East coast road trip

Three backpackers from Cairns to the Daintree rainforest, destination Cape Tribulation!

It's after one and a half more hour drive from the Mossman Gorge, one "lost on the way" episode (it was to expect with me and Alex as co pilots, plus our navis which don't work, obviously ) and Alex almost throwing up ( slope roads in the mountains = a lot of fun, but Alex doesn't seem to agree on that ...) that we reach Cape Tribulation.

The way to get there is already worth it. After taking the barge to cross the daintree river, we continue the journey on the road crossing the rainforest to cape tribulation.The scenic drive makes you travel through the listed daintree world heritage forest in the far North Queensland. For the little story : the daintree area belongs to the Wet Tropics World Heritage since 1988. Like the Mossman Gorge, it's an ongoing australian project in Queensland in order to protect the tropical ecosystem. The natural heritage of Australia became a quite important point in the last decades for the government. Not far away from Cape tribulation, the great barrier reef and the environmental issues around it is only one example.

And now the fun part : slopes through the mountains in the heart of the daintree rainforest, cassowaries on the way, narrow paths, welcome to Australia and its lot of adventures! Don't panic, the road from the daintree river to Cape tribulation is a pretty safe and easy journey as long as you don't try the rallye style. Be careful and it'll be all good! For that, it's absolutely fine with a small car. As a matter of fact, we traveled on this roadtrip with a small rental car and we made it! Even our sceptical travelmate Alex survived. The whole journey reminds me of my previous travel in New Zealand through the tropical rainforest.

A few kilometers before arriving at Cape Tribulation and its famous beach, we stumble upon one of the most stunning views I've seen jn the tropical north of Australia (already rich in breathtaking views). A lookout (yeah, the word sounds a bit like a cheap tourist thing but no, it is not) overviews the Daintree rainforest. Laying at the foot of the mountain road, it's a green sea of tropical trees, and the bright blue of the daintree river flowing into the ocean that fill your eyes. In the background, the island looks like the erupting crater of a volcan.
It's so blue, it's so green... it's photo and selfie time ( in this case, we are tourist or we are not ...). It's also oh-my-god-I'm-so-happy-to-be-here time... don't speak and look withyour eyes.

Cape Tribulation is our next and final spot of the day. The most famous place in cape trib is probably the beach nested in the daintree rainforest, surrounded by mangroves and cliffs covered by tropical vegetation. What's best than a break on the sand, a yoga session, a swimming in the almost transparent australian water and a walk through the mangrove? Short hikes are also doable around the beach itself if you have time to explore Cape Trib a bit further. As a lonely beaches lover, I would recommend to walk til the other side of the main spot. Cape tribulation can be indeed a bit crowded. You'll find the access to the quiet side at the entrance of the main beach. A short hiking trail will lead you to a beautiful deserted beach. Perfect for a more adventurous experience of cape tribulation and pics without tourists!

On the journey back to Cairns, we make a spontaneous last stop in Port Douglas. The last impression of this short trip results to be an amazing sunset and a beautiful night sky. It's an usual backpacking journey in Australia and I love it. Port Douglas is located 50 case away from Cairns, it's a milestone on the way in or back. Et voilà, it's the end of an amazing daytrip with my two fellow backpackers. A roadtrip and an adventure time in the australian tropical North to add to my stay in Cairns.

Ok, it seems to sound like a pretty nice trip. But last and not least important point ... what about the cost??

As profi backpackers in Australia, it was obviously our first debate before taking the road! And oh good surprise ... it ended up as a cheap daytrip. If tours propose the same itinerary from Cairns to cape tribulation for approximately 100 AUD each, we had a cost of 37 AUD per person for the whole day. It includes the fuel, calculated for about 300 kilometers from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, passing by Port Douglas and the Mossman Gorge. Count less than 30 AUD. Then, the ferry fare at the Daintree river will cost you 24 AUD return for one car. A bit expensive for what it is (basically, a rudimental plattformcrossing within 5 minutes the Daintree), but swimming along with your car in the river is not a recommended alternative. And, obviously, the rental of the car if you need one. This expenditure is the most expensive one. Count about 60 AUD with insurance cover for a full day departing from Cairns. Still, all these costs divided into three are a really good deal.

So, are you convinced?

Cape Trib, it's a place to see, because not far from Cairns and doable in one day by car. Relaxed and cheap, it's the backpackers' way as we like it. Better than a tour, it came as a very cheap roadtrip with all the freedom that an own vehicle offers.

More than the beach itself, it's the scenic coastal and through the rainforest road which filled my eyes with colors, stunning views, impressions of an untouched nature. A paradise on earth or how to become aware of our wonderful nature heritage...

As one's said once, it's not the destination, it's rather the way to get there that counts...Leia mais