Bloomfield Track — Cape Tribulation to Wujal Wujal
The rainforest track that sparked a protest movement.
Bulldozers cut this track in 1983 and 1984 to link Cape Tribulation to Cooktown, and the blockade protests that followed became a turning point for Australian rainforest conservation. Today the Bloomfield Track is the dirt remnant of that fight. It heads north from Cape Trib through World Heritage rainforest, crosses Emmagen Creek and Woobadda Creek, and tackles the steep Donovan Range with its short, brutal concrete-strip pitches. Cowie Beach and the Bloomfield River mouth sit near the end, and the track finishes at the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal and Bloomfield Falls. Expect about 2 to 3 hours of slow, tight driving.
Don’t treat it as a scenic drive. Pitches are steep, the surface is loose after rain, and creek depth changes fast during the wet season, from December to April. Crocodiles live in these waterways, so read the signs and don’t wade. Low range 4WD, good ground clearance and a snorkel for wet-season attempts are the minimum. Rental companies ban it, and insurers often will too. Fuel up in Cape Tribulation or Daintree, because there’s nothing along the track. Cell service is patchy. The best window is June through October. Wujal Wujal and the river crossings were hammered by flooding in late 2023, so check the status first. Leave the gate as you found it, and have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 600 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Low-range 4WD, high clearance, snorkel for wet season |
| Nearest town | Cape Tribulation, Queensland |
| Land manager | Douglas Shire Council / Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Douglas Shire Council Queensland road conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Prado or 4Runner drive the Bloomfield Track?
In the dry season, yes, if it's a proper 4WD with low range and decent ground clearance. The steep, slippery concrete pitches and creek crossings are the issue, not rock crawling. In the wet season, add a snorkel and expect conditions to change daily.
Is the Bloomfield Track open in the wet season?
It's often closed or impassable after heavy rain, mainly from December through April, when creeks rise fast. Check Queensland road conditions (qldtraffic.qld.gov.au) and Douglas Shire Council the morning you leave. Best window is June to October.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive the Bloomfield Track?
No permit is needed to drive the public road itself. You'll pay the Daintree River cable ferry fare if you're coming from the south. Wujal Wujal is an Aboriginal community, so check local rules before stopping at sites like Bloomfield Falls.
What's the hardest part of the Bloomfield Track?
The steep concrete climbs and descents over the Donovan Range are the toughest section, and they get greasy when wet. Use low range and engine braking, and don't ride the brakes on the way down. Creek crossings can also run deeper after rain.
Are there crocodiles at the creek crossings, and can I camp along the track?
Saltwater crocodiles live in the region's creeks and rivers, so don't wade or walk the crossings. Scout depth from the vehicle or with a long stick from a safe distance, and treat any water as croc habitat. There's no camping along the track itself, so plan to camp at Cape Tribulation or beyond. Cell service is spotty, so tell someone your route and timing.
Trail track
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