Cape Tribulation
Encyclopedia
Cape Tribulation is a headland and locality in northern Queensland
, Australia
110 km (68 mi) north of Cairns
. It is located within the Daintree National Park
and the Wet Tropics
World Heritage
area. At the 2006 census
, Cape Tribulation had a population of 101.
The locality contains a small number of bed and breakfast eco lodges, tourism resorts and backpacker hostels. A few very rare plants can be found on Cape Tribulation.
on 10 June 1770 (log date) after his ship hit a reef as it passed over it, north east of the cape, at 6pm. This made Cook pull away from the coast, looking for deeper water. At 10.30pm, the Endeavour hit a reef almost sinking Cook's ship, on what is now named Endeavour Reef
. Cook recorded "...the north point [was named] Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles".
In the 1930's some European settlers started arriving in Cape Tribulation, but they found the rainforest environment a difficult place to get established. Various ventures such as fruit and vegetable farming, fishing, cattle, and timber cutting were started and abandoned over the years, and having weekly barges as only transport in and out was another handicap. In the 1960's a rough track was bulldozed and the first vehicle access created, although the road remained a four wheel drive track until the early 1990's. In 2002, the road was finally sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation and in early 2011 the last bridge was built creating year round all weather access to Cape Tribulation for the first time.
s started getting built, and in the 1990's some more resorts for the more upmarket tourists. Nowadays there are also several small owner operated Bed and Breakfast
eco lodges hidden away in the rainforest. Compared to a lot of famous tourist destinations along coastal Queensland, Cape Tribulation is still an off the beaten track destination.
Most people visit the area during the dry season between July and November. During the wet season marine stingers are prevalent causing locals and visitors to swim in the many creeks that are not infested with crocodiles. There are four main resorts in the area catering to backpackers and more upmarket tourists, and some very unique rainforest bed and breakfasts.
and with the completion of the Cooper Creek bridge access is now year round all weather. North from Cape Tribulation Beach House, a four-wheel drive unsealed road, known as the Bloomfield Track
, continues to the Bloomfield River
, Wujal Wujal
, Bloomfield Falls
and Cooktown
and is often closed during the wet season (February to April).
is some 19 km (12 mi) due east; there are two boat charters that leave from the beach at Cape Tribulation. Activities available are 4WD tours, horse-riding, kayaking
, jungle surfing and crocodile cruises.
The Daintree Entomological Museum showcasing the butterfly and beetle collection of lifelong collector Steve Lamond is located 15km south of Cape Tribulation.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
110 km (68 mi) north of Cairns
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
. It is located within the Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park
Daintree is a national park in Far North Queensland, Australia, northwest of Brisbane and northwest of Cairns. It was founded in 1981 and is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. In 1988 it was granted listing as a World Heritage List...
and the Wet Tropics
Wet Tropics of Queensland
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Site consists of approximately 8,940 km² of Australian wet tropical forests growing along the north-east Queensland portion of the Great Dividing Range, stretching from Townsville to Cooktown, running in close parallel to the Great Barrier Reef...
World Heritage
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
area. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Cape Tribulation had a population of 101.
The locality contains a small number of bed and breakfast eco lodges, tourism resorts and backpacker hostels. A few very rare plants can be found on Cape Tribulation.
History
Cape Tribulation was named by British navigator Lieutenant James CookJames Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
on 10 June 1770 (log date) after his ship hit a reef as it passed over it, north east of the cape, at 6pm. This made Cook pull away from the coast, looking for deeper water. At 10.30pm, the Endeavour hit a reef almost sinking Cook's ship, on what is now named Endeavour Reef
Endeavour Reef
Endeavour Reef is a coral reef within the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is about long and runs in an east-west direction. The center of the reef is located at . It is about south-east of the Hope Islands in the Hope Islands National Park and off the mainland.It was encountered by Lieutenant...
. Cook recorded "...the north point [was named] Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles".
In the 1930's some European settlers started arriving in Cape Tribulation, but they found the rainforest environment a difficult place to get established. Various ventures such as fruit and vegetable farming, fishing, cattle, and timber cutting were started and abandoned over the years, and having weekly barges as only transport in and out was another handicap. In the 1960's a rough track was bulldozed and the first vehicle access created, although the road remained a four wheel drive track until the early 1990's. In 2002, the road was finally sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation and in early 2011 the last bridge was built creating year round all weather access to Cape Tribulation for the first time.
Protests
In 1983, Cape Tribulation became widely known because of the blockade on the Bloomfield Track. Local government had decided to bulldoze a road through the rainforest north of Cape Tribulation to complete the coastal road to Cooktown. Protesters tried to stop the bulldozers and occupied trees to prevent their destruction. Many wild scenes followed but a large police presence with police dogs ensured that the road was built. By now the state and federal governments had started to realize the value of this ancient rainforest and despite protests from the local council the forests surrounding Cape Tribulation were given World Heritage Listing in 1988.Tourist destination
From the mid 1980's the first backpackers hostelHostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
s started getting built, and in the 1990's some more resorts for the more upmarket tourists. Nowadays there are also several small owner operated Bed and Breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
eco lodges hidden away in the rainforest. Compared to a lot of famous tourist destinations along coastal Queensland, Cape Tribulation is still an off the beaten track destination.
Most people visit the area during the dry season between July and November. During the wet season marine stingers are prevalent causing locals and visitors to swim in the many creeks that are not infested with crocodiles. There are four main resorts in the area catering to backpackers and more upmarket tourists, and some very unique rainforest bed and breakfasts.
Climate
The average annual rainfall for Cape Tribulation is 3,900 mm. In 2006, the rainfall recorded was over 6.5 m (255.9 in) and in 2010 it reached 8 metres.Access
A sealed road provides access to the area from the south via the Daintree River FerryDaintree River Ferry
The Daintree River Ferry is a cable ferry across the Daintree River in Queensland, Australia. The ferry is situated some north of Port Douglas, and gives access to the northern section of the Daintree National Park and to Cape Tribulation...
and with the completion of the Cooper Creek bridge access is now year round all weather. North from Cape Tribulation Beach House, a four-wheel drive unsealed road, known as the Bloomfield Track
Bloomfield Track
The Bloomfield Track, which is also known as the Coast Road, is a controversial four-wheel-drive road in Far North Queensland, Australia. The road's construction through untouched wilderness was the cause of protests and blockades in the early 1980s....
, continues to the Bloomfield River
Bloomfield River
The Bloomfield River is a river situated in Queensland, north of Daintree. The river enters the sea north of Cape Tribulation and is noted for its Bloomfield River cod fish species, found only in the river...
, Wujal Wujal
Wujal Wujal
Wujal Wujal is in northern Queensland, Australia. Wujal Wujal is the name of a relatively small Aboriginal community on the north and south sides of the Bloomfield River. It has an area of 19.94 square kilometres of land. At the 2006 census, Wujal Wujal had a population of 326.It is located...
, Bloomfield Falls
Bloomfield Falls
The Bloomfield Falls are near Cape Tribulation, close to Wujal Wujal, north of the Daintree National Park in Queensland, Australia.The waterfall is on the Bloomfield River....
and Cooktown
Cooktown, Queensland
Cooktown is a small town located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. At the 2006 census, Cooktown had a population of 1,336...
and is often closed during the wet season (February to April).
Activities
The Great Barrier ReefGreat Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
is some 19 km (12 mi) due east; there are two boat charters that leave from the beach at Cape Tribulation. Activities available are 4WD tours, horse-riding, kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, jungle surfing and crocodile cruises.
The Daintree Entomological Museum showcasing the butterfly and beetle collection of lifelong collector Steve Lamond is located 15km south of Cape Tribulation.