Rainforest Meets the Reef

Cape Tribulation, December 2020

Story by Drew Dundas, pics by FNQ Lotus Crew and Car Cruise Group.

It was approaching Christmas and we were all keen for a drive before the end of the year and before the wet season starts.

So the message, ‘Who is interested in a drive to Cape Tribulation’, is put out to the Lotus (and wanna be Lotus) car drivers of the Cairns area. In the end we had an Exige, 2 Elises, a Mini, some members of the Porsche & European Car Club, and to round off the group for the day, a much loved MR2.

With great coffee and easy parking, it’s difficult to go past The Palms Café for an early start to a long day’s drive. After all cars were accounted for, the short and scenic Port Douglas Road was covered before driving, for the first time as a group, through Mossman and onto the Daintree Ferry.

With most drivers taking advantage of the ‘Daintree Ferry Pass for Locals’, we carefully negotiated the transfer of cars onto the ferry, being careful not to leave splitters and scoops on the loading ramps. The same careful process is needed to exit.

Note to self: Check tide times before planning this drive next time.

The drive from the Daintree Ferry to Cape Tribulation is nothing short of spectacular. Bitumen roads with varying qualities of road surface, 1st gear speed bumps and the prospect of road going cassowaries, meant that speeds were kept to a minimum. This ensured that all could take in the unique views of this world heritage area.

Our destination, Cape Tribulation, was as spectacular as we expected. Thanks to the impact of Covid on the tourism industry there was an abundance of car parks, ensuring a short walk to the beach and the general agreement that we are very fortunate to be living in the location we do.

After enjoying the hospitality of the local cafes at Cape Tribulation, we departed and stopped for much needed refreshments by the sea at a O’Sheas Restaurant.

We hadn’t noticed, but our Mini crew, Sonny and Louie, had slipped off early and had invited us back to his restaurant SaunSaun Hotpot for a late lunch. Sonny treated us to a Chinese hotpot that will have any of our food and car connoisseurs salivating at the thought of another drive in the near future.

Thanks everyone and especially SuanSaun Hotpot, for a great day. Stay tuned to hear about our next drive in Far North Queensland.