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Tourism Naturally

Both the Jabiru Safari Lodge and Mareeba Wetlands tourism operations are run by Tourism Naturally. With over 25 years experience successfully operating nature-based tourism businesses, the principals of Tourism Naturally, Neil McGilp and Liz Cayzer provide high-quality, nature-based, ecotourism experiences. Committed to the principles of ecologically sustainable development guided by conservation principles, Tourism Naturally integrate conservation ethics with its high quality eco-tourism operations.

Over the past 25 years Tourism Naturally have had a direct involvement in nature-based tourism from safari camps to luxury resorts. This breadth of experience allows us to understand the needs and expectations of all our customers and to design experiences that will exceed expectations.

This unique partnership between tourism and conservation ensures the maintenance of high standards of professionalism and customer service and allows the Conservancy to concentrate on its conservation and land management work, while still receiving a guaranteed income from tourism.

Conservation & Environmental Programmes

The range of projects being managed at Mareeba Wetlands Reserve by the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland funded by its income from tourism includes:

• Gouldian Finch Reintroduction : This is an ongoing project, commenced in 1999 and is aimed at restoring globally threatened Gouldian Finches as breeding birds to the Reserve and the surrounding area. Tasks include daily feeding and maintenance of the captive population, monitoring of released birds and habitat restoration under a WWF funded initiative.
• Wildlife Monitoring and Mapping: Volunteers can participate in the ongoing monitoring and mapping of the biodiversity of the Reserve. Survey work is carried out daily, following wildlife identification training. Locations of species sightings are logged with a handheld GPS and entered into the Conservancy’s databases. One species about which little is known is an undescribed Monitor species.
• Vine Thicket Project: Prior to human settlement of and the advent of anthropogenic burning regimes, much of the tropical savanna area of the continent of Australia was covered by a vegetation type known as ‘vine thicket’ (now restricted to a few small areas inaccessible to fires). The Conservancy has a project to restore part of the Reserve to this vegetation type by excluding fires and establishing tree and shrub species formally found there. Volunteer work on this project includes general maintenance and tree establishment irrigation, plus propagation of key species. This project is accessible throughout the year.
• Buff-breasted Buttonquail Project: This project is aimed at establishing the range and numbers of one of the world’s rarest birds, which is known to breed on the Reserve. The Buff-breasted Buttonquail is down to approximately 200 pairs in the wild, of which the Reserve is thought to provide breeding habitat for up to 20.
• Freshwater Crocodile Reintroduction: This project commenced in 2004 to restore Freshwater Crocodiles as a breeding species to the Reserve over a two year project. This joint project with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service involved catching up to 30 animals from within the Mitchell River system, relocating them to the Reserve, creating suitable breeding habitat, radio tracking and visitor habituation.
  

CaPTA Group

The CaPTA Group’s mission is all about providing visitors to Tropical North Queensland with unforgettable nature-based, cultural and wildlife experiences.

All companies within the CaPTA Group are environmentally responsible tourism operators. With a keen focus on lessening their impact on the local environment, each business is building environmental awareness by educating staff and visitors in areas of eco-efficiencies, impacts on the environment and conservation of biodiversity. Many environmental management initiatives have already been implemented throughout the CaPTA businesses and eco certification has been achieved through the Ecotourism Australia national certification program for products within four of the eight operations to date. The CaPTA Group is keen to advance its environmental credentials and is currently applying to have another three attractions eco certified.

Several important environmental initiatives of note have been underway at the Rainforestation Nature Park. This is an award-winning nature park near Kuranda providing indigenous culture, native wildlife and Australian Tropical Rainforest experiences in one convenient location.

A waste water treatment facility has been developed on the side of the property to treat up to 13,600L/day of raw waste to advanced secondary requirements i.e. clean water. The biocycle system at the Park consists of ten 8,000L treatment tanks with a highly efficient filtration process that digests solid wastes and uses controlled natural processes to purify wastewater. All grey and black water from kitchens and toilets is collected for treatment and the recycled, clean, odourless water released from the system is used to irrigate designated areas of the Park.

A vermiculture facility has been operating for four years at Rainforestation. Non-meat kitchen scraps are fed to a large worm farm and worm composting and liquid worm fertiliser is collected and used on Park gardens. Various other recycling initiatives are in place throughout the Park for koala leaf, cardboard, cans and kitchen oils with two smaller sewerage treatment facilities also in use. The Desert Cube waterless urinal product is used as a water saving measure and is clean, hygienic and includes microbes to breakdown odours.

A tree planting program is offered as part of a group activity at the Park. Approximately 5,000-6,000 trees have been planted to date as part of this initiative.

CaPTA Group’s tours to National Parks and World Heritage listed areas provide interpretation from CaPTA guides on environmental sustainability. When visiting protected areas, guides advise visitors on how to leave less impact on the environment and encourage them to act responsibly when visiting environmentally sensitive areas. Advice includes: keeping to boardwalks and pathways; littering; removal of rubbish and waste; and care for surrounding vegetation and wildlife. Portable ashtrays are also distributed by CaPTA guides for visitor use.

The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary at Port Douglas is a window to our natural environment and has re-created three eco-systems as immersion exhibits, The Rainforest, The Wetlands and The Grasslands for visitors to enjoy. At the Rainforest Habitat, appreciation of the environment and its biodiversity is a way of life for staff who aim to inspire and motivate their guests to consider their roles in the greater ecological landscape. Quality guided tours also enhance and enrich the visitor experience and all guides go through a formal training programme and further readings are supplied so that guides can deliver consistent, current, relevant and accurate tours.

Water is the lifeblood of the Sanctuary with over 2,000 animals both wild and captive depending on it. Good water management is essential and most of the water used is caught and then recycled back in the form of irrigation for eucalyptus plantations grown for koala browse (food), gardens and turf areas.

Many recycling initiatives are in place throughout the Habitat’s operations. As an example, all kitchen oil waste is contained, collected and recycled as an additive in biodiesel manufacture at the Mossman Mill.

The Rainforest Habitat contributes to conservation by continuing to help scientists develop different strategies to deal with the endangered Cassowary. Birds at the Habitat have been used in research trials to gain information in this area.

The successful breeding of a rare species of tree kangaroo at the Habitat is extremely exciting. The Rainforest Habitat is one of only two Zoos in the world that houses the Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo, which is native to the region. This is one of only two species of tree kangaroo found in Australia and it is hoped the interest generated by this unique birth will promote awareness in the community and develop understanding of the plight of the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo in the wild. The Habitat recently launched a new viewing facility to house the rare baby and its mother and allows visitors a sneak peek into the breeding facilities for the first time.

In October 2007, Tropic Wings was co-winner of the ecoBIZ competition in Cairns – a prize that included flights, accommodation and tickets to ecoBiZ 2007, Queensland’s inaugural business sustainability conference held in Brisbane on 29-30 October 2007. ecoBIZ is the Environmental Protection Agency’s signature partnership programme with Queensland business and industry, and assists businesses enthusiastic to implement water, waste and energy efficiencies across their operations. Tropic Wings was selected for its commitment to water and energy conservation and its enthusiasm to adopt new eco-efficiency measures. The CaPTA Group Head Office at Hartley Street, Cairns, which incorporates Tropic Wings, RnR White Water Rafting and Jungles Tours and Trekking, is a proud member of the ecoBIZ programme and is working towards receiving full ecoBIZ partner status for the three businesses that operate from the Hartley Street location.

 

Undara Experience

An ancient secret has been unearthed for locals and visitors to Tropical North Queensland offering yet another natural wonder besides the reef and rainforest to marvel at ... the Undara Volcanic National Park is one of Australia's greatest geological wonders. It boasts one of the oldest & best preserved lava tube system’s and the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on Earth in modern geoligical time. Undara Experience provides an unforgettable experience in the great Australian Outback satisfying the appetites of both adventurer and ecotraveller.

Providing a natural experience in the bush

In designing the Undara Experience, Gerry Collins chose to use refurbished Queensland Railway Carriages because they were long and thin and could fit between the trees along the original horse drawn wagon road linking the coast to the inland gold fields in the 1800’s. Very few trees were removed in establishing the original facilities.

Undara hosts over 40,000 visitors each year and therefore is passionate about sustainability and the protection of the environment.

Tree Planting

Since opening the Undara Experience in 1990 several thousand trees have been planted in & around the lodge. In most cases the species planted are endemic to the region and have resulted from onsite seed collection through to germination & establishment in native landscaping. When major plantings of native trees and scrubs isndertaken ith a focus on achieveing a natural landscape in which people could experience an abundance of birdlife and Kangaroos.

Rainwater project

Undara Experience has been successful in securing funding in round 2 of the Federal Governments Community Water Grants scheme. The project enables rain water to be captured and stored and is an addition to a new roof that was built over the Fettlers Iron Pot Bistro & “Undara Central” in 2006.

With increasing visitor numbers to the Undara Volcanic National Park, the Collins family has, for some time, recognized the need to more effectively manage the pressures on the underground aquifer supplying water to the Lava Lodge. This water saving project resulted in the installation of 10 rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of 228,000 liters. This water is specially filtered for reuse through the various machines like dish & glass washers, ovens, urns & ice machines throughout the food & beverage area.

The reuse of this rain water in the existing facilities will significantly ease the pressure on the underground aquifer by an estimated 25%.

Water recycling

A biolytic system is being developed as part of a new ablusions block so that Undara is able to reuse its grey water, and further decrease pressure on its underground aquifer.

Savannah Guides – Protectors and Interpreters of the Outback

The award winning Savannah Guides conduct Lava Tube tours from the Lodge, offering a unique insight into the geology, ecology, local history and bushcraft of the region.

Savannah Guides Ltd was established as a non-profit company in 1988 through the vision of John Courtenay, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Local Authorities Development Association (GLADA) at the time. Its original purpose was to provide access for tourists to unique natural features on private, leased or public property and in a manner which protected the region's assets. Members were initially drawn from local communities within the Gulf Savannah but the network has since expanded to encompass the tropical savannahs of northern Australia. Savannah Guides continues to contribute to the development of regional tourism, generating employment opportunities whilst conserving our natural and cultural heritage.

Come, stay a while in this beautiful and romantic Outback region and experience something you will treasure forever. We call it the Undara Experience!

 

Cairns Convention Centre - Cool Building

The Cairns Convention Centre was Australia’s first environmentally designed major public building and has won awards for its energy and resource conservation features including the prestigious EIBTM Greening of Business Tourism Award for the Worlds Most Environmentally Conscious Congress Centre.

The Centre, unlike previous public buildings at the time was formed from a combination of steel and laminated plantation timber, producing a more crafted architecture that responds to environmental issues. The list of environmental features of the Centre includes:

Rain Water Storage

Cairns Convention Centre's double layer pleated plate roof is designed to capture the seasonal tropical downpours, and channel rainwater directly into its 300,000 litre storage tank.
This feature provides around half of the Centre's grounds and garden watering needs, reducing its call on the town water supply.

Flow Restrictors - 25% Water Saving

The Centre's water usage is modified by the installation of water flow restrictors on all outlets. The water saving is between 25% and 30% of total water needs.

Solar Hot Water - 30% Energy Saving

Solar hot water heaters provide between 30% and 35% of the Centre's hot water needs, producing a significant saving on energy usage and costs.

Shading Devices - 5% Energy Saving

Shading devices are installed along the eastern and western side of the structure. These shades reduce the level of air conditioning needed to keep the building cool. The shading devices save approximately 5% of the energy required to air condition this section of the building.

Air Conditioning

R134a Refrigeration Machines were installed throughout the Convention Centre's air conditioning system. This model machine does not use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as its refrigeration agent. This ensures that no damage would be caused to the ozone layer if a refrigerant leak were to occur.

Chilled Water Storage

The air-conditioning plant includes a large, chilled water-storage vessel that allows the chillers to operate at peak efficiency and then switch off while the system draws cool air from the chilled water storage.

Roof Structure

The double layer pleated plate roof extends far out over the building to provide protection from sun and rain and includes excellent insulation to minimise energy consumption. The roof insulates the sealed internal spaces and encourages natural air flow ventilation.

Australian Rainforest Foundation

Help save our rainforests and fight climate change

We are hearing a lot in the media about how global warming may melt the polar ice-caps and raise sea levels but what about the rising temperatures in our rainforests?

Australia’s rainforests are a global treasure, recognised around the world for their beauty and biodiversity but they are often forgotten for their natural ability to effectively cool the planet as they absorb and store carbon. Yet they too are in danger of disappearing. The time has come for us to help them.

Join the Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF) in saving our remaining rainforests by become a Hero2.

The Hero2 program encourages us all to stand side-by-side to make a significant long-term investment in our environment and the planet’s future. All donations to the program go to protecting, extending and recovering our rainforests.

Queensland’s Rainforest Facts

• With over 2,885,000 hectares of rainforest, Queensland is the only place in the world with all five climatic types of rainforest.
• North Queensland’s Wet Tropics rainforests were listed as a World Heritage Area in 1988.
• The Wet Tropics region, which includes the Daintree, contains the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on earth.
• The Wet Tropics region is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, 12 of the19 ancient flowering plant families in the world are found here. On average there are 120 different species of tree in just one hectare.
• Large areas of the Wet Tropics region are still privately owned and unprotected, especially lowland tropical rainforest.

Welcome to our first Hero2s

In August 2007 the ARF welcomed and congratulated it’s first Hero2s, Cairns City Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ). Both organisations had donated $5,000 to the ARF though TTNQs Planet Safe Partnership program.

Each donation of $5,000 is being used to:

1. Buy old growth rainforest - 1035 m2 will be purchased in the Daintree– this will be equivalent to storing 112 tonnes equivalent of carbon dioxide.
2. Plant 375 trees to establish wildlife corridors – this will not only help endangered species such as the Cassowary but will also lock up 94 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the life of the trees.
3. Support the operation of the ARF sponsored Cassowary hospital at Garners Beach.

We look forward to welcoming more corporate and individual Hero2s

Become a Hero2

Businesses and employees can become Hero2s with one off tax-deductible donations or recurring payments through their payroll. Individuals can also become a Hero2 from as little as $1 a day, through a monthly or annual payment paid with a credit card. To read more go to http://www.hero2.net.au/contributions.html

The Australian Rainforest Foundation is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation dedicated to education, research and habitat rehabilitation for Australia's rainforests. Find out more at www.arf.net.au

 

Daintree Discovery Centre

This multi-award winning, world class rainforest interpretive facility provides a wonderful introduction to this very special part of the world. The Centre allows visitors to experience of Australia’s last remaining pockets of low-land rainforest from the forest floor to the upper most reaches of the canopy.

Located in the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, the Centre has no access to reticulated water or mains power.

Since its inception in 1989, and despite the challenge of running a business in an isolated area, the Discovery Centre has been committed to environmental stewardship – with everything designed to ensure minimal impact on the fragile rainforest – building around trees, all walkways and platforms elevated and the boardwalk systems are eco-sustainable.

The staff are passionate about preserving and protecting the flora and fauna of the Daintree and are key contributors to the Cassowary Care Group. The Centre is a proud sponsor of the WTMA Youth Cassowary Awards.

Recent Initiatives include:

1. Community based Carbon Offset/Bio-sequestration project
• Carbon sequestering project involves measuring our carbon footprint
• Minimising GHG emissions & developing strategies to avoid, reduce and to finally offset CO2 emissions via revegetation of degraded rainforests
• Other environmental benefits include habitat recovery, biodiversity increase, salinity & erosion control
• Working closely with EPA, QPWS and WTMA in revegetating degraded sections of the Daintree
• The Centre plans to invest more than $25K in the first year, with the anticipation of continued growth as people come to realise that each time they visit the Centre, they will be helping to save the rainforest

2. Replacement of timber boardwalks with an interlocking open grid system
• The mesh grid system was designed by DDC owner Ron Birkett specifically for ecologically sensitive areas such as the Daintree
• The open steel grating allows unimpeded light, maximum water penetration and air flow and reduces breeding habitats for mosquitoes
• This means minimal environmental interference – flora, fauna, wildlife corridors
• Quick & easy to install, it has a minimal footprint & minimal impact on ecosystems
• Visitors can observe every level of the rainforest, including the mid-level canopy, close up and in complete comfort & safety
• This system has been widely promoted by Galvanizers Assoc of Aust. And was the feature article in their Asia Pacific publication, as well as in Europe

3. Replacement/upgrade of generators
• Installation of more environmentally responsible generators = lower fuel consumption
• Specially built housing/baffling systems have resulted in minimal noise emissions
• Feasibility studies have been done on the use of solar power to run the business, but is not practicable – mainly because we are passionate about preserving the rainforest canopy

4. Improving our waste water management system
• We have installed an Aqua Nova waste water system that is especially designed for ecologically sensitive areas such as the Daintree
• This environmentally friendly, bio-system has eliminated overflow and leaching and the clean water residue can be recycled for gardens or designated irrigation
• DDC has no mains water supply and water tanks are used for storage of bore water
• Water usage has reduced – taps have been fitted with flow restrictors & toilets are dual flush
• DDC adheres to a non toxic cleaning program with minimal water usage
• No toxic substances are used at the Centre, sold waste is kept to a minimum

5. Expanded our environmental interpretive materials
• DDC provides appropriate environmental interpretive information to help visitors understand the fragility of the rainforest and the need to practice environmentally sustainability in everything we do
• By providing a wide variety of nature based experiences and carefully layered interpretive materials, DDC staff can help people achieve a better understanding of the fragility of the area and the need to practice an environmentally sustainable life style
• Recent additions to our interpretive materials include Environmental Sustainability and Global Warming displays, a Creek Ecology room, 3D Cassowary display and a Reptile and Amphibian area – all intended to inform, enthuse and enlighten!

 

SKYRAIL

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Construction

The original Skyrail concept was conceived in 1987 and was followed by 7 years of pre-construction feasibility studies, an Environmental Impact Study and numerous other reports and assessments, and consultation and approval processes with local, state and federal governments and local communities.

Construction commenced in June 1994.

Skyrail's tower sites were selected to coincide with existing canopy gaps, and were surveyed to ensure no rare, threatened or endangered species would be affected by construction.

Before construction commenced on the tower sites, the leaf litter and top soil was collected and stockpiled for reintroduction when construction was complete. Plant seedlings were catalogued at each site, then removed and propagated during construction, and re-planted in their original locations, with the saved top soil and leaf litter, when construction was complete.

The towers were constructed in 10 metre x 10 metre clearings, and were placed as far apart as mechanically possible.

The tower footings were built largely by hand, up to five metres deep in some cases, using picks and shovels. There were no roads built during Skyrail's construction. Workers had to walk in to the remote tower sites each day, carrying their equipment, which took up to an hour each way.

Helicopters were used extensively to assist construction. The helicopters were used to carry equipment, materials and cement to tower sites and rainforest stations. The helicopters carried their loads on 100 metre long lines to avoid wind turbulence affecting the sensitive rainforest canopy.

Due to the size of the tower sites, they were difficult to locate from the air, and GPS satellite navigation and radio communication was used to enable the helicopter crews to pin point the ground crews and tower sites.

Specialist, heavy-lifting, Russian Kamov helicopters were used to carry towers to tower sites. The towers were flown-in in sections and assembled on site; some tower sections weighed up to five tonnes each. The cableway haul rope was then laid and tensioned across towers by the helicopters.

The Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations were designed to blend in with the surrounding rainforest surroundings and minimise environmental impact, and were built in pre-existing clearings. Helicopters transported 900 tonnes of steel, cement and building materials into the Red Peak Station site.

15 months and $35 million later, Skyrail opened to the public on 31 Aug 1995. The cableway was originally installed with 47 gondolas, giving it a carrying capacity of 300 people per hour, however a $2.5million upgrade completed in May 1997 increased the total number of gondolas to 114 and increased the carrying capacity to 700 people per hour.

Stretching 7.5km, Skyrail was the world's longest gondola cableway at the time of completion. More importantly, Skyrail provided people with a unique opportunity, and a world first, to see and experience the rainforest in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

The Skyrail project and construction required world first construction techniques and even today Skyrail Rainforest Cableway remains the most environmentally sensitive cableway project in the world.

 

rose gums wilderness retreat

Smart design and construction combined with a commitment to conserve.

Rose Gums is a unique tree-house wilderness experience located in the natural rainforest surrounds of the Cairns Highlands on the Atherton Tableland. The owners wanted to create cool, tropical, full timber tree-houses thus creating a unique rainforest retreat for visitors.

The design was critical as the tree-houses were to have no air-conditioning. The saving on energy use was good for the planet and the business' bottom line with no loss of comfort for the visitor. The accommodation needed to be cool in summer but retain warmth in the cool winter months in this the highest elevated region of Queensland. Construction, materials and design all played a part in creating the preferred ambience whilst fulfilling the desire to minimise energy use and fit naturally with the immediate environment.

Construction considerations included;

• Site - Gradient of the land; Drainage; Exposure to prevailing weather; Aspect; Privacy
• Orientation - prevailing winds; sunshine; wet season rain; aspect
• Materials - Aesthetics; Thermal mass; Sustainability; Durability; Insulation
• Design - Light frame; Cathedral ceilings; Timber linings; Open plan; Timber floors; Elevated decks; Wide openings- windows & doors; Good air flow

site - All the tree-houses are situated over steep grades which gives them the feeling of floating over the rainforest. All tree-houses are on poles raised above the ground so that there is no chance of flooding in the wet season. The average rainfall is 3 metres. Because of the naturally terraced nature of the sites the connection of required services, eg electricity, water, waste, was easily managed on the next level below the tree houses. All tree houses are sited over 100 metres apart to give that 'all alone in the rainforest' feeling.

orientation - The tree-houses are orientated facing east-north-east. This gives the tree- houses the best views of the mountains and morning sunrise in the winter and moon rises over the mountains. This orientation protects them from the prevailing south-easterly winds which dominate the climate and the intense summer sun.

materials - Large timber turpentine poles are used for elevation and for economy of construction on a steep site. The poles are 'Durability One' meaning they are resistant to termites, a constant threat to all buildings in northern Australia. The poles are sourced from sustainably managed forests in North Queensland. Hardwood framing is used for durability. Blanket insulation under the custom orb roof keeps the buildings cool. Timber ply ceilings enhance the tree-house look and are easy to maintain.

design - All buildings are of pole and light-frame construction with high cathedral ceilings to create a feeling of space and light. High set housing is typically Queensland in style. The pole home is a modern take on an old idea and also typical of much traditional housing in the Pacific and sympathetic to the lush rainforest environments they are set in. The large doors and windows facing the north-east allow good air flow and a feeling of outdoors coming indoors. The large glass sliding doors allow the rainforest to be visible from all parts of the house. The high sails over the timber decks keep the outdoor area cool and a give a real feeling of living in the rainforest. The rear of the buildings facing south-west have high breeze way louvres giving airflow without exposure to the western sun. All spa baths have views to the rainforest and slow combustion wood stoves give enough heat for the cooler winter months on the Cairns Highlands. The light-frame and single skinned timber cladding have minimal thermal mass which does not allow the buildings to retain the tropical heat. The buildings were designed to have no air-conditioning and none is needed.

 

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