Tropical North Queensland Holidays - Destinations - Cape Tribulation and Daintree

Cape Tribulation - Latitude 16 04 39
Daintree - Latitude 16 15 01

Experience a wilderness adventure like no other and take yourself back to a time when taking your time was a way of life....

There is little doubt that the Daintree / Cape Tribulation area is unique. In fact it's the only place in the world where two world heritage listed areas meet - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Welcome to lush tropical rainforests, sparkling rivers, secluded white beaches and breathtaking beauty that is the Daintree/ Cape Tribulation region.

The region is undeniably spectacular and is uniquely accessible to travellers. A haven for those wishing to pursue an alternative lifestyle and for those who enjoy the freedom of untouched beauty, a visit to Tropical North Queensland would not be complete without visiting this area.

Cruise down the Daintree River and take in the sights of jungle homes of birds, animals and reptiles including large crocodiles and pythons. The region is recognised for its superb wildlife, and eco-tourism operators provide itineraries offering fascinating insights into the creatures that inhabit this remote and beautiful river-system.

The township of Daintree, perched on a bend of the Daintree River, is just further on from the turn off to the Daintree Ferry. Wildlife of every kind flourishes on the Daintree River and its banks. The area's most infamous inhabitants are the estuarine crocodiles.

The only cable ferry in tropical Australia, the Daintree Ferry provides the southern access into the lowland Daintree Rainforest. It's a vehicle ferry operating from 6am to midnight each day. Regional accommodation includes Bed and Breakfasts and home stays, while further north there are a few secluded resorts.

Across the river, pause at the lookout at the top of Alexandra Range for orientation before descending into Cow Bay, visit local Galleries to see the superb arts and crafts produced by the rainforest dwelling locals, hike along the beaches or better still, go horse riding.

Coopers Creek is a wilderness area where locals offer terrific day and night guided interpretive walks as well as mangrove discovery/croc search tours by boat. Above Coopers Creek is a coastal range (Thornton's Peak), thriving on the climate is the tasty tea grown in neatly clipped acres at the nearby Daintree Tea Plantation.

Cape Tribulation is remembered in Australian history as the point where Captain James Cook's barque, The Endeavour, sustained grave damage on an offshore reef. The renowned wilderness area is accessible where visitors can enjoy bushwalking. Activities on offer include guided rainforest walks, four wheel drive safaris taking in local features, waterfalls, swimming holes, reef trips, mangrove and crocodile watching tours, ocean kayaking and horse trekking, night spotting for wildlife and visit the Bloomfield Falls.

The forest slopes of Cape Tribulation National Park plunge to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, where grinning reefs grow almost to the seashore. The mystical lowland rainforest here is a rare survivor of 100 million years of climatic changes. The present reef system began growing above the remains of much older reefs when sea levels rose at the end of the last Ice Age. Beyond the Tropical Islands formed from the peaks of flooded mountains and the cays created by wave action is the almost unbroken outer coral barrier of the Ribbon Reefs.

This spectacular region is a must on any visitor's itinerary, and don't rush.... allow yourself time to explore at nature's pace!

For more information on the Daintree Rainforest and how you can help protect this Heritage listed area click here.