Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation is a popular tourist destination, located between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, both World Heritage listed sites. It is a headland in northern Queensland, 110 km north of Cairns. The area was named by Captain Cook on the 10 June 1770 after his ship ran aground on a reef.  The earliest inhabitants of Cape Tribulation were the Kuku Yalanji people who created the Aboriginal walking trails that still exist today.

Cape Tribulation (Latitude: 16° 4′ 60 S, Longitude: 145° 28′ 60 E) has a tropical climate, with wet and dry seasons of high temperatures, high gumidity and rainfall throughout the year. Consequentially, the Cape is one of the few places in Australia to produce tropical fruit trees. Most visitors come during the dry season between July and November.

There is a variety of accommodation on the Cape, from resorts to backpacker accommodation, camp sites, self-contained units and bed & breakfasts. There are restaurants and cafes in the town, and there is a huge range of activities. Some of the popular places to visit include the  Daintree River, Cape Kimberley, Cow Bay, Cooper Creek, Thornton beach and Bloomfield Track.

Places to Visit

The two main attractions of Cape Tribulationare, of course, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. There are all sorts of things to do on the Reef, from kayaking to scuba diving and snorkeling. When exploring the Daintree Rainforest, you could be on a crocodile cruise, taking a guided nightwalk, birdwatching or driving a 4WD.

If you visit Cow Bay you can take a horse ride in the forest, go on a two day guided sea kayak trip, hike to the waterfall, or swim in natural water holes. Cooper Creek has one of the most diverse mangrove ecosystems in Australia. Located between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, it is renowned for its rare and primitive flora and fauna. This is not an exhaustive list, there is much more to do on Cape Tribulation.

Heritage Lodge

Heritage Lodge is a resort offering an experience like no other. It is located on the spectacular Cape Tribulation, where the planet’s most ancient rainforest, the Daintree, meets the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef. Both of which are World Heritage listed sites. The actual resort is found at the base of Thornton Peak and consists of 16 acres of rainforest, adjoining Cooper Creek and the National Park. It is the perfect place to stay whether you want to relax, enjoy award winning meals, and treat yourself to pamper time at the day spa. Or if you want to come with the famiy and explore the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest, including crocodile cruises and guided walks.

This unpretentious getaway is nestled right amongst the trees, but offers all the facilities of a much more expensive resort, with its own restaurant as well as a day spa. The restaurant, overlooking Cooper Creek, provides a buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, and well as a comfy bar to relax in with pre-dinner drinks.

Spa Orania offeres a range of luxury spa treatments, tailor-made for each guest. After a consultation to decide what your needs are, all you need to do is choose which treatment you would like. All products used are Australian and organic, and where possible local. From a variety of massages (e.g. sports, Swedish, deep tissue) to facials and beauty treatments, there is something for everyone.

Daintree Rainforest Accommodation

Heritage Lodge has a range of cabins, all of which are air conditioned, with fully screened louvered windows that open onto the rainforest. Designed to blend into the rainforest surroundings, there are deluxe, family, rainforest and honeymoon cabins.

All packages include complimentary continental breakfast. Heritage Lodge also offers various special packages that include guided walks, discounts at the day spa, dinner at the restaurant, 4WD safaris, helicopter flights, kayak adventures and crocodile cruises.

The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is the largest rainforest in Australia, and is a World Heritage listed national park as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It was included as a World Heritage site as it met several criteria including being an outstanding example of significant ongoing ecological and biological processes, an example of superlative natural phenomena and containing important and significant habitats for conservation of biological diversity.

The Daintree Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests in the world- in fact the oldest at over one hundred and thirty-five million years old. Furthermore, it also contains the largest number of rare or threatened plant and animal species in the world. For example, approximately 430 species of birds have been discovered in the rainforest, of which 13 species are found nowhere else in the world. The Daintree Rainforest is the perfect destination for ecotourists, those wanting to get away from the bustle of the city, and those interested in exploring the amazing characteristics of a tropical rainforest.

Ecotourism

Australia has to be one of the most amazing countries, continents and islands – all rolled into one- in the world. Its megadiversity is a great opportunity to explore a huge range of environments, flora and fauna. Everything from rainforests, extensive deserts, beaches, semi-arid bush, marine habitats, metropolitan cities, country towns…The range of sights and activities is sure to captivate all travellers, whether your interest is scuba diving, horse riding, or dining in top-notch restaurants.

Ecotourism involves exploring nature in order to learn about the natural environment, as well as contributing to supporting local communities and supporting conservation efforts. Australia has many destinations for ecotourists, as it has quite a few World Heritage listed sites. These sites have been listed for outstanding universal value including containing important natural habitats or being exceptional examples of a major stage in Earth’s history. Many of these exceptional sites are found in Queensland, from the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (including the Daintree Rainforest) to the Great Barrier Reef.