A+ for a successful Wet Tropics tour guide workshop and field school

The 13th Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program workshop and field school took place in the Daintree on 19–21 June.

An excellent turnout saw 24 participants, including guides and Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation rangers, embrace the theme ‘People of the Daintree’.

Natural values, cultural values and presentation skills were honed and discussed during the workshop component on day 1 at the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Packed with highlights, the field school kicked off on day 2 with an interpretive walk at Lawrence Mason’s property at Cape Tribulation. Lawrence is the 4th generation of his family living in Cape Tribulation and his stories throughout the walk illustrated a real connection to the area.

At the Daintree Tea Company, Greg Nicholas spoke about the farm’s history and operations. Greg’s family established the farm 1978 and they continue to grow, process and sell the tea direct from the farm. His experiences and insights provided another aspect to the life of people in the Daintree.

Kylie Goodall—Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s Ranger-in-Charge, Daintree North—updated everyone on all things Daintree National Park, like the progress of boardwalk upgrades. Kylie also spoke about the important role tour guides can play in protection of the area’s flora and fauna, from cassowary sightings to reporting unusual people or activity in the area.  

On the last day of the field school, participants took a cruise from the Daintree River Cruise Centre before a visit to Hook-a-Barra at Wonga Beach. The afternoon expanded on the diversity of the greater Daintree area with visits to both Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation offices and a tour of the Mossman Sugar Mill.

The event was enjoyed by all with plenty of positive feedback from participants, who typically find meeting old and new colleagues and learning from each other as valuable as the official program.  

More information is available at Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program.

Published: 13th Aug 2019