I was walking on air in the rainforest canopy. Suspended high above a sea of greenery, I was standing on a cantilever on the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway.

Set at the edge of Wooroonooran National Park, in the heart of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, this $10 million project is named in recognition of the Mamu people, the traditional owners of the area.

Opened last year by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, the walkway is the state’s latest must-see attraction.

Leaving the cantilever, I followed the rainforest track to the main walkway. 

This sturdy structure takes advantage of the valley slope so without climbing any steps I was able to wander through the tree tops for 350m at a height of 15m admiring the ferns and vines decorating the rainforest trunks and branches.

At the end of the walkway, a massive 37m high observation tower loomed above the tallest trees. As I climbed, each level provided me with a different perspective on the gorge below.

From the top, I could see the North Johnstone River winding its way along the bottom of the gorge.

Back on ground level, I enjoyed a more conventional view of the trees as I returned via the rainforest track but could not resist a last trip out on to the cantilever.

Forty metres long, it extends 10m beyond the last supporting tower and ends in a glass panel that provides an illusion of open space.

I paused in this tree top eyrie for a long time, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the rainforest views.

More:

• Cairns rainforest
• Cairns rainforest attractions
• Cairns driving tours
  

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