Devils Thumb access: Daintree ranger addresses ‘closure’ hype

Traditional owners of the Daintree National Park have set the record straight on rumoured closure of a bucket-list hike through world heritage listed rainforest.

TRADITIONAL owners of the Daintree National Park have set the record straight on rumoured closure of a bucket-list hike through world-heritage listed rainforest.

For the past month there has been chatter about the complete closure or partial closure of the gruelling Manjal Jimalji Track at the Devils Thumb peak.

The challenging 14.5km out-and-back trail west of Mossman is a major drawcard for experienced hikers and features a high-altitude fern grove before breathtaking views from the top of a granite monolith 1065m above sea level.

Noting talk of closure following a landmark hand back of 160,108 hectares to traditional owners – the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people – in September last year, principal ranger with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation Conrad Yeatman insists the trail would not close.

“Independent and free travellers are free to walk the national park and Devils Thumb has not been made a restricted access site, but all due diligence must be observed not to disturb the area,” he said.

“We ask that hikers enjoy the site without disturbing it, there is some sensitive cultural stuff.

“There is few areas that are out-of-bounds but Devils Thumb is not included in the RAA (restricted access area.)

“I would like to see them registered to go up and to come back. We have had deaths in the national park.”

Principal ranger with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation Conrad Yeatman.

In an official response a Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman said the track remains open however the department declined to offer information on future access to other areas within the Daintree National Park.

“Public access to the Manjal Jimalji trail currently remains in place,” she said.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to ensure the culturally and environmentally significant Manjal Jimalji (Devils Thumb) trail within Daintree National Park is protected while supporting local eco-tourism opportunities.”

Despite an access declaration by QPWS and Jabalbina, Back Country Bliss owner Jason Heffernan has suspended guided tours to the mountain.

“I am just getting ahead of the game, I would rather bow out now rather than being told what to do,” he said.

Holding a permit to take groups to the Devils Thumb summit the culturally accredited tour operator said he understood 90 per cent of the track would remain open but the rock summit could be off limits in the future.

Hikers on the 14.5-km out-and-back trail to the summit of the Devils Thumb peak. Picture: Tourism Queensland.

The mist covered mountain is a major drawcard for experienced hikers. Picture: Tourism Queensland.

“They are not going to build a fence up there, the environment is too delicate and it will be really silly. I think it will just be a pole with a sign,” he said.

Going forward, Mr Heffernan said he eventually expected restrictions at the mountain.

“They are two separate entities, and until Jabalbina put in the official request National Parks don’t know what they are doing.”

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Originally published as Devils Thumb access: Daintree ranger addresses ‘closure’ hype