Come on out to the Daintree and join our tree planting celebrations. Help Rainforest Rescue plant 1000 trees and create a rainforest. An activity suitable for all ages. Bring the family. Help restore the natural environment.

Where: At Lots 21 & 28 Ironbark Rd, Diwan (off Cape Tribulation Road)

When: Tuesday to Friday 22-26 February 2010

Time: 9.00am - 12 noon

Cost: FREE

The Daintree Rainforest is the most significant tropical rainforest in Australia and sustains a unique range of flora and fauna. over the past 100 years parts of the Daintree hve been cleared to create land for farms that are no longer in operation. Replanting these cleared areas with rainfroest trees provides important habitat for the endangered Cassowary and 100 other rare and threatened species found in the Daintree.

Rainforest Rescue is a not for profit organisation commited to protecting our rainforests forever. For further information, please visit rainforestrescue.org.au or phone 1300 763 611 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au 

Mason's Cafe is closed for the 'Green Season', Boardwalk Cafe, Cassowary Cafe and Cafe on Sea are still operating. 

After crossing the Daintree Ferry you travel through lowland and tropical rainforest passing road junctions for Cape Kimberley and Cow Bay.

The Daintree River Ferry operates from 6am to midnight each day.

The Daintree Ferry will be operating from 7.30am - 10.30 am and 2.30pm - 5.30pm on Christmas Day 2009.

Published results of a survey conducted in 2007 by Galaxy Research found that nearly $1Billion is spent on unwanted Christmas gifts each year. In a bid to rescue rainforests at the same time as Christmas, not for profit organisation Rainforest Rescue is running a ‘Rescue Christmas Campaign’ offering unique Rainforest Gift Cards, targeting those 'difficult to buy for' friends and loved ones.

Right now, rainforests and their inhabitants are under greater threat than ever.

In the Daintree of far North Queensland, large areas are situated on freehold land and laws and regulations to prevent development are inadequate. Securing and protecting rainforest habitat for the endangered Cassowary — of which only 1,000 remain — is urgent.  Meanwhile, only 1% of the most diverse ecosystem in New South Wales — The Big Scrub — remains. Planting and restoring this area is vital to the survival of over 38 threatened species of flora and 61 species of threatened fauna.

Rainforest Rescue are protecting rainforests with projects that re-establish habitat through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest. Amongst other project outcomes, this year Rainforest Rescue successfully planted over 10,000 rainforest trees and acquired their 11th property in the Daintree.

With their 'Rescue Christmas' Campaign, Rainforest Rescue are promoting Rainforest Gift Cards devoted to a range of projects that allow purchasers to nominate number of trees planted, or square metres / hectares protected. For example, $25 will save five square metres of the Daintree Rainforest which Rainforest Rescue will purchase and protect on the Gift Card recipient’s behalf. Each card details the gift with a special front cover photo or exclusive Leunig cartoon along with an inner description of the project outcomes achieved.

“Gift Card sales will make a significant contribution to both our Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project and the Plant a Rainforest campaign. This year more Australians are recognising how we need to make a difference when it comes to our environment.” Said Kelvin Davies, CEO of Rainforest Rescue.

Rainforest Rescue Gift Cards can be sent directly to a recipient anywhere in the world with a personalised message inside or they can be sent to the giver's address for personal delivery.

Critically endangered species like the Daintree's Southern Cassowary and Indonesia's Orangutans are among many who have little to celebrate this Christmas. And with deforestation causing 25% of global emissions, protecting rainforests is really a gift for everyone. Through their 'Rescue Christmas' campaign, Rainforest Rescue urge all those concerned for our planet to consider this easy and affordable way to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone.

Orders can be placed online at www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by phoning 1300 763 611.

According to our friends at The Wet Tropics News, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will be replacing the existing access track at Mossman Gorge with an elevated boardwalk. When completed, the boardwalk will provide a world-class experience, with wheelchair access to the World Heritage listed Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park.

Construction will be in two stages. The first phase began on Tuesday 10 November and will take approximately three weeks. The second phase will commence after the wet season and is expected to take seven to nine weeks.

The project is being funded under the Australian Government's Jobs Fund. QPWS will work closely with tourism operators, Cairns Regional Council, and the community to maintain  levels of access. QPWS will advertise closure and disruption details prior to works commencing. Should you have any queries, please contact Senior Ranger Tina Alderson on 4098 2188.

Over the past few weeks, we have had regular sightings of Male Cassowarys on our guided boardwalk tour.  Join us on tour and you to may have a chance of seeing these beautiful rare birds.

The Daintree Discovery Centre has just been awarded a prestigious international award for ecotourism at the 70^th Skal World Congress being held at the Palace of Arts in Budapest, Hungary from 1 – 6 November 2009. The Centre’s tourism submission entitled ‘Sustainable Ecotourism’ was declared the winner of the 8^th Annual Skal International Ecotourism Awards in the category of ‘General Countryside’.

Directors Ron and Pam Birkett were presented with the award during the Opening Ceremony overnight.

Competing against tourism businesses from 48 countries around the world, the local Daintree attraction has now been internationally recognized as leading the world in Ecotourism best practice.

The Centre is being specifically recognized for implementing a rigorous Carbon Offset / Bio-sequestration program as a means of minimizing its carbon footprint.

The Daintree Discovery Centre has been informing and educating visitors to the Daintree for more than 20 years.

According to Director Pam Birkett, to be selected as the world’s leading ecotourism business in this internationally prestigious award is something all Australians should be proud of.

‘It’s wonderful to be recognized on the world stage and to know that our best practice ecotourism business in the Daintree is more than competitive with other projects in the world.’

TOURISTS got a bit more than they bargained for on Monday when Fat Albert – the dominant male crocodile on the Daintree River - leapt out of the water and sank his teeth into the railing of their boat. David White, owner and operator of Solar Whisper, said he spotted the river's two big males, five-metre Fat Albert and four-metre long Scarface, scrapping over territory about 2.30pm on Monday. "At this time of year, this is a fairly common occurrence, making trips out on the river so exciting for our passengers," Mr White said. "When male crocs fight they are full of testosterone and can act aggressively towards any-thing nearby. "Knowing this, we idled quite some distance away, ensuring we gave the boys plenty of space to rumble. "However, Fat Albert broke off the fight and vanished under the water, re-appearing  seconds later right beside the boat. Suspecting Fat Albert's intentions, Mr White threw the boat in reverse and moved his passengers to the far side of the boat. Not intimidated by the fact that he was taking on a boat nearly twice his size, the big boy of the river launched himself out of the water with his powerful tail. As he dropped back into the water, Fat Albert snapped at the tourist boat, leaving a couple of dents in the welded aluminium hull and the top railing, more than a metre clear of the water. Mr White said no-one had been in danger during the attack but it left him and his passengers understandably rattled. ''It was pretty scary," he admitted. "It’s not the first time a croc has had a go at a boat on the Daintree, but it’s the first time he's left marks on a boat." Mr White said he didn’t blame Fat Albert for his display of dominance, and certainly didn’t want any action taken to remove the monster saurian. "He was letting us know who was in charge of the river”, Mr White said. "In -future I'll give fighting crocodiles even more space." After assaulting the boat, Fat Albert chased off another smaller crocodile, while Scarface took out his frustration on a nearby mangrove tree. And it's not just male crocs that get cranky during the mating season. Nesting females will defend their nests against any real or perceived threat to their offspring. Although crocodiles are most likely to be aggressive in rivers and estuaries, Port Douglas locals received a timely reminder that they can also be a threat along beaches and in lagoons. Warning signs were placed along southern Four Mile Beach last week after a reported sighting, while rangers from the Department of Environment and Resource Management spent Wednesday morning setting floating traps in the Reef park lagoon. A reminder from the Queensland Government earlier this month reminded people to be particularly croc-wise during the breeding season, which lasts until April. "This time of year, it can be more dangerous because the males are full of testosterone," Mr White said. "When there's just one it’s not so bad, but if you see two crocs having a go at each other stay well clear."

RICHARD KOSER – Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette 22 October 2009

koser@tpd.newsltd.com.au

Bloomfield Track current Road conditions are good.  This is a gravel road and you will have river crossings and need a 4WD.  The road has been graded and is being well maintained this year.  If there are heavy rainfalls you will need to check again but at this stage, all good.  YES, the inland road to Cooktown via Mareeba is bitumen all the way on the Peninsula Developmental Road and Mulligan Highway.

To inspire one of the world's most inspirational women is no mean feat but a young Aboriginal girl from Mossman may have what it takes to draw Oprah Winfrey to Far North Queensland.

Tahlia has worked at the Lodge for 3 years and is the face of Daintree Essentials (Organic Skin Care Range inspired by the owrld’s oldddest rainforest and ancient wisdom from the World’s oldest Race. Daintree essentials is made exclusively by Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa)

Tahlia is one of 50 local Aboriginals who have been trained and employed at Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa over the past 13 years.

Tahlia Burchill, 16, was one of three Kuku Yalanji women interviewed in late November for a segment of Winfrey’s show called Beauty Around the World and the US talk show queen is reportedly "blown away by her". 

In fact, the mega-celebrity is now considering coming here herself to film a more in-depth segment about Tahlia’s rainforest Aboriginal tribe, their culture, inner beauty and spirituality.

An excited Tahlia, who learned the news on Friday, said meeting Oprah would be "absolutely awesome… I’m up for it".

"I guess she’s just such a role model in so many ways, she’s such a powerful person," she said.

As captain of Mossman State High, chair of the Leukaemia Foundation Mossman district youth committee, a flautist in school bands, cheerleader, representative athlete, exhibiting artist and talented contemporary dancer, Tahlia – who won last year’s FNQ Zone School Constitutional Convention with her oratory on the need for more indigenous leaders – is something of a role-model herself.

Terry Maloney, who with his wife Cathy runs Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa and recommended Tahlia to Oprah’s company Harpo Productions for the segment, describes the teenager as "amazing".

"She excels in just about everything she puts her mind to… she’s shooting further than the stars I think," Mr Maloney said.

The multi-award winning eco lodge, which employs Kuku Yalanji people on its staff and incorporates indigenous knowledge into its spa treatments, art classes and interpretive walks, formed the backdrop for much of the day-long shoot.

Also featured on the segment were Tahlia’s "aunty" Janice Walker, a grandmother and Kuku Yalanji elder, and Merindi Brisco, Janice’s niece and soul-singing member of the Briscoe Sisters.

"Undoubtely the best place to be at this time of the year!"

Daintree Rainforest days of 27-28 degrees with cooler evenings and summer rain. Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa set in a lush valley with it's own micro climate with waterfalls. An ideal heaven to relax, sleep well and rejuvenate.