Tourism operator anger as falls fall victim to front page splash

FNQ TOURISM

Byron Filmer

Junior Reporter

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Cassowary Falls is not accessible to the public and only accessed by a tour with expert guides. Picture: Byron Filmer
Bruce Morwood and Andy Garrity at Cassowary Falls. Picture: Byron Filmer

Local business owner and tourism operator Andy Garrity has moved to shut down any suggestion Cassowary Falls is linked to a spate of waterfall deaths after an image of the place he hosts hundreds of tourists annually at was splashed on a front page news story last week with the headline “Dire Warning”.

Angered at the use of the image in a publication, which landed in Douglas shops on Saturday, Mr Garrity spoke to Newsport on Monday with the hope he could quickly spread the word and limit damage to his business the “misleading and wrong” article could cause.

He has also gained support from Emma Tunnock, Executive Officer at Tourism Port Douglas Daintree.

The operator of the Cassowary Falls Gateway Daintree shared his anger on the coverage, after an image he took on his tour was placed on a front page story topped by a headline “Dire Warning” and captioned: “Young People skylarking at Cassowary Falls in the Daintree, but authorities are alarmed they are taking too many risks after six deaths’’.

The story - based on a Queensland Fire and Rescue media release run by Newsport in January - covers a broad range of incidents and features quotes from various emergency service members reminding the public to remain vigilant.

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Mr Garrity believes featuring Cassowary Falls and naming them explicitly in the caption could cause extreme damage to his business and he has called on the publisher to rectify or retract the article urgently.

“There have never been any deaths at this waterfall and no injuries as long as I have operated here as a business owner for 10 years,’’ Mr Garrity said.

“There are understandably many hazards in Far North swimming areas, but to use my business as an example in this instance is unfactual and untrue.

“We go above and beyond to ensure our experience is safe for all involved. We only run guided tours and the waterfall is not open to the public.

“Using an image of Cassowary Falls is wrong and misleading, none of the incidents mentioned in this report pertain to us at all.”

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Emma Tunnock commented on the situation, affirming the key tourism body’s support to Cassowary Falls Gateway Daintree and speaking in support of the safety of the tour itself.

“We are obviously very supportive of this tour and to operate at the standards we do, there needs to be appropriate safety measures,’’ she said.

“What Cassowary Falls offers really aligns with the experiences we like to promote and we really pride ourselves in the quality of the experiences our area offers.”

Mr Garrity’s tours at Cassowary Falls offer a unique experience to visitors taking them on an educational and exciting ATV adventure into the Daintree Rainforest on his farm and ending at Cassowary Falls.

Tour participants are invited to swim in the waterfall and are carefully guided on where and how to jump into designated safe areas by the experienced guides.

Mr Garrity and his employees pride themselves on their knowledge of the region and the waterfall itself to minimise any potential risks.

 

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