The Daintree Rainforest

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The Kuku Yalanji People are the traditional custodians of the land surrounding the Daintree Rainforest, with a rich and complex heritage that spans over 50,000 years. Their deep connection to this land is reflected in their understanding of the environment and their alignment of activities with the changing seasons.

The Kuku Yalanji People recognize two main seasons: the Dry Season, known as Jumulu, and the Wet Season, called Kambar. During Jumulu, the dry season, the environment becomes less abundant, and the Kuku Yalanji people focus on gathering specific fruits, roots, and other resources that are best suited to the drier conditions. In contrast, Kambar, the wet season, is a time when the rainforest comes alive with increased rainfall and growth. During this time, the Kuku Yalanji People gather a different variety of fruits and plants, including the Davidson plum, and other resources that thrive in the moisture-rich environment.

This seasonal knowledge is central to the Kuku Yalanji way of life, ensuring they interact with the land in a sustainable and respectful manner. They have an intimate understanding of the plants and animals that share their homeland, using this knowledge to support their survival while maintaining harmony with nature. Their practices have been passed down through generations and continue to shape their cultural identity and connection to the Daintree Rainforest.

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The Daintree Rainforest is home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are unique to the area and date back millions of years. Towering trees, such as the kauri pine and the Davidson plum, dominate the canopy, with their broad, glossy leaves filtering the sunlight that reaches the forest floor. The rainforest also features a variety of ferns, including tree ferns with their delicate,  fronds that create a soft, green undergrowth.

The forest floor is thick with fallen leaves, moss, and shrubs, often dotted with bright wildflowers in hues of purple, yellow, and white. Palms are common in the Daintree, with their tall, slender trunks and wide, arching fronds. Bromeliads, with their waxy leaves, cling to tree trunks, collecting rainwater in the centres of their rosettes. Among the diverse flora, the Davidson plum stands out, a small tree known for its dark purple, tart fruit, often used in traditional sauces and jams.

The flora of the Daintree plays a crucial role in supporting the rich biodiversity of the rainforest. The plants provide food, shelter, and oxygen for a variety of animals, from birds to insects and mammals. Many of these plants are adapted to the rainforest's humid, wet conditions, thriving in the constant rainfall and warmth that define the region. The rich tapestry of plant life in the Daintree is not only a source of wonder but a vital component of the ecosystem’s delicate balance.

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Welcome to the Daintree Audio Description Tour. These audio descriptions are placed throughout this zone matched with braille panels. They are intended to guide and enhance your visit, helping you navigate the layout, understand our animals and the world they call the Daintree.

The Daintree Rainforest is not only a rich ecosystem of plant life but also an important cultural landscape for the Kuku Yalanji People, who have lived in this region for thousands of years. Among the many plants in the rainforest, the Kuku Yalanji have long used a variety of fruits for food, medicine, and other purposes.

An interactive wall at the rainforest allows visitors to explore this deep connection by feeling along the surface and lifting the panels that reveal detailed information about each fruit. The wall showcases fruits that were traditionally gathered by the Kuku Yalanji People. As you explore, you can learn about the Davidson plum—a small, dark purple fruit with a tart flavor used in sauces and jams—as well as other fruits like the bush tomato, finger lime, and riberry, each with its own unique taste, texture, and cultural significance.

The panels, when lifted, reveal descriptions of how these fruits were historically used for nourishment, as well as their medicinal properties. You can feel the textured surfaces of the fruits depicted on the wall, gaining a tactile sense of the rainforest's diversity, while also learning about the Kuku Yalanji’s sustainable relationship with the land and the plants that surround them. This sensory interaction provides an immersive experience, connecting the past and present through the knowledge of both the land’s flora and its people.

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As you enter the Daintree Rainforest exhibit, you begin in front of a pair of glass doors You enter through one door on the left and exit through another on the same wall. The ground beneath your feet feels slightly textured, as the gridded floor creates a subtle, patterned sensation with each step you take. The air is humid, carrying the fresh scent of damp soil and lush plants, with sounds of a waterfall nearby, its water splashing and cascading into a large pond below. As you step forward, the air feels cool and misty, adding to the feeling of being in a true tropical environment.

Just a few steps into the walkthrough, you’ll come across a small fence, marking the beginning of the rainforest environment. Ahead of you, a large glass fence offers an unobstructed view of the Daintree’s wildlife. In front of the glass, lush plants, including low-level palms, create a dense, green landscape.

As you continue to explore this part of the exhibit, you will hear a number of sounds of the Daintree. The rushing waterfall, the calls of birds, and the rustling of leaves in the warm breeze bring the rainforest alive around you.

To exit the walkthrough area you will turn to your right, and find a door located to your left.  Pass through this door to return inside onto carpeted floor. Once inside, you will turn to your left and follow the internal glass of the exhibit. There are four walls that break up each viewing glass for this exhibit, each panel of glass is approximately 2 metres wide. You’ll likely hear the voice of a gentleman called Uncle Tim, a storyteller from the Kuku Yalanji people. His voice will guide you through a Dreamtime story of the Southern Cassowary, sharing ancient cultural wisdom and connection to this unique bird. This audio will play throughout the zone.

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To your left, you’ll see the main Daintree exhibit, mostly behind glass walls. This section showcases the rainforest's amazing creatures, giving you an up-close view of animals like the Satin Bowerbird, the Emerald Dove, and the Plumed Whistling Duck. The glass walls create a safe barrier, allowing you to observe the animals in their lush, tropical environments. The sounds of the rainforest fill the air, creating an immersive atmosphere as you move along.

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Princess is our resident Southern Cassowary,  one of the most striking and largest flightless birds in the world, known for his impressive size and unique features. Standing at nearly 1.6 meters tall and weighing up to 45 kilograms, he has a powerful, muscular build. His body is covered with dark, glossy feathers that are black with a bluish sheen. One of his most notable features is the large, helmet-like casque on top of his head, made of keratin and serving as a protective shield. Princess’ face is striking, with vivid blue and red skin on his neck and head, giving him a somewhat prehistoric appearance. His legs are long and powerful, looking reptilian in appearance, and he has large, red fleshy wattles hanging from the sides of his neck, adding to his colourful display. His feet are equipped with three sharp, dagger-like claws, making him a formidable creature in his environment.

Despite his large size and powerful presence, he is known for being shy, spending much of his time foraging alone in the dense underbrush. His diet consists of fruits, seeds, fungi, and small animals, and he plays an important role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, particularly those of large fruits. His deep, booming call can sometimes be heard echoing through the exhibit!

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The bowerbird is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 25 to 30 centimetres in length, with a striking appearance that varies between males and females. The male bowerbird is particularly eye-catching, with glossy, iridescent feathers that shimmer in shades of green, blue, and black, almost like polished jewels. His feathers appear dark from a distance but, when the light hits them, they reflect vibrant hues, creating a dazzling display. His body is slender, with a long tail and sharp, delicate features, including a curved beak. In contrast, the female bowerbird is less colourful, with soft, brownish plumage that helps her blend into the surroundings. Both male and female have strong, agile legs suited for foraging on the forest floor.

The bowerbird is best known for its fascinating courtship behaviour. The male meticulously builds a structure called a bower, which is a small, dome-like shelter made of twigs, grasses, and leaves. To attract a mate, he decorates this bower with colourful objects such as flowers, shells, plastic, and even bits of glass or metal, showcasing his creativity and resourcefulness. Interestingly, male bowerbirds prefer incorporating blue items into their nests, as they believe this colour enhances their chances of attracting a mate. These birds are omnivorous, feeding on a diet of fruits, seeds, and insects. They are often seen foraging on the ground or in the lower branches of trees, using their keen eyesight to spot food and potential treasures to add to their bower. Bowerbirds are intelligent and territorial, with males fiercely guarding their bowers from rivals, often engaging in elaborate displays to impress females.

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The red-legged pademelon is a small, nocturnal marsupial that has a distinctive appearance. Its body is compact and covered in soft, thick fur, typically a mix of brown and grey, giving it a camouflaged look in the underbrush. The pademelon's most noticeable feature is its bright red legs, which stand out against its otherwise muted fur. Its face is small with large, round eyes that help it navigate the forest at night, and it has long, sensitive ears that can detect the slightest sound. The tail is relatively short and thick, tapering toward the end. This creature is about 40 to 55 cm in body length, with a tail that adds an additional 30 to 45 cm.

The red-legged pademelon is primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants found in the rainforest undergrowth, including grasses, leaves, and fruits. It is a ground-dwelling animal, often seen grazing in the early evening or at night when it is most active. It uses its sharp sense of smell to find food, nibbling on the tender shoots and leaves of ferns, shrubs, and trees. While it is shy and elusive, the pademelon is an important part of the ecosystem, serving as prey for larger predators and helping to disperse seeds through its diet. Despite its small size, the pademelon is agile, able to move quickly through dense vegetation with its strong, muscular hind legs.

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The Wonga pigeon is a large, ground-dwelling bird found in the rainforests of the Daintree. It has a distinctive, soft grey and brown plumage with a pale blue-grey chest, creating a subtle yet beautiful contrast. Its head is rounded, with dark eyes and a white line running along the side of its neck. The Wonga pigeon’s wings are a mix of dark brown and grey with delicate speckling, and its tail is long and slender with a faint pattern. This bird stands about 40 cm tall, with a sturdy build and a short, strong beak suited for foraging. Often seen in pairs or small groups, where it feeds primarily on seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates. Its calm, peaceful nature is reflected in its soft cooing calls, which can often be heard echoing through the undergrowth. The Wonga pigeon is a shy bird, preferring to stay hidden under the dense foliage during the day and emerging at dusk to forage.

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The Plumed Whistling Duck is a medium-sized waterfowl found in the wetlands and grasslands near the Daintree Rainforest. This bird is characterised by its slender, long neck and elegant posture. Its plumage is a rich mix of dark brown and chestnut, with lighter, buff-coloured underparts. The most striking feature of the Plumed Whistling Duck is its plumes - long, elegant feathers on its back and sides that resemble wisps of smoke. The bird’s eyes are large and dark, giving it an inquisitive, alert expression. Standing at about 50 cm tall, it has long, dark legs suited for wading through shallow waters and marshes. The Plumed Whistling Duck’s diet consists of grasses, seeds, and aquatic plants, which it forages from the water’s surface or along the shore. Known for its high-pitched, whistling calls, it often communicates with other members of its flock, particularly during migration periods. These ducks are social birds, often found in groups, and are most active during the early morning and late evening when they feed and forage in the wetlands.