Things to do in Cape Tribulation, Queensland
The best things to do in Cape Tribulation, far north Queensland, include Great Barrier Reef cruises and Cape Trib horse rides along Myall Beach. Other Daintree rainforest highlights include the Jindalba, Marrdja and Dubuji boardwalks, plus exotic fruit tasting at Cape Trib Farm.
It’s a stretch calling Cape Tribulation a town, but this jungle settlement deep in the World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest is one of the most enjoyable places in Australia to hang out.
Getting there in a hire car from Cairns is part of the fun. The 142km drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation should take around two hours and 40 minutes. But on the way, you’ve got to take the ferry across the crocodile-infested Daintree River. Then the road – suitable for conventional vehicles – weaves through the rainforests of far north Queensland – prime cassowary habitat.
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.
How Cape Tribulation got its name
Cape Tribulation was named by Lt. James Cook when his ship, the Endeavour, struck the reef here in 1770. Now, it’s a strange, but beautiful, Queensland beach town where you absolutely don’t want to get in the water. Swimming is not safe, and people have been killed by crocodiles nearby.
Things to do in Cape Tribulation, Queensland: Reef tours
One of the main reasons to visit Cape Tribulation is that it’s just about the closest point on the Australian mainland to the Great Barrier Reef. This means that reef tours from Cape Tribulation don’t waste as much time chugging out over the sea. You can spend a higher percentage of your time snorkelling. Ocean Safari runs small group reef trips to the Mackay and Undine Reefs, with pick-ups from Cape Tribulation hostels, resorts and b&bs.
Find your ideal Great Barrier Reef tours by location
Great Barrier Reef tours run from numerous destinations along the Queensland coast. Different tours cater to different tastes – some make sure they go to the best snorkelling spots, others build in beach time and some throw in extra such as underwater observatories and glass bottom boat tours.
Use the following links to start picking the best Great Barrier Reef tour options where you’re going on holiday.
- The best Great Barrier Reef tours in… 1770 | Airlie Beach | Bundaberg | Cairns | Cape Tribulation | Mackay | Magnetic Island | Mission Beach | Palm Cove | Port Douglas | Townsville.
More things to do in Cape Tribulation
However, there are plenty of other things to do in Cape Tribulation. A surprising number, in fact, given that Cape Tribulation is off the electricity grid.
On the way up from Cairns, there are a few boardwalks in the rainforest. The Jindalba Boardwalk, Marrdja Boardwalk and Dubuji Boardwalk come with explanatory signs, educating walkers about the rainforest environment. The Fan Palm Reserve offers similar.
If walks are your thing, it’s possible to book guided night walks and small group rainforest treks.
5 Daintree experiences worth booking in advance
- Daintree Discovery Centre tickets.
- Hour-long Daintree River cruise.
- Mossman River drift snorkelling.
- Daintree River late afternoon cruise.
- Barramundi fishing experience.
Cape Tribulation horse rides
From Cape Tribulation itself, Cape Trib Horse Rides offers horse-riding tours along the beach.
The 90 minute rides meander through the rainforest before arriving at Myall Beach, and cost $129 per adult.
The beach is not safe for swimming on, but you can go for a dip at Mason’s Swimming Hole.
Cape Tribulation attractions: Exotic fruits at Cape Trib Farm
Another possible Cape Tribulation activity is fruit tasting at the Cape Trib Farm. The $30, one-and-a-half hour tour includes a walk through the orchard identifying the trees, and tasting an exotic fruits platter. The Cape Trib Farm grows 70 different fruits, with the likes of mangosteen, rambutan, breadfruit and durian sold commercially elsewhere in Australia. The farm is part of the Daintree Food Trail.
Many people visit Cape Tribulation as a day tour from Cairns. But it is possible to stay overnight.
Best Cape Tribulation accommodation
There are more than a dozen Cape Tribulation accommodation options. Search for the best deals here.
However, the best bets are…
- For an effectively private beach: Cape Trib Beach House.
- For backpackers after a good time: PK’s Jungle Village.
- For couple-friendly tropical bungalows: Cape Trib Farm.
- For self-catering and green credentials: Noah Creek Eco Huts.
More Queensland travel
Stop at Dalby on the Brisbane to Roma drive.
Cross into the far north of Cape York on the Jardine River ferry.
How much does the Townsville to Brisbane train cost?
Explore the Cape Upstart National Park on the Bowen to Townsville drive.
Stay at Sarina Beach on the Yeppoon to Airlie Beach drive.