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Cape Tribulation Day Tour

344 Reviews |

Recommended by 95% of reviewers

| Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia

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12 hours (approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

Mobile ticket

Overview

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. This is a full, fun adventure day tour which departs daily 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 20 guests, no minimum number for departure.

What's Included

Mossman Gorge
Cape Tribulation Beach (when accessible)
Morning refreshments
Alexandra Lookout (when open/accessible)
Wildlife cruise on Daintree River
Scenic coastal drive
Rex Lookout (not when getting off in Port Douglas)
Swim (weather permitting)
Picnic lunch (included or BYO)
Daintree River Ferry
Guided rainforest walk

Towel & Swimmers
Water Bottle
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

Cape Tribulation Day Tour departs from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The earliest pickup time in Cairns is 6.25am and the returning time to Cairns is around 6.30pm. Please advise your hotel prior to travel.

What To Expect

Daintree National Park

Your Cape Tribulation day tour commences with complimentary pick-ups from your Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas accommodation. If departing from Cairns and the beaches, it’s a scenic coastal drive up to Port Douglas. From there we head north amongst the sugar cane fields to our first stop, a short restroom break in the Mossman area.Continuing our journey north we access the Cape Tribulation section of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, by first crossing the mighty Daintree River. This is done on the only operating cable ferry in tropical Australia.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Gondwana Rainforest

Once we’re over the 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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Walu Wugirriga Lookout

The next stop on our Cape Tribulation day tour is at the Alexandra Range Lookout. Enjoy a birds-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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Marrdja Botanical Walk

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 more. As we travel through the ancient rainforest the Marrdja (which means Rainforest Walk in the local Aboriginal language) Boardwalk leads us over a complex mangrove swamp system. The root systems of these trees are quite striking and are an ingenious solution these plants have evolved over many, many years of 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 guides will give you an insight to the Daintree Rainforest, that will make you appreciate it for the amazing and unique system that it is.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Cape Tribulation Beach

After the guided walk, we head straight to the Kulki Day use area, where we can access Cape Tribulation Beach and the picnic area next to the beach.It’s time for a picnic lunch at Cape Tribulation Beach day use area (weather permitting). This is a unique feature of our Cape Tribulation day tour, as we are the only company dining on this stretch of coastline. Lunch is at approximately 12pm.After lunch, take a walk on the stunning Cape Tribulation Beach which is where the ‘Rainforest meets the Reef’ and the only place on the planet that two World Heritage listed National Parks sit side by side, with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on one side and the Daintree National 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. If time is permitting, we’ll stop at the Daintree Ice-Cream Company to give you a chance to buy a tropical fruit ice-cream which is eaten on the bus. Keep an eye out for the local Cassowaries.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Daintree River

Next stop is croc spotting time! 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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre

Afternoon tea is then served so we can have a ‘cuppa’ and a chat about the awesome things we have spotted on the river. Then we are off to the famous Mossman Gorge.This clear mountain river cuts through thick rainforest and tumbles over boulders, on its journey toward the sea. Make sure you bring your bathers, as provided it is safe to do so (no flooding) you can go for a swim in the Gorge. NB: Your guide will asses conditions on the day and also supervise those of you that do 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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Rex Lookout

Our last stop for the day is Rex Range lookout, where we stop to get some amazing pictures of our beautiful stretch of coastline known to the locals as ‘Great Barrier Reef Drive’.Our Cape Tribulation day tour arrives back into Cairns at about 6.30pm. This is where we say good-bye and hope that you will come back and visit us again soon!

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cape Tribulation Day Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-170329P1

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.72

344 reviews

Average 4.72 out of 5 stars based on 344 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars

278

4 stars

49

3 stars

6

2 stars

9

1 star

2

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The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cape Tribulation Day Tour?

A:

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).

Apr 2025

Q: What's included in the price?

A:

The following is included:

Mossman Gorge.
Cape Tribulation Beach (when accessible).
morning refreshments.
Alexandra Lookout (when open/accessible).
wildlife cruise on Daintree River.
Scenic coastal drive.
Rex Lookout (not when getting off in Port Douglas).
swim (weather permitting).
picnic lunch (included or BYO).
Daintree River Ferry.
Guided rainforest walk.

The following is NOT included:

Towel & Swimmers.
Water Bottle.
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent.

Apr 2025

Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?

A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025

Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?

A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025

Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?

A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025

Q: Is this an accessible tour?

A:

Accessibility information for the Cape Tribulation Day Tour is as follows:

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Apr 2025

Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?

A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Cape Tribulation Day Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

Mar 2024