New ecotourism opportunity delivered in Daintree National Park
Wet Tropics Tourism
A $4.5m upgrade of the Jindalba Boardwalk in the Daintree National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land), with the immersive rainforest experience is now complete and officially opened for tourists.
Visitors and locals can marvel at breathtaking ancient trees, unique birds and may even spot a tree kangaroo while enjoying the upgraded facility which spans about 650m and three watercourses.
The boardwalk is part of the State Government's 20-year tourism plan Destination 2045.
The completed project includes:
Eco-friendly materials: The elevated boardwalk has been replaced with durable fibreglass reinforced polymer, which has a lifespan of up to 50 years and reduces maintenance.
Original alignment: The track retains most of the original alignment, except for one section that has been revegetated.
Accessibility for all: Upgraded sections of the track ensure inclusive access, allowing people of all abilities to explore the park’s wonders.
Parking and signage: A carpark has been upgraded to meet requirements of people with a disability, and new interpretive signage has been installed to enrich the visitor experience.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell welcomed the completion of the project and said the boardwalk was a key tourist destination in the Wet Tropics.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and we unashamedly aspire to be a world leader in ecotourism as part of our Destination 2045 plan,” Minister Powell said.
“We promised Queenslanders new and better tourism experiences, and the Jindalba Boardwalk upgrade delivers exactly that, along with more access to one of the most stunning parts of our state.
“We want more people out enjoying our incredible natural environment, not just to showcase these world-class landscapes, but to inspire more people to conserve it for generations to come.”
Cook MP David Kempton said the completed Jindalba project would leave a lasting legacy.
“This upgrade ensures the boardwalk’s longevity and resilience against severe weather events, while also minimising the need for significant maintenance in the future,” Mr Kempton said.
“Key features include seventy metres of concrete for inclusive access, a viewing platform, and six new interpretive signs to guide visitors along the way.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen welcomed the opening of the upgraded boardwalk to enhance the visitor offering north of the Daintree River.
“This 45-minute walk in the foothills of Mount Alexandra is the best example of virgin Daintree rainforest of all the boardwalks in the national park and adds to the sustainability story of the Port Douglas and Daintree region as an eco-certified destination,” Mr Olsen said.
“An accessible trail, Jindalba Boardwalk has always been popular for tour groups and independent travellers as it is one of the first stops for groups to experience dense lowland rainforest once they’ve seen the iconic Alexandra Range lookout.”
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