About Us

About

Rainforestation Nature

Rainforestation Nature Park is part of the CaPTA Group and was established by Charles and Pip Woodward in 1974. The park is set on 100 acres of World Heritage Rainforest and situated ten minutes travel from Kuranda Village, and half an hour by coach or car from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Australia.

Rainforestation is a major tourist attraction combining iconic Australian wildlife, authentic Indigenous culture with the famous Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and the Wet Tropics’ most unique rainforest viewing from an genuine WW2 Army Duck.

Our Commitment

To present a world-class attraction to our worldwide clients in an entertaining and informative manner, and to ensure that Rainforestation is a pleasurable and rewarding place to work for our employees.

Rainforestation Nature Park is committed to reducing environmental impacts and educating customers about our unique rainforest environment. Alongside this, we are dedicated to preserving and protecting Aboriginal cultural authenticity and integrity and are committed to sharing authentic Aboriginal culture through our Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Our dedication is shown through our Respecting Our Culture certification.

Some of our commitments in practice:

  • We proudly promote the unique ecology of FNQ’s rainforest, local indigenous culture in partnership with the traditional Djabugay people, and Australia’s unique fauna and flora.
  • All indigenous artworks and artefacts sold in our Pamagirri gallery are authentic and have been produced by our Pamagirri artists and their families.
  • The Pamagirri Dances performed at Rainforestation have been approved by an elder of the Djabugay Traditional Owners.
  • Our Pamagirri Guides are from various groups around Australia and share their personal culture through incorporating their own languages throughout the Dreamtime Walk and Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout.
  • Some of the traditions identified by our indigenous team members as being important to keep authentic are language, connection to the land, culture and music. We share all elements of these traditions throughout our dance and dream-time walk.
  • The Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout is an authentic insight into each Pamagirri guides interaction with their own culture. Each guide incorporates their own unique cultural traditions, customs and spiritual transitions, which keeps the experience authentic.

Vision & Mission Statement

OUR VISION

Trailblazers in nature based experiences.

 

OUR PURPOSE

A connection to, and pride in, people and place.

 

OUR MISSION

We develop and champion passionate people, innovation and the love of nature to deliver transformational moments.

Global Peace Park

In recognition of the efforts to foster indigenous tourism and employment in the region, Rainforestation Nature Park was announced as an  International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) Global Peace Park in June 2022. There are over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks throughout the world, which dedicate a piece of land to the commitment of 'Building a Culture of Peace'. 

From Then to Now

Rainforestation Nature Park was purchased by Charles & Pip Woodward in 1974. It was initially an orange orchard, named Mountain Grove. After extensive construction, the park was officially opened as a tourist attraction on 29th July 1976, with amphibious Army Duck tours and the Colonial Restaurant. The park now offers three key experiences in one location – the Koala & Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and the Army Duck rainforest tours. It is part of the CaPTA Group, which is now run by Charles and Pip’s three sons Michael, Ben and Peter.

1974
Mountain Groves orchards
Mountain Groves purchased

Charles and Pip Woodward purchase Mountain Groves, an orange orchard. Shortly after, extensive constructions begun.

1976
Army Duck Tour
Officially opened

Mountain Groves officially opened as a tourist attraction on 29th July 1976, with amphibious Army Duck tours and the Colonial Restaurant.

1987
Boomerang Throwing
Boomerang Throwing

Boomerang throwing demonstrations introduced by Boonga (Jimmy Edwards) to entertain guests before and after Army Duck tours.

1989
Rainforestation Nature Park
Rainforestation is born

Mountain Groves renamed to Rainforestation.

1993
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

Introduction of Dreamtime Walk Cultural Tour and Pamagirri Dance Troupe. Construction of Pamagirri Cultural Centre, Amphitheatre and Rainbow Serpent walkway.

1996
Jack the Ripper
Koala and Wildlife Park

Koala and Wildlife Park opens, featuring an array of native Australian wildlife, including saltwater crocodile Jack the Ripper.

2001
New Army Duck platform
Further expansions

New Army Duck platform completed. Rainforest Gift and Artefact Shop expanded to sell local souvenirs.

2002
Outback Restaurant
New 400-seat restaurant

Outback Restaurant expanded to seat 400 people.

2003
Tropical treats
Tropical Treats

Tropical Treats opens; a kiosk selling fruits, ice creams, juices and local honey.

2005
Guide on Army Duck
New Ducks arrive

The addition of 2 new Army Ducks takes the fleet to 11.

2014
Tree house Restaurant
More dining opportunities

Treehouse Restaurant opens, which seats additional 100 people.

Pamagirri History

Rainforestation Nature Park was purchased by Charles & Pip Woodward in 1974. It was initially an orange orchard, named Mountain Grove. After extensive construction, the park was officially opened as a tourist attraction on 29th July 1976, with amphibious Army Duck tours and the Colonial Restaurant. The park now offers three key experiences in one location – the Koala & Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and the Army Duck rainforest tours. It is part of the CaPTA Group, which is now run by Charles and Pip’s three sons Michael, Ben and Peter.

1987
Pamagirri Boomerang throwing introduced
Boomerang throwing introduced

Charles Woodward and local Indigenous man Boonga (Jimmy Edwards) introduce boomerang throwing lessons. This was to entertain tourists waiting for Army Duck tours.

1993
Dreamtime walk construction
Dreamtime Walk Cultural Tour was born

The authentic Indigenous experience was ran by Aboriginal and Torres Stait Islander people and featured spear throwing, didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing lessons.

1993
Pamagirri performers
Pamagirri Cultural Centre opened

The centre was erected, displaying authentic Aboriginal art and artefacts. The Woodward family worked alongside Djabugay Elder, Lyn Hobber and Donald Enoch to form the Pamagirri Dance Troupe. 

1993
Pamagirri cultural centre erected
Rainforest Amphitheatre & Rainbow Serpent

TheRainforest Amphitheatre was built and linked to the main building with a walkway themed on the Rainbow Serpent.

1996
World Record spear throw
Guinness World Record in spear throwing

Michael Warrasum, one our our Pamagirri Guides and Dancers, achieved a world record for spear throwing. 

1996
World Record Spear throw
Another Guinness World Record achieved

Pamagirri Manager, Elder William Enoch Snr beat Michael Warasum's record in traditional spear throwing with the aid of a woomera.

2006
Pamagirr stage
Amphitheatre expansion

The Amphitheatre was extended.

2016
Bush Tucker walk
Bush Tucker Walk began

The track for the Bush Tucker walk was constructed and the Bush Tucker Walk began. This experience consisted of a rainforest walk highlighting plant and medicinal foods.

2018
Pamagirri art
The Pamagirri Gallery opens

The Pamagirri Gallery opens in the Cultural Centre. The gallery displays and sells authentic Aboriginal artwork and artefacts from our own Pamagirri artists and their families.

2019
Walkabout Tour
Bush Tucker Walk evolves

The Bush Tucker Walk evolves and changes name to the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout to include more aspects of Indigenous culture and connections with the ancient rainforest.

2019
2019 Queensland Tourism Award
2019 Queensland Tourism Awards for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Winner

Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience wins Gold in the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture.

Gift a Year of Amazing Experiences!

Gift the CaPTA Group Annual Pass

Unlock a year of extraordinary value with the CaPTA Group Annual Pass! Enjoy visits to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and Rainforestation Nature Park as often as you’d like for an entire year, and make memories that last a lifetime.