Daintree Rainforest

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The Daintree Rainforest is a tropical rainforest near Daintree, Queensland, on the coast, north of Cairns in tropical far north of Australia. At around 1200 square kilometers the Daintree is Australia's largest contiguous areas of rainforest. Named for Richard Daintree, part of the forest is protected by the Daintree National Park and drained by the Daintree River.

The Daintree Rainforest contains 30% of frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia, and 65% of Australia's bat and butterfly species. 20% of bird species in the country can be found in this area. All of this diversity is contained within an area that takes up 0.2% of the landmass of Australia.

The Daintree Rainforest's addition to the World Heritage List in 1988 in recognition of its universal natural values highlighted the rainforest as being:

The Daintree is an outstanding example of the major stages in the earth's evolutionary history, an example of significant ongoing ecological and biological processes, and an example of superlative natural phenomena. It contains important and significant habitats for conservation of biological diversity. The Daintree Rainforest is over one hundred and thirty-five million years old – the oldest in the world. Approximately 430 species of birds live among the trees, including 13 species that are found nowhere else in the world. The primitive flowering plant Idiospermum australiense is also endemic to the Daintree.

[edit] Attractions

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There are many different types of attractions to experience in the Daintree Rainforest. One of the most common ways to experience it is through a guided tour that is offered through many outside companies. You can take a walking tour led by the Aboriginals who live in the area, a river wildlife cruise, or a bird sighting tour. You can also explore by going on a safari, or by going fishing, horseback riding, or bike riding. Some of the other top reasons to visit the Daintree Rainforest are its world famous beaches-- some of the most spectacular in the world. Furhermore, there are many hiking trails, like the 1.1 km Marrdja Boardwalk, which are exotic and challenging at the same time.

[edit] Transportation

There are numerous ways to reach the Daintree Rainforest. Whether it be by rental car, helicopter, plane, boat or Sunpalm Transport. Sunpalm Transport offers bus transfer services from Cairns, Port Douglas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown. It also offers an airport shuttle from Cairns Airport. There is also a Daintree Ferry, the only cable ferry in tropical Australia, which will drop visitors off on the southern part of the rainforest, and runs from 6:00 am to midnight every day.

[edit] Environmental threats

• Logging is an industry that put the Daintree Rainforest on the map decades ago, and remains a force in the area. Parts of the rainforest are controlled by the Queensland Forestry Department, who could fell ancient trees and sell the timber for high prices.
• Mining is another threat, although has not yet become active. Tin mining leases are held over parts of the area, and if these go ahead many plants and animal species will be lost.
• Tourism also has an effect on the area. More than 400 000 people visit the region each year, which means thousands of buses, 4WD’s, and passenger cars drive through the rainforest. The vast majority of tourism operators are highly aware of their impact on the environment and take steps to minimise their impact.
• Development by private enterprise is arguably the most dangerous aspect of human activity in the area. Subdivision of land, building of fences, and development of roads leads to hazardous conditions for native animals that often need to cross the fences or roads to get to their food source. Up to 3500 mL of water come in every year.