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Explore

If you are an independent traveller inspired to go ‘off grid’, or exploring the roads less travelled with a tour group, the Wujal Wujal region provides abundant options for a travel experience you will never forget. Traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungul and Jalunji clans – the ‘rainforest people’ – Wujal Wujal is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets, with a unique combination of terrain and scenery rarely seen by tourists. 

Welcome to country

Before setting off to explore the tracks and trails around Wujal Wujal, please call in to the Council and arrange a special Welcome to Country ceremony and meet the locals who can help you plan your adventure. 

Drive and Explore

Located between two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Wujal Wujal is where the rainforest meets the reef – a haven for nature-lovers, photographers and travellers. The Daintree Rainforest is right on our doorstep and the Great Barrier Reef is just off our coastal stretch. Drive and explore our region yourself or relax and let local tour operators transport you to places your adventurous spirit will soar.

Bloomfield Falls

Local landmarks along the river include the Bloomfield Falls. The crystal clear waterfalls are sacred to the community and many of the waterfalls are reserved for female members of the local community. The general public can access one clearly signposted waterfall. The Walker family will enlighten you with tales of Aboriginal culture and explain the ancient connection with nature at this very special site.

Bloomfield Track

The Bloomfield Track is a scenic coastal road that runs from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown. It is an unsealed surface and accessible only by 4-wheel drive. There are a number of local tour operators available to help you with expert local knowledge.

Rest and Relax

Our tropical beaches, rainforest and reef have peaceful and relaxing surroundings where you can chill out and get away from it all. The areas are also superb for bird watching, river cruises, watersports and fishing, scenic views and traditional arts and culture.

Native wildlife and plants

Our area’s rich, green rainforests are home to some of Australia’s most exotic plant life – including intricate orchids and strangler figs. The fertile canopies attract rare birds such as the southern cassowary and red-cheeked parrots. You might also be lucky enough to spot the elusive Bennett’s tree kangaroo. Less rare are the crocodiles that inhabit the many rivers and waterholes in the rainforest area. And of course, the reef is home to dolphins, several species of colourful fish and varieties of sea turtle.

Indigenous land and sea ranger program 

Our unique environments and flora and fauna are studied and protected by the Jabalbina indigenous ranger program. Eastern Kuku Yalanji elders and traditional owners help to guide the program. Around 10 full-time rangers work at three bases throughout the native title area.

Find out more about our Jabalbina rangers here www.jabalbina.com.au/projects/our-rangers

Our area is rich with Aboriginal culture and herit age. The local indigenous heritage trails and arts and culture make Wujal Wujal a tourist destination for travellers who want to experience authentic indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions. We are also close to Australia’s early European history: nearby Weary Bay is where Captain Cook’s Endeavour struck the Great Barrier Reef in June 1770.

  • Our community Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Binal Mangka Bayan or ‘house of knowing things’ is a hub for local history and information about our area. Pop in to search our collections. 

Before you visit:

Day trips from Wujal Wujal

Wujal Wujal is also an ideal base to stay and plan day trips to other destinations in the area. Here are the top picks from our locals.

  • Ayton: A small township just north of the Bloomfield River has stunning scenery and is renowned for its estuary fishing.
  • Black Mountain National Park: An area rich in local Aboriginal culture in a stunning setting of mountain ranges and granite boulders.
  • Bloomfield: Relax on stretches of unspoiled beaches. Visit the Black Cockatoo Art Gallery and enjoy the work of our local talented artists. 
  • Cedar Bay National Park: Traditional country of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, and home of the rare Bennett’s tree kangaroo, endangered southern cassowary and the beach stone-curlew.
  • Cooktown: Visit historic Cooktown, Australia’s closest township to the Great Barrier Reef. Named for Captain James Cook, this is the site of the meeting between European explorers and the first Australians as the Captain and crew repaired their damaged ship, the HMS Endeavour.
  • Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation: The Daintree is the meeting place of two World Heritage areas: the rainforest of the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Great Barrier Reef: Witness one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the only living thing on earth visible from space.
  • Helenvale: Enjoy the stunning views from the coastal road. Stop for a bite to eat at the historic Lions Den Hotel. 
  • Hope Islands National Park: A national park formed of islands, including East and West Hope islands, Struck Island and Snapper Island, home to many types of birds and fish in the northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 
  • Monkhouse Timber Reserve: This nature reserve is home to the rare Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, Pygmy White-tailed Rat, Daintree River Ringtail Possum and the Musky Rat Kangaroo.
  • Mossman: The Mossman Gorge in the Daintree rainforest is an ancient site sacred to our Kuku Yalanji clan. The Daintree River Ferry operates about 30kms north of Mossman.
  • Mount Lewis National Park: A lush, tropical rainforest, unusually accessible with more than 1,200 metres of road. Take in the vast landscapes that date back to the ancient Gondwanaland.
  • Mount Windsor National Park: Located right next to the Daintree and Mount Lewis national parks, the eastern part of the park is in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
  • Mt Sorrow: The Mount Sorrow ridge trail is elevated by about 650 metres, with spectacular mountain slopes and views across to the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Roaring Meg Falls: This sacred site is on the CREB Track which is used by locals. But visitors can access it by joining a local walking tour that includes Aboriginal storytelling.
  • Rossville: A natural paradise with wonderful wildlife and secluded swimming holes, Rossville is also home to the Wallaby Creek Festival. Find out more on the Festival website.
  • Shipton’s Flat: A tropical rainforest drive, perfect for birdwatching around water holes. This area is also the site of the Old Collingwood Mine, and now the head quarters for our Jabalbina indigenous rangers. Watch a short film about Shipton’s Flat.
  • Weary Bay: The site where Captain Cook’s Endeavour ran into the reef.  

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ)