If you ever wanted to see what Queensland looked like when dinosaurs roamed the earth, then make tracks to beautiful Cape Tribulation where the Daintree, one of the world’s oldest rainforests meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Cape Tribulation is a truly special place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, meet, and there are so many things to do to immerse yourself in its magic.
Whether you base yourself in Cape Tribulation, sleep under the stars or stay elsewhere in the rainforest, there are so many things to do in the Daintree, you could be here forever. Here are our favourite things to do in Cape Tribulation.
1. Visit the Daintree Rainforest
Cape Tribulation is in the heart of the Daintree, you wouldn’t seriously go all that way and not go there and explore the oldest continuously living rainforest in the world.
If you go to Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre head to the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk with a local Kuku Yalanji guide. Start with a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits, your guide will then lead you through the lush rainforest, observing traditional humpies along the way, and will show you the traditional use of certain plants. At the end of the tour, tuck into a traditional bush tea and damper.
2. Go out on the Great Barrier Reef
When you explore the Great Barrier Reef from here the high-speed boat ride takes about 25 minutes to get you to the two snorkelling spots for the day.
Mackay and Undine reefs are much closer to the mainland than most other reefs along the coast, so it makes it a much quicker and more enjoyable experience. The half-day trips depart from the beach and include everything you need for snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. This is a must-do experience.
3. Watch the sunrise on Cape Tribulation Beach
If there’s ever a place you wake up early to watch the sunrise, let it be at Cape Tribulation. For the more adventurous stay up all night and still watch the sun come up. You’re only young once right? There’s something extra thrilling about walking through the pitch black to go sit on the beach and wait for the sun to rear its head in the morning (especially when crocs can be present in the water). As long as you stay a distance from the crashing waves, you’ll be just fine. Guests at Cape Trib Beach House often watch the sunrise here, so they have some chairs set up so you can watch in comfort. Failing that make sure you can outrun anyone else you are there with. Corc’s rarely eat more than one person at a time.
4. Mason’s Swimming Hole
Leave your donation in the honesty box and walk down a short path for a swim in a sublime (and croc-free) waterhole. Float in the fresh clear water, gazing up at the rainforest canopy above. How’s the serenity?!
There are many more things to do in the Cape Tribulation area that involve eating and drinking and watching the world go by. So pack your van and head there and create a list of your own. Let us know which one you thought was best.
Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
