Why is Cape Tribulation called Cape Tribulation?

Cape Tribulation got its name when Lt James Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, struck a reef just off the coast in 1770.

Cape Tribulation is a headland and village located on the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. Most travellers visit on a day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas.

Cape Tribulation gets its name

The name “Cape Tribulation” was given by British navigator Lieutenant James Cook in 1770 when his ship, the Endeavour, struck a reef just off the coast, causing significant damage to the ship’s hull.

7 Cape Tribulation experiences you should book in advance

▶️ An attraction-packed Cape Tribulation day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas.
▶️ (Highly recommended ✅) Small group reef snorkelling – on the Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef tour.
▶️ See the Daintree come to life – on a guided rainforest night walk.
▶️ Uncover jungle secrets – on a small group rainforest trekking adventure.
▶️ Whizz through the trees – on a thrill-a-minute zipline adventure course.
▶️ Saddle up, and go horse-riding along the beach.
▶️ Stretch those legs on a full day waterfall hike.

Cook named the area “Cape Tribulation” because he felt that his ship and crew had narrowly escaped a great danger, and that the incident was a “trial” or “tribulation” that they had to endure. He wrote in his journal: “the northern part [of the coast] appeared to be much incumbered with shoals, and the Endeavour was nearly lost upon them. This caused me to name the point of land… Cape Tribulation”.

Today, Cape Tribulation is a popular tourist destination, known for its fantastic beaches, rainforest walks, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.

Repairs to the Endeavour

The Endeavour struck the reef at Cape Tribulation on June 11, 1770. The ship remained there for several weeks while repairs were made. During this time, the crew had several interactions with the local Indigenous people, the Kuku Yalanji, some of which were violent. Cook named the nearby river the “Endeavour” in honour of the ship.

After the repairs were completed, the Endeavour continued its voyage north along the Australian coast. It reached the tip of Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost point of the Australian continent, on August 22, 1770. The ship then sailed back south and returned to the site of the incident at Cape Tribulation on August 24, 1770, before continuing its journey westward.

Why visit Cape Tribulation?

Things to do at Cape Tribulation include walking along the Dubuji Boardwalk to Myall Beach, horse riding, swimming in Mason’s Swimming Hole and Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours.

But, of course, half the fun is getting there in the first place. On the drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation, you can enjoy Mossman Gorge and a Daintree River cruise, before tackling the Mount Alexandra Lookout, Daintree Discovery Centre and Jindalba Boardwalk in Cow Bay.

There’s also the Marrdja Boardwalk near Noah Beach just before arriving in Cape Trib.