Mangroves and Mansions: Awe-Inspiring Views from the Alexandra Range

Mangroves and Mansions: Awe-Inspiring Views from the Alexandra Range

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 01/14/2016

Reading time: 3 mins

Daintree National Park sits on the north east coast of Queensland and sprawls out in a flurry of lush rainforests and incredible views.

Just north of Mossman and Cairns, it proves to be a popular place for visitors to head in search of the great outdoors. Within its clutches, the Daintree forest hosts a huge range of native wildlife and unusual. Plus, you’ll find a variety of different landscapes, from soaring mountains to mesmerising rivers and thick jungles. Covering more than 1,200 square kilometres, the national park is the largest of its kind. Head on in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Hiking is a hugely popular activity in the Daintree National Park, and many keen walkers head straight to the Alexandra Range Lookout. The lookout sits at the peak of the incredible Alexandra Range. From here, you can see right out across the surrounding scenery. Take in the swell of the Daintree River’s mouth, with its verdant marshland and its cool blue waters. From this vantage point, you can also see the Coral Sea in the distance. The cobalt colouring providing the perfect contrast to the vibrant greens of the rainforest.

Marvel at the Mangrove Trees

The beach end of the Alexandra Range joins together with the Daintree River and Wonga Beach. It spans a huge portion of the national park and is a natural land funnel. A thick south-east trade wind regularly blows through this unusual phenomenon. The cool winds create the perfect conditions for mangrove trees to grow.

Dotted around the river mouth and the end of the Alexandra Range, mangroves form a large part of the landscape. The water current carried their seeds downstream, allowing them to spread. They cling and clump together in the estuary of the river and along the sandy stretch of Wonga Beach. They create an incredible scene from the top of the Alexandra Range.

Fishing Shacks Meet Mansions on the Coast

Whilst the rainforest is known for its natural backdrop, there are also a handful of architectural wonders peppered throughout the park. Holiday homes stucco the coastline, and there are plenty of 1930s fishing shacks to see also. These are visible from the lookout at Alexandra Range, proffering carpeted views of the natural scenery. A collection of multi-million dollar mansions have started popping up along the coastline as well, but these certainly don’t detract from the jaw-dropping beauty of the region.

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.