Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 Saturdays
Museums: 09:30 to 17:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

There isn’t much in the way of crime in Cape Tribulation. When in Port Douglas or Cairns, you may want to pay more attention to your valuables, but even in these larger towns there are few incidents of crime.

The biggest dangers in Cape Tribulation come from nature. Australia is home to many of the world’s most poisonous creatures, so you need to be very careful when venturing into the rainforest or out into the Coral Sea. Inland, snakes and spiders cause the most problems. Several very venomous species are abundant in the bush around Cape Tribulation, so ask around about what to look out for.

Saltwater crocodiles are another potential danger, though you’d have to go swimming in the wrong place to encounter these man-eaters. Every local will be able to tell you exactly where not to go swimming. In the sea, the jellyfish which appear in bewildering numbers every year from October through April often sting unwary swimmers and cause great irritation.

Police: 000
Electricity: 230V AC, 50Hz

The water in Cape Tribulation is about as fresh and clean as anywhere on earth and visitors can drink water from the tap. Food is also very safe in all the restaurants in Cape Tribulation; just make sure any seafood has been properly cooked.

Cape Tribulation has a very tropical climate, so be sure and take the proper precautions when dealing with the strong Australian sun. Use plenty of sunscreen on the beach, wear a hat and drink lots of water to keep hydrated.

Should anything minor happen during your trip, there are good pharmacies in Port Douglas and Cairns. Serious medical emergencies should be treated in Cairns, which has the most extensive medical facilities in far north Queensland. Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, meaning British citizens are covered in the case of emergencies. This free medical service is limited and buying travel insurance is recommended to cover for any additional expenses.

Ambulance: 000
Mossman Hospital: +61 7 4098 2444
Cairns Hospital: +61 7 4051 3555

English is the native language spoken in Cape Tribulation. It may take visitors a few days to grasp the locals’ creative use of the language and lovely accent.

The official currency in Cape Tribulation is the Australian dollar. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Notes are made of a very innovative polymer, and come in denominations of AU$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins come in denominations of AU$2 and 1, as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

There aren’t many options to exchange money in Cape Tribulation, so be sure and do your money matters in Cairns or Port Douglas before you head north into the hinterlands. Many resorts and some restaurants in Daintree take credit cards, which can be a useful fallback.

There are plenty of banks, Travelex currency exchange offices and ATMs in Cairns which can handle your money needs. Port Douglas also has abundant ATMs, allowing you to easily access cash. Most of the ATMs accept international debit and credit cards, but it may be worth checking with your bank in advance.

All visitors to Australia over the age of 18 years may import 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 2.25 litres of alcohol, and personal goods valued up to AU$900 without incurring customs duty.

When you live in such a remote area of the world you naturally develop your own set of social rules. These social rules are extremely relaxed in Cape Tribulation. Some locals live here for the very reason that there aren’t many rules or social norms.

Visitors to Cape Tribulation can expect one of the most tolerant and laid-back scenes on the planet. If you are open to being friendly when a local strikes up a conversation at the pub or on an outdoor excursion, you’ll have a great time. Dress is as casual as possible, with locals dressing with practicality in mind.

Dining Etiquette
Dining out in the Cape Tribulation region is just as casual as the people themselves. Most of the restaurants in Cape Tribulation and Daintree are outdoor natural affairs, so expect a rustic and relaxed environment wherever you eat. In Cape Tribulation, going out usually involves drinking a few pints of Australian beer and listening to the wildlife and the locals’ tales.

For something more upscale, simply head to Port Douglas with its wonderful range of trendy little cafés and pubs. This is the place where you can dress up and go out on the town. For even more sophistication, spend a few nights in Cairns, where the dining scene is as progressive as you’ll find in far north Queensland.

Unless you hail from New Zealand, you will need to get a tourist visa to travel to Cape Tribulation. Australia has switched to an Electronic Travel Authority visa (ETA) system which allows visitors to stay in the country for three months. ETA visas are stored electronically and don’t physically appear in your passport. They are used for short-term business and study programmes as well as tourism. ETAs can be applied for at travel agencies, through airline companies and at Australian embassies. If you need a longer stay visa, you can apply for a long-term visa at your nearest Australian embassy. All visas have a fee.

There are no official tourism offices in Cape Tribulation. Even in Port Douglas there is no state tourism office. For useful information, check out the privately-run tour information and booking office in the centre of town, Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre.

Port Douglas Tourism Information Centre
23 Macrossan street
Port Douglas
Phone: +61 7 4099 5599
Website: www.pddt.com.au