Rainforestation Nature Park
Our Philosophy
With a focus on sustainability embedded in our management philosophy since our official opening in 1976, Rainforestation Nature Park has built a reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism over our many years of operation.
We are proud to have been early adopters of Ecotourism and ROC (Respecting Our Culture) Accreditations and have built systems for continual improvement into our business planning and forecasting processes.
We actively contribute to the protection of wildlife and nature surrounding our property as well as carefully considering the positive role we can play in supporting local communities and local businesses.
We trust that the culture of sustainability shared by all employees at Rainforestation Nature Park will be evident to all customers experiencing our interpretational and educational activities.
We are Eco Certified
Rainforestation is fully eco certified and has been awarded certification at the level of ecotourism for all products; Army Duck Rainforest Tours, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout and Koala & Wildlife Park.
Being ecocertified ensures that we are successfully:
- Focusing on optimal resources use
- Leaving minimal impact on the environment
- Contributing to conserving the environment
- Helping local communities
- Offer interesting ways to learn about the environment
Sustainable and responsible treatment of our natural resources is fundamental
- We do have a recycling management plan implemented
- Plastic straws are banned from our restaurant
- We recycle water through a bio-cycle system that handles up to 12.500 litres per day
An advanced secondary treatment system treats wastewater that then irrigates the Rainforestation gardens as well as plantations growing food plants for the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
- Our vermiculture worm farm breaks down kitchen waste which gets recycled back into the garden
- The leftover koala leaf is recycled and mulched for our gardens
- We save water usage where we can – our water tabs turn off automatically, and we have implemented vertical drainpipes from restaurant gutters to water hanging baskets
- An oil separator is used to separate oil from water each time the workshop floor is washed – this procedure ensures that only water passes through our drains and the oil is stored in separate drums for collection and recycling
- We reduce our waste where we can
- We contribute to the protection of flora and fauna and drive regularly through the rainforest to inspect the environment
- We installed bird boxes in our fruit orchard
- The avoidance of chemical fertiliser protects the environment – we use worm farm produce instead
Injured wildlife either found on the property or delivered to us by the community are transferred to TARC (Tropical Animal Rescue Centre) at the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas for veterinary support.
- Our interpretational and educational tours help our customers to understand better the environment we live in
- We have implemented 231 solar power panels, which monitors the amount of CO2 avoided
Tree planting is an ongoing program embarked upon by schools, corporate and community groups from all over the world.
- The tree-planting program is supported by a local nursery supplying the seedlings
- We ensure an authentic experience – the weather conditions make the visitors experience the tropical climate
- Fresh fruit from the orchard is available for purchase
- The park can be enjoyed in all weather conditions without impacting the quality of the experience – in the case of rain, all attractions are equipped with rain covers
- Our employees provide interpretational and educational experiences and tours
- Our staff is multi-language skilled and ensures a comfortable experience for all visitors from around the globe
- We track our visitors’ experience and actively engage with them in feedback discussions to improve our performance and also run a 24-hour complaint response policy (via email)
- We encourage visitors to leave feedback on social media
- The park is available for functions, such as weddings or business events
- We are the only operator in the region offering the experience of throwing a boomerang – it is a unique opportunity!
- We have incorporated authentic Indigenous dance shows into our Pamagirri experience
- We offer educational and interpretational programs for school groups
- Locals enjoy a 20% discount rate
- Our annual pass provides unlimited entry for our four parks for an entire year
- We work together with Skyrail, Queensland Rail and Downunder Tours
- Our domestic and international volunteering programs offer young people the opportunity of a first-hand experience
- We regularly donate to the Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health (https://couch.org.au)
- We support local community groups and football teams
- Our focus lies on locally owned, operated, and sustainable business partners and Australian made souvenirs
- The boomerangs in our shop and other souvenirs are mostly handmade and Australian made, created and decorated by our Pamagirri staff
- We offer stable employment and (re-)training opportunities for the local community
- Indigenous employment is actively encouraged and desired
- Our training centre provides multiple accredited training courses in the hospitality and tourism sector
- CaPTA developed and implemented an Indigenous Employment Strategy in 2008 to increase employment for local Indigenous people
- We work together with the Lotus Glen Prison and offer our eucalyptus trees being part of their rehabilitation program
- The local firefighter brigade uses our park and workshop for their training