RnR's 4 Day North Johnstone Expedition is rated in the Top 10 wilderness adventures in the world, and we've just announced our departure dates for the 2009 season! What's particularly exciting is that the season will be commencing a few months earlier than usual - in January!

The North Johnstone Expedition really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience -  from the exhilarating helicopter in, through 4 days of gigantic Grade 5 rapids, breathtaking scenery and unforgettable companions, to the serenity of camping 3 nights under the stars in riverside rainforest clearings, you’ll never experience anything like it.

2009 Departure dates:

Jan 24th- 27th; Feb 21st – 24th
April 4th – 7th; May 2nd – 5th
June 6th – 9th; July 4th – 7th

Found out more on our website: http://www.raft.com.au/tours/nj.htm

Discount low season rates have kicked in for all the Port Hinchinbrook accommodation. You can now stay at one of our apartments or holiday villas for as little as $115 per night.  
Rates return to normal for stays after the 31st of March 2009!

Evergreen played to a very large crowd when they were on stage for the evenings fun and festivities. 

Rainforest Rescue announces the purchase of a tenth property through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project.

This is extremely good news for the critically endangered Southern Cassowary. It prevents another housing development with all its associated dangers – dogs, loss of corridors, traffic and road kills – from destroying the delicately balanced habitat of this “keystone” species of the rainforest. Property No. 10 is essential habitat for this fabulous big bird, whose numbers are far fewer than the already low previous estimates.

The vegetation type is described as wet to very wet vine forest with emergent large-fruited red mahogany, having a rainforest understorey merging into simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest. The biodiversity values of this latter ecosystem type are described as being “very species rich”. Lofty clumps of locally endemic fan palms and black palms grace the northern sector of the property whilst two species of cycad and numerous ferns abound in the denser southern part. These include the King Fern, which, with fronds up to 5 metres long, is reputed to be the largest of all ferns. It is as a primitive plant, very similar types having been around for 300 million years.

The process is now underway to have to have the land protected in perpetuity by an Act of the Queensland Parliament by having the property declared as the Tree Friends Nature Refuge.

In announcing this major step forward, Executive Officer Kelvin Davies was especially proud that it has been achieved without any government funding. “It’s a significant achievement for community conservation, proving that donations from individuals and businesses make a big difference,” said Kelvin.

Equally exciting is the news that Rainforest Rescue is now on the verge of buying an eleventh property. Property No. 11 is located less than a kilometre away and is just as critical for Cassowaries and other rare and endangered species, like the Bennetts Tree-kangaroo. It will provide a vital corridor through the rural subdivision from the Daintree National Park on its northern side to two declared Nature Refuges to the south.

“We only need to raise $85,000 to complete the purchase of this next vital property – such a small amount to preserve forever another slice of the irreplaceable Daintree – and we call upon concerned Australians to contribute to this campaign,” Kelvin adds. “The current owner is committed to conservation and is offering the lot to Rainforest Rescue at less than market value, so we have taken an option to purchase.”

With the end of the financial year looming, Rainforest Rescue is now seeking tax-deductible donations from the community or business sponsorships to protect this two hectares property to establish and protect forever the wildlife corridor that it offers between the Daintree National Park and the Perna Greene Nature Refuge.

David Suzuki, the internationally acclaimed broadcaster, journalist and biologist is making his voice heard as a spokesperson for Rainforest Rescue.

"Come on Australia" said David Suzuki. "This is important work. All Australians should get behind Rainforest Rescue and support the Daintree Buy Back and Project Forever Project" David Suzuki said;

The Daintree rainforest is currently threatened by rural residential development" 

Make a difference with your tax-deductible donation today!

Or order a Daintree Gift Card for your friends and loved ones

You can read the full article on David Suzuki's Daintree message in the News section of the Rainforest Rescue Forum. David has also recorded two radio announcements for Rainforest Rescue. You can download MP3 audio tracks of David's 30 second spot (469KB) and 60 second spot (941KB)

The after bike ride wind down party and dinner withh music by The Evergreen Trio was enjoyed by all.