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Forest walk |
If you love visiting
and exploring rainforests as much as I do then a visit to Mamu
Tropical Skywalk where you are surrounded by the canopy of the
rainforest is well worth the visit. It is located in the Wooroonooran
National Park as is
Babinda Boulders and
Josephine Falls which I
talked about on previous posts. As Mamu Tropical Skywalk is managed
and operated by the same people who own
Paronella Park, Cameron had
the opportunity to also work here for a few months.
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Elevated skywalk |
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View from the top |
Almost all who visit
Mamu Tropical Skywalk are able to have a similar experience of being
surrounded by the rainforest and canopy of the trees despite the
thick nature of rainforest and steep mountain terrain below. To
ensure equal accessibility, groups such as Innisfail Disability Focus
Group, Disabilities Services Queensland and Guide Dogs Queensland
were consulted before and throughout construction. Admittedly a lot
of the places Cameron and I visit and write about are not always
accessible for everyone such as those with wheelchairs, mobility
scooters, prams, or vision impairment. Mamu Tropical Skywalk is.
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Map board |
Mamu Tropical Skywalk
is located on the Palmerston Highway section of the Wooroonooran
National Park, and is a 1½ hour drive from Cairns. There is plenty
of car parking space including a section for caravans and motor-homes
making it easily accessible for travellers. You are most likely to be
greeted by Phil who has worked for years as a park ranger in the
area. Phil is very knowledgeable, friendly and down to earth. He will
welcome you to the land on behalf of the Mamu people (the local
Aboriginal group). If you have time after your visit take some time
to get chatting with him and you will come away a different person.
From here make your way up to the entrance deck where you will find
some picnic tables as b.y.o lunch is allowed, toilets, drinking
fountains where drink bottles can be filled up, light refreshments
such as ice blocks and the ticketing booth. It is from here that you
will be given a botanical guide (which can also be used at
ParonellaPark) and an audio guide and headphones. Grab an umbrella if it is
raining or looks like rain before you enter through the entrance gate
and the journey begins. For the full experience, allow for a minimum
of 1 hour to visit. 1½ is a comfortable time. Timing is up to the
individual though.
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Observation tower top |
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Observation tower bottom |
The 2.5km return
journey starts off with a forest walk. It is a flat path through the
forest that very gradually descends leading to the cantilever, the
skywalk, and eventually the observation tower. The forest walk goes
for more than a kilometre at ground level of the rainforest. There
are covered rest shelters with seats through the forest walk, and
information boards as well. The breathtaking views start just after
the first rest shelter as you make your way along the 40m cantilever.
Although only 40m from the forest walk and forest floor on the
cantilever you find yourself being surrounded by the canopy of the
trees for the first time. The cantilever extends 10m out from the
last support posts of the elevated platform. It is very stable as it
is designed to withstand cyclonic winds. There is a viewing platform
at the end of the cantilever, providing stunning views of the valley,
gorge and rainforest below as the ground drops away steeply. Return
to the forest walk which then connects to the 350m elevated skywalk.
The support posts and platforms are 15m high and between 10-15m
apart. There are many parts along the elevated platform that allows
you to return to the forest walk at any time. When Cameron and I
visited Mamu Tropical Skywalk for the first time on the way to the
tower we stuck to the elevated skywalk, then on the return we went
via the forest walk. At the end of the forest walk/ elevated
skywalk the observation tower is reached. Follow the short final
elevated walkway to the first viewing deck, then climb the 100 steps
to reach the viewing deck that is 37m high. The second viewing deck
is the only part of the park not able to be reached by wheelchair
however there are still spectacular views from the first deck. You
can see clearly to the North Johnston River, Bartle Frere, Mount
Poorka, even all the way to Bellenden Kerr Range. Mamu Tropical
Skywalk is a beautiful part of the Wooroonooran National Park.
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View from the observation tower |
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Audio guide |
On the audio guide you
can choose from 9 different languages. Some audio guides I have
listened to before require you to stay in the area while listening to
certain tracks. Here though, you are encouraged to walk and listen at
the same time, but there is no rush as it is timed well. The tracks
are informative and varied covering topics such as the Mamu people,
how Christie Palmerston explored the area, the use of timber, World
Heritage listed rainforests, the skywalk design and how it is
environmentally sustainable. There are also information boards
throughout the walk.

As
Paronella Park is a
sister park of Mamu Tropical Skywalk, you can upgrade your ticket for
a two park pass deal. The discount works out to save you about 10%
off per park. However the upgrade must be bought from the original
park you visit, not when you arrive at the second park. You also have
access to a loyalty card at Mamu Tropical Skywalk that lasts for 12
months with 50% off admission on your next visit.
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Cameron and Bubba Bunyip on the cantilever |
The character that
Cameron has on his shirt is part of the
Li'l Aussie Monsters collection.
Bubba Bunyip is the first character that he designed all the way back
in 2011 not long after we met. Earlier this year he decided to make his characters available so that they could join us and others
on the adventures we go on byputting them onto T-shirts.
Happy travels, and
follow you dreams.
- Jeni
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