Daintree Discovery Centre

They were successful in securing funding through our Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant, enabling them to incorporate a Virtual Reality (VR) experience and a live feed, movable camera. The Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant program aims to support small businesses in improving accessibility and enhancing the tourism experience for all individuals.

The Daintree Discovery Centre is a distinguished environmental visitor attraction, renowned for its multiple awards and notable accreditations, including Advanced Eco Tourism, ROC (Respecting Our Culture), and Climate Action certification. The Centre offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage in immersive learning and exploration within one of the last remaining pristine expanses of lowland rainforest in Tropical North Queensland.

Highlights include their 23-metre-high Canopy Tower, 11-metre-high Aerial Walkway, Interpretive Centre featuring Jungle Bugs and a rainforest aquarium, Discovery Theatre with a holographic Indigenous experience (with more to come in 2024), Cassowary Circuit, Bush Tucker Trail, and Jurassic Forest with Australian dinosaurs and megafauna.

Why is accessibility important to your business?

Accessibility has grown in significance for our business in recent years. We were extremely fortunate to have an assessment of our Centre conducted by Dane Cross through Spinal Life at the beginning of our journey. This evaluation prompted us to continuously enhance our offerings, with the goal of making the Discovery Centre more inclusive and accommodating to all visitors.

One notable achievement in this regard is the introduction of the Discovery Theatre, a cutting-edge exhibit that opened in June 2023. As part of this project, we took the initiative to invest $250,000 in the construction of an accessibility ramp. This ramp not only complies with accessibility standards but also aligns with our commitment to providing an accessible and enjoyable experience for every guest, regardless of their physical abilities. Our ongoing dedication to improving accessibility reflects our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with and appreciate the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest.

How will this project help improve accessibility for your business and guests?

This project represents another significant step forward in enhancing accessibility for both our business and guests. While the diverse terrain of our Centre presents challenges in making all areas physically accessible, these initiatives leverage technology to overcome these barriers.

The introduction of a live feed, movable camera positioned at the base of our tower will be a game-changer. This technology will cater to individuals with mobility challenges or a fear of heights, allowing them to experience the panoramic views from the tower in real-time. With the ability to move the camera using a joystick, they can enjoy a 360-degree view, providing an immersive experience that was previously inaccessible.

Our second project introduces a Virtual Reality (VR) experience of the Discovery Centre. Through this innovation, guests can virtually explore all the walks within our facility as if they were physically walking them. They will retain the benefits of our audio-guided tours and guidebooks, enabling them to “climb” to the top of Canopy Tower and explore areas that were once out of reach.

These technological advancements underscore our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical limitations, can fully engage with the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest and the offerings of the Discovery Centre.

How will the grant help to implement your accessibility plans?

The grant represents the initial phase of a comprehensive accessibility strategy aimed at transforming our visitor experience. It lays the foundation for a broader initiative that will enable us to offer the complete Discovery Centre experience virtually, while visitors remain physically immersed in the incredible environment of the world’s oldest lowland tropical rainforest.

Looking ahead, our vision includes the addition of further accessibility ramps, with the ultimate goal of making our entire facility as inclusive as possible. To achieve this, we believe our guests are the foremost experts in shaping their own experiences, and their insights will be invaluable in guiding our ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility.

In essence, this grant is the first step in a journey toward a more inclusive and immersive Discovery Centre, and we are committed to continually improving and expanding our offerings based on the input and needs of our visitors.

Where did you hear about the grant?

Through Queensland Tourism and Development social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport LinkedIn, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Queensland Tourism Industry Council emails.