An amazing transformation is underway on Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road as we restore this significant rainforest habitat in the heart of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. 

As Daintree Rainforest properties are sold (and sometimes resold) the new owners seek to realize their dreams. This has resulted in over four hundred houses being constructed in the Daintree lowlands. Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road has had several owners over the past four decades however it remains an undeveloped block. 

Soon after we reached an agreement to purchase Lot 93 we got to work as we'd negotiated access to the property before settlement on the purchase and there was plenty to do. On our first inspection of the property, it seemed that weeds would be the biggest challenge. Then we discovered an old donga (a temporary, usually transportable, dwelling), a derelict Toyota van, a rusty water tank, car batteries, hundreds of bottles and cans, and other assorted rubbish. 

Before the creation of the rural residential subdivision in 1982 Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road was part of a larger freehold property that was partially cleared and used for grazing cattle. Over the last 40 years, natural regeneration has restored rainforest to most of the cleared area.

Exotic plants had colonized approximately 8,000 sqm on either side of the track that extends the length of the property, which is the old Cape Tribulation Road. In February 2022 we began removing the Guinea Grass, Asian Brambles, and Lantana using manual techniques and a small amount of spot spraying targeting regrowth and to control Singapore Daisy. 

In April we followed up with the planting of 1,000 rainforest trees by volunteers and with the support of the Jabalbina Rangers. A former owner also planted many exotic palms which we removed and over the next few months we collected and removed all of the rubbish that had been left behind. 

Local contractors removed the Toyota van and then the donga. 

To complete this first stage of the restoration of Lot 93 the Jabalbina Rangers erected a gate and temporary fence. This is necessary to manage access and prevent unauthorised camping and dumping of rubbish. There has been a history of people dumping stolen and unwanted cars on properties in the Daintree as happened on one of our other properties. The fence is approximately 25 m and has plane wire (not barbed) and Cassowaries can walk around it. The fence will be removed once the trees have grown in about 3 years' time. 

The restoration effort began in February 2022. Six months on we can look at a job well done, however, we will maintain a focus on the restoration of the property which is planned to take another three years. We added many photos of Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road here and other photos of the restoration work here. 

Thank you to everyone helping with the restoration of Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road - the many volunteers, local contractors, and the Jabalbina Rangers. 

Please see more information and photos below. 

Goodbye to the old Toyota van.

Removal of the old donga 

Weeds have been removed and trees planted

Tree planting on Lot 93 with the Jabalbina Rangers

Follow-up weed management 

While the majority of the weeds have been removed in the first six months follow-up is scheduled to occur regularly for an additional 3 years. We are using techniques to facilitate the natural regeneration of the rainforest and where we have planted trees we will control competing grasses until a canopy forms to shade them out. We have identified a small number of Pond Apple (Annona glabra). This plant is native to West Africa and tropical parts of the Americas and is a serious weed in the Wet Tropics bioregion of Far North Queensland and has been declared a Weed of National Significance. Their complete removal from Lot 93 is a current priority. 

Exotic palms are becoming a threat to the Daintree as they naturalise and displace native species. We are seeing a number of different exotic species of palms germinating and growing on the properties we are buying for conservation. Our survey of Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road identifies forty exotic plant species which will all be removed. 

The Ruffled Fan Palm (Licuala grandis) is native to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

More information on Lot 93

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road has exceptional conservation values with 258 species of native plants, five of which are listed as Threatened species, and a further four species of endemic plants. This 8.09-hectare property also has a 375m frontage with the beautiful Hutchinson Creek which contains the critical Endangered Daintree Rainbow Fish. 

Property purchase:

Beginning in January 2022, we have been raising the funds to purchase Lot 93 Cape Tribulation to ensure its protection from development and to enable the restoration of this important habitat for threatened species. To fund the purchase, protection, and restoration of the property we are raising $404,500.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

We've added responses to frequently asked questions about Lot 93 here. 

Vegetation Survey:

The high biodiversity and threatened plants on Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan have identified this property as a priority for acquisition. A summary of our vegetation survey can be found here.

Aquatic Ecology Survey:

An aquatic ecology survey of Hutchinson Creek in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest has identified the presence of the critically endangered Daintree Rainbowfish and twenty other species of fishes. Please read more here.

Location: 

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road is located 15 km north of the Daintree River and another 17km to Cape Tribulation. If you are visiting the Daintree this is an easy property to find and you won't need a 4x4 vehicle. It's located on the western side of the road immediately north of Hutchinson Creek and opposite the Alexandra Bay State School.