Daintreepedia Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruises - one hour cruises throughout the day - Douglas Shire Council
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises - one hour cruises throughout the day. Daintree Fishing – half and full day river & reef Daintreepedia fishing. 4098 6111 Jungle Escapes – day and night walking tours in untouched rainforest May 2022
Table of Contents Community Facilities ........................................................................................................... 3 Ferry ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Distances – driving (approx.) ............................................................................................. 7 Dining Out / Groceries / Picnic Areas............................................................................... 8 Tours & Activities ...............................................................................................................12 Daintree Day Tours ...........................................................................................................21 Walks – Free .......................................................................................................................24 Swimming ...........................................................................................................................25 Arts & Crafts .......................................................................................................................26 Wheelchair Access ............................................................................................................26 Interesting Facts ................................................................................................................27 Accommodation .................................................................................................................29 North Mossman 29 Whyanbeel 29 Miallo 30 Wonga Beach 30 Daintree Village 31 Forest Creek 32 Snapper Island 32 Cow Bay 33 Diwan 35 Thornton Beach 37 Cape Tribulation 38 China Camp (CREB Track) 39 If any information is out of date or there’s something missing – please email gaye@gaye-scott.com The latest version is available on Douglas Shire Council’s website for viewing or download. https://douglas.qld.gov.au/about-the-shire/shire-snapshot Hard copies may also be ordered via the same email or you may call Gaye on 0418 793 009. 2
Community Facilities ATMs Wonga Beach Ampol, Mossman Daintree Rd 4098 7616 Cape Tribulation PK’s 4098 0040 Diwan Daintree Rainforest Village 0466 658 399 Boat Ramps Public Wharf, near Daintree Ferry Crossing Town Common, near Daintree Village Jetty Car Hire / Vehicle Access There is a sealed road from the ferry all the way through to the Cape Tribulation Beach House. It is suitable for all vehicles – a 4WD vehicle is not required. The road is unsealed through to Emmagen Creek, which is the start of the Bloomfield Track and is suitable for 2WDs although you need to check with your hire car company. The Bloomfield Track is strictly 4WD only and during the wet season can become impassable. There are no saltwater crossings, but several water crossings, and steep sections. Conditions can change rapidly, especially during heavy and monsoonal rainfall. Check with Mossman Police, Wujal Wujal Police and/or go to Douglas Shire Council website: http://dashboard.douglas.qld.gov.au/ The CREB Track connects Daintree Village with Ayton. It is an extreme 4WD track. It is usually closed during the wet season, and reopens after the wet. As the weather changes every year, so does the opening and closing of the CREB. It can open as early as May, or as late as August and you can check Council’s website for this information. During the season, if you want to check conditions go to Local CREB Track conditions | Facebook which provides up to date information, and those who have recently driven put up posts. Chemists LiveLife Anich’s Pharmacy – 10 Front St Mossman 4098 1282 LiveLife Pharmacy – 4/63 Front St Mossman 4098 1242 mossman@livelifepharmacy.com Churches Baptist Church, 35 Cedars Street, North Mossman 4098 2220 Catholic Church Grogan St Mossman 4098 2001 Mossman Uniting Church, 36 Front St Mossman 4098 1153 Community Hall Osborne St, Daintree Village 4099 9444 Dump Points A free public use dump point for sewerage only is located in Teamsters Park, Captain Cook Highway, Craiglie. Latitude: - 16.539663; Longitude: 145.469684. A free caravan and recreational vehicle (RV) Dump Point for sewerage only, is located in the car park area of the Mossman Riverside Leisure Park, 1 Park Street, Mossman. Latitude: - 16.455227550125315; Longitude: 145.37193869953626 Fuel Ampol 438 Mossman Daintree Rd, Wonga Beach 5:30am to 8pm 4098 7616 Rainforest Village – Diwan 7am to 6pm 4098 9015 3
Medical Centres Tea Tree Road, Diwan - Open Monday to Friday 4098 9296 Mossman Medical Centre, Front St Mossman 4098 1248 Mossman Hospital – 24 hours - Hospital St, Mossman 4084 1200 Police Emergencies 000 Queensland Police – Mossman 4098 2177 Post Office Mail delivery North of Daintree River - Tuesday and Friday Post Office Agency—Daintree Village Hotel – daily mail 4098 6146 Mason’s Store – Cape Tribulation - sells postal items 4098 0070 Daintree Rainforest Village - Diwan for postal purchases 0466 658 399 Power /Electricity Mains power south of the Daintree Ferry No mains power north of the Daintree Ferry (exception is some residences in Forest Creek) All residents produce power independently using generators, solar panels or hydro turbines. Private Transport Back Country Bliss Adventures 4099 3677 Tuesday & Thursday: Mossman to Newell Beach and return (morning & afternoon) Wednesday & Friday: Mossman to Cape Tribulation and return (morning & afternoon) Public Transport Port Douglas to Cooktown – Same Day Return Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Pick Up/Drop Off Depart Pick Up/Drop Off Location Depart Location Port Douglas IGA 7:40am Cooktown 1:00pm Mossman - arrive 7:45 Mungumby 1:15 - depart 8:00 Helenvale 1:20 Wonga Beach 8:10 Rossville 1:25 Daintree Ferry 8:30 Ayton 1:50 Cow Bay 8:50 Wujal Wujal 2:10 Crocodylus 8:52 PKs 3:15 Masons Store 9:15 Masons Store 3:16 PKs 9:17 Crocodylus 3:38 Wujal Wujal 10:17 Cow Bay 3:40 Ayton 10:27 Daintree Ferry 3:55 Rossville 10:45 Wonga Beach 4:15 Helenvale 11:00 Mossman - arrive 4:30 Mungumby 11:08 - depart 4:45 Cooktown 11:30 Arrive Port Douglas 5:00pm arrive RACQ Burmacks, Mill St Mossman 4098 2848 Cow Bay 24/7 131111 4
Schools Daintree State School - Osborne St, Daintree Village Alexandra Bay State School – Cape Tribulation Road, Diwan Miallo State School - Miallo Road, Miallo Wonga Beach State School, Wonga Beach Telecommunications Satellite broadband or Next G network Limited mobile coverage north of Daintree River (Next G gives best coverage) Telstra & Optus coverage at Cape Tribulation (roughly Noah’s Range to just south of Kulki Beach) Public Telephones [Calls within Australia are free] - Stewart St, Daintree Village - Rainforest Village, Diwan - Airstrip, Cow Bay - PK’s Jungle Village, Cape Tribulation - Turtle Rock Café, Cape Tribulation 5
Ferry Open: 5am to 12 midnight daily 365 days a year. Website: www.daintreeferry.com.au Timetable: The Ferry has no set times; it continuously travels backwards and forwards as required. River Crossings: If the ferry leaves immediately upon your arrival, 4 minutes If you’ve just missed the ferry, it will take 20 minutes. During the peak tourist season there are often delays crossing the ferry. Particularly between 10am and noon travelling north and between 3pm to 5pm travelling south. If you want to avoid the queues, plan to travel before 10am and spend the whole day exploring the rainforest and beaches, have dinner at one of the many restaurants and travel back in the evening. The ferry operates right up until midnight. Fees: EFTPOS is available at all times. From 1 July 2021 From 1 July 2022 $39 return ticket – standard vehicles $45 return ticket – standard vehicles $23 one-way ticket $26 one-way ticket Different rates apply for buses, trailers, caravans and trucks. Multi pass ticket: $80.00 for five return trips, valid until June 30 of the year it was purchased. Payment: Pay at the Ferry Booth, which operates from 8.00am to 4:30pm. Outside of these times pay on the Ferry. EFTPOS available all hours. Priority Lane: During the peak tourist season (July to October) an additional lane is open between 9am and 4:30pm to allow local residents to meet their normal commitments such as work and school. Contact: Telephone 0438 987 536 Email info@daintreeferry.com.au Safety: Everyone must stay in their vehicles while travelling on the Ferry. At night, while waiting for ferry to arrive, please turn off headlights as the glare makes it difficult for the ferry driver to position the ramp. While waiting for the ferry, please keep away from the water’s edge as there are crocodiles in the Daintree River. FNQ Residents Residents from the Douglas Shire, Mareeba Shire, Tablelands, Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Cook Shires may get a Douglas Card for free access on the Daintree ferry for five months from 1 November to 28 February each year. To obtain a free Douglas Card, applicants need to provide photographic identification and additional proof of residency with their application to confirm local status. Application forms are available from Douglas Shire Council’s website, Council’s Mossman Administration Building, the Mossman Library and the Port Douglas Hub in Mowbray St Port Douglas. 6
Distances – driving (approx.) Cairns to: Port Douglas 1 Hour 70 km Mossman 1 Hour 20 min 85 km Daintree River 1 Hour 40 min 110 km Cow Bay 2 Hours 130 km Cooper Creek 2 Hours 10 min 140 km Cape Tribulation 2 Hours 30 min 160 km - allow 3 hours 15 mins in peak season Port Douglas to: Cairns 1 Hour 70 km Mossman 20 min 15 km Daintree River 1 Hour 40 km Cow Bay 1 Hour 10 min 50 km Cooper Creek 1 Hour 40 min 60 km Cape Tribulation 1 Hour 50 min 90 km – allow 2 hours 15 mins in peak season Daintree Village to: Cow Bay 45 minutes Diwan 55 minutes Cape Tribulation 1 hour 15 minutes Mossman 30 minutes Port Douglas 45 minutes Cairns 90 minutes Daintree Ferry to: Cow Bay 20 minutes Diwan 30 minutes Cape Tribulation 50 minutes Cow Bay to: Cooper Creek 20 minutes Cape Tribulation 30 minutes Cape Tribulation to: Bloomfield 60 minutes Mossman 70 minutes Port Douglas 90 minutes Cairns 2 Hours 30 min 7
Dining Out / Groceries / Picnic Areas Venue & Contact Breakfast Lunch Dinner Licensed Location Cape Tribulation Cape Trib 4098 0042 Seasonal exotic fruit available at the farm No Farm www.capetribfarm.com.au gate Cape 12 – 4098 0030 8am to 10am 6pm – 8pm Tribulation 2:30pm Yes www.capetribbeach.com.au Beach House Bar Open 10am to Close Cassowary Dinner Café 4098 0000 5:30pm to (Ferntree www.ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au 8am – 9:30am CLOSED 7:30pm. Yes Rainforest info@ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au Happy Hour Lodge) 4pm to 5pm 4098 0070 Mason’s www.masonstours.com.au/cafe 11am – Yes Café 3pm Closed Sat & Sun for the moment 12pm – 5:30pm – PK’s Jungle 4098 0040 2pm 8:00pm 7:30am – 10am Yes Village www.pksjunglevillage.com.au Pizzas from 10am til 9pm Turtle Rock 4098 0185 7:30am – 4pm No Café www.turtlerockcafe.com.au Whet Monday to Friday 4098 0007 11am – 6pm – Yes Restaurant www.whet.net.au 5.30pm 8.30pm Thornton Beach Mon OPEN LUNCH & HOT DRINKS 10:00AM UNTIL 3:00PM BAR 10:00AM UNTIL 4:30PM Tue & Wed CLOSED Thu OPEN LUNCH & HOT DRINKS 10:00AM - 0421 094 791 3:00PM BAR 10:00AM - 4:30PM jason@daintreespiceco.com.au Fri OPEN LUNCH & HOT DRINKS 10:00AM - Thornton’s Yes 3:00PM BAR 10:00AM - 4:30PM 2588 Cape Tribulation Road Sat OPEN LUNCH & HOT DRINKS 10:00AM - Thornton Beach 3:00PM FISH & CHIPS 5:00 PM - 6:45PM BAR 10:00AM UNTIL 7:00PM Sun OPEN LUNCH & HOT DRINKS 10:00AM UNTIL 3:00PM BAR 10:00AM - 4:30PM Diwan On The Turps Turpentine Road 12pm – 6pm – Yes (Heritage 4098 9321 2pm 7:30pm Lodge) www.heritagelodge.net.au Daintree 22 Ironbark Rd Diwan BBQ and bar on Friday nights. Peak Eco 4098 9002 $5 sausage sizzle and $5 standard drinks Yes Stays www.daintreepeaksecostays.com 5:30-8pm (BBQ 6-7) Bookings preferred. 4098 9155 Limited hours – please call. The shop is open for soft Lync Haven www.lynchaven.com.au drinks and ice creams. Cow Bay Daintree 4098 9171 Discovery www.discoverthedaintree.com All day dining 8.30am – 5pm No Centre Daintree 4098 9166 6pm– 7am – 10am Yes Crocodylus www.daintreecrocodylus.com.au 7.30pm Whether it be a welcome champagne hamper, a gourmet breakfast hamper, a romantic soirée, a sunset champagne picnic, a family picnic or a gift for that someone special - we can Daintree provide your appetisers and hamper packs. Just select from one of our beautiful hampers… tell Hampers us where you are staying and we will deliver it to your accommodation at your chosen time. Daintree Hampers - Gourmet Hampers for your Daintree holiday. Cow Bay Closed for the Moment Hotel 8
Venue & Contact Breakfast Lunch Dinner Licensed Location Daintree Village Croc Xpresso 4098 6120 From 7:30am to 3pm BYO Daintree Tea Please call 4098 6161 Longest established restaurant under one House Reservations preferred ownership in Nth Queensland – trading 3225 Licensed daintreeteahouse52@bigpond.com since 1980, current owners since 1987. Mossman Open for lunch every day 11:30 to 2:30pm Daintree Rd Daintree Monday to Saturday 11:30am to 8:30pm 4098 6146 Yes Village Hotel Sunday 12pm to 5pm 4098 6100 Daintree 5:30pm – www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au 7:30am – 10am Closed Yes (Eco Lodge) 8pm Miallo High Falls info@highfallsrestaurant.com.au Riverside Restaurant is closed for the moment. Yes Old Forestry Road Miallo Restaurant North Mossman Silky Oaks Silky Oaks Lodge welcomes children 8 Lodge years and over Reservations: 4098 1666. Yes Treehouse We welcome guests who are not staying Restaurant at the lodge by prior reservation only. The Region Join local tour guide and chef Pete, on a food tour of the region. Visit Scomazzon’s Reservations: 0421 906 465 Farm, Hook-A-Barra and Shannonvale Port on a Half Day Port Douglas Food Tour - Port Winery to gather ingredients for a tropical Yes Plate on a Plate lunch. Ideal for couples and small groups of up to 8 for a unique and personal tour experience. Special Needs – Dietary Restrictions Cape Trib Beach House - Tides Bar & Restaurant caters for all dietary requirements Cow Bay Homestay caters for any dietary requirement Crocs Café at Daintree Crocodylus caters for any dietary requirement for house guests Daintree Discovery Centre Café has vegetarian and gluten free options for lunch. Daintree Village Hotel caters for vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free. Mason’s Café has vegetarian and gluten free options On the Turps at Heritage Lodge offers vegetarian & vegan options & caters for gluten intolerances Turtle Rock Café has both vegan/vegetarian options as well as gluten free options. Croc Xpresso has gluten free and vegetarian options available 7 days a week Whet Restaurant has both gluten free & vegetarian menus available. Ice Cream Daintree Ice Cream and Tropical Fruit Orchard - Open 12 noon – 5pm Floravilla Ice cream Factory & Art Gallery - Open 8.30am – 5.30pm Tea Plantation Daintree Tea can be purchased at local shops. There is a display show-casing the history of the tea farm at the front of the property however the actual tea farm is not open to public. The Tea Chest – quality hand blended tea created and packaged in the Daintree. Authentic Chai, Herbal Teas and Australian Bush Teas are available at local shops. For sales contact: sales@theteachest.com.au 9
Grocery Purchases Cape Tribulation Mason’s Store Groceries and Takeaway Alcohol Friendly Grocer Supermarket Diwan Rainforest Village IGA Miallo Scomazzon Farm Store is a local legend. A family run business for 25 years, their little country store sits at the base of their farm along the Mossman- Daintree Road. They grow and produce tropical fruits and vegetables and stock artisan local produce from across the Far North including Kefir Queen, The Good Shroom, Beach Harvest, The Tea Chest, Dukes Donuts, Grant Street Kitchen and much more. Fresh Fruit Cape Tribulation Cape Trib Farm – seasonal exotic fruits at farm gate Daintree Village Fruit stalls – Dragon fruit, papaws, passionfruit in season, limes. Picnic Locations Cape Tribulation Dubuji Boardwalk has picnic tables and toilets Kulki at Cape Tribulation Beach has picnic tables and toilets Thornton Beach Picnic tables Cow Bay Beach Picnic tables and toilets Cow Bay Jindalba Boardwalk has picnic tables and toilets. Daintree Ferry Picnic tables and toilets, boat ramp and pontoon Daintree Village Town Common, near boat ramp and jetty – picnic tables and toilets Osborn St, near Community Hall – picnic tables and toilets Pioneer Park – Picnic tables and BBQ (free) beside waterfall Wonga Beach Southern end there are picnic tables, BBQ, playground and skate park. Daintree Food Trail The Daintree Food Trail celebrates the produce and people of the Daintree and Douglas Shire. From gelato to microgreens, barramundi to breadfruit, and chocolate to chorizo, the Daintree is home to an eclectic range of small farms, orchards, fisheries, growers and micro-manufacturers, often hidden from view in our lush environment. Set in a breathtaking landscape of green and blue, where the world’s oldest rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, the trail leads you from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation on a journey of delicious discovery. Daintree Food Trail - Celebrating Produce - Daintree & Douglas Shire 10
Daintree Spice Co 2588 Cape Tribulation Road Thornton Beach Daintree Spice Co has six blends in its collection available in 50gm bags. Lemon Myrtle Salt and Pepper - This seasoning is the company’s least complicated blend. Introducing indigenous organic lemon myrtle to this famous duo gives this blend its wonderful citrus lift. Although this blend is most popular sprinkled over cooked foods it is also used sparingly as a dry rub or in a marinade with other ingredients. Try using it where you would normally use salt and pepper but would like that added touch of citrus. Jungle Curry Powder - Influenced by the wonders of the Indian Subcontinent with its fragrant armours and brightly coloured spices. Use this exotic spice blend as a flavouring whenever your recipe calls for curry powder or garam masala. It also works extremely well as a dry rub or in a marinade. Smoky BBQ Rub - The big bold flavours make this an Aussie favourite. This blend can also be used as a flavouring but really excels as a barbecue, roasting or smoking dry rub. Massage a generous amount into a thick steak or chop, leave for an hour or so brush with oil and BBQ to your liking, then pair with full-bodied Australian shiraz. Chilli Coconut Rub - Does the thought of chilli and coconut conjure thoughts of the Orient? Well here in the Daintree we grow a wonderful variety of chillies and coconut palms. Rub this on prawns before popping on the BBQ. Or use it to flavour your favourite Thai style food. It also works rubbed into eggplant prior to grilling. Try it with whole fish baked in a banana leaf. Dukkha – blend uses home-grown Queensland macadamia nuts for that unique Aussie taste. Dukkha gets its name from the Egyptian Arabic word "to crush" or "to pound," which is precisely how it's made. Most frequently used as a dip, just grab some crusty bread and good olive oil, moisten the bread with the oil and dip it into the Dukkha. It can be used as a crust for lamb, rubbed into chicken or sprinkled over a freshly steamed vegetables and potatoes. Reef and Rainforest Rub - As the name suggests it's blended ingredients are sourced from land and sea. There is a hint of lemon myrtle and wild thyme, the briny flavours from the wakame (sea vegetable) and the sumac that slightly sour finish. This blend has a much coarser grind than the Jungle Curry Powder enabling the wakame to swell as it absorbs liquid giving texture to soups and sauces. It adds great flavour to marinades and of course as a dry rub. Mix it with equal quantities of Smoky BBQ Rub and massage into a leg of lamb before roasting the taste is out of this world. Daintree Spice Co - Daintree Spice Co. 11
Tours & Activities Choose from river cruises, rainforest canopy tours, snorkelling and fishing tours to the Great Barrier Reef, guided and self-guided walks, yoga retreats, spas, horse riding, barramundi fishing, bird watching and photographic tours, fruit tasting, indigenous experiences and 4WD tours. All that’s available is listed In the following pages, sorted as follows: ▪ 4WD Tours – Guided and Self Drive ▪ Attractions ▪ Birdwatching Tours ▪ Fishing Trips ▪ Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tours ▪ Horse Riding ▪ Indigenous experiences ▪ Paddle Boarding ▪ Rainforest Canopy Tours ▪ River Cruises – Cooper Creek and Daintree River ▪ River Drift Snorkelling ▪ Spas ▪ Tourist Information ▪ Walking Tours - Guided ▪ Yoga Classes 12
4WD Adventures - Guided Company Contact Description Times Locally owned tour taking in Cairns – 6:30am Daintree River crossing via to 7:30pm vehicle ferry, Daintree April - November Rainforest, stroll on Thornton Cairns Beaches Cairns to Weekly on a Wednesday Beach, 4WD Bloomfield Track, 7am to 7pm Cooktown Lion’s Den Hotel, Cooktown’s 4WD Tours www.cairnstocooktown4wdtours.com.au Grassy Hill Lookout, James Port Douglas Cook Museum & Cooktown 7.45am to Pub, returning via Black 6:30pm Mountain and Palmer River Goldfields. This premium half-day tour offers AM Tours pick-ups from your accommodation in Cape Tribulation. The day starts Pick up exploring the beauty of the Daintree from Rainforest, including the 7:30am Far North breathtaking gigantic 500-year-old Escapes fig tree. You will cross the cool, clear PM Tours Half day Daintree tour - 4wd Daintree waters of Emmagen Creek. Then Pick up rainforest trip (farnorthescapes.com.au) venture onto the treacherous from 1:00 Half Day Daintree Tour Bloomfield Track and explore the cascading Wujal Wujal Waterfalls. On the journey back to Cape Tribulation, we stop off at various secluded beaches and swimming holes for a dip Mason’s tours 4098 0070 Any day Private Guide lawrence@masontours.com.au Any time Full day 4WD tour with a Daintree Daily Tony’s 4099 3230 River wildlife cruise, Bloomfield Track Tropical Tours www.tropicaltours.com.au ending at Bloomfield Falls. 0481 988 307 90 minute off road adventure Two tours daily: Daintree Tour cassowaryfalls@gmail.com.au on private property. 10.15am – Cassowary www.cassowaryfalls.com. Personalised guide on 11.45pm & Falls 263 Upper Daintree Road, Upper rainforest walk, swim at 12.30pm – Daintree waterfall, 2pm. 13
4WD Adventures - Self-Drive Road from Bloomfield “Bloomfield Track Experience Guide” e-book explains the spectacular 33km Cape Track – self journey from Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield Falls. Tribulation to drive https://douglas.qld.gov.au/road-conditions/bloomfield-track/ Wujal Wujal Extreme 4WD Track maintained by Douglas Shire Council. The whole southern half of the CREB track goes through Daintree rainforest, which makes a lot of this track so beautiful. The starting point is 10 kilometres past Daintree Village on Upper Daintree Road and it finishes at China Camp The CREB Track runs between and Kija (Roaring Meg Falls). the Daintree River and China For official road open/closure visit https://douglas.qld.gov.au/road- Camp conditions/creb-track/ For unofficial road conditions, visit www.facebook.com/CREB.Track.conditions/ or call PJ on 4060 3136 Two hours north along the CREB, or a one-hour drive south from Wujal Wujal, brings you to Yindilli Camping Ground. It offers toilet facilities, fireplaces (for cooking etc), dry firewood, walking tracks to Bairds Creek for swimming in crystal clear mountain waters and grassed camp sites. You can also choose from two guided tour with traditional owner CJ Fisher a Yindilli Camping Ground Kuku Yalanji Elder and Buru Traditional Owner who will lead you on a true cultural experience. Bookings are essential Rainforest Walk: Approx. 1hr walk through nearby rainforest and includes: a CJ Fisher 4098 6248 or ’welcome’ smoke ceremony, stories & identification of bush tucker, damper yindillicamp@gmail.com & tea. Cultural Sites Walk: A full day experience. Approx. 1 hr walk to a site of cultural & spiritual significance to the Kuku Yalanji people. Includes a ‘welcome’ smoke ceremony, stories, face & body painting with traditional clays, bush tucker demonstrations and bathing in the healing waters of the pristine Meg River. Also included is a picnic lunch & refreshments. 14
Attractions Company Location Contact Description Times Daintree Aerial Boardwalk & 4098 9171 Daily 9am – Discovery Cow Bay Canopy Tower and www.discoverthedaintree.com 5pm Centre Dinosaurs! Ice cream is made on site, using organically grown fruit from the orchard. Ice cream is served in a 4-scoop ‘signature cup’ which Daintree Ice includes many rare and Cream and 4098 9114 Open 11am – Diwan exotic flavours which are Tropical Fruit daintreeicecream@gmail.com 5pm changed daily. The Orchard, gardens are open to the public along with a free Self-Guided Orchard Walk for those interested in learning about fruit trees. Road side stall has photos of the complete tea making process and history of Daintree Tea Cow Bay the tea farm. Daintree tea may be purchased at the roadside stall with an honesty box at local shops. The farm is not open to the public 2pm to 3.30pm. Tour frequency This fruit tasting and farm Cape Trib varies Cape 4098 0042 tour is a must for foodies Farm Exotic seasonally so Tribulation www.capetribfarm.com.au and fruit-lovers Fruit Tasting please check everywhere. online booking calendar for availability. Ice Cream Factory 4098 9100 featuring exotic fruit – 26 Floravilla Icecream In the Flavours + cold drinks Daily Floravilla Ice Cow Bay Daintree Rainforest Art Gallery featuring 9:30am to Creamery (floravillaartgallery.com.au) Betty Hinton’s 5:00pm watercolours of Flora and Fauna & 1 Hour guided Gourmet Farm Tours taking you Tours behind the scenes to Hook-A-Barra Gourmet Farm commence Hook-a-barra Wonga learn about sustainable Tour - Hook-a-Barra from 9am – Beach farming from fingerlings Reservations (rezdy.com) confirm time to finger food. Tour when booking. includes barramundi tasting plate. Cuddle a Koala, meet Open daily Port pythons, crocodiles, 8am – 4pm Douglas amazing Australian birds Daily Wildlife 4099 3235 Captain and handfeed interactive Habitat www.wildlifehabitat.com.au Cook kangaroos. Breakfast experiences Highway with the Birds and swim throughout the with saltwater crocodiles. day. 15
Bird Watching Tours Company Location Contact Description Times Diwan – entrance 2 hour 2 and 4 hour Cooper Creek on Cape Tribulation 4098 9126 10am & 2pm guided rainforest Wilderness Road at Coopers 4 hour walks Crossing 8:30am & 1pm 0417 651 929 Daintree Boatman Sunrise/Sunset 2 6:30am and Daintree River www.daintreerivertours.com Wildlife Cruises hours 4pm .au 4098 7068 Daintree River Wild Sunrise/sunset 2 6:30am and Daintree River www.daintreeriverwildwatc Watch hours 4pm h.com.au Fishing Company Location Contact Description Times 0488 907 776 Daintree River Daintree River dave@daintreefishing.com.au inshore, reefs & & Snapper Half days or full days Fishing www.daintreefishing.com.au wrecks Island 0439 945 253 Fishing on the jamiebeitzel@gmail.com river, coast & Half Day – 4 hours Daintree River Daintree Fishing on the Daintree River | reef Full Day – 8 hours On the Daintree Charters Fishing by the 4098 7117 hour, tackle Hook A Barra Wonga Beach 7 days - open 9 to 5 www.hookabarra.com and bait provided. Great Barrier Reef Tours Company Location Contact Description Times Half day reef snorkelling 4098 0006 tours Cape 8:00am & 12 Ocean Safari tours@oceansafari.com.au Departs Cape Trib – pick Tribulation noon www.oceansafari.com.au up from accommodation available. Explore remote reefs, islands and sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef. Pick up/drop Private charter for up to off along the 15 people. 8am to 4pm Daintree coast You’ll get to explore one including 0427 498 042 of the idyllic islands of Low Windswell Bookings Cape Trib www.windswell.com.au Isles, Snapper essential by 4pm Thornton Beach Island or Undine Coral day prior to tour & Cow Bay Cay. Stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling in the morning, and a choice of wakeboarding or tubing in the afternoon. Horse Riding Company Location Contact Description Times Horse ride on the beautiful golden Daily 11:00am & Cape Tribulation Cape 1 800 111 124 sands of Myall 2:30pm Horse Rides Tribulation cthrbookings@gmail.com Beach or take our Rainforest ride to the creek. 16
Indigenous Experiences Company Location Contact Description Times Rainforest Walk: One hour tour. Traditional Guided walk through nearby Any time during owner CJ Fisher Kija rainforest and includes: a the day, to be a Kuku Yalanji Bookings are essential [Roaring ’welcome’ smoke ceremony, confirmed at Elder and Buru CJ Fisher 4098 6248 or Meg] stories & identification of bush time of booking. Traditional yindillicamp@gmail.com tucker, damper & tea. Owner Cultural Sites Walk: A full day experience which includes 1 hr walk to a site of cultural & spiritual significance to the Kuku Yalanji people. Includes Traditional a ‘welcome’ smoke owner CJ Fisher Kija Bookings are essential ceremony, stories, face & Time to be a Kuku Yalanji [Roaring CJ Fisher 4098 6248 or body painting with traditional confirmed when Elder and Buru Meg] yindillicamp@gmail.com clays, bush tucker booking. Traditional demonstrations and bathing Owner in the healing waters of the pristine Meg River. Also included is a picnic lunch & refreshments. Ngana Julaymba Dungay – Half Day Tours Juan Walker: We all going to Daintree Pick-ups juan@walkaboutadventure Morning Pickup from Port s.com.au Tour explores south of the 8:00am - 9:00am Walkabout Douglas, Mobile: 0429 478 206 Daintree River including Cultural Mossman Mossman Gorge and Drop off 12:30 - Adventures and Walkabout Cultural provides cultural insights into 1.00pm Daintree Adventures - Daintree the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Village. Experience Aboriginal people. Choose a Afternoon half day or full day tour. Pickup 12:30pm - 1:30pm Ngana Kulkinga Dungay – We all going to Cape Tribulation Drop off 4:30pm Juan Walker: Pick-ups - 5.30pm juan@walkaboutadventure Tour crosses the Daintree from Port s.com.au River by cable car ferry and Walkabout Douglas, Full Day Tours Mobile: 0429 478 206 explores sights through to Cultural Mossman Pick up: 8:00am - Cape Tribulation Adventures and 9:00am Walkabout Cultural and provides cultural insights Daintree Adventures - Cape into the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Village. Drop off: 4:30pm Tribulation Aboriginal people and you - 5:30pm may choose a half day or full day tour. Paddle boarding Contact Description Times Guided stand up paddle boarding windswell.com.au tour exploring the wet tropics Runs twice daily, 9am and 2pm. 0427 498 042 rainforests. Rainforest Canopy Tours Company Location Contact Description Times Aerial Daintree Discovery 4098 9171 Cow Bay Boardwalk & Daily 9am – 5pm Centre www.daintree-rec.com.au Canopy Tower 17
River Cruises - Cooper Creek & Daintree Company Location Contact Description Times 2km past Ferry Bruce 4098 7717 Daily Turnoff on Cruises operate Belcher’s www.daintreerivercruises.com.au 9.30am to way to throughout the day River Cruises 4.00pm Daintree Village Cruise on World Cape Daily Heritage Cooper Creek Tribulation Cooper 0457 731 000 10:30am; Night cruises by Wilderness Creek www.capetribcruises.com 11:30 and arrangement Cruises 2pm Daily at Ferry crossing One hour wildlife Daintree 10am – 4098 6120 cruises operate Crocodile Village & 3.30pm info@daintreeconnection.com.au throughout the day at Express Daintree Daily in www.crocodileexpress.com each end of the Ferry Village Daintree River 8:30am – 3:30pm Apr-Aug 7am & 4pm Daintree Dawn & Dusk Sep-Jan Boatman Daintree 0417 651 929 2 hour tours 6:30am & Wildlife Village www.daintreerivertours.com.au 10 passengers only 4:30pm Cruises Closed Feb/Mar Daily 8am to Daintree One hour river cruise Daintree 5pm Crocodile 0487 566 694 leaving Daintree Village bookings Tours Village jetty. essential Advanced Eco Wildlife Cruises on the Daintree Daintree River. Departing from a Daily Daintree River Cruise 4098 6115 private waterfront 9.30am – River Centre location with beautiful 4pm picnic areas and gardens. Departure Sunrise & Daintree times: 6- Daintree 0447 546 926 sunset River Wild 6:30am Village www.daintreeriverwildwatch.com.au 2 hours 10 passengers Watch Sunset 6- only 6:30pm One hour wildlife cruises operate Daintree throughout the day. 4098 7131 Daily River at Solar Whisper www.solarwhisper.com 9.30am – the ferry Two hour wildlife and 3.30pm crossing photographic tours by appointment. Check website for availability. 18
River Drift Snorkelling Company Location Contact Description Times 3 ½ hours of swimming, snorkelling, floating down a rainforest stream. Drift with 4099 3677 the current as you explore Mossman River Drift Snorkelling - Back life under the water’s Back Country Bliss Country Bliss Adventures River surface. Watch fish dart in and around the river stones and keep your eyes out for the occasional turtle. Pick up Port Douglas River Drift Snorkelling tour in 9am return Mossman Gorge. Search for 5pm. turtles, water dragons and 4099 3677 platypus. Self-drivers: Mossman Mossman Gorge Adventure Back Country Bliss Includes a traditional Kuku Mossman Gorge Day - Back Country Bliss Yalanji smoking ceremony Raintrees Adventures at Mossman Gorge and 1 ½ 9:20am hour walk, in the rainforest. Wildlife Habitat 9:05am Spas & Massages Company Location Contact Description Times 4098 6100 Massages, facials, Daily – Daintree Eco Lodge & Daintree www.daintree- full body treatments bookings Spa Village ecolodge.com.au and Vichy shower essential Tourist Information Company Location Contact Times Daintree Discovery Centre – Cow Bay Open daily 4098 9171 Wet Tropics Visitor Info Centre www.discoverthedaintree.com 8.30am – 5pm Open daily Daintree Rainforest Village Diwan 0466 658 399 7.00am – 6pm Daintree Tourist Information Daintree Village 4098 6120 Open daily 8.30am – 4pm Centre Open daily Mason's Store Cape Tribulation 4098 0070 10.00am – 5pm Open daily 8:00am- Safari Lodge Cape Tribulation 4098 0006 5.30pm Wildlife Habitat - Wet Tropics Open daily 8.00am – 4pm Port Douglas 4099 3235 Information Centre (excluding Christmas Day) 19
Walking Tours (Also refer to Walks section for more information) Location Contact Description Times This guided Night Walk departs from reception at Ferntree Rainforest Daily Daintree Rainforest Jungle Adventure Cape Lodge. Daintree rainforest night walk tour - Tribulation 7pm – 8:30pm wild life - Cape Tribulation Night Walk Walk through the breathtaking (farnorthescapes.com.au) Tour Daintree Rainforest and onto various 9pm – boardwalks situated within Cape 10:30pm tribulation. Grand Fan Palm gallery tour allows access into the heart of the rainforest where cathedral-like Two Hour amphitheatre of towering fan- Grand Fan palms stands protected beneath the Palm Gallery canopy of an old-growth rainforest Tour ~ 1.5Km giants. A sacred site for generations 10am or 2pm. Cooper 4098 9126 of humans. Creek www.daintreerainforest.net.au Four-hour Wilderness www.coopercreek.com.au The Greater Wilderness Experience is Greater an intensive guided walking tour Wilderness through the awe-inspiring grandeur Experience ~ of majestic, World Heritage 6.5-Km) rainforest. The guide lives on site and 8:30am presents the complexities of an ancient ecosystem. Crocodylus 0402 735 124 Two-hour Night Walk 8pm-10pm Cow Bay www.daintreecrocodylus.com.au Jungle Escapes Day & Night Tours offer a real jungle adventure with Family Friendly exclusive access to pristine old Night Walk - growth Rainforest bordering the 6pm to Daintree National park. 7.15pm Our holistic interpretive walks along natural bush trails, deep in the forest Night Walk are far from public access Jungle (10yrs+) boardwalks. Bookings are essential Escapes 7.30pm to admin@jungleescapes.com.au as group sizes are only 8 persons per Adventures 9.30pm 0407 734 702 tour. & Tours www.jungleescapes.com.au Our accredited guides are biological Forest Hikes scientists who live and work in this Day & Night 8.30am to rainforest with 20 years’ experience Tours 10.30am guiding in Cape Trib. Perfect for self-driving guests as the Jungle Escapes tour meeting point is & less than 3 minutes’ drive from Cape 1.30pm to Tribulation town centre and only 2 3.30pm hours’ drive from Cairns airport to the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest. Yoga Classes Company Location Contact Description Times Wonga Mats available. Bring water, a Thursday Beach state towel and something to cover 6.30pm Yoga Studio School, 0419 027 807 your body for rest & relaxation. Snapper Beginners to Intermediate - Island Drive bookings are essential. 4098 9006 Prema Shanti Yoga & Diwan www.premashanti.com Meditation Retreat Booking required 20
Daintree Day Tours Company Contact Description Australian Luxury Day tours to Daintree departing Cairns, 1300 792 213 Escapes Palm Cove and Port Douglas Bloomfield 4WD tour from Cairns & Port Douglas – takes in Daintree River cruise, Cape Tribulation & Daintree Billy Tea Safaris Bloomfield track to Emmagen Creek Rainforest Tour | Billy Tea Safaris Wildlife Spotting & Freshwater Swim & Cape Trib Beach. Daintree Discovery Tours | Half day and full day guided tours from Daintree Discovery Daintree Rainforest Tours in Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation and Tours Queensland Daintree Village Full day Traditional Indigenous culture tour - Mossman Gorge smoking ceremony and interpretive walk with Aboriginal https://www.adventurenorthaustra Guide. Then choose either Traditional Daintree Dreaming lia.com/aboriginal-tours Aboriginal Fishing tour with the Kuku Yalanji 4047 9076 people at Cooya Beach or Art and Culture class with Brian “Binna” Swindley at Janbal Gallery. Nicholas, one of the region’s most experienced guides will pick you up from your accommodation in Port Douglas or www.daintreesafari.com Mossman. Max. 6 guests per tour. Tour Daintree Safaris 4094 1351 includes Daintree River cruise, secret swimming spots, Alexandra Lookout, Cape Trib beach, guided walks, lunch at Daintree Tea House Restaurant. 7:15am to 4pm. Daintree Rainforest Tours | Cape Tribulation | Mossman Gorge (daintreetours.com) Full day tour in luxury Mercedes with just 11 guests; crocodile cruise on Cooper Creek, Daintree Tours Tel: 4231 8012 Mossman Gorge and lunch at Heritage Lodge. Use Code DTREE for 10% off! This premium small group full day tour includes the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge & Port Douglas. Includes morning tea at Mayi 1300 32 10 19 Café, Daintree River Cruise aboard Solar www.discoverytours.com.au Whisper and quality restaurant lunch at info@discoverytours.com.au Daintree Tea House. Discovery Tours You’ll travel with a small group in a Australia Tour Link: Discovery Tours Australia comfortable air-conditioned, late model Premium Rainforest Tour vehicle with Interpretation by naturalist guides. Tour operates daily with pick-ups from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas. Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman full day tour from Cairns & Port World Heritage Listed Rainforest Douglas includes Mossman Gorge, Tours Cairns and North Down Under Tours Queensland | Down Under Tours Daintree River Cruise, tropical BBQ lunch, Cape Tribulation Beach, exotic fruit ice 4047 9066 cream and Alexandra Lookout. 21
Daintree Day Tours Continued Company Contact Description Open but with limited availability. FNQ Nature Tours Home - FNQ Nature Tours Recommencing full operation from March 2022. Go Wild Day Tour includes: Wildlife Habitat, Daintree River Cable Ferry, Tropical Lunch, Cape Tribulation Tours & Daintree Rainforest Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation Jungle Tours Tours - Jungle Tours Beach, Alexandra Lookout, Daintree River Cruise & pickups from Port Douglas and Cairns. Full day tour taking in Mossman Gorge, Daintree River cruise and Alexandra Lookout to enjoy sweeping views extending from the Daintree River Estuary Daintree Rainforest to the Coral Sea. Then explore the Tony's Tropical Tours Cape Tribulation Via Mossman rainforest at Noah Valley, a World Heritage – Tour A Gorge Listed private property which supports some of the most spectacular, pristine rainforest found anywhere in the world and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal- clear rainforest stream. Full day tour taking in a Daintree River cruise, Alexandra Lookout, Cape Trib 4WD Daintree Wilderness Beach, Bloomfield Track to Stingray Bay Tony's Tropical Tours Adventure Tour - Tony's Tropical and Bloomfield Falls. Guided rainforest at – Tour B Tours Noah Valley, a World Heritage Listed private property and swim in the crystal- clear rainforest stream. Join Tropic Wings for a full day adventure to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Your guided experience includes transport from your Phone 40419400 accommodation, enjoy morning tea at Tropic Wings Tours & Email Wildlife Habitat an immersive wildlife Charters daytours@tropicswings.com.au experience. Lunch at Mason’s Café and a Web: https://tropicwings.com.au dip in the freshwater swimming hole. Guided tour of the World’s oldest rainforest, visit Cape Tribulation Beach, Alexandra Lookout and join a Daintree River cruise. First stop is Port Douglas for a walk and swim at the famous 4 Mile Beach, then a river cruise to see saltwater crocodiles in the wild! We time your cruise with the tides 1 Day Cape Tribulation Tour from Uncle Brian’s Cape because this will give you the best chance Cairns | Uncle Brian's Tours Tribbbin’ day tour to see a croc! Cross the Daintree Ferry and (unclebrians.com.au) drive through the oldest rainforest in the world! Lunch on the beach, then a swim in a beautiful freshwater tropical stream in the middle of the rainforest! Walkabout Cultural Adventures - Sightseeing Experience to Mossman Gorge & Daintree Tour provides cultural insight into the eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people Ngana Kulkinga Dungay: We of North Queensland and crosses the Walkabout Cultural All Going To Daintree Cape Daintree River by cable car ferry and Adventures Tribulation explores sights through to Cape Pronunciation: Tribulation. Choose from half or full Ngana - nyahna Dungay - day, shared or private tour. doong-aay Kulkinga - gool- ging-ah 22
Walkabout Cultural Adventures - Daintree Cultural Experience Tour provides cultural insight into the eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people Ngana Julaymba Dungay: We Walkabout Cultural and explores south of the Daintree All Going To Daintree Adventures River including Mossman Gorge. Pronunciation: Choose from half or full day, shared or Ngana - nyahna Dungay - private tour. doong-aay Julaymba - joolaimbah 23
Walks – Free Walks – Free Self-Guided Pick up a copy of Daintree Walks Booklet for $2 for more walks and description. Name Location Difficulty Distance Time (return) Cape Kimberley Cape Kimberley Easy 5km 1.5hr Cape Tribulation to Emmagen Cape Tribulation Easy 5km 2.5hr Creek Daintree Village – Daintree Village Moderate .5km 15 min past water tower Daintree Village - Daintree Village Historical Walk brochures available Easy .7km 20 min at tour desks Dubuji Boardwalk Cape Tribulation Easy 1.3km 30min Emmagen Creek (Swimming Cape Tribulation Easy 0.8km 24min Hole) Jindalba Boardwalk - short Cow Bay Easy 0.7km 18min Jindalba Boardwalk - long Cow Bay Moderate 3km 2-3 hours Kulki Boardwalk Cape Tribulation Easy 0.8km 12min Manjal Jimalji Trail Whyanbeel Hard 10.6km 8 hours Marrdja Boardwalk Cape Tribulation Easy 1.1km 36min Mount Sorrow Ridge Cape Tribulation Strenuous 7km 7hr 24
Swimming Be crocwise in croc country – Refer Below During summer months (usually November to May but the season may differ by a matter of months depending on weather conditions) it is not advisable to swim in the ocean without seeking advice from local operators as stinging jellyfish may be present. Throughout the year, it is always advisable to consult with local information centres and/or with local operators before entering waterways, and always avoid creek mouths, tributaries and the Daintree River or any other area where Crocodile warning signs are present. Below is a list of swimming holes in the Daintree: Cape Tribulation Mason’s Water Hole (gold coin entry fee) Emmagen Creek Water Hole Cow Bay Hutchinson Creek Water Hole Crocwise in croc country Crocodiles are potentially dangerous. Never take unnecessary risks in crocodile habitat. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, so please follow these guidelines and be crocwise in croc country. ▪ Obey crocodile signs—they are there for your own protection. ▪ Never swim in water where crocodiles may live, even if there is no warning sign present. ▪ When fishing, always stand a few metres back from the water’s edge and never stand on logs or branches overhanging the water. ▪ Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the water’s edge or at boat ramps. ▪ Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks. Crocodiles may still be close and may approach people and boats. ▪ Never dangle your arms or legs over the side of a boat. If you fall out of a boat, get out of the water as quickly as possible. ▪ Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles—even small ones. ▪ Never feed crocodiles—it is illegal and dangerous. ▪ Camp at least two metres above the high-water mark and at least 50 metres from the water’s edge. Avoid places where native animals and domestic stock drink. ▪ Never leave food scraps at your campsite. Always check that previous campers have left no food scraps. ▪ Never prepare food, wash dishes or pursue any other activities near the water’s edge or adjacent sloping banks. ▪ Be more aware of crocodiles during the breeding season—September to April. 25
Arts & Crafts Cape Tribulation Woodworks 0427 012 772 Finely crafted woodwork from Red (At Mason’s Store) Cedar and Silky Oak. Serving boards, tables and stools. Can make to order but it is a hobby so would take some time. Items are for sale in Masons Store at Cape Tribulation. Ellen Terrell’s Pottery 4098 6189 Available at Whyanbeel Valley Studio and Gallery Floravilla Art Gallery 4098 9100 Betty Hinton watercolours Jane Powell Jewellery 4098 9171 Daintree Discovery Centre Cow Bay Julaymba Restaurant Bar & Art Gallery 4098 6100 Daily Daintree Eco Lodge Whyanbeel Valley May to December - 10am to 4pm Studio & Gallery This rainforest studio and gallery is stocked with unique and individual artworks, crafted by local artists. Amazing gifts, beautiful homewares, art glass, jewellery and sculptures. Wildlife Habitat Captain Cook Highway 4099 3235 Gifts - Daily 8am to 4pm Port Douglas Wheelchair Access Cape Trib Beach House is wheel chair friendly and has two wheelchair accessible cabins Cape Trib Farm has one cabin suitable for wheelchairs. Daintree Village Hideaway B&B has wheelchair-friendly bungalow Dubuji, Kulki and Mardja boardwalks are suitable for wheelchairs. Daintree Discovery Centre has wheelchair access from the entry point, across aerial walkway to Display Centre and the base of the Canopy Tower. Croc Express in Daintree Village has wheelchair access Daintree Eco Lodge restaurant has wheelchair access Daintree Rainforest Village – shop has wheelchair access and disabled parking space Daintree Village Hotel has wheelchair access Daintree Wild Zoo has wheelchair access Hook-a-barra is wheelchair friendly Jungle Bugs and Butterflies - drive right up to the front door - wheelchair access throughout. Lync-Haven Rainforest Retreat – restaurant and accommodation are wheelchair accessible Mason’s Store and Café have wheelchair access Red Mill House has one wheelchair accessible room Solar Whisper Wildlife Cruises can accommodate standard wheelchairs. Whet Restaurant has wheelchair access. Wildlife Habitat is wheelchair friendly. 26
Interesting Facts In 1770 Captain Cook was sailing the The journey from the Daintree River to Cape Endeavour up the east coast, and making a Tribulation is one of the most scenic drives in chart of the coastline. He struck a reef about the world, passing through World Heritage 40 kilometres north east of Cape Tribulation, Rainforest and the Daintree National Park. now called the Endeavour Reef, and he named the point he had charted earlier in the The Great Barrier Reef is the closest to day “Cape Tribulation because here began all Australia at Cape Tribulation. Captain Cook our troubles.” ran aground here, hence the name Cape Tribulation. Home to the blockade of 1983-4. For many years the Councils of Cooktown and Douglas The road to Cape Tribulation follows the Shire (as well as many residents in between) Aboriginal walking trails. There were once had been chafing against the fact that there 200-300 Kuku Yalanji people living in the was no coastal road connection between region, who had an abundant food supply Daintree and Bloomfield (and thus to from the rainforest and the reef. Cooktown). Several attempts to push a road through were made, in the 60s and 70s, the last The varied habitats of the Daintree region ending as a walking track (which it was hoped make it a birdwatchers' paradise with over would be a major tourist draw card to the 200 species of birds present, 11 of which are area). That was not to be; funded by endemic to Queensland's Wet Tropics. Bicentennial grant money, the Douglas Shire (pushed by the pro-development Premier, Joh The Cow Bay rainforest has been classified as Bjelke-Petersen) started pushing the road An Outstanding Cassowary Habitat Zone by through in 1983. scientific researchers Crome and Moore in 1993. In the lowland and swamps of western This activated the first of the famous Tribulation Cow Bay the population density of Blockades, which brought the world's cassowaries is as high as in the best habitats attention to this unique area 'where the in Mission Beach. This means that you have a rainforest meets the reef', and moves were good chance of sighting a cassowary while soon started to have the entire Wet Tropics on the Daintree Coast. declared as a World Heritage Area. Despite a determined effort, the road went through in The Daintree Coast community is the largest 1984, but ironically heavy rains at the opening, renewable energy community in Australia. meant that the dignitaries had to be airlifted There is no grid-connected electrical power out of bogged vehicles. and more than 300 households depend on renewable energy systems. The resultant road, "The Bloomfield Track" has required enormous investment to stabilise it, The rainforest in the Daintree is believed to be and the impact of its construction on the the oldest rainforest in the world having been coastal fringing coral reef is still being assessed. continuously covered by rainforest for more It is however, considered a top 4WD drive than 135 million years. During the Ice Age, experience. when the climate was cooler and drier than it is today, the Australian rainforests retreated Moves for World Heritage Listing were and survived in small moist pockets which ferociously opposed by the then Queensland have existed continuously for over 100 million Government, but were overridden by the years. The Daintree is one such refuge, where Commonwealth Government and the Wet the rainforest is believed to be more than 135 Tropics area was declared World Heritage in million years old – one of the most ancient 1990. and primitive in the world. Many species in this rainforest originated when Australia was part of Gondwana, more than 120 million years ago. . 27
• Tiny funky little Daintree Village started as a settlement created in the 1870s by timber- cutters and is now an unspoilt oasis in the midst of some of the loveliest and most varied scenery in the far north of Queensland. Today low-impact tourism and sustainable cattle and tropical fruit-farming in the beautiful valleys beyond the Village form the lifeblood of this laid-back little township. • The Daintree River was only discovered by Europeans in 1873 when Scottish geologist and explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple named the river and the first settlement, Daintree Village, after Queensland's Agent-General in London, Richard Daintree. Before the road to Mossman was completed in 1933, Daintree Village was an inland port with the only access being by river. The Village gave its name to the famous World Heritage- listed Daintree National Park which stretches between Mossman Gorge in the south and the Bloomfield River in the north. • The lower Daintree River estuary is home to an amazing diversity of life-forms both marine and terrestrial, with more than 150 fish species and over 100 crustaceans. The lower estuary is an important fuel-stop for visiting migratory waders and is home to numerous resident birds including up to eight kingfisher types. There are 30 mangrove species in this single estuary making it perhaps the most species-rich mangrove estuary in the world. The estuary certainly has more species than anywhere else in Australia which has 38 in total. Australian mangroves are recognised as the wildest and best preserved in the world, with more than half the world’s 72 species represented. • There are two species of crocodiles in Australia, the Saltwater and Freshwater species, and only the "salties" inhabit the Daintree River. Its scientific name is Crocodylus Porosus and its habitat ranges throughout the Indo Pacific regions. Crocodile-watching tours are conducted in the conservation zone of the river, which means feeding of crocodiles is not allowed • Snapper Island lies one nautical mile south-east of Cape Kimberley at the mouth of the Daintree River. Camping is permitted on the island refer to accommodations section. Visitors must be self-sufficient and access is by private boat and only possible in fair weather. The main access point is at the north-west corner of the island, close to the day-use area. Boat access on the southern side of the island is restricted by shallow fringing reefs. Snapper Island rises 99 metres above sea level and supports several vegetation communities including closed vine forest, closed sclerophyll forest, a small mangrove community and a fringe of coastal vegetation. The island is home to a variety of woodland, sea and other bird species. During the summer months, pied imperial-pigeons visit the island between bouts of feeding in the mainland forests. Snapper Island is the traditional sea country of the Kuku Yalanji people, who continue to hunt and fish around the island. Kaya Biji (Dog lost his tail) is the local Kuku Yalanji name for Snapper Island. In the early 1900s a lime kiln operated on the island and beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) processing may also have taken place. The watercourse stonework of what is believed to be an early Chinese market garden is still visible on the island today . 28
Accommodation Listed from south to north. North Mossman Office hours Name Contact Accom type Food + Features Min stay Check in/out ▪ Two camping areas have been created on this family run cattle farm. ▪ Both areas offer toilet and Powered and unpowered shower facilities Creeks Edge caravan and camping Info@creeksedgepark.com.au ▪ Four powered sites are next to a Park sites. 0402 606 570 beautiful creek – perfect for O’Donoghue On site management. swimming. Road, Can accommodate RVs, www.creeksedgepark.com.au ▪ The other area can fit 4-6 Mossman caravans of most sizes and campers, no power at this tents. second area. ▪ Fire pit and wood provided ▪ Sealed road all the way Whyanbeel Office hours Name Contact Accom type Food + Features Min stay Check in/out The Artist's Master Bedroom - King bed - Ensuite Bedrooms 2,3 & 4 - Queen Beds Residence at Fire Pit Whyanbeel 4-bedroom holiday home whyanbeelgallery.com.au/ Free Wi-Fi 2 night minimum stay Valley Studio which sleeps 8 people Whyanbeel Creek runs through the and Gallery. property, it's a great, croc free place to cool down or relax with a book 29
You can also read