Basic HTML Version
9
Visit us online:
Cooktown Tourist Information: FREECALL 1800 174 895
coastal route
Driving to Cooktown Coastal Route
Picturesque waterways, magnificent
beaches and rugged mountains make
for a magical drive along the coast road.
Allow 5-6 hours from Cairns to enjoy the
scenery. Distance approximately 234km
(4WD only).
From Cairns follow the Captain Cook Highway
past
Port Douglas, Mossman
and on to the
Daintree River
–
a stunning coastal drive
.
It is 105km from Cairns to the
Daintree Ferry
and 51km from Port Douglas.
The road is sealed from the Daintree Ferry,
which operates 6am to midnight, 7 days per
week, to Cape Tribulation (38kms). Just north
of the
Alexandra Range
and ferry is the
Daintree Discovery Centre
, with
interpretive
boardwalks
,
Aerial Walkway
and
Canopy
Tower
, allowing visitors the rainforest
experience at every level.
This is a spectacular drive through the
Daintree World Heritage
area, one of the
largest rainforest wilderness areas in Australia
with many beautiful rest stops including
Cow Bay
and
Thornton Beach
.
At
Cape Tribulation
take a walk along the
ultimate tropical beach, ‘
where rainforest
meets the reef
’, or explore the rainforest on
the
Dubuji
boardwalk. “I named the north
point Cape Tribulation because here began
all our troubles” wrote
Lt. James Cook
in
1770
after his ship, the
HM Bark Endeavour
,
foundered on a reef.
Emmagen Creek
is a popular picnic spot and
a great photo stop. After
South Cowie Beach
you will come to a river crossing at
Woobadda
Creek
. Take care in crossing the
Cowie
and
Donovan Ranges
as there are steep
descents.
4WD is essential
beyond
Emmagen
Creek
and the route often closes during the
wet season.
The famous
Bloomfield Track
, built to connect
Bloomfield to Cape Tribulation (32km), was the
subject of a blockade and major confrontation
by conservationists in the 1980’s. The Track
takes travellers on an amazing journey to
the
Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal
and villages of
Ayton
,
Rossville
and rural
Helenvale
to
Cooktown
. At Wujal Wujal turn
left after the causeway and continue to the
Bloomfield Falls
car park. Then take the short
500m walk to the Falls. Stop for a cold drink
and take time to visit the wonderful new
Wujal Wujal Arts and Culture Centre
open
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Alternatively the
CREB Track
is for experienced
4WD drivers only, and should not be attempted
when wet. It traverses a spectacular part of the
World Heritage area from the
Daintree River
to
Wujal Wujal
with a side trip to the
Roaring
Meg Falls
. Permits are required for the Falls.
Contact QPWS on 4091 1844.
Check with
Wet Tropics Management
for
road closures 4052 0546.
Bloomfield Causeway on the Bloomfield Track