Nowhere else in the world do two World Heritage sites lie side by side. Between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest, visitors to Cape Tribulation will have their schedule full of superlative outdoor activities. Nature is the one and only focus of travel to Cape Tribulation. If you are looking to relax in one of the least populated regions of the world and soak in the visual overload of exotic creatures, psychedelic coral gardens and trees so tall you can’t see above them, then this is the place.

Cairns
The capital of Queensland is the most urban environment near to Cape Tribulation. This festive city has a lively atmosphere all year round thanks to its popularity as the gateway to Cape Tribulation. Its location on the Coral Sea provides pleasant coastal spots to wine, dine and shop such as the Pier Marketplace, while major tourist attractions like the Skyway Rainforest Cablecar can give you a quick taste of the rainforest that lies farther north. If you need a break from the nature of Cape Tribulation, head to the busy little capital Cairns.

Daintree Rainforest National Park
The star attraction of Cape Tribulation is this spectacular ancient virgin rainforest which hasn’t changed in 110 million years. As part of the larger Wet Tropics World Heritage site, this large patch of forest has some of the planet’s most captivating insects, animals, trees and plants. This little pocket of nature survived the Ice ages, offering us a rare glimpse at what parts of earth looked like during the era of dinosaurs. The park is located outside of Townville.

Flecker Botanic Gardens
If you want a more organised version of the vast tropical rainforest in Daintree, head over to these botanic gardens just three miles from the centre of Cairns. There’s a deliberately wild feel to the gardens, so that visitors will feel as close to the rainforest as possible. The Orchid House, Fernery and Aboriginal Plant Use exhibit are highlights. The gardens are located on Collins avenue, Cairns. Phone: +61 7 4044 3398.

Great Barrier Reef
Cape Tribulation’s other World Heritage Site is this famous coral reef which stretches for thousands of miles along Queensland. The reef is only 45 minutes offshore from the cape by boat, making this one of the best access points in Australia. Due to its proximity, you can get to dive sites farther away or spend more time in the water than travelling from the marina to your destination. The snorkelling and scuba diving here is among the best in the world, so don’t miss your chance to experience it.

Low Isles
The most accessible section of the Great Barrier Reef is the Low Isles just nine miles off the coast of Cape Tribulation. If you don’t have time to make a longer excursion out to the Barrier Reef, consider a half day enjoying these little specks of sand and jungle surrounded by 54 acres of coral reef. The isles offer plenty of snorkelling and diving sites at which to check out the tropical fish and coral.

Mossman Gorge
Another of the amazing natural highlights around Cape Tribulation is this beautiful gorge near the town of Mossman, 13 miles northwest of Port Douglas. The way the water rushes over and around the picture-perfect boulders amid a lovely forest is stimulating. There are short nature walks through the forest and some great swimming holes created by the rocks. Nearby tea plantations and boardwalks through the mangroves provide even more distractions.

Port Douglas
The nearest town of note to Cape Tribulation is this trendy little fishing port right in the heart of the action. The scene here is decidedly relaxed but sophisticated enough to provide all the dining, wining and shopping you could ask for. ‘The Port’, as it’s known, makes a good base for exploring Cape Tribulation as well as a destination in itself. Plenty of celebrities have discovered the charms of this quaint seaside town, helping to boost its international image.

Cruise among the wildlife on the Daintree River. One of the most unique ways to experience the rainforest is by taking a river cruise along the beautiful and wild Daintree River. There are a number of tours available depending on what you want to see. The night-time croc-spotting cruise is a favourite for adventure seekers, while the sunrise cruise focuses on the rich diversity of bird life along the water. Whichever you choose, you’ll be guaranteed to see some exotic creatures. Boats range from tiny fishing floats to open-sided ‘river trains’.

Fly high above the canopy on the Skyway Rainforest Cablecar. If you don’t have the time to really delve into the vast reaches of the Daintree rainforest in Cape Tribulation, the next best thing is to take a ride on the Skyway Rainforest Cablecar in Cairns. Passengers travel over five miles of pristine rainforest before landing in the lush village of Kuranda. The vistas from above are amazing, and include unique views of Barron Gorge and its spectacular falls.

Get up close and personal with the wildlife of Daintree at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. More than 180 animal species indigenous to the Wet Tropics are protected at this single site. This zoo-like park allows you to hand-feed kangaroos, take photos with koalas and gawk at huge saltwater crocodiles. The highlight is the park’s aviary, which is home to more than 100 species of rainforest birds including rare cassowaries.

Power your way into the rainforest on a four-wheel drive motorised tour. The fastest way to access the remotest parts of Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforests is by using a four-wheel drive jeep - an extremely popular day excursion from Port Douglas. Vehicles stay on well-travelled tracks so as not to disturb the natural environment while transporting passengers to amazing sites. Having a driver-guide allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery while learning about the ecosystem

Skim the waves on a Quicksilver catamaran. If you want to explore the Outer Reef in style, there is no greater way than on a sleek, speedy Quicksilver Wavepiercer. These air-conditioned catamarans carry up to 400 passengers at a time to Agincourt Reef 45 miles from shore. Once at this remote and pristine reef, you get nearly four hours to snorkel, swim or just hang out. Guided snorkelling and diving tours are also offered.

Take a rainforest walk on one of Cape Tribulation’s many designated boardwalks. The Daintree is the singular attraction in Cape Tribulation, and there are a dozen established walks ranging from easy 30-minute boardwalks to a full ascent of Mount Sorrow. Some of these walks are guided, which is a good way to start your explorations and learn about what you see. You can then hit the other walks at your leisure. Mardja Botanical Walk and the Dubiji Boardwalk are good starters for the build-up to the longer trek to Emmagen Beach and Creek.