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Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Vehicle access

    Travel 104km north of Cairns on the Cook Highway to the Daintree River crossing. The ferry operates 6am–midnight every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday, with occasional breaks in service for mechanical repairs or during extreme flooding.

    Beyond the ferry, conventional two-wheel-drive vehicle access is possible as far as Cape Tribulation, although high clearance is useful and caravans are not recommended. The road through this section of the park is narrow and winding. Drivers should keep left and watch for wildlife — particularly cassowaries — crossing the road.

    The unsealed road north from Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield is suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles due to steep grades and creek crossings. It may be closed after heavy rain; contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions (see tourism information links below for RACQ contact details).

    Air and sea access

    A private, ultralight-aircraft airstrip exists near Cow Bay village. For details contact Daintree Airstrip, Cow Bay, 4873. Phone: (07) 4098 9202.

    Although boats can moor at various locations off the coast between the Daintree River and Bloomfield River, it is not advisable due to poor anchorage and the potential dangers of estuarine crocodiles and dangerous stinging jellyfish.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Three of the four short boardwalks (Marrdja, Dubuji and Kulki) are wheelchair accessible. At the fourth boardwalk (Jindalba) wheelchair access to the creek is available from the exit end only, near the parking bays for people with disabilities.

    Park features

    Daintree National Park consists of long sandy beaches, rocky headlands and steep mountain ranges intersected by numerous creeks and rivers. One of Australia’s last extensive stands of lowland rainforest is found here. Impenetrable ranges, rising steeply from the coast, are blanketed with dense upland rainforests that support many ancient plants and animals. This unique landscape is the traditional country of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.

    The Cape Tribulation Section of Daintree National Park (about 17,000ha) stretches in a narrow, intermittent strip from the Daintree River in the south to the Bloomfield River in the north. The McDowall Range, rising steeply from the coast, forms the western boundary of the park.

    A visit to this area gives you a rare chance to experience two of Australia’s most significant World Heritage sites — the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage areas. Both are valued for their exceptional biological diversity.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Noah Beach campground is 8km south of Cape Tribulation and has 15 campsites. It does not cater for caravans or larger campervans — see camping information for detailed site information.

    Camping permits are required and fees apply.

    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation — private camping areas, hostels, resorts and holiday units — throughout the district adjacent to the national park. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    There are four short walks and one long, steep walk available in the Cape Tribulation Section of Daintree National Park. The short walks range from 400m to 1200m.

    Jindalba “Foot of the mountain” — 650m return (45 minutes) Grade: easy

    This boardwalk offers the chance to explore tropical lowland rainforest. Quiet walkers may be lucky enough to see a tree-kangaroo or a cassowary. There is a large, quiet picnic area with toilets and tables. Wheelchair access to the creek is available from the exit end only, near the parking bays for people with disabilities.

    Marrdja “Rainforest” or “Jungle” — 1.2km loop (45 minutes) Grade: easy

    Visitors can walk in comfort on this boardwalk among a great variety of rainforest plants. Enjoy the mangrove communities — without getting muddy feet.

    Dubuji “Place of spirits” — 1.2km loop (45 minutes) Grade: easy

    This boardwalk, through lowland rainforest swamps and mangroves, has signs explaining the survival strategies used by rainforest plants and animals. The site is close to Myall Beach and has large grassed areas with barbecues, picnic shelters and toilets.

    Kulki — 600m return (10 minutes) Grade: easy

    Kulki day-use area at Cape Tribulation offers a boardwalk leading from the picnic area to a viewing platform overlooking the ocean and beach. A short walk from the Kulki carpark takes you to beautiful Myall Beach. Toilets and picnic tables are provided.

    Mount Sorrow ridge trail — 7km return (6–7hrs) Grade: difficult (above-average fitness required)

    The start of this marked trail is on the Bloomfield Road, 150m north of the turn-off to the Kulki day-use area. This is a steep and difficult trail and walkers need to be fit, self-reliant and well-prepared. There is no water along the trail and weather conditions can change rapidly. Walkers have been lost in this area so it is very important to keep to the trail and never walk alone. Do not attempt this walk in very hot and humid conditions or in wet or cloudy weather when the track becomes slippery and views are obscured. Tell someone at your accommodation house of your intentions and estimated time of return.

    Read more about Mount Sorrow ridge trail.

    Guided tours and talks

    Guided walks throughout the Cape Tribulation Section of Daintree National Park are provided by commercial tour operators. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Picnic and day use areas

    There are picnic areas at Jindalba, Dubuji and Kulki. All three sites have toilets and picnic tables. Dubuji has gas barbecue facilities.

    Boating and fishing

    Fishing is permitted in all tidal creeks in the Cape Tribulation Section of Daintree National Park except Cooper Creek. Fishing is prohibited in all non-tidal creeks in Daintree National Park.

    The Great Barrier Reef and Great Barrier Reef Coast marine parks lie adjacent to the Cape Tribulation Section, offering various boating and fishing opportunities. For access to Snapper Island the closest boat ramp is at the Daintree River. Check Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning maps for restrictions on fishing activities. Size and bag limits apply. Contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries for further information.

    For more detailed zoning maps and information see Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Information is also available from the EPA.

    Viewing wildlife

    Most of the world’s 19 primitive plant families are found in Daintree National Park and the surrounding area. A number of very rare plants can be seen in the Cape Tribulation Section.

    The park is also home to a large number of endemic animals — those found nowhere else in the world. Rare animals include Bennett’s tree-kangaroos, Daintree River ringtail possums and southern cassowaries. Some birds migrate to the area from New Guinea in summer to breed. These include buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers, with their very long tails, and pied imperial-pigeons, which arrive in large flocks.

    Other things to do

    A stop at Walu Wugirriga (Mount Alexandra lookout), about 5km north of the Daintree River, provides breathtaking views of the coast including the Daintree River mouth, Snapper Island and Low Isles.

    Horse riding and sea kayaking tours are conducted in the park by commercial operators.

    Visit one of the many tourist facilities in the area.

    To find out more about Eastern Kuku Yalanji culture, contact Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime (Mossman) on (07) 4098 2595, Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours (Mossman) on (07) 4098 3437, or Walker Family Tours (Wujal Wujal) on (07) 4060 8069.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Bring sunscreen, hat and clothes for protection from the sun, and be prepared for biting mosquitoes, sandflies and midges. If camping, bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking — fires are not permitted. Bring rubbish bags as there are no bins provided. Take rubbish (including food scraps) with you when you leave. This includes cigarette butts, which do not decompose.

    Opening hours

    Daintree National Park is open 24 hours a day but ferry hours are limited to 6am–midnight daily. The ferry does not operate on Christmas Day or Good Friday.

    Permits and fees

    Camping permits are required for camping in the national park at Noah Beach campground and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

    Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park. Contact the EPA for further information.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Daintree National Park.

    Climate and weather

    The Daintree region has one of the wettest climates in Australia. During the wet season, from December to April, there are heavy and frequent downpours. Some areas receive more than six metres of rainfall annually. Maximum temperatures through the wet season range from 27° to 33°C, with humidity often exceeding 80 percent.

    The cooler, drier months from May to September are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm with reduced humidity. Maximum temperatures average 26°C.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at the Rainforest Village, 14km from the ferry. For more information, please refer to tourism information links.

    Staying safe

    Please be safe when visiting this park.

    Be croc wise

    Estuarine crocodiles live in the waterways along the coast and offshore of Daintree National Park. These crocodiles are potentially dangerous. Visitors are asked to avoid and respect crocodiles and report any sightings of large crocodiles to a ranger. You are responsible for your own safety, so please follow these guidelines and be croc wise in croc country.

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    As part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Daintree National Park contains outstanding examples of major stages in the Earth’s evolutionary history, its continuing biological evolution and its exceptional beauty. It also provides habitat for many rare and threatened species.

    See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, is managed for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation. It is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

    In 1981 Cape Tribulation National Park was declared, protecting 17,000ha of the Daintree area’s last remaining rainforest. It was amalgamated into Daintree National Park in 1995. With the combination of Cape Tribulation and Mossman sections, Daintree National Park now contains 73,500ha.

    In March 2007, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people signed a series of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) with the Queensland Government and other bodies. The ILUAs recognise Eastern Kuku Yalanji’s rights to be custodians and managers of their traditional country. Under one of these ILUAs Eastern Kuku Yalanji people will be more involved in managing Daintree National Park.

    A management plan for Daintree National Park will be prepared in the future.

    Tourism information links

    Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au

    For information on road conditions contact:

    RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
    www.racq.com.au (see Motoring, Road Safety, Road Conditions Report)
    • ph 1300 130 595 for 24-hour road reports

    Further Information

    Contact the Environmental Protection Agency

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    Last updated: 16 March 2009