Centre Blends Latest 3D Tech With Oldest Culture In New Attraction

Centre Blends Latest 3D Tech With Oldest Culture In New Attraction

Feature Story, Media Releases

A special 3D hologram attraction that will give visitors an immersive experience of KuKu Yalanji country and culture from the comfort of a new theatre has been officially opened at the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Daintree Discovery Centre manager Abi Ralph said her team was greatly excited about this new addition to the award-winning centre – a unique tourism experience blending immersive technology with firsthand storytelling by a traditional owner.

“We believe we are the only tourism attraction in Australia offering this kind of experience,” Ms Ralph said. “We’ve been working hard to perfect it – and also working hard to keep it under wraps until our opening this month.”

The technology was developed in Queensland by AXIOM Holographics. 

Going on country or ‘walkabout’ with KuKu Yalanji man Juan Walker of Walkabout Cultural Adventures provides an insight into the culture and country of these First Nations people. 

He explains how traditionally their estate provided for all their needs – it was a medicine chest, tool shed, hardware store, supermarket and church, all in one.

Juan introduces in language and English, the different animals, mostly noctural, and their significance, from the culinary to the mystical, as hologram versions appear almost as if you could reach out and touch them.

He warns of the need to be careful around estuaries and waterways – cue a large saltwater crocodile that swims by, complete with splashing water sound.

Ms Ralph said a former caretaker’s cottage had been repurposed for the new theatre to provide a comfortable setting for the engaging hologram experience. A fully accessible ramp has also been completed to allow access to what is anticipated to be a popular visitor point. 

Daintree Discovery Centre incorporates an interpretive centre and a series of boardwalks and aerial walkways, topped off by a canopy tower. These are designed to give visitors the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest at different strata levels while removing the impact of traffic on the forest itself.

The theatre opening will be accompanied by the opening of new interpretive cassowary circuit signage. The upper boardwalk runs through a natural Cassowary Corridor where many of this majestic and ancient creature’s favourite fruits are found.

The signs provide an insight into unique plant species along the boardwalk and the compelling story of how the Cassowary survives in this ancient environment.

Brian Arnold, group general manager of the Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust (GREAT), which owns Daintree Discovery Centre, said continued investment helped to keep the product experience fresh and maintained the Centre’s position as a must-do activity for visitors crossing the Daintree River.

“Daintree Discovery Centre is recognised as a leader in ecotourism and environmental conservation and maintaining that role is a keen focus of our investment activity,” Mr Arnold said.

For Daintree Discovery Centre opening times, visit www.discoverthedaintree.com.

ENDS

For interview requests, please contact:

Tanya Snelling

Strategic PR 

0417 202 663 

tanya@strategicpr.com.au 

 

Daintree Discovery Centre Enters Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame

Daintree Discovery Centre Enters Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame

Behind the Scenes, Media Releases

The Daintree Discovery was inducted into Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame last night, for being ECO certified for 20 years.

The awards were presented during the gala dinner of the Global Eco Asia Pacific Tourism Conference, held at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, north of Cairns.

The Daintree Discovery Centre, which celebrated 30 years this year, is an award-winning ecotourism attraction in the heart of the Daintree, providing visitors with an opportunity to view the rainforest from the forest floor all the way up to the upper most regions of the canopy.

Abi Ralph, manager of the Daintree Discovery Centre, said ecotourism and sustainability were at the core of the business.

“Everything we do at the Discovery Centre reinforces the need to preserve the Daintree Rainforest. We have elevated walkways designed to protect the fragile root systems, Interpretive displays that foster environmental sustainability and we model best practice in water conservation, waste management, recycling and eco-friendly design,” she said.

Induction into the Hall of Fame is an honour now bestowed upon 26 ecotourism businesses, the first of whom were entered into the Hall of Fame in 2018, 22 years after Ecotourism Australia’s certification program was fist launched as the National Ecotourism Accreditation Program (NEAP) – now ECO Certification.

Ecotourism Australia CEO Rod Hillman said that this year’s awardees were some of the leading ecotourism operators in the country, whose longevity and continued success in a rapidly changing industry was testament to their continued commitment to sustainable business practices and dedication to benefiting the communities and environments in which they operate.

“We are very proud to welcome these 12 operators into our Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame. They are our nation’s true ecotourism innovators, and their leadership has paved the way for more responsible and sustainable tourism as we experience it today,” he said.

Focus Is On Fun And Forest Facts At Reopened Daintree Discovery Centre

Focus Is On Fun And Forest Facts At Reopened Daintree Discovery Centre

Characters, Explore our Stories, Media Releases

Fun, funky and informative – all combine in new interactive interpretive signage at Daintree Discovery Centre designed to enhance the visitor experience in the Daintree Rainforest.

Daintree Discovery Centre manager Abi Ralph said the team had been busy over the Covid closure period designing and working with experts to better tell the story of the rainforest and its inhabitants and of Gondwana’s ancient legacy.

“We are thrilled with our cool new signage and are sure our visitors will appreciate it too. It provides a more immersive and engaging experience with succinct and easily understood facts and interesting information,” Ms Ralph said.

“Wonderful interactive signage has been installed along the Aerial Walkway, the Canopy Tower and the Jurassic Forest exhibit. They include colour-coded spinning totems that focus on local mammals and canopy birds. These are hands-on information stations designed to appeal to our younger visitors.

“Our dinosaur Jurassic Forest, has also been updated with 3D effects, sound, sliders and a spinning globe.

“We are delighted that the improvements have been completed and the Centre is back to operating as normal, ready to welcome visitors wishing to experience and understand the Daintree Rainforest and how it works.”

Brian Arnold, group general manager of Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust, which owns Daintree Discovery Centre, said continued investment helped to keep the product experience fresh and maintain the Centre’s position as a must-do activity for visitors crossing the Daintree River.

“Daintree Discovery Centre is recognised as a leader in ecotourism and environmental conservation and maintaining that role is a keen focus of our investment activity, particularly in these difficult times,” Mr Arnold said.

 

For Daintree Discovery Centre opening times, visit www.discoverthedaintree.com.

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