Who is looking at who?

This White Lipped Green Tree Frog was discovered recently on a Mason's Nightwalk. At times it was hard to work out who was the spectator as the frog moved its head from side to side, checking out the walkers. Everyone was able to get fantastic shots, and this specimen was a really bright green.

White Lipped Green Tree Frogs can be seen any time of year, but are easier to spot in the green season, when they migrate to castal swamps at Cape Tribulation and breed in their thousands. The croaking sound like aboriginal clicking sticks from a distance.

Mason's nightwalks are on real jungle trails, with boardwalks or concrete paths. It is real jungle all the way. The guide carries a spotlight and all guests are given rechargeable flashlights.

Why not try the excitement of a Mason's Nightwalk when you come to the Daintree?

Jungle Surfing Awarded Advanced Eco Certification

Jungle Adventures Cape Trib are proud to announce that their products Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours & Jungle Adventures Nightwalks have been awarded Advanced ecotourism level Certification under the ECO Certification Program through Ecotourism Australia. Through a rigorous assessment process, Ecotourism Australia awards this prestigious certification to “Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities”.

Jungle Surfing and Jungle Adventures Nightwalks take visitors flying through the rainforest canopy by day and along the bustling forest floor at night. “Our team are passionate about our unique environment and we all recognise that our livelihood and the future protection of the Daintree depends on conservation and sustainability” said General Manager Sheena Walshaw. “So we’re absolutely committed to achieving best practice in environmental, social and economic responsibility.”

“Travellers today are looking for assurance that their great experiences don’t come at the environment’s expense, and so they should. The ECO Certification Program provides that assurance, and we’re really proud to have achieved the Advanced level Certification. It’s not an easy process, but it’s great to know ‐ and for our customers to know ‐ that we’re doing the right thing for the future of the planet.”

The definition of ecotourism adopted by Ecotourism Australia is: "Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation". The ECO Certification logo means that you are guaranteed to experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction or accommodation that looks after the environment. The ECO Certification program assures you that certified products are backed by a commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature‐based tourism experiences.

New Rainforest Experience in the Daintree

Finally, a rainforest experience that showcases the best of the world's oldest surviving rainforest - without modification! Travelers to tropical north Queensland are directed into a variety of 'Daintree Rainforests' featuring artificial structures including boardwalks, vehicle-based tours, bike-riding, horse-riding, bunjy-jumping, parachuting, hang-gliding, zip-lining, cable-gondolas ... the choices are incredible. But the greatest difficulty would seem to be the getting into pristine rainforest without any gimmickry at all.

Genuine old-growth rainforest, spectacular in its grandeur is presented not through the construction and maintenance of a formal trail network, but rather through the knowledge and memory of the inhabitant guide.

Over twelve months of familiarisation has brought a new concept of a longer, more intensive guided tour to fruition. So far, perhaps only a dozen small groups having undertaken the experience by day, and a mere four single bookings at night. The rewards are quite clearly beyond those that have become so familiar to us from our formal network of presentation trails. Unadulterated wilderness has been particularly gratifying for a determined minority of travellers.

At about the halfway point in the experience, a rather tricky creek crossing requires the concentration of the party to descend a 10-metre embankment down a steep decline. Much thought will need to be given to this aspect of the experience, but in the meantime a somewhat precautionary scramble has to suffice.

Interested persons, wanting to experience this spectacular and inspirational rainforest should contact Cooper Creek Wilderness for more information or to lodge an expression of interest through our booking page.

Weather is fantastic

Despite all the media hype, the weather at Cape Tribulation has been generally fantastic in February. While it is true that some areas, notably Ingham and Karumba have suffered massive floods, we have not.

Ingham is well south of Cairns, near Townsville, and Karumba is on the west coast of Queensland, nowhere near here. The picture was taken on the Valentine's day weekend, a couple of kilometres east of Cape Trib, and shows the wonderful calm conditions, and blue skys. The fish were biting too!

While it is true that March can be a very wet month here, I urge anyone thinking of coming here to ring first and ask about the weather on 07 40980070, rather than relying on the media.

Striped Possums seen mating

Matt, one of Mason's Tours guides, has recently broken his Striped Possum drought in specatacular fashion!
On the estuary section of his walk he heard nioses similar to the calls of Flying Foxes, but closer inspection revealed that it was two Striped Possums mating.
The group was able to watch the two possums for some time. It was a lucky sighting as they are more commonly seen in the winter months.

The photo was supplied by a guest on one of our nightwalks

Mason's Cafe Opens

Mason's Tours are pleased to announce the opening of Mason's Cafe. The cafe has been operational for some years but was previously leased and traded as Myall Creek Takeaway. Run by Sharon Mason, the cafe serves burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches,wraps, shakes, fresh juices and much more. Sharon is commited to having daily specials, and offerings so far have included Thai Fish Cakes, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Lasagne (including a yummy vego version), and Chicken Pasta salad.
Mason's Cafe sells Tichum Creek Coffee, grown on the Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns. 'Mario's Blend' is delicious, and the ground coffee can be purchased on site if you wish to take some home. Local Daintree Tea is also served, and likewise can be purchased on site.
All cakes and biscuits served on Mason's 4WD Tours are prepared in the Cafe, and being freshly baked are proving popular. Ann Mason has trained Sharon to make all the old favourites such as Banana and Walnut cake so look out for the family recipes on your next Mason's Tour.

Sharon has also begun serving more decadent home made cakes at the cafe!
Mason's Cafe also can cater to groups who want lunch as a one off or on a regular basis. Please phone 40980016 to order. Our Green season hours will be 1030 to 1600, but this may vary so ring to check if you are not sure.
Mason's Cafe is 34km north of the Daintree Ferry midway between Cape Trib Resort and Spa and PK's Jungle Village

Jakfruit Season nearly here