Walking Tracks for the Visually Impaired

Queensland Parks and Wildlife decided to come up with this fantastic idea, to enable the visually impaired to get out and enjoy walking through the rainforest and have that nature experience. Braille books and cassette players with cassette are available for use from the Atherton Tableland Information Centre.

Naturally, the visually impaired would need to go along with a friend or relative, but the path is lined throughout the walk so no one goes off track. The tracks are also wheelchair accessible throughout.

Wongabel State Forest protects a remnant of endangered mabi forest, less than two percent of which now remains. The name “mabi” is derived from a local Aboriginal word for the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, the largest mammal found in this rainforest.

In 1903, red cedar seedlings were planted in the forest to replace the mature trees which were harvested from the area. Commercial plantations of hoop, kauri and Caribbean pine grow beside the native forest.

Enjoy the 750m walk through the forest or take the longer, 2.5km heritage route. Interpretive signs tell of the history of the area, as well as forestry practices and local ecology. Look for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos and possums while spotlighting at night. The two tracks in Wongabel State Forest have been designed with consideration for walkers who are vision impaired.