Daradgee Environmental Education Centre

Where is the Daradgee Environmental Education Centre?

The Daradgee Environmental Education Centre is located 11km north of Innisfail / 84km south of Cairns in an agricultural landscape reliant on the production of Sugar Cane, Bananas (and other fruit), Beef Cattle, Fishing and Tourism. The centres grounds are 1.4 ha and adjoin 2.7 ha of council reserve made up of pathed rainforest walks and a large tree-lined oval bordering the North Johnstone River.

What does the Daradgee Environmental Education Centre provide?

The DEEC hosts both residential camps and day visit excursions catering for Prep to Year 12 as well as community groups and sporting organisations. Daradgee offers flexibility catering for all students from small schools, mixed year levels, large and multi-class groups.

Facilities

The DEEC's facilities are a combination of the original Daradgee State School building (est. 1911) and more recently completed structures.

These include:

• Double classroom and administration space.Ablutions and Accommodation block (est. 2006) which includes 34 beds and 14 x 3 person semi - permanent tents.
• Kitchen and dining facilities seating 50 (est. 2006) and a large dining verandah seating 80 - featuring wood fired pizza oven (est. 2011).
• Indoor Climbing Shed (est. 2005) 15m x 9 m x 7.5 m high and Low Ropes Challenge Course (rebuilt 2006).
• Farm Shed (est. 2010) 14m x 10m and Farmyard.
• Daradgee Wharf and Daraji Sunbird 23 seat surveyed vessel (est. 1999).
• Other facilities include covered areas, nursery and greenhouse etc.

Daradgee is also within close proximity to the MAMU Canopy Walk, Paronella Park, Etty Bay, and the Wooroonooran and Eubanangi Swamp National Parks.

Daradgee EEC Programs

Programs are designed to meet the needs of clients focusing on three key areas.

• Sustainability Focus
  Water & Biodiversity - Freshwater Studies, Aquatic and Estuarine Boating, Sustainable Recreational Fishing & Wet Tropical Rainforest Studies.
  Energy & Waste - Farmyard and Recycling.
• Leadership/Teamwork Focus
  Challenge & Leadership - Problem Solving, Team Building and Co-operation.
• Life Skills Focus
  Smart Healthy Choices and General Camping.

Future projects

An expansion of the Farmyard and Vegetable gardens, replacement and extension of the Covered Area and development of the Indoor Top Roping and High Ropes Challenge Centre.