A trip to Northern Queensland is never complete without venturing into the tropical rainforest. And if anyone happens to be on holiday anywhere near the famous Cape Tribulation area, about 140 km north of Cairns, they should consider the day trip of hiking Mount Sorrow.
The Wet Tropics World Natural Heritage Area
The climb up Mount Sorrow (680 m above sea level; 3.5 km each way) is all about getting close to nature. Daintree National Park, in which Mount Sorrow and Cape Tribulation are situated, is one of the most popular parts of the Wet Tropics UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
The hike is ancient tropical rainforest all the way. It starts from opposite a small car park on the main road (Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road), less than 1 km north of the turning to the Cape tribulation main car park. The track, though clearly sign-posted by orange arrows, is at best just a narrow clearing through the forest, so do not expect any pavings, steps, ladders or railings. It's untamed nature the whole way through.
Trekking through Ancient Tropical Rainforest
The trail takes hikers through a dense forest of feather-leafed palms and acacia trees; most grow to over 10m tall. Be amazed by the variety of rainforest plant life and the abundance of birds and insects. Even cassowaries, a native Australian flightless bird slightly smaller than an ostrich, have been spotted in the area.
As altitudes get higher the jungle gets more humid and the forest canopy becomes lower. Hikers should expect to tackle some muddy stretches, wiggle their way past protruding tree branches, scramble up slopes overgrown with tree roots, and balance themselves on strangely-shaped rocks. In short, be ready for some direct exposure to nature.
Views from the Top of Mount Sorrow
The peak stands at 680m above sea level and overlooks Cape Tribulation. On a clear day making the peak will reward climbers with views of the Great Barrier Reef, the extensive rainforest landscape and the coastline around the Cape.
Yes, the installation of a steel platform with waist-high railings at the top somewhat spoils the gratifying feeling of emerging on top of a wild and ancient rainforest, so as far as safety permits try to climb over the railings – there is a large rock on the East side (towards the Cape) that provides a solid footing and yields unobstructed views.
A Strenuous Journey
Just a few words of caution. There is no source of fresh water along the track, so unless hikers give up and back-track midway through they will have to be entirely self-reliant for the 7 km return hike. The climb is very strenuous at places with gradients in the region of 60 degrees. For a number of treacherous stretches climbers will have to scramble up while clinging onto tree roots and branches with their hands for support. Even for flatter parts of the trail the surface can be very uneven; expect lots of rocks and fallen tree trunks. Also, leeches are known to inhabit the higher altitudes – it’s all part of the jungle experience.
Mount Sorrow – See the Tropical Rainforest for Real
Mount Sorrow is game on for anyone into destinations that are off the beaten track. Few people have heard of its charms – on an average day only about a dozen or two would make the climb. So those privileged few won't be fighting their way through heaps of tourists.
The climb up Mount Sorrow will not be tidy. But this is the real stuff – a natural jungle environment that has remained the same for thousands of years. And if any more persuasion is required, it is only a day trip so can be fitted into any travel plans with relative ease. The climb is hard work but anyone with a reasonable level of fitness will manage it. There is certainly no need for any specialist climbing equipment.
And the views up top are, quite simply, breathtaking. It takes approximately six hours to tackle the climb and return to the car park with the feeling that enough exercise has been done for the next month. It won’t actually be painful, yet. Just don’t arrange an early start the next day.
