Mason’s Cafe & Tours Cape Tribulation
Mason’s Café offers lunches near a beautiful crocodile/ stinger free swimming hole. We offer local products, including tea, coffee, fruit and fish, specializing in unique foods, like Crocodile and Jakfruit ‘meat’. There are seasonal tasting plates on offer, that feature various combinations of exotic meats with Lamingtons and either Breadfruit or Taro Chips. Jakfruit burgers (superfood) are available too and are can be served vegan.
Mason’s Café tries to source as much as we can locally. We use Misty Mountains milk, Mungalli Yoghurt, Daintree Tea, Tichum Creek Coffee, and fish caught off the Daintree Coast (when available). Breadfruit is farmed on our property, and Taro sourced in Mossman. We supply our own Black Sapote, Abiu, Jakfruit, Sapodilla, Banana, Soursop Passionfruit and Pawpaw. Prime Atherton Tableland Kirra Koppa beef from Marsh Butchers in Cairns is used for burgers and steak sandwiches.
We also pride ourselves on making as much food as we can onsite. We make our burgers in house, our own sauces where possible, and many crumbed or battered items are made to order. You can taste the difference. Our motto is good food, not fast food.
Near the Café is an amazing freshwater swimming hole. Entry is by $1 fee, and here you can cool off in a croc free and stinger free waterhole full of native fish.
Mason’s Shop
Open in 1977, Mason’s Shop and BottleShop is the oldest retail business north of the river. Originally operated from a house on the property, the business moved to a purpose-built structure in 2002.
Mason’s Shop is the best place to get supplies, selling everything from footwear and towels, to bread, milk, meats, drinks, and of course a great range of take-away alcohol, including spirits, beer and around 30 different bottled wines. We also have the Daintree Coast’s best selection of postcards, and a good range of souvenirs.
Whether you need to replenish your campsite supplies, or simply grab an ice-cream or cold drink, Mason’s Shop is the place to go. You can also get free local maps and book local tours through the shop.
Mason’s Tours
Our experienced local guide, Lawrence Mason, gives you time to see, touch, smell and even taste the Far North Queensland rainforest – on your tour he will provide amazing information and answer your questions about the tropical rainforest plants and trees, birds, insects, frogs, forest dragons, snakes and crocodiles to give you a unique wilderness experience and unforgettable memories of your visit to the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation National Park.
Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been a tour guide since he was 17 years old. Today he guides on request only, please email if you would like to book a tour with him. It is best to give as much notice as possible. Lawrence is not available all year. He has significant custody of his daughter and runs other local businesses and farms Bananas and Cocoa. However he is often able to guide for interested visitors.
Suggested 4WD Tours
All pricing is ex Cow Bay or Cape Tribulation, surcharge applies elsewhere
A half day 4WD experience on the Bloomfield Track
The Bloomfield Track was built in the early 80s, and its history is intertwined with the history of rainforest protection in the Wet Tropics. Lawrence’s family was involved in building a pilot road here in the late 1960’s, and opposed the road in the 1980’s. Hear the stories from ‘the horse’s mouth’ and see crystal clear creeks, remote beaches, and the mighty Bloomfield River. An Indigenous Guided Walk with the Walker family can be added. Includes morning or afternoon tea. Indicative cost $880 for 1 – 4 persons. Indigenous Walk extra.
A Full Day 4WD experience to Cooktown.
Going further north, there are many interesting places to see, Weary Bay, Home Rule, Mungumby, Lion’s Den Hotel, Black Mountain, and of course historical Cooktown. Lawrence can design a tour focused on history, or nature, or a bit of both. Indigneous walks can be added. Indicative pricing $1375 for 1 – 4 persons including lunch, Indigenous tours extra.
Full Day Laura Region or Overnight
Full day to Split Rock or overnight to Jowalbinna Bush Camp at Laura to experience Aboriginal Rock Art. Note that this will need to fit with my family commitments. The more notice the better.
Your idea….
While Lawrence is mostly not able to do longer overnight tours due to family commitments, please email with any ideas you have. He can also take you to the Cairns Highlands, or other local attractions.
Suggested Guided Walks
All pricing is ex Cape Tribulation, surcharge applies elsewhere
Half day Guided Walk
Lawrence has a network of trails at his disposal on the family property. This 3½ hour walk has plenty of time to see the rainforest and learn some of its secrets. See big buttressed trees in pristine rainforest. Morning tea is provided and the walk stops for a swim in rockpools on Myall Creek. Average fitness and mobility required. Indicative pricing $550 for 1 -4 persons. Duration may be longer depending on interest level and swim time.
2hour Guided Walk
If you have less time, or not are not as nimble as you once were, this is ideal. There is still time to see some impressive jungle, and here some local natural history. Walk only indicative pricing $330 for 1- 4 persons.
Full or half day Daintree Explorer
Have no car while you are here? Or don’t feel like driving? Lawrence can take you to all the best spots on the Daintree Coast. Email him with your ideas and he will design something and quote.
School Groups
I do cater to larger school and University Groups and offer special rates for same. Please contact me for details. Price per person is negotiable; I try my best to make such groups affordable.
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