What To Do in Daintree and Cape Tribulation (TOP Secrets)

The Daintree forest is the world’s oldest rainforest. Just to put in perspective, the amazon is 7 million years old while the Daintree is around 150-180 million years old. If you’re someone who loves an adventure the Daintree forest is for you. The beauty of the forest is mind-blowing. 

If you are planning to visit this historic forest you surely have wondered what are the things you can do when you go there. In this article, we’ll talk about that. I will be mentioning some of the many things you can and should do when you are in the forest for the best experience possible! So, let’s get right into it! 

Things To Do in Tribulation and the Daintree:

You cant just visit the earth’s oldest rainforest and not experience it to the fullest. Being the holder of that title the Daintree has become quite famous amongst tourists. With that comes many things to do in the forest, so let’s get right into it: 

1. Experience the Daintree Rainforest

Cape tribulation is one of the best places to explore the ancient Daintree rainforest. There are many boardwalks, hikes, and even the main roads are surrounded by the rainforest.

It’s incredible how green everything and enchanting nature can be. Experience the rainforest to the fullest while you’re still there as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

2. Go on a Solar Boat Ride and Croc Spotting

To get to cape tribulation first you have to cross the Daintree River. This river is filled with large crocodiles amongst much other wildlife. As scary as it might sound crocodile spotting is a real thing and is quite fun. Also, on a Daintree trip, it’s quite common for tourists to book solar boat rides. 

A solar boat ride usually lasts around 90 minutes. These boats help you get as close to the enchanting crocodiles of the Daintree as possible and as they are solar powered they don’t disturb the crocodiles. In fact, it’s amazing to see saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat rather than seeing them at a zoo. The prices for these rides cost around 20-30 USD. 

3. Take a Troll on One of the Several Boardwalks

Boardwalks are incredibly therapeutic. It’s taking a troll around nature but it’s way better in real life. There are three types of boardwalks available in Daintree. Maarja, Kulki, and Dubuji are all beautiful boardwalks you can experience for free.

All of these boardwalks go along the cape tribulation road and my favorite one is Kulki Boardwalk which leads to the Kulki lookout. 

During these boardwalks, you may encounter sea turtles and many varieties of birds. Also, these boardwalks usually go in a loop, and it’s quite easy to keep track of where you are going. It’s quite safe and an incredible experience. The quiet mangrove can hypnotize you with its beautiful sounds and scenery, so don’t miss it! 

4. Take a Swim in a Cape Tribulation Swimming Hole

Cape tribulation is mostly ruled by saltwater crocodiles and marine stingers. For this reason, swimming at the beach is highly discouraged. However, there are a few swimming holes in cape tribulation where you can go for a swim and cool off from the tropical heat of the forest.

In case you forgot, the rainforest is quite humid and can become unbearable with time. A swim in one of these swimming holes can help you with that. 

One of the most famous swimming holes is Mason’s swimming hole. As the name stands the swimming hole can be found right next to Mason’s cafe. The cafe is quite popular and is located right at the center of Cape Tribulation. These swimming holes are mostly privately owned so you might have to spend a couple of cents for a swim. 

5. Visit Emmagen Creek 

Emmagen Creek is one of my favorite spots to visit in Cape Tribulation. Emmagen Creek is a freshwater swimming hole located north up the cape tribulation road. If you’re looking for a quieter swim at a hole away from the crowds this is the place for you. 

It’s a little hard to get there as the roads are a little bumpier than usual. However, it’s worth it once you get there. One thing you should know is, that there are crocodile warning signs around Emmagen Creek. But, if you continue a little further upstream you should find a crock-free swimming hole with clear water. Also, look for a rope swing at the swimming hole, it’s the most fun thing to play around with. 

6. Go on a Night Safari

Cape tribulation night safari is a very interesting experience. It might not be for everyone but it’s worth trying out once in your life. Basically, it’s a guided walk through the rainforest and you might come across many of the wildlife that comes out after dark. The trained guides are professionals and will make sure you don’t run into trouble. 

But if you do go on the safari, you will notice many tree frogs, insects, and other reptiles in the rainforest. Of course, it’s not something everyone would be okay with but it’s an adventure I recommend you to go on. The prices for a night safari range around 40-50 USD.

7. Exotic Fruit Tasting 

The wet climate of the rainforest makes the rainforest a great place for tropical fruits. And of the best things you can do there is get yourself a bite of these exotic tropical foods. The fruits are tasty and a lot of them are hard to get your hands on in the outside world. So, it is an experience being able to taste them. 

There’s a farm called the Cape Trib Farm which is a second-generation farm that grows over 60 varieties of fruit. A lot of these fruits are extremely rare and some of them can only be found in Cape Tribulation. Fruit tasting is a famous thing to do if you do visit cape tribulation and they usually last around 90 mins. 

You can come across a few common fruits like Mango and Rambutans but at the same time, you will taste fruits that you haven’t even heard the name of. Some of these fruits are Breadfruit, black sapote, miracle fruit, etc.

One thing is for sure, trying new things is always adventurous. And when you’re at a historic place like this you should try to explore the culture as much as you can. 

8. Go on Jungle Surfing 

Jungle Surfing is a great way to explore the rainforest while having a thrilling adventure. It’s a course that can be taken by anyone above the age of 5. So how does it work? let’s have a look: 

If you are familiar with hamster wheels you’ll find this course quite interesting. There’s a human hamster wheel that you would have to use to power your partners up to the first platform. Once you get on the first platform, you zip line your way between six platforms with an incredible view of the forest. 

On every platform, there’s a guide who teaches you a little about the rainforest which makes the whole experience very immersive. It’s a 2-hour long adventure which you surely will not forget. The prizes are a little higher for jungle surfing, ranging from 100-130 USD. 

9. Discover the Myall Beach 

Myall Beach is an incredibly beautiful beach in cape tribulation. It is one of the more well-known beaches among the others. For access to the beach, you will first need to take a short boardwalk that leads directly to the beach. Once you’re there you will be amazed by the beauty of the beach with palm trees and the beautiful sea in front of you. 

However, swimming on the Myall beach is highly restricted. Being a saltwater sea there’s a large habitat of large crocodiles and other aquatic monsters waiting for you. So, be very careful to not let the beauty lure you in. 

10. Check Out the Great Barrier Reef

Cape tribulation is one of the best places to check out the great barrier reef. Compared to other places in Queensland, the pristine reefs like Mackay and Undine are much closer. The reef boat experience I recommend you to go on is run by the ocean safari. 

In this safari, the boats they use are fast and can reach the great barrier reef in about 25 minutes. It’s an experience you won’t have in any other place on earth and should check it out. 

Conclusion:

Cape tribulation is a beautiful place everyone should visit at least once in their lives. With enough information, you can get the best out of the whole trip. However, be very careful in this large and enchanting rainforest. 

I hope I could help you understand this beautiful rainforest a little bit more and I hope you can go to the rainforest yourself now. Thank you for reading, Have a great trip!