Cape Tribulation is at the end of the sealed road, 35 kilometres north of the Daintree River Ferry. North of Cape Tribulation the Bloomfield Track continues to Cooktown. It is suitable for 4WD only

Activities, tours and attractions

There are many activities to choose from at Cape Tribulation. The rainforest can be explored by self-guided trails, guided walks, horse rides and even a flying fox. The reef can be visited for a half day, or you can paddle the coastline in a sea kayak and see where the rainforest meets the reef.

Cape Tribulation is also home to 2 interpretive walks - Dubuji Boardwalk (a 1.8 km boardwalk through the forest and mangroves) and Maardja Botanical Walk (a boardwalk and pathway through the high value Daintree coastal rainforest). Maardja is 10 minutes south of town while Dubuji is off the main street and exits onto Myall Beach.

Good information on the region can be found at the Bat House, where you can eyeball a bat!

Accommodation

A good range of accommodation styles exists in the valley from eco-retreats, mid range and budget resorts, bed and breakfasts, holiday houses, farmstays and camping grounds. Accommodation houses offer rooms, set in natural surroundings, with something to suit everyone.

Services

Most conveniences are available at Cape Tribulation. There are two small supermarkets, bottleshops, cafes ATMs, an Interpretive Centre, a cinema and several restaurants all within walking distance.

History

The name Cape Tribulation can be traced back to Lieutenant James Cook who was trying to find a way through, what he described as ‘the insane labyrinth’. His ship ran into Endeavour Reef, north-northeast of Cape Tribulation. He wrote: “I name this point Cape Tribulation, because here began all my troubles.”

Driving north to Cape Tribulation there are great views to the east, over the Great Barrier Reef, and north to the Cape itself. The road was only put through to Cape Tribulation in 1962. The first person to drive to Cape Tribulation was Marion Swenson in an old, ex army, Bren gun carrier. She drove along Coconut Beach, across Myall Creek mouth (at low tide) and up into Mason’s property via the existing track to the wharf in Myall Creek. Later, the last section of road was completed, eliminating the need to drive on the beach.

Indigenous settlement

Prior to white settlement Kuku Yalanji aboriginal people lived along the coastline between Mossman and the Bloomfield River. Some of the roads follow ancient walking trails created by the original inhabitants. The Yalanji lived mostly along the coast, were heavily reliant on seafood, and their lifestyle caused little or no damage to the forest.

Pioneers

The Mason family were the first white people to settle in the valley having previously had an unsuccessful farming venture at Cow Bay. They arrived in 1932 and tried many things, including farming fruit and vegetables, timber cutting and cattle. For many years Hayles’ boat was the only real transport in and out of the area, passing Cape Tribulation on the way to Cooktown, and then returning, later in the week, on the way back to Cairns. All produce was shipped out by boat: Masons had their own boats during the timber cutting era.

Equatorial climate

Cape Tribulation valley resembles a giant amphitheatre, with a semicircle of hills dominated by Mt Sorrow (850m) and Mt Hemmant (1000m). The southeastern rain, trapped by this valley, results in a tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity and rainfall - ideal for growing rare tropical fruit. Two farms at Cape Tribulation grow fruit normally found in equatorial areas. There are opportunities to sample this fruit at a number of businesses in the area.

Early tourism