What To Pack For Your Daintree Getaway
There are so many aspects to organise when you plan your holiday. Here at the Daintree Wilderness Lodge, we came up with some must-have sustainable and responsible items for your trip to our World Heritage Listed Rainforest.
Travel gear we think our guests should pack should produce less waste, have minimal impact on the environment and help you have a safe, fun and hassle-free trip. Even though travelling will never be entirely sustainable, we believe that by making a few changes and choices, we can make a difference.
Clothing
It does get wet in most tropical regions, like the Daintree Rainforest. We usually suggest that guests come prepared and pack a raincoat to keep yourself dry or during the hotter months some prefer an umbrella.
When it comes to clothing, though we love natural fibres like linen and cotton for their cooling breathability they can be hard to dry when they get wet, especially in such a humid environment like the Daintree Rainforest. So, we suggest a mixture of quick drying items, preferably made from recycled materials and some natural fibre clothing items.
As we are located next to the Great Barrier Reef and have a whole coast of beautiful beaches to explore, it’s a great idea to pack shoes that can get wet and dry quickly. For those who like a little more adventure and the intrepid trails that the Cape Tribulation/Daintree region has to offer we suggest bringing some comfortable hiking shoes. Either outdoor sandals or hiking boots work well for the off the beaten tracks.
Important pillars of sustainability are reducing plastic usage, reusing and recycling, so make good choices when you think about what to pack into your travel bag. Many of the outdoor clothing and equipment companies are now designing sustainable and recyclable gear so there are many options. The old fashion borrowing of gear works well with us too!
For those lovely al fresco dinners under the forest canopy we also suggest throwing in something a little fancy for your night out at our Cycad restaurant.
Water Bottle
Our water is sourced from the aquifer below us and is perfect chilled and filled into your own water bottle. Travelling with your own water bottle is definitely an important way to reduce your plastic footprint. There are several eco-friendly sustainable water bottle options to choose from but we love insulated bottles that also keep the water chilled for a refreshing hydrating drink in our tropical environment.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world and sunburn occurs very quickly. To prevent sunburn whilst on holiday we would follow the SunSmart campaign here in Australia which suggests appropriate clothing, sunglasses, a hat, seeking shade and applying SPF 30+ sunscreen.
The choice of sunscreen is important as we know that regular sunscreen is not exactly friendly to our environment. So, if you are heading out into the Great Barrier Reef on one of our local snorkelling tours which sunscreen is best? The ingredients to avoid are oxybenzone, nanoparticles, parabens, and cinnamates. Choose a product with zinc oxide/titanium dioxide, non- nano and water-resistant. Often sunscreens will state “reef safe” but it wise just to double check the ingredients.
Reusable Bags
Perfect for when you swing by the shops, want to throw your wet gear into something or just to carry your lunch for the day. A great substitute for plastic bags supplied by retailers and an eco- traveller’s essential.
Reusable Mug
Love your coffee but hate waste produced by single use cups? Throw your reusable mug into your travel bag for your guilt-free coffee fix.
Insect repellent
To protect from pesky insect bites, make sure you have insect repellents on hand. We love the smell of natural insect repellents and they come as topical preparations or as wristbands. Some of these products are effective for short periods but some are not all, so do trial them before travelling. Generally, with plant-derived repellents, frequent reapplication is required to gain real benefits.
Covering up and not exposing too much skin is a great and effective physical barrier to insect bites. Choosing the time to venture out also has an impact on the number of insects around in the environment as mosquitos tend to be more prevalent from sunset to dawn.
Unfortunately, DEET has been proven to be the most effective ingredient to prevent insect bites and may be needed in certain situations.
Visit The Daintree Wilderness Lodge
Daintree Wilderness Lodge To truly make the most of your sustainable adventure in the Daintree Rainforest, consider making Daintree Wilderness Lodge your base. Our eco-friendly cabins provide a conscious and comfortable stay, while our Cycad Restaurant offers a chance to dine al fresco under the forest canopy. We’re dedicated to the principles of sustainability and our lodge serves as a shining example of how responsible travel doesn’t have to sacrifice luxury or experience. Book your stay with us today and take the first step in making your Daintree journey an eco-friendly one.
