Mamu Canopy Walkway - The Cassowary Coast

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Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
The recent opening by the Premier of
Queensland, Anna Bligh, of the $10
million Mamu Rainforest Canopy
Walkway was a major step forward for
the region.
The walkway, in the homeland of the
Mamu Aboriginal people, is the biggest
capital works program ever undertaken by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
The facility, in the Palmerston Section
of Wooroonooran National Park, is
about 90 minutes drive south of Cairns
and 30 minutes drive from Innisfail. It
is capable of catering for 250,000 visitors a year.
The elevated walkway, decked with
recycled plastic, made from 900,000 recycled milk bottles, is 1.1km long, with
340 metres elevated to a maximum
height of 15m.
The walkway has three cantilevered
lookouts and a tower rising 37 metres
above the forest floor, providing exceptional views over the Palmerston gorge,
and unique close-up glimpses of the
highland rainforest and its wildlife.
Wildlife includes the rare Lumholz
tree-kangaroo and the endangered
southern cassowary.
A male cassowary and his three chicks
were frequent visitors to the site during
the walkway’s construction.
Above: Interpretive signage along walkway.
Below: Queensland’s Premier, Anna Bligh with Andrew McNamara, Sustainability Minister
descending the Tower at the August 2008 opening of the Canopy Walkway.
Photo source: tourismpix.com
riginal people to develop associated
businesses, including cafes, souvenir
shops, an interpretive centre and accommodation.
The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway will benefit the region economically from a new influx of tourists. The
Mamu Aboriginal people will also
benefit from the $1 a head royalty provided by the initial owners and operators, Queensland Parks and Wildlife.
The walkway experience will provide
a spin-off for other local attractions,
including romantic Paronella Park, and
the Johnstone River Crocodile Farm.
Wander amongst the rainforest along the 350m
elevated walkway, from ground level to the
rainforest canopy, in comfort and safety. Stroll
along the cantilever and climb the 37m tower
for spectacular rainforest views.
Photo source: tourismpix.
Take in inspiring views of the North Johnstone
River gorge and World Heritage landscape.
The walkway, built to withstand cyclonic winds, has four entrance and exit
points, and the total 2.5km trip takes at
least an hour.
Ground clearing was made easier by
Cyclone Larry, which devastated the
Innisfail district on March 20 2006.
Giant rainforest trees, uprooted in the
300kmh winds, left clearings which the
builders used for the entry track.
Debris from fallen vegetation was used
as mulch, and some the remaining
tree trunks were sawn into logs and
placed across downhill slopes to act as
terraces, slowing run-off from tropical
rainstorms.
An adjoining property of 12 hectares
has been set aside for the Mamu Abo-
Photo source: tourismpix.com
Photo source: tourismpix.com
Photo source: tourismpix.com