Site Report 1 - Report on Visitation and Use at Emmagen Creek, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between October 2008 and April 2010. Emmagen Creek is located in the northern section of Daintree National Park, approximately nine kilometres north of Cape Tribulation Village and seven kilometres north of the popular Kulki visitor site. Emmagen Creek is the last visitor site in the Daintree National Park and the first creek crossing on the Bloomfield Track. The traditional custodians of the area are the Eastern Kuku Yalanji. Many of the vehicles that pass through the site are driven by locals. The site is undeveloped with no built facilities apart from a sign indicating the presence of crocodiles and a short track that connects the road to a freshwater swimming hole. Car parking is available along the side of the road. [pdf 4.4 Mb]
Site Report 2 - Report on Visitation and Use at Kulki, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between August and October 2009. The Kulki visitor site is located in the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree National Park, which encompasses an area of approximately 17,000 ha stretching in a narrow strip from the Daintree River in the south to the Bloomfield River in the north and bordered by the McDowall Range in the west. The site forms part of the traditional land of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people. The Kulki visitor site (formerly known as the Cape Tribulation site) is the most northern managed visit in Daintree National Park. Kulki provides pedestrian access to the wide flat beaches of Cape Tribulation and a boardwalk with exceptional views of the where the reef meets the rainforest. The Daintree National Park was included in the World Heritage Area listing in 1988. [pdf 4.5 Mb]
Site Report 3 - Report on Visitation and Use at Dubuji, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between October 2008 and April 2010. The Dubuji visitor site is located just south of Cape Tribulation Village and provides access to Myall Beach. Located on the traditional lands of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, Dubuji means 'place of spirits'. The site, now part of the Daintree National Park, was formally part of a logging lease before being purchased in the 1970s by alternative lifestylers who established a commune and fruit orchard. The site was purchased as part of the Daintree Rescue Program in 1996 and has since been revegetated and developed as a QPWS visitor site. It is now one of two major visitor sites in the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree National Park. [pdf 4.3 Mb]
Site Report 4 - Report on Visitation and Use at Mossman Gorge, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between April and September 2009. The Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park was gazetted in 1967. The visitor site is located in the southern section of the Park. The land tenure of the Mossman Gorge site is shared by three parties: the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal tribe on whose traditional land the site is located; the Cairns Regional Council which owns the site's access road and carpark; and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service which has responsibility for the management of the Mossman Gorge visitor site. The Mossman Gorge visitor area is a day use site only with the main attraction being the Mossman River and gorge. There are two walking tracks at the site. The shorter circuit walk runs alongside the river before circling around the forest back to the carpark. A longer circuit walk extends off the shorter walk and takes in the Rex Swinging Bridge. [pdf 2.9 Mb]
Site Report 5 - Report on Visitation and Use at Barron Falls, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between March and June 2009. Barron Falls is located within the Barron Gorge National Park (Din Din National Park) and was gazetted in 1940 under the provisions of The State Forests and National Parks Act (1906). Prior to this, the Park was known as the Barron Falls Reserve for Park (R167). The park covers an area of 28 square kilometres (2,833 hectares) and is located in the northern section of the WTWHA. The most significant feature of the Park is the Barron Falls. During the wet season, the falls provide spectacular views which can be seen from the nearby railway station viewing platform. The Park has two principle sections - the upper section containing Barron Falls and a lower section accessible via Lake Placid Road. The research discussed in this report was undertaken at the Barron Falls section. [pdf 3.2 Mb]
Site Report 6 - Report on Visitation and Use at Lake Tinaroo, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between December 2008 and August 2009. Lake Tinaroo is a popular camping, fishing and water sports area located on the Atherton Tablelands. Campsites at Lake Tinaroo are accessed from Danbulla Forest Drive, a 28 kilometre unsealed road that runs from Boar Pocket Road near the top of the Gillies Highway to the vicinity of the township of Kairi. Lake Tinaroo was formed after the damming of the Barron River in 1959. Taking six years to build, the dam has a capacity of 400,000 megalitres and is used primarily for irrigation. At maximum capacity the dam has more than 200 kilometres of shoreline, making it an ideal recreation site. The eastern and northern sections of the lake abut Danbulla National Park and State Forest, which encompasses more than 12,000 hectares of pine plantations and eucalypt and acacia forests, and are included in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. [pdf 4.5 Mb]
Site Report 7 - Report on Visitation and Use at Henrietta Creek, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between October 2009 and May 2010. Henrietta Creek in Wooroonooran National Park is located approximately 38 km west of Innisfail on the Palmerston Highway. It is a dual purpose site used by day visitors and overnight campers. Three numbered camping sites, as well as several unnumbered camp sites cater for campervans, motor homes, caravans and tents. The Henrietta Creek site can accommodate a maximum of eighty overnight visitors and available facilities include composting toilets, picnic tables, a shelter shed and a gas-powered barbeque. A self-registration camping booth is located near the entrance to the site. Visitors have access to two swimming holes, one at Gooligan Creek and the other in Henrietta Creek. A 350 metre walking track through a section of forest that includes native banana trees provides access to Gooligan swimming hole. A 6.6 km walking track beginning to the west of the Henrietta Creek camping area leads to Silver Falls and Nandroya Falls. [pdf 4.8 Mb]
Site Report 8 - Report on Visitation and Use at Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken between April and July 2009. The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is located 115 kilometres south of Cairns on the Palmerston Highway in the traditional country of the Ma:Mu Aboriginal people. The site is located on the eastern edge of the WTWHA and Wooroonooran National Park near Crawford's Lookout. The Walkway was built in an area of forest that suffered considerable damage from Tropical Cyclone Larry in 2006 and was opened on the 25 August 2008. The Walkway is the only QPWS site that operates on a commercial basis and is the only visitor site that charges an admission fee. The site features a 2.5 kilometre return walk that leads visitors to a 37 metre high observation tower that overlooks the North Johnstone River. The forest walk provides access to a cantilever walkway and platform providing views of the gorge below and a 350 metre elevated walkway that winds through the rainforest canopy providing opportunities for viewing birds, wildlife and flowers at the canopy level. [pdf 1.8 Mb]
Site Report 9 - Report on Visitation and Use at Wallaman Falls, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken during April 2010. Wallaman Falls is located 51 kilometres west of Ingham within Girringun National Park. The traditional owners of the land are the Warrgamaygan Aboriginal people. Girringun National Park (formerly Lumholtz National Park) was gazetted in 2003 and covers an area of 204,280 hectares. The site has two day use visitor areas, one of which incorporates a campground. A lookout at the top of the falls provides a spectacular view of Wallaman Falls. Visitors also have the option of walking to the base of the falls via the strenuous two kilometre return 'Jinda Walk'. Picnic tables, toilets and interpretative signage are provided at the day use lookout site. A second day use area that also incorporates a campground is located approximately one kilometre from the lookout site. The campground has a carrying capacity of 80 persons and a self-registration booth. Camping permits may also be obtained from the DERM website. Site facilities include barbeques, toilets, a cold water shower, public telephone and water taps. [pdf 4.7 Mb]
Site Report 10 - Report on Visitation and Use at Paluma, Far North Queensland, 2009/2010
Key findings based on a visitor survey undertaken during September 2009. Paluma is small mountaintop township located within the WTWHA. Located about sixty kilometres north of Townsville, access is gained via the Mt Spec Tourist Road from the Bruce Highway. With a permanent population of approximately 25 people, Paluma is surrounded by the World Heritage Area and has a much cooler climate than coastal cities and towns. Paluma has an international reputation as a birdwatching site and is the only site in the region where it is possible to find North Queensland’s three species of bowerbirds (Golden Bowerbird, Tooth-billed Bowerbird and Satin Bowerbird). Other significant species include the Victoria's Riflebird and the Spotted Catbird. The rich biodiversity of the area makes it a popular area for scientific research. The Paluma visitor area comprises the township, rainforest walks and a nearby lake built to supply water to Townsville. Five major walks are located in the Paluma area. Accommodation in Paluma is limited to a small number of cottages, one motel and a camping ground at Lake Paluma. The campground is managed by the Townsville City Council. [pdf 3.9 Mb]
