Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
The Mamu rainforest is the homeland of the Ma:Mu Aboriginal people. Many generations of Ma:Mu people have lived here - they have a strong and enduring connection with their rainforest country.
The Mamu walkway allows visitors to explore the rainforest and heritage 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:
• a 350m elevated walkway, rising from ground level to 15m high in the canopy of lush tropical rainforest
• a 10m cantilever and a 37m 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 1100m 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 tonnes of hot dipped galvanized steel are in the elevated walkway.
• Almost 22,000 bolts are in the elevated walkway.
• About 563 cubic metres of concrete are in 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 3.5m 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.
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.
Walking
To see all the features of the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway requires a 2.5km return walk and takes at least one hour. Ninety minutes to two hours 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.
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 40m 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 10m 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 350m 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 37m 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.
Admission fees: Prices Current as at December 2022
• Adult: $28
• Child: $17 (4-14 years, children under four are free)
• Family: $84 (two adults, two children)
• Family: $90 (two adults, three children)
• Concession: $24
Combined ticket for Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk. Can be used on separate days. Validate at either property.
• Adult: $72
• Child: $41.50 (4-14 years, children under four are free)
• Family: $212.50 (two adults, two children)
• Family: $227 (two adults, three children)
• Concession: $64
Prices Current as at December , 2022. Please contact Mission Beach Holidays to confirm pricing.
