Explore
the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
5000
plant species
Twelve of the world's 19 families of primitive flowering plants can be found in these forests.
800
vertebrate species
Many of which are endemic and important to our understanding of the evolution of modern fauna.
360°
access
The only rainforest canopy crane in the southern hemisphere, one of only 12 in the world.
Discover
the amazing World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest
The observatory is nestled in lowland rainforest at the base of Mount Sorrow and is only minutes from upland rainforest, fringing reefs, mangrove habitats and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Largest continuous area of tropical rainforest in Australia
- Unique and evolutionarily distinctive flora and fauna
- One of the most complex ecosystems on earth
- Species that date back 110 million years
Research
where the rainforest meets the reef
The Daintree Rainforest Observatory offers researchers access to a range of ecosystems: highland rainforest, lowland rainforest, above canopy, canopy layers, understorey, leaf litter, soil, freshwater, mangroves and shoreline.
- Working areas and laboratories on site
- Sophisticated sensor networks
- Canopy crane with power and data connections
- Weather station
- More data than you can poke a stick at
Education
ideal for secondary and tertiary students
The Daintree Rainforest Observatory is the ideal place to get secondary students connected to principles of biology, ecology and biodiversity, and give tertiary students exposure to field conditions.
- Provides a student-centred and inquiry-focused practice environment
- Open design and flexible spaces
- Modern teaching and conference facilities
- Pre-prepared curriculum-linked resources are available for teachers
- Education facilitator available to enhance students' learning experiences
Facilities
Accommodation and work-areas
The Daintree Rainforest Observatory is a recently renovated rainforest eco-monitoring site available to educators, researchers and students.
- Dormitory accommodation for up to 40 people
- Communal industrial kitchen, laundry, bathroom and shower facilities
- Triple share rooms for visiting researchers
- Two laboratories and two forest working areas
- Large indoor shared space with audio-visual equipment
Location & Contact
- Call us on 07 4098 0005 If calling internationally, dial +61740980005
- dro@jcu.edu.au
-
Daintree Rainforest Observatory
3701 Cape Tribulation Rd,
Cape Tribulation QLD 4873
Australia
