Cape Tribulation is where two World Heritage areas meet: the Daintree Rainforest runs right down to the Great Barrier Reef. It's about 1 hour 45 minutes north of Port Douglas, and an easy, rewarding day trip.
The route
Head north through Mossman to the Daintree River, then cross on the Daintree Ferry, a cable ferry that runs throughout the day. North of the river the road narrows and winds through the rainforest all the way to Cape Tribulation.
Stops worth making (south to north)
- Alexandra Range Lookout. Views down over the Daintree River mouth and Snapper Island.
- Daintree Discovery Centre. Aerial walkways and a canopy tower that take you up through the rainforest layers. Great for kids, and for anyone who wants to understand what they're looking at.
- Jindalba and Marrdja boardwalks. Short, free boardwalks through rainforest and mangroves. Marrdja, at Oliver Creek, is one of the best.
- Daintree Ice Cream Company. Ice cream made from exotic fruit grown on the farm.
- Cape Tribulation Beach. The classic view where rainforest meets reef. Walk to the Kulki lookout at the southern end.
- Dubuji boardwalk. An easy loop through mangroves and fan palms near the cape.
Sample day
- 8:00am: Leave Port Douglas
- 9:00am: Daintree River croc cruise, then cross on the ferry
- 10:30am: Alexandra Range Lookout and the Discovery Centre
- 12:30pm: Lunch near Cape Tribulation
- 1:30pm: Cape Tribulation Beach and the boardwalks
- 3:30pm: Ice cream stop, then head south
- 5:30pm: Back in Port Douglas
Before you go
- Don't swim in creeks or at the beaches. Crocodiles live here, and box jellyfish are present in the warmer months.
- Mobile coverage is patchy north of the river. Download maps offline.
- Fuel and shops are limited, so fill up and bring water.
- In the wet season (roughly December to March) creeks can flood the road. Check conditions before you go.
Getting there
Want to skip the driving and the ferry queue? We run private transfers to Cape Tribulation from Port Douglas and Cairns. See Cape Tribulation transfers or view prices.
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