About Mamu

• Getting there and getting around
• Things to do
• Things to know before you go
• Staying safe
• Looking after the park
• Park management
• Tourism information links
• Further information

Getting there and getting around

• Wooroonooran National Park map (PDF, 523K)* 
• Palmerston section map (PDF, 99K)* 

The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is 115 km (90 mins drive) south of Cairns and 30 km north-west of Innisfail. Turn off the Bruce Highway onto the Palmerston Highway and drive west for 27 km.

From Atherton, the walkway is 73 km (50 mins drive). Take the Atherton–Malanda road to Malanda (20 km), then take the Malanda–Millaa Millaa road to Millaa Millaa (23 km) then continue east along the Palmerston Highway for another 30 km.

Access is possible by conventional vehicle and parking is available for caravans and long vehicles.

Accessibility

The walkway offers a safe and comfortable nature-based experience for all visitors.

All facilities and walking tracks, except the top viewing deck of the observation tower, are accessible for wheelchairs with assistance. Alternative routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are provided along the Forest walk (indicated by directional signs).

All facilities and walking tracks are accessible for visitors with vision-impairment. Tap rails, hand rails and tactile directional signs are provided along all tracks and walkways. Braille and large print guides are available from the ticket office upon request.

Walkway features

The Mamu walkway allows visitors to explore the rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy, in comfort and safety. The walkway passes through one of the largest-remaining, continuous stands of complex vine forest on basalt soils in the Wet Tropics. Enjoy close-up views of rainforest plants, insects and birds, and take in sweeping vistas of World Heritage rainforest landscapes. Information signs tell of the rainforest's complex web of life and the rich culture and history of the area.

The walkway features:

• an elevated walkway, 350 m long, rising from ground level to 15 m above the ground, meandering through the canopy of lush tropical rainforest
• a 10 m long cantilever and a 37 m high observation tower with two viewing decks, providing spectacular views over the North Johnstone River gorge and surrounding rainforest-clad peaks of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
• more than 1100 m of forest walking tracks, connecting the elevated walkway, cantilever and tower
• rest shelters presenting information about the history and heritage of Mamu rainforest.

Facts and statistics

• About 156 T of hot dipped galvanized steel are in the elevated walkway.
• Almost 22,000 bolts are in the elevated walkway.
• About 563 m³ of concrete are in the tower footings.
• More than 900,000 plastic 2-litre milk bottles are in the recycled plastic decking on walkways.
• Steel structures were pre-fabricated off-site in Innisfail and Cairns, pre-assembled on-site then erected with a self-erecting tower crane.
• More than 3.5 m of rain fell during construction.
• The walkway is built to withstand cyclonic winds.
• The walkway cost $10 million and took 16 months to build.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, Wooroonooran National Park.

Things to do

Walking

• Walkway site map (PDF, 292K)* 

To see all the features of the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway requires a 2.5 km return walk and takes at least one hour. An hour and a half is recommended to allow for rest stops in the shelters and time to enjoy the scenery.

If you have limited time or are unable to walk the entire distance, you may choose to do only part of the walk.

An electric buggy is available on request to help elderly visitors or visitors in wheelchairs.

Forest walk

The Forest walk serves as the access track to the cantilever, elevated walkway and observation tower and provides the opportunity to experience tropical rainforest at ground-level. Alternative routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are provided along the Forest walk (indicated by directional signs). This track is suitable for visitors with vision-impairment with tap rails forming a continuous 'shoreline' on the left hand side of the track. Seats are provided along the way.

Cantilever

To the left, just past the first rest shelter, a 40 m long elevated walkway rises gently as the ground below drops away steeply, providing visitors with their first chance to experience the rainforest canopy. The viewing platform at the end of the 10 m long cantilever offers magnificent views of the river gorge below. Return the way you came to rejoin the Forest walk which continues on to the elevated walkway.

Elevated walkway

From the second rest shelter, the elevated walkway meanders for 350 m through the rainforest canopy. Along the way visitors can view rainforest plants and animals at close quarters and gain tantalising glimpses of the river valley far below. Two small shelters positioned at regular intervals along the walkway provide shade. From these shelters there is the option to leave the elevated walkway and return to the ground-level Forest walk. A third ground-level rest shelter is located at the base of the walkway leaving from the second canopy-level shelter.

Observation tower

Access to the observation tower is from the fourth ground-level rest shelter at the end of the Forest walk (past the elevated walkway). From here a short elevated walkway leads to the tower's lower viewing deck. The top of the tower is reached by stairway (not wheelchair accessible) and at 37 m above ground-level offers spectacular, uninterrupted vistas of World Heritage landscapes.

Picnic and day-use areas

• Picnic tables are provided near the entrance.
• Nearby Gooligans and Henrietta Creek day-use areas have picnic facilities and are accessed from the Palmerston Highway.

Things to know before you go

Facilities

• Toilets are located near the entrance; there are no toilet facilities along the walkways and tracks.
• Drinking water for refilling personal water bottles is available near the toilets and ticket office only.
• There is no souvenir shop on site however several retail items can be purchased, including biodegradable poncho-style plastic raincoats, postcards, dvds and selected books.
• There are no restaurant facilities on site however vending machines provide drinks and snacks.
• Mobile phone reception is unreliable.

Essentials to bring

• Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear sensible walking shoes, sunhats and sunscreen.
• Refillable drinking water bottles—drinking water is available on site.
• Cameras and binoculars are recommended.

Opening hours

• The walkway is open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, with last entry at 4.30 pm.
• The walkway is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
• In the interest of public safety the walkway will close during severe weather conditions. Please check park alerts or contact the manager at Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway to confirm closures.
• Group bookings out-of-hours are by pre-arrangement only and are subject to an additional fee. For details contact the Manager Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway.
• Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times to ensure their rainforest experience is safe and enjoyable.

Admission fees

The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is managed and operated by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Admission fees apply:

• Adult $20
• Child $10 (4–14 years, children under four are free)
• Family $50 (two adults, two children)
• Concession $16
• 20 per cent discount applies for local residents (proof of residence in Cairns, Tablelands or Cassowary Coast regional council areas required).
• Annual passes are also available.

School programs

Schools and other education groups are welcome. For prices and further information, see Schools information. (PDF, 466K)*

An Environmental education program has been developed for use by school groups (grades 4-7) during their visit to the walkway. The activities are designed to be delivered by class teachers to help make their visit a valuable learning experience. The activities link into Education Queensland’s science curriculum and complement Rainforest Explorer, an education program produced by the Wet Tropic Management Authority.

Pets

Please leave your pets at home—domestic animals are not permitted in Wooroonooran National Park.

Climate and weather

The best time to visit tropical North Queensland is during the cooler part of the year—from April to October. Please note that high daytime temperatures and humidity are possible at any time of the year and nights can be very cool. August to September is generally the driest period, but heavy rain can fall at any time—this area averages more than 4 m of rain each year. Carry clothing suitable for all weather. Wet or dry, the walkway offers a delightful rainforest experience. Biodegradable plastic ponchos can be purchased on site for a small fee. In the interest of public safety the walkway will close during severe weather conditions. Please check park alerts or contact Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway to confirm closures.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available from local towns including Millaa Millaa, Malanda, Innisfail and Cairns.

Staying safe

• Be aware of your response to heights. If you feel unwell, take the nearest exit walkway to a rest area on the ground-level Forest walk.
• On elevated sections do not climb on or lean over the handrails and take care of your belongings. If you drop an item over the side, do not attempt to find it. Provide details to staff.
• Supervise children closely at all times. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Stay on tracks and walkways at all times and take care on uneven surfaces, especially in wet conditions.
• Wear sturdy, comfortable, non-slip footwear. 
• Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days. High temperatures and humidity can lead to heat exhaustion—rest often in the shade and drink plenty of water.
• Do not handle, damage, collect or taste plants or fruits. Many rainforest fruits are toxic and some plants, such as stinging trees and lawyer cane, are painful to touch.
  • Avoid stinging trees. These plants are found along the tracks at rainforest edges. They grow to 4 m high and have large, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Do not touch these plants as it will almost certainly result in a very painful sting. If you are stung, and symptoms are severe, seek medical advice.
  • Avoid lawyer cane (wait-a-while). Long tendrils of this climbing palm hang down along track edges. They have hooked barbs that catch on, and tear, clothing or skin.
• Do not disturb, approach, attempt to touch or feed native animals. Wild animals can be dangerous.
• Show consideration for other visitors. Keep to the left as you walk along the track and walkways. Be aware of visitors who are vision-impaired or in wheelchairs.

Be cass-o-wary
Cassowaries are occasionally seen around the walkway. They are potentially dangerous—avoid unnecessary risks and help protect these endangered animals by following these guidelines in cassowary country.

• Never approach cassowaries.
• Never approach chicks—male cassowaries will defend them.
• Never feed cassowaries—it is illegal and dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths.
• Always discard food scraps in closed bins.
• Always slow down when driving in cassowary territory.
• Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park

• Remember, this is a national park—all plants and animals are protected.
• Do not drop rubbish on the ground. Place rubbish in the bins provided or take it home with you. Bins are provided at the entrance only.
• Smoking is allowed only in the car park—it is prohibited in all other areas of the canopy walkway. Dispose of cigarette butts appropriately.
• Stay on tracks and walkways at all times. This reduces the risks of injury, prevents disturbance to native plants and animals and reduces erosion.
• Domestic animals are prohibited—they can disturb and harm wildlife and be a nuisance to other park visitors.
• Keep noise to a minimum to allow others to enjoy a nature-based experience.

See the guidelines on caring for parks and forests for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is managed and operated by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. An Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Ma:Mu Aboriginal people, Traditional Owners of the area, underpins the project.

Wooroonooran National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). Proclaimed in 1988, the WTWHA extends for about 450 km between Cooktown and Townsville. Consisting of nearly 900,000 ha, vegetation is primarily tropical rainforest, but also includes open eucalypt forest, wetlands and mangrove forests. The WTWHA meets all four natural criteria for World Heritage listing. These criteria recognise the area's exceptional natural beauty and the importance of its biological diversity and evolutionary history, including providing habitat for numerous threatened species. The WTWHA also has cultural significance for Aboriginal people who have traditional links with the area and its surrounds.

For more information visit Wet Tropics Management Authority's website.

Tourism information links

Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre 
www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au
51 The Esplanade, Cairns QLD 4870
ph (07) 4051 3588
email info@ttnq.org.au

Malanda Falls Visitors Centre
Atherton Road, Malanda QLD 4885
ph (07) 4096 6957
email info@malandafalls.com

Innisfail Visitor Information Centre
www.innisfailtourism.com.au
Bruce Highway, Mourilyan QLD 4858
ph (07) 4063 2655
email innisfailinfocentre@ccrc.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

Further information

Contact us

Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
Palmerston Highway, Innisfail QLD 4860
PO Box 2066, Cairns QLD 4870
ph (07) 4064 5294
email mamu.rainforestcanopywalkway@derm.qld.gov.au
Open 9.30 am–5.30 pm daily, except Christmas Day and during hazardous weather conditions. Last entry 4.30 pm.

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 31 January 2012

Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway

• About Mamu
• Nature, culture and history
• Park news
• Environmental education program for schools