintree Road (16.2548°S 145.3609°E / -16.2548; 145.3609 (Daintree River Cruise Centre)). It offers eco-cruises through the mangroves of the river where birds, fish, and crocodiles can be spotted.^[11][12]