Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Around Cairns > Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation is around 30km north of the Daintree River ferry crossing, although the region often referred to as Cape Tribulation (which incorporates nearby localities like Cape Kimberley and Cow Bay) starts just a few kilometres after driving off the ferry.
Cape Trib is a mystifying rainforest hideaway with a spattering of accommodation and places to eat. The winding road north is incredibly scenic, with dense rainforest letting out for quick sights of pristine beaches, coastal mangroves and imposing mountains. The area is home to masses of flora and fauna, including cassowaries, estuarine crocodiles and unique bird species. The Kuku Yalangi are the local Aboriginal people who have inhabited the region for thousands of years and know the area as Kulki, but it became known as Cape Tribulation after Captain Cook’s ship ran aground on the offshore reef.
There are several excellent hostels spread far apart from each other. The only place you could really call a village is the area near PK’s hostel, where there is a convenience store, restaurant and an information centre where you can book tours. Mason’s Shop acts as the local information centre, and you should stop here if you are planning a trip in the area.
Coming & going
Coral Reef Coaches (tel (07) 4098 2600) operate buses from Cairns and Port Douglas which stop at all the hostels, except Koala, and continue north to Cooktown.
If you are driving you will need to take the car ferry across the Daintree River, which operates from 6am to midnight and costs $16 return.
Hostel accommodation
Cape Tribulation Beach House
MS 2041, Cape Tribulation QLD 4873
Tel (07) 4098 0030 or 1800 111 124
Club Daintree Koala Beach Resort
Cape Kimberly Road, Cape Kimberly
Tel (07) 4090 7500
Crocodylus Village YHA
Buchanan Creek Road, Cow Bay
Tel (07) 4098 9166
Ferntree Rainforest Lodge
Lot 6, Camelot Close, Cape Tribulation
Tel (07) 4098 0033 or 1800 987 077
PK’s Jungle Village
Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation
Tel (07) 4098 0040 or 1800 232 333
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Cape Tribulation Environment Centre (the Bat House)
This interpretive centre is run by the Australian Tropical Research Foundation and has informative displays about the rainforest environment.
Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation
Tel (07) 4098 0063
Website www.austrop.org.au/bat_house.html
Admission $2
Open 11.30am-3.30pm daily
Daintree Discovery Centre
The Daintree Discovery Centre has displays about the rainforest and an audio-visual theatre but the main feature is the network of elevated boardwalks, aerial walkway and the 23m-high canopy tower.
Corner Cape Tribulation & Tulip Oak Roads, Cow Bay
Tel (07) 4098 9171
Website www.daintree-rec.com.au
Admission $28
Open 8.30am-5pm daily
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