This park protects endangered mabi forest and a large fig tree. The formation of this fig tree is unique; its extensive aerial roots drop 15m to the forest floor and form a "curtain". This most amazing tree is from the strangler fig species Fichus virens. The curtain effect results from one tree leaning against another tree on a 45-degree angle. The strangler vine then grew along the oblique angle of the leaning tree, dangling 15 metres to the ground to create the curtain affect. A wooden boardwalk surrounds the tree so you can see it from any angle.
The Curtain Fig is on the Atherton Tableland, on the outskirts of Yungaburra, which is about 66km or just over one hour's drive from Cairns via the Gillies Highway. The Atherton Tableland is also accessible via the Kennedy Highway from Cairns, the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail or the Mossman-Mt Molloy Road from Port Douglas. Several tour companies travel to the Curtain Fig National Park.
There are no stairs on the elevated boardwalk around the Curtain Fig, but it does not meet the Australian Standard for disability access.
The large fig tree found in this park is unique because the extensive aerial roots, that drop 15m to the forest floor, have formed a "curtain". Starting from a seed dropped high in the canopy, this strangler fig grew vertical roots, which gradually became thicker and interwoven. Over hundreds of years these roots have strangled the host causing it to fall into a neighbouring tree a stage unique to the development of this fig. Vertical fig roots then formed a curtain-like appearance and the host trees rotted away, leaving the freestanding fig tree. The tree is thought to be nearly 50m tall, with a trunk circumference of 39m, and is estimated to be over 500 years old. An elevated boardwalk protects the tree while allowing visitors uninterrupted views of the fig from all angles.
Camping is not permitted in Curtain Fig National Park. There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Yungaburra, Malanda and Atherton.
The endangered mabi forest protected by the Curtain Fig National Park provides a wonderful wildlife watching opportunity. Some mabi forest residents have been declared rare, including the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo and the Herbert River ringtail possum. Over 130 species of birds are listed as mabi forest inhabitants and over 41 of these have so far been recorded in the Curtain Fig National Park. Several species of frogs and reptiles are also in the park, including a rare skink Eulamprus tigrinus.
Resident nocturnal mammals, insects and reptiles ensure a rewarding spotlighting trip to the Curtain Fig National Park. Leaf-tailed geckos are often seen on tree trunks, while the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo and many possums can sometimes be spied in the canopy. If planning a spotlighting trip to the Curtain Fig, here are a few things that will make your experience memorable.
The Curtain Fig National Park sits 720m above sea level and the lower humidity and temperatures are a pleasant escape from the coastal extremes. Maximum summer temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius while winter temperatures can fall below 10 degrees Celsius at night.
Information for this National Park has been supplied courtesy of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
