Featured writer: Lauren Edwards
You’ve fought your way through the chaos of the East Coast. You’ve battled your way through the backpacker central of Cairns. You keep driving and driving, desperate to escape the swarms of German backpackers, the party bus pub crawls and jelly wrestling competitions.
You begin to panic as you reach a crocodile infested river. Driving onto the ferry you see nothing but a tangle of mangroves waiting eagerly to greet you on the other side.
You ask the sun scorched ferry worker if your toy size Hyundai Getz rental car will make it around the maze of mountain roads that lay ahead. He laughs, engulfing you in a cloud of XXXX Gold scented breath. “She’ll be right!” he squawks as he wanders, still laughing, to the next car.
The one road leading north of the river disappears into the rain forest canopy. As you climb higher, the views into the depths of the forest beneath you are accentuated. The forest is becoming denser. Mist is creeping through the trees, at some points masking the road. You feel as though you’re driving through the set of ‘Jurassic Park’. It’s prehistoric, with fast flowing water falls drowning the roads from the heavy rains. A far cry from the concrete jungle of Cairns.
Cape Tribulation is an untouched paradise. The only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites join; the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. This 110 million year old rain forest is vastly protected from the onslaught of chain hotels.
The open jungle style houses of the locals are hidden deep beneath the canopy, out of sight and creating an unspoilt view. However, due to the influx of tourists into Cairns, the beauty of Cape Tribulation is going unnoticed.
Fantastic Eco friendly tours are being immersed under the commercialism of Cairns bigger companies.
Ocean Safari offers an incredible half day snorkel trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The only tourist boat operating north of Port Douglas, guaranteeing you untouched, pristine reef. Located just 10 miles off the stunning Myall beach, MacKay reef takes about 30 minutes to reach.
Nick named ‘Turtles’, for obvious reasons, MacKay boasts some of the most friendly and curious turtles. They’re so comfortable with daily visitors, who are briefed before entering the water and watched vigilantly by the guides, that they know they’re in no danger. The passionate crew ensure no damage is done to the reef or its inhabitants and leave no traces of their visits.
Visit at the right time of the year (July/August) and you’re in with a chance of some whale watching too.
Cape Tribulation offers an excellent selection of tours and activities; from horse riding to swinging through the trees. Here are some we would recommend…
All tours offer a pick up from your accommodation.
Looking for somewhere to stay? We would recommend…
Offering a choice of cabin style rooms, from dorms to private beach front huts. An excellent location, leading directly onto Cape Trib Beach. The bar and bistro is open to the public and serves fantastic food at great prices.
An incredible location leading right on to the unspoilt Myall Beach. Offering both powered and non powered sites and spotlessly clean facilities. Cape Trib Camping has recently added a small bar and wood fired pizza restaurant. It’s not a party bar but boasts a great atmosphere and the pizzas are awesome!
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