Visiting Daintree & Cape Tribulation with kids
In June 2024 we visited Daintree & Cape Tribulations as first real trip in Australia.
After having bought a Toyota 4wd, fitting it with a rooftop tent and all camping gear we were ready to go on our adventure.
At the store where we bought our rooftop tent we got the tip to visit Granite Gorge on our way up North, because that was an amazing camp ground to visit with kids. The guy did this every year with his kids, so we took the advice and made a little detour before going to Daintree.
The camp site at Granite Gorge has many animals like peacocks, little bird and reptiles. It is located next to a lovely creek and there’s a short walking route to do with kids, where you have to climb the builders and can find actual dinosaur footprints (probably they’re not, but it looks real enough for the kids). You can also expect visits from Wallaby’s in the afternoon. And for us, this was the first time we saw a kangaroo.
We really enjoyed our stay there as first camping experience in Australia.
Driving to Daintree
Usually driving to Daintree will take approximately 2 hours from Cairns, so it’s an easy drive. You will drive through beautiful rainforest, and need to take a short ferry to cross the Daintree river ($48 for a return ticket).
Be sure to fill up your tank, because there aren’t many fuel stations at Cape Trib and on Sunday the first one is closed.
Visiting the Daintree discovery center
When you arrive at the Daintree one of the first things you’ll see is the Daintree discovery center. Don’t skip this because it’s very interesting and amazing for kids. It will give your visit to this region more juice for sure.
With the audio tour and information booklet you’ll learn about the flora of the rainforest, about how the aboriginals lived in this area, but also about all the incredible and often deadly creatures of the forest. We learned that the cassowary is the most lethal bird on the planet, that the ocean is filled with salt water crocodiles and that there are jellyfish that can kill you with one sting. Not to mention the massive reptiles and insects that walk around. You can imagine what a great start this was to visit this region. 😉
Where the rainforest meets the ocean
This is the slogan of Daintree & Cape Tribulation, and it’s a spectacular experience. Watching
the fast ocean, and when you turn around you’re in a dense rainforest. It’s gorgeous!
It’s such a shame that you can’t swim in the ocean (crocs) because it looks very appealing and with the rising temperatures it would be great to have a refreshing swim. Luckily there are a few swimming holes in the area where you can swim and on a hot day they are as good as the ocean.
Boardwalks
If you don’t want to get lost in the rainforest but still want to experience and learn about nature, you can choose from the many boardwalks that are created. We did Madja boardwalk, which is a well maintained boardwalk and brings you from the rainforest into the mangrove forest, near lakes and back into the rainforest again. And this within a walkable distance for kids of 1,2km.
If you’re lucky you can see crocs, and maybe a wondering cassowary, but you’ll see beautiful nature for sure.
Noah’s Beach Camp ground
Talking about Cassowary’s…
We stayed at a wonderful small camp site next to the beach - Noah’s Beach Camp ground. It has only 15 spots, and needs to be booked through the website of the territory government.
The camp sites are small and therefore you’ll only find camper vans, tents and roofies (cars with a rooftop tent), but this makes it very cozy and laid back. And, since you’re almost directly on the beach it’s a perfect place to chill.
At this camp site we got our second visit from a cassowary, who was happy to eat the corn kernels that had fallen on the ground at dinner the evening before. At the visitors center we learned that this big bird was a female, because it was bigger than the male cassowary we had seen earlier. It’s an impressive sight to see such a big blue bird in real life. And knowing it’s the most lethal bird on the planet (to humans) we kept our distance.
Somewhat later we read that only the males are aggressive sometimes, but only when they're with their young and feel endangered, and that the last lethal incident was in 2019 with a bird in captivity. So, cassowary’s aren’t that deadly.
On the same day we had our cassowary encounter we heard big branches fall from the trees next to us. I thought it was just the wind, but Viki was more alert. 'It had to be an animal!' And, of course Viki was right… A huge monitor came scrolling down the tree. A monitor is a lizard like creature and was about 2,5 meters long from top to tail. So, we grabbed our binoculars to see the animal up close.
Lucky us! To see two of these Aussie animals in one day!
Things to do in Daintree and Cape Tribulation with kids.
Besides that camping is already a huge adventures we surely advise to visit the Daintree discovery center with kids. Furthermore, it’s lovely to stroll the beach, walk the boardwalks and plunge in the swimming holes. All for free!
If you’re looking for more adventure, you can book one of the many tours and day trips through this region. Find a crocodile tour or go on an ocean safari (probably a dive trip) in the Great Barrier Reef. It might also be fun to do a night-tour where you go searching for nocturnal animals in the forest. Then you learn which creatures make all the scary sounds at night.
Conclusion
If you’re in the Northern part of Australia visiting Daintree and Cape Tribulation is definitely something to put on your list.
The stunning nature and calm vibes are something you want to experience. And the kids will have a great time in nature!
