AusLeisure

The new operators of a Far North Queensland adventure park that closed and has been redeveloped after the death of a tourist have reassured people of the precautions put in place for safety ahead of its grand opening today.

Experienced adventure tourism company Experience Co Limited, will be reopening Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation, formerly Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, as of today.

The Australian Stock Exchange listed operator is emphasising that the attraction’s safety has completely changed.

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

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

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

Dansin added “we have nothing to do with the people that operated and installed the zip lines initially. We are completely separate, it’s a new brand.

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

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

Dansin said the park had gone through extensive checks prior to opening, noting “WorkSafe, because of the location and sensitivity, worked very closely with us to make sure we complied

“After a thorough audit, WorkSafe was happy.

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

Keydane Pty Ltd, which traded as Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, was charged with one count of reckless conduct - category one on 31st August 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 Queensland’s Director of Public Prosecutions.

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, advising “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.”

Proud of the company’s mission to protect the nature around, Jones stated “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.”

Images: Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation. Credit: Experience Co.

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