Daintree National Park

Daintree National Park is a cluster of vast beaches, headlands and forested mountain ranges intersected by rivers and creeks. A part of the ancient territory of Australia's Aboriginal peoples known as Kuku Yalanji, the par is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). Due to its size, the park was split into two smaller tourist spots, namely, the Mossman Gorge and the Cape Tribulation Section.

The Mossman Gorge section of the Daintree National Park boasts of an immense and beautiful picnic area surrounded by a lush rainforest and cool river. Visitors can walk and sightsee using two trails that go through the forest and around the river. The two walking tracks are connected to each other so visitors can easily change their course. One is a 400m short track with a spectacular view over the Mossman River while the other is a 2.7km trail through the rainforest. Near the park's entrance is the Aboriginal Community who also conducts guided tours in the rainforest.

The Cape Tribulation Section, on the other hand, is approximately 17,000ha of land that stretches from the Daintree River in the south to the Bloomfield River in the north while the McDowall Range forms the western boundary of the park. There are four short trail walks namely, Jindalba or "foot of the mountain," Marrdja or "jungle," Dubuji or "place of spirits," and Kulki. A longer trail is the 7km. Mt. Sorrow Ridge Walk within the Cape Tribulation Section. There are numerous picnic areas and camping sites available and tourists can stay for a maximum of seven days. Plus, three out of the five walking trails are wheelchair accessible. In addition, a visit to the Cape Tribulation will give you a chance to see the Great Barrier Reef.

The Daintree National Park is open night and day and camping charges are cheap -- $4 per person or $16 per family (two adults and accompanying children under 18) per night while children below five years old are free of charge.

Things to see and do

In addition to camping, picnicking, bushwalking, and guided tours, tourists can also experience boat riding and fishing. Recreational fishing is allowed in all creeks except for the protected Mossman Gorge and Coopers Creek. Moreover, tourists can also go kayaking, horseback riding, and bird or animal watching.

As part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the Daintree National Park protects the environment as well as the habitat of species. As such, the park is the home of a number of endangered and endemic animals. Endemic animals, such as the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius), are the animals that are exclusively found in a particular place. In fact, some animals are often seen wandering in the forests, picnic areas and even on the roadsides. The Bennett's tree kangaroo, spotted-tailed quoll, giant white-tailed rat, ringtail possum, musky-rat kangaroo, buff-breasted paradise kingfisher, pied imperial pigeon and the orange-footed scrubfowl are just a few of those animals often seen inside the park.

In addition, most primitive plant families are found within the park and its surrounding area. The primitive she-oak (Gymnostoma australianum), rare Noahdendron nicholasii, and the Idiospermum Australiense are among the rare plants found within the area.  

Safety reminders

To ensure a safe and enjoyable stay at the park, tourists should be wary of danger signs. It is important to pay attention to these warnings as dangerous animals like crocodiles are also protected in the park. Aside from these reptiles, tourists should also look out for stinging jellyfish that are abundant in the waters from October to May.

Big animals are not only what tourists should protect themselves from in the park. Spiders and Stinging insects like mosquitoes are also abundant because of the numerous swimming holes and plants in the park. As such, bringing and using insect-repellent lotions are necessary.

The brush and the sun are also formidable foes in the park. Thorny plants can cause rashes while the heat of the sun can bring on sunburn. Bringing sunscreen lotions, hats, extra clothes and a pair of durable shoes for hiking and bushwalking is highly recommended.

Although there are a lot of things to be wary about in the park, it is undeniable that there is also too much to see and experience. If you want to experience Australia as it should be, the Daintree National Park is the perfect place to spend your holiday.