Australia’s most popular tropical paradise, Cape Tribulation, is in danger of shutting down due to its main access road remaining impassable following a landslide.
Cape Tribulation provides access to two Unesco World Heritage Sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. In December, Cyclone Jasper caused a severe landslide that destroyed the main road into the town and its neighbouring tourist attractions.
The road is only open in the mornings and afternoons when the municipal Douglas Shire Council can spare workers to clear the road. However, it remains closed throughout the day because the rubble has not been removed.
Due to the limited access to Cape Tribulation’s tourism-dependent economy, the road closure is threatening around 200 tourism businesses, which could have a long-lasting impact on the community.
Tour operators and hospitality providers in the area report that they will have to close if the situation is not corrected soon.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has promised to have the road fully open to tourists by Easter, barring another ‘rain event’, reports dailymail.co.uk.
