Explore the most sustainable ways to visit the Daintree Rainforest and help keep the area protected.
The Daintree Rainforest is an iconic destination located in northern Queensland. It is millions of years old and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Just like many natural wonders, the Daintree Rainforest has seen its fair share of threats. These threats include pollution, logging and other disruptions to the ecosystem.
Despite these threats, there are plenty of ways to protect the Daintree Rainforest. Below are some ways to visit the rainforest sustainably and responsibly!
Leave everything as you found it
There is a saying along the lines of “take only memories, leave only footprints”. That’s the mindset you should adopt when visiting the Daintree Rainforest.
The rainforest is home to many critters, and we don’t want to upset the ecosystem by leaving behind garbage. We also don’t want to damage any plants or harm any animals that call this rainforest their home.
Bring a reusable water bottle
You can be a sustainable traveller by bringing a refillable water bottle everywhere you go. Then you won’t have to buy plastic water bottles, which you would just throw away after one use. Sometimes waste ends up in places other than the recycling bins or trash cans.
Stay in eco-friendly lodging
If you’re spending more than one day in the Daintree Rainforest, you can do your part by opting for sustainable accommodation. When researching your options, most hotels will state what practices they have implemented to help protect the environment.
You can also take a couple of steps to protect the rainforest when travelling and lodging here. Be sure to turn off lights or air conditioning when you don’t need it. You can also let hotel staff know if you don’t need your linens and towels washed everyday in order to conserve water.
Don’t feed the wildlife
If you come across a friendly critter in the rainforest, you may be tempted to give it some food and water. You can do your part by refraining from feeding any animals that you encounter.
Feeding wildlife can cause the animals’ behaviour to change. They may also slowly become dependent on human food and stop being able to find food for themselves.
However, when you do come across the wildlife of the Daintree Rainforest, you are more than welcome to take photos from a safe distance!
Walk as much as you can
Rather than driving everywhere, try to find somewhere central to park and then follow the walking paths from there. It’s much more sustainable to explore on foot than by a vehicle that emits harmful gas into the atmosphere. However, when visiting the Daintree Rainforest, or any natural wonder, be sure to pay attention to signage and only walk in designated areas.
A perk to walking everywhere is that you can spend more time immersed in the incredible natural surroundings. You’ll be able to see the flora up close and basque in the musical rainforest sounds.
These are just a few of the many ways to sustainably visit the Daintree Rainforest!