Cape Trib, QLD

As you journey between the Daintree and Bloomfield Rivers during your Australia holiday in Cape Tribulation you will come across the spectacular meeting point of the forest slopes of the national park and the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Here you will see the reefs growing almost to the seashore. Bush walks will allow you to get the most out of your Australia holiday to Cape Tribulation and the stunning plant and animal life that live in this area which has been a rare survivor of over 100 million years of climatic change.

Drive north 45 minutes from Port Douglas and arrive at the only cable ferry in tropical Australia, the Daintree Ferry, which provides the southern access into the lowland Daintree Rainforest. The sealed road north of the Daintree River meanders through the lush Daintree Rainforest covered Alexandra Range, to spectacular lookout points and glorious tropical beaches. It is here that the rainforest meets the reef. There are a range of Cape Tribulation tours that leave Port Douglas every day, which will take you to some of the hidden treasures the Daintree Rainforest holds. If you are a self-drive visitor to Cape Tribulation you will find many local tour options that take you where your hire car cannot! The sealed road ends at Cape Tribulation and the 4WD track through to Bloomfield Falls and further north to Cooktown begins. Go on an adventure through the rugged rainforest terrain with eco-accredited 4WD tours and explore the pristine beaches, swimming holes and ancient rainforest plants that only this very unique piece of nature can provide. No trip to the tropical north is complete without visiting this natural wonderland.

Cape Tribulation has different appeals at different times of the year.

When to go really depends on what you want out of your Cape Tribulation holiday and accordingly we have highlighted the key attractions for different periods through the year.

Cape Trib Spring time

From late August to early November, after the winter has passed and the south east trade winds have slowed or disappeared, there is little chance of rain and conditions are perfect for snorkelling trips to the Great Barrier Reef and sea kayaking. Somewhere in November the box jelly fish may arrive, so unless you have a stinger suit, you are restricted to swimming in the swimming holes in the beautiful freshwater creeks, the pool at your accommodation, or on a reef trip.

Summer in Caoe Tribulation

November and December are warm and dry months. Many tourists think that the wet season has started at this time, although the opposite is the case. It gets so dry that most years many houses around Cape Tribulation run out of water!  January continues to be warm to hot, with the occasional shower. Between November and February there is usually very little wind, creating the blue mirror smooth oceans that are so popular in holiday brochures. This is a perfect time for scuba diving in the clear waters and sea kayaking.

Autumn time Cape Trib

February and March were traditionally months where torrential rains hammered down for days on end, but with the changing of climates worldwide over the last few years, this has not been so common in recent times.  April and May are a bit hard to predict as anything can happen. Normally the wet season is over by this time.

Cape Trib Winters

June can also be a temperamental month, alternating periods of sunshine and periods of rain can keep life interesting, temperatures are getting lower as we are getting closer to winter. July and August is the time of year when most people come to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.