Cape Tribulation - where the rainforest meets the ocean

Cape Tribulation is one of the few places where the two World Heritage sites of Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef meet. Its naming has a delightful history. First sighted by James Cook in June 1770 from aboard the HM Barque Endeavour, it was named “Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles”. It was here that Endeavour ran aground the reef, now named Endeavour Reef, from where it somehow limped to the Endeavour River where it lay for months for repair. Today the area is part of 17,000 hectare Cape Tribulation National Park. Century later George Dalrymple named a river passing deep into the tropical valley after his geologist friend Richard Daintree. Agriculture was attempted but did not succeed much; what attracted the eyes of Dalrymple and others after him were the huge stands of red cedars. But the beauty of the valley was evident to him as to everyone else: “The river valley is here surrounded by a panorama of great beauty…a perfect picture of rich tropical country…” The loss of cedars and other tropical trees of this old forest resulted in much destruction, and after much protests from environmentalists, the area is now protected and regulated.

There are a dozen and more things one can do while in this tropical paradise. There are about four celebrated short walks: the Jindalba ‘foot of the mountain’ loop, the Marrdja rainforest, the Dubuji ‘place of spirits’ and the Kulki. Apart from them there is the longer and more difficult Mt Sorrow Ridge Walk which will take you on a 7 Km mountain and forest trek. It takes you up a rainforest ridge of Mt Sorrow to a lookout at an elevation of 650 m. From the lookout on a clear day the beautiful Daintree coastline can be seen stretching southwards to Snapper Island and beyond, and the shadow of the Great Barrier Reef can be glimpsed in the sea below the horizon. Commercial operators provide guided and talk tours to various nearby areas.

If you are in the mood for a picnic, there are picnic tables with bathrooms at Jindalba, Dubuji and Kulki. Dubuji even has barbeque facilities. Fishing is a very popular activity, and except for Cooper Creek, one can do fishing in all creeks of the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree National Park. For those inclined towards nature, the Daintree provides one of the world’s best museum – this 140 million years old park is home to most of the world’s 19 primitive plant families. Rare animals include Bennett’s tree-kangaroo, which is found only in the lowland and upland rainforests north of the Daintree River, Daintree River ringtail possum and Southern Cassowary. Some birds migrate to the area from New Guinea in summer to breed. These include the buff-breasted Paradise-kingfisher, with its very long tail, and Pied Imperial-pigeons, which arrive in large flocks.

The Great Barrier Reef is connected to Cape Tribulation, providing an easy access to those who want to venture into the reef. There are beautiful deserted beaches that go for miles upon unending miles.

Cape Tribulation is situated in between Cairns to the south and Port Douglas to the north, from where you can travel via the Cook Highway. Thereafter you can take the Daintree ferry ride. There is an unsealed road north of Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield which is suitable for only four-wheel drive vehicles. A few accommodations are available within Cape Tribulation itself, but an alternative option is to stay in Cairns and arrive at the Cape for a day trip. Grosvenor In Cairns provides handsome lodging facilities for all types of tourist needs.

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