About Djiru

Park features

Since Europeans began to settle North Queensland, over 80 per cent of the lowland rainforest in the Wet Tropics has been cleared for agriculture and housing. Much of the forest in Mission Beach was selectively harvested up until the 1970s. This forest type is now preserved as national park.

From the Licuala day-use area, the short Fan Palm walk takes visitors through a native fan palm grove. The impact of Cyclone Yasi—fallen trees and sawn-off trunks—is most evident here. The dappled canopy that is usually created by the bright green, splayed fronds is slowly recovering.

At Lacey Creek, visitors can follow the Lacey Creek walk through the rainforest along, and across, the creek. Many of the features of mature tropical rainforest can be seen: tall trees with wide buttressed trunks; epiphytic ferns perched on tree branches, high in the canopy; and twining vines climbing up and over other plants to reach the light. The unmistakable features of cyclone damage are also evident here—clusters of regrowth on branch tips, fallen logs and vines, and large gaps in the canopy.

Cassowaries are often seen in this park, appearing from the surrounding forest and then melting away again.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of Djiru National Park.

Looking after the park

Assist the Traditional Owners and rangers to look after this special place.

• Mountain biking is only permitted on the Musgravea track.
• Stay on marked trails—riding and walking over vegetation, breaking branches, taking shortcuts and forming new tracks damages the environment.
• Only cross natural watercourses at designated crossing points on the trail or track.
• Limit the spread of weeds by ensuring clothes, shoes, gear and bikes are clean and free of seeds before arriving at the park.
• Take your rubbish with you—litter is unsightly and harmful to wildlife. Remember that cigarette butts are rubbish too.
• Feeding of wildlife is not permitted—it can affect the health of animals and alter their behaviour.
• Leave domestic animals at home—they are not permitted in national parks.
• Everything in the park is protected. Leave everything as you found it.
• Motorised vehicles, including trail bikes, are not permitted on the Musgravea trail.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Part of Djiru National Park lies within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The park is managed to preserve the area’s natural, cultural and scenic values while providing nature-based recreational opportunities for visitors.

Previously a state forest, this area became Tam O’Shanter National Park in December 2005. On 9 December 2009 Tam O'Shanter National Park became Djiru National Park. This name change honours the Traditional Owners of the area, the Djiru Aboriginal people.

Djiru National Park is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with the Wet Tropics Management Authority and the Djiru Aboriginal people.

Tourism information links

Innisfail Information Centre
cassowarycoasttourism.com.au
ANZAC Park, Bruce Highway, Innisfail QLD 4860
ph: 0428 228 962
email: innisfailtourism@ccrc.qld.gov.au

Mission Beach Business & Tourism
www.missionbeachtourism.com
Porters Promenade, Mission Beach QLD 4852
ph (07) 4068 7099
email info@missionbeachtourism.com

Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre
cassowarycoasttourism.com.au
Bruce Highway, Tully QLD 4854
ph (07) 4068 2288
email tullytourism@ccrc.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.