After leaving Mossman we continued our Daintree experience with a short side trip to Cape Tribulation, where the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people are the traditional custodians of the land and seas.
Captain James Cook named Cape Tribulation after he hit the reef not once, but twice, on the same night on 10 June 1770. It's lucky Cook was an erudite chap. After having the arse ripped out of his boat twice in one night he'd be well within his rights to name it "Cape Oh Crap!” or something like that. But it's too pretty for that.
Cape Tribulation is where the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef meet. To get there we had to cross the Daintree River on a ferry, which was a first for the Labs and Loretta. Then there was a slightly scary drive through the rainforest and over Mount Alexandra to eventually arrive at our campsite in the middle of the forest. Much of the Daintree is, of course, national park, and therefore off limits to the Labs. But there are several small townships on the Cape that sit outside the national park and there was plenty for us to explore, while keeping a firm grip on the lead at all times. Crocs, cassowaries, feral pigs, deadly plants, box jellyfish... that place is dangerous!
Despite the dangers, I'm really glad we made the effort to get there. And we were lucky enough to see a Cassowary moseying across the road in front of us. I give them a bit of a bagging because they can be very cranky birds, but they're quite pretty and to see one up close in its Daintree home was really special. That said I'm glad we were in the car when we encountered it, and not in the middle of a trip to the amenities block. No photos of it unfortunately - too old, too slow.
Loving your trip story and photos, Barb! What a special place.. definitely on my bucket list. Might not cycle there though given the dangers…