PLEASE NOTE: The road to Cape Tribulation is open and we are running our Cape Tribulation Day Tour with usual itinerary. However, we are unable to stop at Alexandra Lookout until dual lanes are reinstated over Alexandra Range.

A Cape Tribulation day tour is something you must add to your Tropical North Queensland holiday. Amazing natural beauty and destinations, ancient rainforest flora and fauna, wide rivers and sandy beaches, are just the beginning. Our full, fun adventure day tour departs from Cairns or Port Douglas. Travel is in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and commentary is provided by friendly, knowledgeable guides who are committed to your satisfaction. Whether you’re a youth traveler, flying solo or visiting with your spouse and/or friends, with or without children, this destination and tour has something for everyone. Our Cape Tribulation day tour takes a maximum of 21 guests, no minimum number for departure.

Scenic Coastal Drive

From Cairns it’s a stunning coastal drive, hugging the mountains and overlooking the Coral Sea. This road is also known as the Great Barrier Reef Drive.

Alexandra Lookout

Panoramic views over the Daintree River and rainforest delta. There’s tree ferns and 50 shades of green. Photo opportunity.

Guided Rainforest Walk

At Marrdja or Jindalba Boardwalk, in the Daintree Rainforest. Be surrounded by ancient trees, climbing vines and learn more about this amazing environment.

Cape Tribulation Beach

An iconic destination. A wide sandy beach, bordering reef and rainforest. It’s peaceful, beautiful and a truly special part of the planet. We’re the only tour to have lunch here.

Wildlife Cruise

Wildlife cruise on the Daintree River which is home to crocodiles, numerous species of fish, lizards and snakes, birds and butterflies.

Saltwater Crocodiles

Many saltwater crocodiles live in the Daintree River system, while seeing them is not guaranteed, it is likely.

Mossman Gorge

A magical location in the rainforest. A deep gorge which is scattered with giant granite boulders, flows with fresh, cold clear water and is abundant with life.

Ancient Flora & Fauna

The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation area are World Heritage listed. They are home to many unique plants and animals.

PLEASE NOTE: The road to Cape Tribulation is open and we are running our Cape Tribulation Day Tour with usual itinerary. However, we are unable to stop at Alexandra Lookout until dual lanes are reinstated over Alexandra Range.

Your Cape Tribulation day tour commences with complimentary pickups from your Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas accommodation. If departing from Cairns or a Northern Beach, it’s a scenic coastal drive up to Port Douglas. From there, we head north amongst the sugar cane fields to the Mossman area and then north to the Daintree River.

It’s croc spotting time!

Morning refreshment with coffee, tea (Daintree Tea), iced tea or cordial and some biscuits is served, before you go onto the boat. There are rest rooms on site.

Your Crocodile/Wildlife spotting cruise on the Daintree River takes us through the domain of the large saltwater crocodiles. Egrets wade near mangroves in the murky water of the river, as the crocodiles wait patiently for a meal. We look for pythons, tree snakes, butterflies and lots of other animal and plant life on this cruise. We also get a better understanding of the unique mangrove systems and their importance not only to the rainforest but to the Great Barrier Reef system as well.

Continuing our journey north, we access the Cape Tribulation section of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park,

Once we’re on the northern side of the Daintree River, things really begin to change as we step into the wilderness. The road narrows and the rainforest towers over us as we enjoy the ever-increasing beauty of this 135-million-year-old ancient Gondwana Rainforest.

The next stop is the Alexandra Range Lookout (Walu Wugirriga). Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Daintree River, Port Douglas, Snapper Island, Cape Kimberly and, on a clear day, landmarks as far south as Cairns. This makes for some amazing photos over the top of the low laying rainforest canopy.

After the lookout, we experience the Marrdja or Jindalba Boardwalk. Here we see trees that have been caught in a time capsule; they haven’t changed in millions of years and, we hope, don’t change in millions of years more. The Marrdja Boardwalk (which means Rainforest or Jungle in the local Aboriginal language) leads us through both rainforest (fresh water forest) and over a complex mangrove swamp system (salt water forest). The root systems of mangrove trees are quite striking and the mechanisms which they employ provide an ingenious solution to the problems which living in salt water presents. These plants have evolved over many, many millions of years living on the tidal edge. There are many points to stop and learn about the local flora and fauna on these walks and our experienced guide will give you an insight to both the Daintree Rainforest and the mangrove systems, that will make you appreciate all the more for the amazing and unique experience that it is. You are also more than welcome to walk ahead and enjoy some private time by yourselves.

After the guided walk, we head straight to the Kulki Day use area (Kulki is an Indigenous word that describes what we call Cape Tribulation Beach). Here we have a picnic lunch. (You can pre-purchase it when booking or bring your own.) Lunch can be enjoyed on the beach or at the picnic tables. This is a unique feature of our Cape Tribulation Day Tour, as we are the only company which dines on this stretch of coastline. Lunch is at approximately 1pm. (Please note: when you opt for BYO lunch, it’s important to have it ready before you are picked up. There is no shop or restaurant at where you can buy lunch on the tour.)

After lunch, take a walk on the stunning Cape Tribulation Beach which is where the ‘rainforest meets the reef’ and is the only place on the planet at where two World Heritage listed National Parks sit side by side, with the Daintree National Park on one side and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on the other. You will have time to walk on the beach and also access the walk to the lookout on the Cape Tribulation headland. We then head back towards the Daintree River. Keep an eye out for the local cassowaries.

Then we are off to the famous Mossman Gorge which is the other section of Daintree National Park. Here, the clear mountain river cuts through thick rainforest and tumbles over boulders on its journey toward the sea. Please make sure you bring your swimwear and towel, as you can go for a swim, provided it is safe to do so. (Our guide will assess conditions on the day and also supervise those of you who decide to swim.) Alternatively, you can relax to the soothing sound of running water and calling birds. The landscape is a combination of giant granite boulders and mossy rocks, with dragonflies and butterflies flitting in the light. There’s plenty of fish and the occasional fresh water turtle and, if you’re super lucky, you might see a platypus.

Our last stop for the day is Rex Lookout. Here, we stop to get some amazing pictures of our beautiful stretch of coastline known as Great Barrier Reef Drive.

Our Cape Tribulation Day Tour arrives back into Cairns at about 6.30pm. This is where we say goodbye and hope that you will come back and visit us again soon!

Please note: The exact sequence of events may vary, depending on season and capacity; however, all of the above is included in the day tour.

To make a booking please visit our Online Booking page.

The Cape Tribulation day tour departs daily from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas. The first pick-ups commence in Cairns at around 6.45am and return to Cairns around 6.30pm. Our catered picnic lunch is gluten free and we can cater for Vegans, Vegetarians and most food intolerances, just let us know at the time of booking. For bookings call (07) 4032 0500 (till late) or freecall 1800 838 757 or complete and submit our online Booking Form.

Important Info

Cape Tribulation and the areas we visit are remote and special. Unique road and weather conditions may be encountered. Due to this, Cape Trib Connections reserves the right to alter or change any tour itinerary as it sees fit. DECEMBER – APRIL is the ‘wet season’ in the north. It can become difficult to complete the full itinerary if there are delays brought about by environmental factors, such as flooding rivers and challenging terrain. We are not responsible for changes brought about as a result of these influences. Cape Trib Connections recommends that passengers take out their own travel insurance as we cannot be held responsible for damaged, lost or stolen belongings. Cape Trib Connections cannot be held responsible for any personal injury. Cape Trib Connections maintains its modern vehicle fleet and machinery to very high standards and cannot be held responsible if events occur such as breakdowns. No refunds will be given for any of the above circumstances. Cape Trib Connections reserves the right to change prices at any time, without notice, as it sees fit.

Cancellation Policy

• If cancelled within 48 hours of travel, a 100% fee applies.

For more information please email info@capetribconnections.com