Surrounded by sugar cane plantations, Mossman is a picturesque township in Far North Queensland. It’s clustered with heritage buildings and renowned for its idyllic swimming holes, which have strong ties to the area’s Indigenous people. During the annual crushing season, huge cane trains can be seen hauling the harvest through the town to the Mossman Central Mill.
Things to do in Mossman
Stroll through Mossman to admire its historic buildings, which include the Spanish Mission-style Mossman District Hospital and the temple-inspired National Bank of Australia Building. Take note of the rain trees that lead to St David's Anglican Church and stop for a drink at the Exchange Hotel, which has been serving customers since 1896.
A short drive west of town is the Mossman Gorge, a series of freshwater swimming holes that form part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park. Join a guided rainforest walk to learn about the area’s close ties to the Kuku Yalanji people before experiencing their rich cultural heritage during a traditional dance performance.
On the northern edge of town is the Mossman Botanic Garden, which showcases plants from the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. While exploring the collection, discover what makes the Wet Tropics area so unique and the importance of drawing on traditional Indigenous knowledge in preserving the local flora. Nearby is George Davis Park where you’ll find a children’s playground, a skate park and a basketball court.
Getting around Mossman
Mossman is around 20 minutes’ drive from Port Douglas and just over an hour from Cairns Airport, which has flights to destinations across Australia, Asia and the Pacific region. Buses travel to Mossman while renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the surrounding region. The centre of Mossman is compact enough to explore on foot.