The time to stop talking and instead start walking the walk, is the long overdue for the plan to build a world class walking trail from Cape Tribulation. The route investigated several years ago by GHD, proposed a trail to compete with other hugely popular walking trails, of a few days walking duration, in both Australia and New Zealand.
The trail was planned to run up Mt Sorrow from Cape Tribulation, between Thornton’s and Pieter Botte on route to the Meg Falls, through China Camp and on to Daintree Village. The Douglas Shire Council supported a motion I had pushed to allocate $50K towards furthering the planning of a feasibility study for this trail. Since this time, philanthropist Roger Allen has added sizeable funds and expertise to have ARUP pilot us through the maxe of approvals and stakeholder input towards getting the multi-million dollar project funded. The Daintree Tourism are also acting to push this agenda, and parties at Cape Trib and China Camp could all see potential benefit here, if the trail gets State or Federal backing. It’s a very steep 18km from Cape Trib to the Meg, needing a base camp mid way. But the primary beneficiary with be the Yalanji peoples of China Camp, Wujal Wujal and Mossman, as its aimed that the 3 or 4 bush camps on the trail will be run by Yalanji. This will give purpose to the extensive training in ranger and tourism areas where there are lots of Yalanji qualified, but few receive jobs. Aspirations about low key cultural tourism at or near China Camp stand to get traction if this trail is built. I spend a lot of my time and resources helping around the edges at China Camp and I have deep interest and respect for the spiritual and cultural teachings of the Yalanji.

My aspiration is that this project brings return to country for many Yalanji.

CONTACT ROD DAVIS: vote@roddavis.org

MOBILE: 0418 235561 or HOME: 0740 994434

MAIL: PO BOX 714, Port Douglas, 4877.