Recently I paid a visit to one of my favourite local spots with my family. Unfortunately, what was once a beautiful natural rainforest area which could be accessed by anyone at any time, has now been turned into a money generating, tourist encouraging, over crowded monstrosity.
Much to my disgust the so called "Discovery Centre", does not educate, advise or provide the average Joe with any information about what they are about to see and experience, but does however exhibit some art (which is for sale), hosts a gift shop (with more stuff for sale), has a cafe (ditto) and of course numerous points of "sale" for bus tickets to get you down to the Gorge (as you are no longer able to take yourself!).
It really was quite horrific, even the bus ride was just that. No running commentary about where we were going, no introduction to the ancient rainforest and all it's beautiful secrets. NO...just herded onto the bus, given a ride to the Gorge with a dozen other people who we then had to spend the next 2 kms trying to distance ourself from so that we could actually enjoy the Gorge in all its splendour and in peace.
But unfortunately that wasn't to be. We even walked past a group of young people who were fiddling with their iPad, incredulous that there was no internet reception!!! What?? No internet? In the oldest rainforest in the world. GOOD LORD! Sigh.
Even the Boyd's Forest Dragons were conspicuous in their absence.
I was angry for a while. Now I'm just incredibly sad.
That was the last time I will ever be visiting Mossman Gorge.
Could not agree with you more.I have visited the gorge before and after the changes and what has been done is the exact opposite to conservation,I think the word is vandalism.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Croft United kingdom.