Niau Waterfall

Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours

Our day on Daintree Dreaming ran a little different from the brochured itinerary. As there was a high tide in the morning we headed straight up to a private property in the Daintree called Tranquility, where we followed a short walking trail through some beautiful rainforest up to Niau Falls. Troy, our guide, pointed out some rainforest species such as Wait-a-while, Strangler Fig and some ancient ferns. Once at Niau Falls we had time to swim, explore the falls or just relax in the rock pools. This place really lived up to its name. It was the epitome of tranquillity.

After about an hour here we headed back into the Daintree Village for our picnic lunch of ham, chicken, salad, fruit and the yummiest potato salad. Normally at this time we would have gone on a 1 hour Daintree River Cruise, but because we were all agents we skipped this part in favour of an earlier lunch.

Then onto Cooya Beach to meet Brandon Walker our teacher of Aboriginal hunting techniques. Before we headed off Brandon demonstrated how to use the spears. Some of us took up the option to try and hunt with a spear, the operative word being TRY, and headed off down the beach. As the tide had gone right out we were able to go quite a bit out and still remain in the shallows. Here we saw Sting Rays, fish and crabs. Brandon managed to spear a Sting Ray allowing us all to get a look at it up close before releasing it. We also managed to catch a Sand crab and Mud crab which we kept for our afternoon tea. We then headed into the mangroves where Brandon taught us how to gather food from this habitat. We found quite a few mangrove oysters, (which were consumed right then and there by some of the girls) huge Muscles and a rare Mangrove Lobster. All of which went into the bucket to be cooked for afternoon tea. The most exciting part of the day is navigating your way through the mud and trying to stay upright without ending up flat on your bum in the mud. On this tour…you will get right amongst it and you will get DIRTY. Although Brandon assured us that he could change the walk to cater those who are not as adventurous.

After we cleaned off we went walked up to the Walker home where Mum prepared our catch of the day. But first we got stuck into freshly baked Damper, cakes and sweet Pineapple before the main course of Oysters, Muscles, Mud & Sand Crab, and Lobster was brought out. Whilst we ate, Brandon brought out some pictures and pieces of bones and shells from Saw fish, Dugongs, and Turtles and told us stories of some of their hunting experiences. Brandon was perfectly honest and unapologetic when questioned on the way in which a Turtle has to be killed. This was no Mickey Mouse version of experiencing the Australian indigenous culture. It was real and honest and more importantly interactive.

Famous Millaa Millaa Falls

Discovery Tours (Australian Wilderness Tours) focuses on small personalised groups in comfortable 4WD vehicles.

Via the picturesque Copperlode Dam, we ventured down the 4WD Clohesy River track which also incorporates a boardwalk around an ancient Curtain Fig Tree. See huge examples of the endangered Giant King Ferns. Presently only Discovery tours utilizes this restricted access track, so no other tourists to be seen.

Up on the high lands the track opens into bush country. Jim our guide then drove us to Jacques coffee plantation for morning tea and an informative short film in a small movie theatre about coffee and the Jacques family history. From the plantation we went for a short walk around Lake Eacham, a volcanic crater lake surronded by virgin rainforest.

Onwards to to the famous Milla Milla Falls via Malanda before stopping for lunch at Mungalli Falls. As Discovery Tours utilize 4WD only we even were driven to the spectacular base of the Falls which is normally only accessible by guests on foot. Our little group had its own private deck for a very nice lunch at the Falls.

Then we proceeded to the new Ma Mu Rainforest Sky-Walk on the Palmerston Highway. This is a very impressive aluminium structure incorporated in a walk into the rainforest. The walk itself is 2.5km long and also wheelchair accessible. There are several highlights along the walk, the first called ‘Cantilever’, a 40m long ‘bridge’ jutting out into the forest. At the end you are standing 20m above the ground. The last 10 metres of that ‘bridge’ are cantilevered, so a bit challenging for people who are afraid of heights. Then there is an elevated 350m long walkway that meanders through the forest. Another highlight is the ‘Tower’ – 37 metres above ground on the top viewing deck. From the top platform people can view the Johnston Valley and one can see all the way to Babinda. The views are truly spectacular. This structure is another challenge for people being afraid of heights but along the way there are plenty of ‘rest stations’ where people can recover from the walk or wait for the more adventurous to return. We spent more than 1 hour at that site and everybody was very impressed with this new attraction.

On this tour see the diverse range of rainforest and bushland. Discovery Tours is ideal for those who want a little exclusivity and a little extra special treatment.