{"id":157,"date":"2012-12-29T17:51:45","date_gmt":"2012-12-29T09:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.joel.net.au\/?p=157"},"modified":"2026-06-23T00:04:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T16:04:25","slug":"cape-trepidation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/2012\/12\/29\/cape-trepidation\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Trepidation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Path
Path to beach at Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The beach was initially intimidating to walk on due to all the crocodile warnings, but then you realise everyone is doing it and nobody seems too fearful. I even found a group of people sleeping on the beach and swimming in the ocean (which is also unwise at this time of year due to box jellyfish stings). I imagine crocodile sightings are anything but an everyday occurrence. Maybe not as rare as cassowaries (which are supposed to be up to two meters high), which were also supposed to be in the area, with endless road-crossing signs – but then I found a poster with a phone number to call to report any sightings, as though they really are hardly ever seen.<\/p>\n

\"Crocodile
Crocodile warning sign at beach in Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The box jellyfish may not have come out just yet this season due to the late arrival of the wet season, but hardly anyone would dare swim with them around. There were emergency bottles of vinegar at just about every path leading to the beach to use on any stings anyone may accidentally get. Urine is supposed to make an acceptable alternative if vinegar can’t be readily found.<\/p>\n

Things found on Cape Tribulation Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Coconut
Coconut on beach at Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Beach
Beach Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) on beach at Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dead
Dead lobster on beach at Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Emptied
Emptied out crab hole on beach in Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Emptied
Emptied out crab holes on beach in Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I managed to get my mountain bike out for a bit of an exploration of the area first thing in the morning. It was a pretty good ride up and down Four Wheel Drive tracks, sealed roads, boardwalks (which were a bit too slippery to consider doing again) and a couple of long beaches. The sand on the beach was nicely compact enough to make for easy riding.<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t

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