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Cape Tribulation is 155 kilometres and about 2 hours and 15 minutes north of Cairns. You can enjoy the journey and stop at Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge on the way to Cape Tribulation.

You cross the Daintree River on a car ferry which costs $20 return for visitors in their own vehicle. The journey is well signposted. It is possible to purchase a 4 day pass at a discount rate.

The drive through the Daintree rainforest is very scenic and memorable.

BUS OPTIONS

SunPalm
http://www.sunpalmtransport.com
Phone 07 40842626

As at January 2010, the bus departs from Cairns at 0700 and 1300 for Cape Tribulation, and stops at the Cairns airport, and Port Douglas, on the way. It arrives at Cape Trib at 1030 and 1730.

If you fly into Cairns, after 10.30am, all flights are met directly and you are transferred to Port Douglas. There is a SunPalm Desk at the Arrival Hall in the Domestic Terminal. (Not sure about the International terminal).You can leave your bags with Sun Palm at their office in the Marina Mirage at Port Douglas, while you explore Port Douglas. You are given a free ticket on their local shuttle bus around the Port Douglas area, while you wait for the bus to depart for Cape Tribulation at 1530 arriving at 1730.

They will drop you door to door at our verandah - and pick you up from here as well. If it is a new driver, he may be unsure about driving up our driveway – we have a turning circle and there is no problem about him being able to turn around. Reassure him.

Cape Trib Connections
http://www.capetribconnections.com/overnight-tour.htm
This company comes up to Cape Tribulation from Cairns each day transporting people who have bought packages. If you book ahead this is possible - phone 07 4053 3833. Leaves Cairns at 7.30 am and the return journey incldues a Daintree river cruise, a guided rainforest walk and a swim at Mossman Gorge. They will pick you up from your Cairns/Port Douglas accommodation. Phone number is 07-4053 3833 . They will drop you at PKs and then you should call us to come and get you.

HIRING A CAR
There is a wide range of car rental companies in Cairns. In the 1980s and early 90s, you were not allowed to bring normal rental cars north of the Daintree River because the road was so bad. Now it is fully sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation, so you do not need to hire a 4 WD unless you intend to keep going north to Cooktown.

Cairns Direct - Car Rental and Accommodation will find you the best car rental rate for free. They also provide discount on regional tours in Cairns, as well as all your accommodation needs.

THE JOURNEY
Visit Port Douglas on the way to Cape Tribulation. If it is Sunday, visit the local market on the foreshore. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes at Port Douglas. We recommend ‘On the Inlet’ and the ‘La Marinara’ at the Marina. Stop in Mossman Gorge for a swim or do the Kuku Yalanji tour. Stop at the look out at the top of the Alexandra range for a spectacular view over the Daintree River, and then enjoy the scenic drive through the Daintree Rainforest

THE WET SEASON
During the wet season (February to May) the rivers may flood after heavy rainstorms and the causeways become impassable for several hours on the Cape Tribulation road. Each causeway has a depth metre marker to indicate how much water is flowing over the causeway. In a normal vehicle, you will need to wait until the water drops below 0.2 metres before attempting to cross. This may take several hours - be patient, enter into the spirit of adventure, and get to know your fellow drivers. On average this would happen about 10 days out of 365, every year.

If you are visiting Cape Tribulation during the wet season do not plan a tight schedule - leave some flexibility. DO NOT plan to drive to Cairns and fly out on the same day that you leave Cape Tribulation. Book an extra night in Cairns to give you some leeway. Some resort visitors at Cape Tribulation have found it necessary in previous wet seasons to charter a helicopter back to Cairns in order to make their international flights. Last March it was impossible to to leave Cape Tribulation for four days due to heavy rains which caused the rivers to floods, and landslides between Port Douglas and Cairns. Our guests finally departed by helicopter (under charter for Coconut Beach guests to evacuate to Port Douglas), and then by boat to Cairns, as the road was closed. The hire car was picked up a week later by the company.

MOUNTAIN BIKES
We have two mountain bikes available for guest use, and this gives you access to most things in the Cape Tribulation area.

ON FOOT
It only takes 10 minutes to walk down to the beach from the Bed and Breakfast cottage if you take our shortcut. The cottage is within 10 minutes walking distance of three places to eat at Cape Tribulation

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