Source: Tasmania Police
Issued: 10 Apr 2025
Key points
- Recovery works are helping Daintree National Park (CYPAL) get back to business following recent weather events.
- Repairs and upgrades are ongoing at key sites, returning the national park to a leading ecotourism destination.
- Sites include the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout, Dubuji and Madja boardwalks, and sections of the Mossman Gorge walking tracks.
Ongoing repairs and upgrades across Daintree National Park (CYPAL) are on track to reopen key visitor infrastructure in time for the Easter school holidays, ensuring visitors can explore the world’s oldest rainforest and support local tourism.
The upgrades will help Far North Queensland get ‘back to business’ following the impact of weather events which caused significant flooding, debris and landslips on a number of sites and assets in the national park.
Work in Daintree National Park (CYPAL) includes:
- Starting the $4.5 million Jindalba boardwalk upgrades – including accessibility improvements that are set to open mid-2025.
- Mobilising construction on the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub – allowing traditional owners of the world’s oldest rainforest to share their culture with visitors, set to open later this year.
- Reopening the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout after repairs from debris damage.
- Reopening the Dubuji and Madja boardwalks after cyclone debris removal and flood repairs.
- Reopening Mossman Gorge walking tracks after repairing a damaged pedestrian bridge.
- Progressing plans for the Walu Wugirriga Alexandra Range Lookout upgrade for enhanced views.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General Ben Klaassen said they’re ensuring these wonders can be witnessed for generations to come.
“Our dedicated Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service team has been working hard to ensure visitors to the national park can truly enjoy north and far north Queensland’s wonderful natural environment,” said Mr Klaassen.
“Daintree National Park (CYPAL) protects one of the oldest rainforests in the world, which is teaming with diverse wildlife.
“Attracting visitors who appreciate this stunning environment allows the national park to play an essential role for the local economy, while showcasing unique biodiversity and rich Indigenous culture.
“We are forging ahead with a number of exciting projects to ensure ecotourism icons like the Daintree continue to support our vibrant state.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the recovery work and upgrades in Daintree National Park (CYPAL).
“These works are essential for preserving the region’s world-renowned natural beauty and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors,” said Mr Olsen.
“This work is vital for tourism, helping to support local businesses, attract nature lovers from around the globe, and strengthen the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation CEO Joshua Paterson said the Daintree National Park (CYPAL) held deep cultural significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people.
“This is part of our ancestral land, rich with sacred sites, stories, and traditions passed down for generations,” said Mr Paterson.
“Our partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve the park’s cultural and environmental values, allows us to share our knowledge and heritage while safeguarding the rainforest’s unique ecosystems for all to experience and respect.”
Daintree National Park (CYPAL), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, featuring a rare convergence of reef, rainforest, and mangrove ecosystems that support unique species like the southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree-kangaroo.
The national park is under the joint management of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, whose efforts are focused on preserving the park’s cultural and environmental significance while promoting sustainable tourism.