Take a walk in the clouds in Wooroonoon National Park just 15 minutes out of Innisfail. Elevated walkways, a cantilever, and observation tower offer visitors the exhilarating experience of being high in the rainforest canopy, along with providing spectacular panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes.
The Mamu Skywalk allows visitors to explore the rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy, in comfort and safety. The Skywalk passes through one of the largest-remaining continuous stands of complex vine forest on basalt soils in the Wet Tropics. Enjoy close-up views of rainforest plants, insects and birds, and take in sweeping vistas. Information signs tell of the rainforest’s complex web of life and the rich culture and history of the area.
Skywalk Features
- An elevated walkway, 350 m long, rising from ground level to 15 m above the ground, meandering through the canopy of lush tropical rainforest
- A 10 m long cantilever and a 37 m high observation tower with two viewing decks, providing spectacular views over the North Johnstone River gorge and surrounding rainforest-clad peaks
- More than 1100 m of forest walking tracks, connecting the elevated walkway, cantilever a tower rest shelters presenting information about the history and heritage of Mamu rainforest.
The Mamu Tropical Skywalk
To see all the features of the Mamu Tropical Skywalk requires a 2.5 km return walk and takes at least one hour. An hour and a half is recommended to allow for rest stops in the shelters and time to enjoy the scenery.
If you have limited time or are unable to walk the entire distance, you may choose to do only part of the walk.
Forest walk
The Forest walk serves as the access track to the cantilever, elevated skywalk and observation tower and provides the opportunity to experience tropical rainforest at ground-level. Alternative routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are provided along the Forest walk (indicated by directional signs). This track is suitable for visitors with vision-impairment with tap rails forming a continuous ‘shoreline’ on the left hand side of the track. Seats are provided along the way.
Cantilever
To the left, just past the first rest shelter, a 40 m long elevated walkway rises gently as the ground below drops away steeply, providing visitors with their first chance to experience the rainforest canopy. The viewing platform at the end of the 10 m long cantilever offers magnificent views of the river gorge below. Return the way you came to rejoin the Forest walk which continues on to the elevated walkway.
Skywalk
From the second rest shelter, the Skywalk meanders for 350 m through the rainforest canopy. Along the way visitors can view rainforest plants and animals at close quarters and gain tantalising glimpses of the river valley far below. Two small shelters positioned at regular intervals along the Skywalk provide shade. From these shelters there is the option to leave the skywalk and return to the ground-level Forest Walk. A third ground-level rest shelter is located at the base of the Skywalk leaving from the second canopy-level shelter.
Observation Tower
Access to the Observation Tower is from the fourth ground-level rest shelter at the end of the Forest Walk (past the Skywalk). From here a short elevated walkway leads to the tower’s lower viewing deck. The top of the Tower is reached by stairway (not wheelchair accessible) and at 37 m above ground-level offers spectacular, uninterrupted vistas of World Heritage landscapes.
Where is it?
- The Skywalk is in the Palmerston Section of Wooroonooran National Park.
- It is situated on the Palmerston Highway, 27 km from the turnoff from the Bruce Highway and 1 km east of Crawfords Lookout.
- From Paronella Park, a leisurely drive along the Palmerston Highway
Drive times
- From Cairns – 90 minutes
- From Innisfail – 30 minutes
- From Paronella Park –25-30 minutes
- From Mission Beach – 75 minutes
- From Townsville – 3 hours 30 minutes
Accessibility
- The Skywalk offers a safe and comfortable nature-based experience for all visitors.
- All facilities and walking tracks, except the top viewing deck of the observation tower, are accessible for wheelchairs with assistance.
- Alternative routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are provided along the Forest walk (indicated by directional signs).
- All facilities and walking tracks are accessible for visitors with vision-impairment. Tap rails, hand rails and tactile directional signs are provided along all tracks and skywalks.