About Us

About

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

Wildlife Habitat is a Queensland wildlife park with an ethos of observation, appreciation, conservation.

It is part of the CaPTA Group, which stands for for Cairns and Port Trips and Attractions and employs over 200 staff across the group.

The group consists of Wildlife Habitat, Jungle Tours & Trekking, Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters, Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wooroonooran Safaris, Careers Training Centre and ABC Sales & Maintenance.

While CaPTA’s business focus is centred around tourism products, the group has expanded into tourism and indigenous training through the Careers Training Centre and more recently into Yutong coach sales, maintenance, service and parts through ABC Sales & Maintenance.

The Wildlife Habitat was opened to the public as a bird and butterfly sanctuary in June 1989 and was originally called the Rainforest Habitat.  The Rainforest Habitat was purchased by Charles and Pip Woodward on 1 October 2005 and renamed as the Wildlife Habitat and continues its commitment to animal conservation, providing joy to locals and visitors to our region and proving itself to be a leading Queensland wildlife park.

Wildlife Habitat

Our People

Wildlife Habitat’s people are what makes our Port Douglas Wildlife Sanctuary truly special. Our wildlife keepers are caring, passionate experts who put our animals welfare and wellbeing as their upmost importance. 

One of the key values of the CaPTA Group and Wildlife Habitat is to cultivate a strong importance delivering excellent customer service. Our staff are the pivotal contact with guests and the most important ingredient in making their experience at our Port Douglas wildlife sanctuary special.

Our focus on customer service and staff training through our CaPTAV8 program, supports every staff member in consistently delivering excellent customer service and educating them in the importance of having the right attitude and finding unique and creative ways to delight the guest.

From the Reception team to the Wildlife Keepers, our staff have an important role to play in the success of our business which is why they are our most valuable asset.

Vision & Mission Statement

 

OUR VISION

Trailblazers in nature based experiences.

OUR PURPOSE

A connection to, and pride in, people and place.

OUR MISSION

We develop and champion passionate people, innovation and the love of nature to deliver transformational moments.

Wildlife Habitat

History

“Good luck with that!” they said.  “Why build a rainforest when there’s a real one just up the road?!!”

Fast forward 30 years, and the answer is still the same: Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas offers a rare and genuine opportunity for visitors to observe and interact with the wildlife of Tropical North Queensland in a full immersion experience; meaning that visitors can walk freely amongst eight acres of lovingly recreated ecosystems and natural habitats up close and personal with some of Australia’s most exquisite, elusive and iconic native wildlife.

Wildlife Habitat’s rich history began over three decades ago in 1989, when it first opened as the Rainforest Habitat on the site of an old cane field.

Here’s a little overview of our history over the last three decades.

1989
Rainforest Habitat Opens
1990s
The Iconic Breakfast With The Birds Began
1996
The Clintons Paid a Visit

And a media frenzy began when a Koala Joey was named after their daughter Chelsea.

1998
Park Received Eco Accreditation

Cementing itself as a pioneer in eco tourism.

2001
First Successful Black Necked Stork Breeding

Our Black Necked Storks, James and Jabbie, had a total of 19 chicks between 2001 and 2018.

2001
Wildlife Care Centre Established

It was established to look after sick, orphaned and injured native wildlife.

2005
The CaPTA Group Acquires Rainforest Habitat

Charlie and Pip Woodward, who began their family business in 1976 when they opened Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda, acquire the Rainforest Habitat as part of the CaPTA Group (Cairns and Port Trips and Attractions).

2006
World’s First Successful Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo Breeding

Alongside this, Nail Tail Wallabies were introduced to the park, meaning that the park now had the most diverse range of macropods in Queensland.

2009
International Volunteer Program Is Introduced
2010
Rainforest Habitat Changes Name to Wildlife Habitat
2012
The Savannah Habitat Opens

Alongside this, WildNIGHT Nocturnal Tours and the Junior Keepers school holiday program began.

2013
Your Wildlife Habitat Private Tours Began

These personalised, private tours offered a premium experience for guests.

2015
Stork Tower Built
Add Description Here
2018
Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre (TARC) Is Established

The Wildlife Care Centre became non-profit facility TARC.

2018
Predator Plank Opens
2019
Nocturnal Habitat Opens
2020
Rainforest Renovations

Rebuilt Rainforest opened with new adventures.

2021
Swim with The Salties

Launched at the new CrocArena.

2022
Reinvented Breakfast with The Birds