Wet Tropics of Queensland

Introduction

Cape Tribulation

© wasserelfe

The Wet Tropics of Queensland in Queensland, Australia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. It is a region of tropical rainforests filled with large and varied plant, bird and marsupial populations.

The area stretches for 450 kilometres along the northeast coast of Australia and borders the Great Barrier Reef. Barron Gorge National Park, Cedar Bay National Park, Daintree National Park, Girringun National Park and Wooroonooran National Park all make up the site.

For more information, visit the Wet Tropics website.

Geography

The Wet Tropics of Queensland stretches in part from Townsville to Cooktown, running in close parallel to the Great Barrier Reef (another World Heritage Site).

The terrain is rugged. The Great Dividing Range and a number of small coastal ranges, highlands, tablelands, foothills and an escarpment dominate the landscape.

The heritage site contains the northern section of the Queensland tropical rain forests including the Daintree Rainforest. 16 different structural types of rainforest have been identified.

The World Heritage area includes Australia's highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls. In total it spans 13 major river systems including the Annan, Bloomfield, Daintree, Barron, Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Herbert, Burdekin, Mitchell, Normanby and Palmer River. Copperlode Dam, Koombooloomba Dam and Paluma Dam are found within the World Heritage Area.

Weather

Rainfall in the area varies considerably with elevation and orientation of the coastline being the major influences. Rainfall averages from 1,200mm to over 8,000 mm annually. The highest mountains along the escarpment between Cairns and Tully receive the highest rainfall, mainly due to orographic factors. Mount Bellenden Ker is the wettest recording station in the area with other high peaks and eastern slopes favouring high rainfall. Most of the rainfall occurs from November to April. Tropical cyclones may impact the area.

Opening Hours

Most people visit the Wet Tropics on a trip northwards towards Cape Tribulation, crossing the Daintree National Park. The area usually is open year round, though as the name suggests wet conditions can cause temporary problems in reaching the area from November to March.

The coastal Cook Highway from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation requires a ferry ride across the Daintree River as there is no bridge over the river. The ferry runs from 6:00 am to midnight. The Daintree River and several creeks along the Cook Highway are tidal so in periods of heavy rainfall and at high tide these waterways can back up and cause flooding of the road. Caution should be taken not to attempt to cross flooded roads.

Getting There

By Train

Cairns is the closest city to reach the area. The following trains go to/from Cairns:

• The Kuranda Scenic Railway between Cairns and Kuranda
• The Savannahlander between Cairns an Forsayth
• The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns
• The Tilt Train between Brisbane and Cairns

By Car

If you have your own car, you can make your way north from Cairns and Port Douglas towards the Daintree National Park, where you cross a small river (small fee as well). The road north from here towards Cape Tribulation runs through a magnificent green patch of rainforest before reaching the cape and its great beaches. It is sealed all the way. If you want to go further north towards Cooktown, you will need a 4wd vehicle. Cooktown can also be reached by an inland road that is sealed all the way.

Eat/Drink

Sleep

There are several options in this region, ranging from camp grounds to upscale resorts, many of them offering eco stays.

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