Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation, formerly Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, hosts grand opening on Wednesday

The new bosses of an adventure park that closed and was redeveloped after the death of a South Australian tourist have a message for people ahead of its grand opening.

The new bosses of an adventure park that closed and was redeveloped after the death of a South Australian tourist have reassured people of the precautions put in place for safety ahead of its grand opening on Wednesday.

Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation under new owners Experience Co will provide a bird’s eye view of the ancient Daintree Forest suitable for every fitness level.

The adventure park was previously known as Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours.

The business initially closed in early 2020, under tragic circumstances where South Australian tourists Dean and Shannon Sanderson fell from a flying fox, killing Mr Sanderson and seriously injuring Mrs Sanderson.

“We've changed it, the nature of it we've changed, there’s a section where you can enjoy, not necessarily zip lines, but suspension bridges, walkways,” Treetop Adventure general manager Nicolas Dansin said.

Breanna Redhead at Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation previously Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours which will reopen in June. Picture: Supplied.

“There’s a section in the tour, while you are still guided, you are left by yourself a bit more, you are supervised from the distance and you can enjoy the rainforest at your own pace.”

Mr Dansin said from a safety aspect it had completely changed.

“We have nothing to do with the people that operated and installed the ziplines initially. We are completely separate, it’s a new brand,” he said.

“The experience in itself is completely new, we’ve completely dismantled all the infrastructure that was there before,” he said.

Arkadiy Statsenko & Christina Barnes at the new Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation. PIcture: Supplied.

“The only thing we retained was a grandstand which was a viewing platform.”

Mr Dansin said the park had gone through extensive checks prior to opening.

“WorkSafe, because of the location and sensitivity, worked very closely with us to make sure we complied,” he said.

“After a thorough audit, WorkSafe was happy.”

Mr Dansin said he was confident with plans in place.

“We will inspect the cables on a yearly basis, the trees on a yearly basis, it will all be done externally,” he said.

Baye Barrett at Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation previously Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours which will reopen in June. Picture: Supplied.

Keydane Pty Ltd, which traded as Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, was charged with one count of reckless conduct - category one on August 31, 2021.

In June the company was committed to stand trial in the criminal sittings of the Cairns District Court on a date to be notified by the Director of Public Prosections.

“When we were officially meant to open that’s when there was a decision made in court, so we didn’t want to be insensitive and promote something at the same time,” Mr Dansin said.

“So we had a soft opening but now it is the official opening.”

Mr Dansin said while the company had started trading at a soft capacity, it was time to go big with Douglas Shire Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland guests.

Experience Co group general manager Adam Jones said the company was confident of the new product.

“It’s a great asset for the region - it’s great to see some great attractions bringing people up to the Daintree rainforest and creating employment in that region,” he said.

Mr Jones was proud of the company’s mission to protect the nature around.

“The systems they use don’t damage the trees, they use a compression system as opposed to drilling into the tree. Those trees will continue to grow and thrive.”

Originally published as Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation, formerly Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, hosts grand opening on Wednesday