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Daintree and Cape Tribulation

The Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforest is recorded as the oldest continuously surviving rainforest in the world and contains more unique and endangered plants and animals than anywhere else on this planet. As you can imagine this beautiful example of Mother Nature's artistic creativity attracts several thousands of visitors each year to be mesmerised and in awe of natures beauty and the tropical abundance and variety of plants and wildlife showcasing the pre-historic wildlife only indigenous to this country.

Whether you come to the Cairns Daintree and Cape Tribulation region to study or view rare wildlife, tropical birds, native plants and vegetation or the picturesque sandy coral beaches that border the rainforest you will be more than delighted in Mother Nature's masterpiece.

There is evidence in plants, rocks and animals that The Daintree Rainforest has existed in Australia for approximately 135 million years. In this time, the rainforest has survived catastrophic earth changes such as global climate changes, volcanoes, changing sea levels and fire amongst other imaginable events. The Daintree supposedly saw its first human settlement over 9000 years ago when the Kuku Yalanji indigenous people inhabited the area. All of these events have contributed to the history and creation of this unique World Heritage listed Cairns attraction that stands today.

There are several ways in which tourists can explore the Daintree Rainforest. Day Tours depart from all regions and locations from Cairns, Cairns northern beaches and Port Douglas daily to explore this eco sensitive diverse region guided by experienced tour guides. There are also overnight tours and packages which allow for more time and exploration of the rainforest and its secrets or travellers can rent cars to view the region by themselves but keep in mind you are not allowed to take the rent a cars off sealed roads so you may miss out on seeing the best attractions that the Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforest has to offer which would be a great shame.

By far the best option for exploring the Daintree is to visit for a weekend or a week and truly experience the essence of this tropical rainforest in a luxury resort, a quaint bed and breakfast or backpacker accommodation. It isn't until you've been awakened by the squabble of rainbow lorikeets, spent the day on Cape Tribulation Beach, spotted the rare cassowary or cruised down the Daintree River in search of the mighty salt water estuarine crocodile that you've really experienced the allure of the Daintree Rainforest.

There are several resorts, hotels, retreats, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other Accommodation set amongst the Daintree Rainforest. Many of the accommodation houses are gathered around the tiny Village of Cape Tribulation about 30 minutes north of the wild Daintree River. Whether you are seeking a luxurious rainforest resort or a primitive wild jungle experience you will surely find it on this website.

There are accommodation styles to suite families, birders, nature-lovers, hikers, couples, beachgoers, backpackers, explorers, conservationists, wedding parties, business travellers amongst many others.

Location of Cape Tribualtion and the Daintree Rainforest

The Cape Tribulation Daintree Rainforest is located just over 2 hours north of Cairns. From Cairns City follow the Captain Cook Highway past Port Douglas and through the small agricultural town of Mossman.

After passing Mossman you will reach the Cape Tribulation Cable Ferry. There is a small fee of about $15 one way to cross the crocodile infested wild Daintree River.

After the cable ferry crossing there is a single road connecting Cape Tribulation to Cooktown. This road is fully sealed until just after Cape Tribulation, from there you will need a 4WD and be fully prepared for a wild time of pure four wheel driving.

It is not recommended that you travel this route in the Green Season unless you are travelling in groups and carry all the right emergency equipment and notify the authorities of your departure and return from Cooktown.


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Daintree and Cape Tribulation Accommodation Options

Whether its romance, relaxation or the attractions of the beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, beaches, mountains or the mysterious and shy wildlife that Mother Nature has created and perfected in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation region, you are sure to be rewarded each day with a new surprise when you spend a few days in a budget style eco resort, a more salubrious resort with a luxurious day spa, a 5 star wilderness lodge or a multi award winning rainforest retreat.

No matter what your budget or your particular style of holiday accommodation you may be after it is all here on offer in the Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforests of Tropical North Queensland. Get to know some of the locals when you share their home with a bed and breakfast accommodation option under the canopy of the rainforest, or hide out in your own little cabin beside the pure running waters of the fresh mountain stream.

Your holiday accommodation room nights can cost anything from as little as $28 a night in a dorm style village atmosphere to the luxury accommodation staying in an eco treehouse where you can unplug from hustle and bustle and emerse yourself in the rainforest with gourmet meals and day spa treatments. 

Talk to the team at Cairns Holiday Specialists about your style of accommodation and they will match it with the availability and add in some ideas for tours, attractions and all the things to do and see when staying in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforest paradise.

Take a look at further information on Daintree and Cape Tribulation Accommodation and Holiday Packages or contact our holiday specialists on 1300 780 806.

Tours and sightseeing Daintree Cape Tribulation

There are several different tour companies that take tourists on rainforest expeditions throughout Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Generally on these day trips or overnight tours you will get to experience the magnificent Cape Tribulation Beach, salt water crocodile spotting on the Daintree River, a guided wilderness boardwalk and some fabulous look out spots providing great photo-opportunities of where the Great Barrier Reef meets the World Heritage listed Rainforest.

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There are also several charming waterfalls in Cape Tribulation and the Daintree that have been featured in major Hollywood movies, spots where you can hand-feed kangaroos and interpretive centres where you can learn more about this sensitive pristine environment. Other tours and attractions around the Daintree include Jungle Surfing soaring through the rainforest canopy on zipline, snorkelling and scuba diving around islands and fishing trips out to the Great Barrier Reef and horseback riding on the tropical beaches.

There are several award winning invigorating Destination Spas hidden amongst the rainforest where you can experience relaxing and rejuvenating massages, facials, wraps, scrubs and treatment packages.

For the ultimate North Queensland experience take a look at the extended Cooktown and Cape York trips which include the Daintree National Park plus more! 

Climate in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation

The climate in The Daintree has two distinct seasons: The Dry Season and The Green Season. The Dry Season is between May and December and is generally characterised by low humidity, low rainfall and temperatures ranging between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius.

The Green Season is between January and April and is characterised by higher temperatures (reaching a maximum of 32 degrees), more rainfall and higher humidity although generally days are dry followed by spectacular thunderstorms in the evenings leaving things fresh and cleans and sparkling when you wake to a beautiful sunny day.

Flora and Fauna in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation

The Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforest is home to some of the most primitive plants in the world; of the 19 most primitive plants found on earth, 12 exist in the Daintree. The only way to truly appreciate the majesty of this region is to immerse yourself in it. Some of the rare plant species you may come across include: Idiot Fruits, Blue Quandons, Burrawang Palms, and Wild Ginger plants. The Daintree Cape Tribulation area also possesses an assortment of highly exotic animals.

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The cold blooded salt water crocodile lurks in most waterways in and around the Daintree. Tour boats take travellers into the wild rivers in search of these powerful pre-historic reptiles. Cassowaries, an animal that was nearly extinct only 15 years ago, is strengthening its numbers thanks to greater protective and conservation measures being implemented with buy back of land schemes in the Cape Tribulation area and re-planitng of rare rainforest plants.

These usually shy monstrous flightless birds can sometimes become aggressive when agitated and beware they have massive dinosaur like-claws to defend themselves when threatened; these animals although amazing when viewed from a distance or in the safety of a car, should generally be avoided especially during the breeding and laying season.

Other rare animals in the Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforest include the Rufous Owl, Musky Rat Kangaroo, Feral Pigs, Azure Kingfishers, Bandicoots and Sugar Gliders. Explore the flora and fauna on several walking and hiking trails, on 4WD treks or on guided nature tours.

Dining in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation

In the Daintree Village you will find several small boutique eateries open for breakfast lunch and dinner. The Daintree Tea House specialises in freshly prepared lunches and morning/afternoon teas.  Julaymba Restaurant & Bar located in the Daintree Eco Lodge offers gourmet dining in a relaxed setting overlooking the lagoon, open for all day dining and cocktails. 

Whet Restaurant is a popular dining spot in the heart of Cape Tribulation in a unique rainforest setting - open for lunch and dinner. There are also numerous small cafes like Turtle Rock Cafe in the Daintree; keep in mind these cafes and restaurants are spread apart therefore a vehicle is generally needed to travel from one to the other.

Another popular dining option is On The Turps Bar & Restaurant located at Heritage Lodge & Spa - set in a relaxed rainforest setting on the edge of Cooper Creek, a great spot for scones and cream and to try the local Daintree Tea.

The small Village of Cape Tribulation has several restaurants considering its tiny size including the Cape Tribulation Beach House Bistro.  The Cassowary Cafe features casual dining open for breakfast and dinner (seasonal) and is located in Ferntree Rainforest Resort. Most resorts and hostels have restaurants or take-away shops serving meals throughout the day.

Make sure to stop in at Daintree Ice Cream Company and try the unqiue tropical fruit icecream - located 14kms north of the Daintree Ferry open 11am-5pm daily.

If you don't have the time for an overnight stay in the Daintree - and would still like to experience a Magical Night Time Dinner in the Daintree Rainforest we have an unique dining experience set amongst the Rainforest available for guests staying in Port Dougas, Cairns Beaches & Cairns. This unique dining experience operates seasonally Tues, Thursday and Saturday nights.

Nightlife in the Daintree

The only nightlife you will find in Cape Tribulation is at one of the backpacker's hostels such as PK's Jungle Village where there is a nightclub open until the wee hours of the morning playing popular music and serving reasonably priced drinks.

Cape Trib Beachouse also has a beach bar that is popular during the backpacker season (May-September).

If it’s the nightlife of the nocturnal inhabitants of the rainforest you are more interested in then you may want to book yourself on a night walk thru the rainforest on the Jungle Adventures Night Walk where you will come across some of the most rarest of rare animals in the world along with some of the most dangerous

Shopping in Daintree Cape Tribulation

Although your convenience needs will be taken care of in Cape Tribulation Village, there is little in the way of shopping in the Daintree.

The Daintree Tea House and The Daintree Discovery Centre have small gift shops to take care of your souvenir needs but if you are after some designer clothing or a new pair of shoes.

If you are looking for a larger variety of shops you may want to wait until you get back to Cairns, northern beaches or Port Douglas.