SEE, touch, smell and even taste the forest in safety when you venture into the wilderness with Mason’s Tours.

The Mason family, pioneers of the Cape Tribulation area, share this unique world which is their home by offering a number of truly amazing tours ranging from walks that take a couple of hours to all-day 4WD safaris.

Being an old family of the Cape, the Masons have a deep affinity with the area. Professionalism, in-depth knowledge and a love of the land means that they and their guides can make the rainforest come alive for people in a very meaningful way.

A two-hour guided walk is an excellent choice if you are strapped for time, otherwise take the half day interpretive walk which even includes a swim stop at a remote waterhole high up on Myall Creek. The tour is on a jungle track, with no boardwalks, concrete or other people. Take wonderful photographs of buttressed trees, creek water streaming over granite boulders, interesting leaf shapes or whatever else takes your fancy. With the security of a professional guide, you can also find out what is and isn’t safe to touch or even taste, making it an experience of all the senses - sight, sound, touch, taste and smell!

At night, the rainforest has a different persona. Experience this on a two-and-a-half-hour walk that takes you to the foothills around Mount Sorrow and to the mouth of Myall Creek where croc spotting is part of the walk. You’re provided with flashlight, raincoat and repellent. There’s no guarantee you’ll see wildlife, but people usually do.

To venture further afield, take a 4WD safari. A half-day tour takes in the best of the Bloomfield Track.

On a full-day Cooktown safari, you’ll see Bloomfield Falls, the oldest continually operating hotel in Queensland (the Lion’s Den Hotel), Black Mountains and Cook’s landing site, then in the afternoon you can wander around town soaking in the atmosphere or at your own expense visit the powerhouse or museum.

To do any of the tours or stock up on supplies, go to the Cape Tribulation Tourist Information Centre and Shop. You can pick up nearly anything you need there, from fishing gear to food and alcohol, plus arrange local tours, accommodation or even free maps and up-to-date information on the Bloomfield Track. There’s access to a freshwater swimming hole, open during daylight hours, plus sports equipment is freely available for volleyball and badminton.

Remember when coming to visit that Cape Tribulation is a remote area, so services will be more expensive than in more populated areas, and ordinary mobile phones can’t get reception.