A look into the Mandingalbay Yidinji Eco Cultural Infrastructure Tourism Project
Just 10 minutes from the Cairns CBD, a bold new vision is unfolding on the traditional lands of the Mandingalbay Yidinji peoples.
The Mandingalbay Yidinji Eco Cultural Infrastructure Tourism Project (MYECITP) is a proposed Eco-Cultural Tourism precinct located in the East Trinity Reserve in Far North Queensland. It is set to become a world-class, iconic Australian attraction for 2032, showcasing Indigenous history, culture, and the natural environment in a place of adventure, fun, learning and reflection. The precinct is established within the eco-sensitive wetlands held in trust by the Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation (MYAC) on behalf of the Mandingalbay Yidinji peoples.
The experiences will be authentic, led by the Mandingalbay Yidinji traditional owners. More than a destination, MYECITP will be a place for immersive storytelling and cultural exchange – a landmark that responds to the strong demand for cultural tourism and will deliver considerable social and economic benefits for the Mandingalbay Yidinji people, the Yarrabah community, and the region more broadly.
COX Associate Director, Ali Farmer
We are helping to realise MYAC’s vision of creating a sustainable, community-led asset that offers a powerful experience of place, culture and connection through the design of a unique tourism and adventure precinct. At its heart is our long-standing commitment to environmental rehabilitation and research on Country, work that has been guided by the Mandingalbay Yidinji community for years.
Working closely with MYAC, COX and our collaborators at CA Architects were engaged to deliver the preliminary concept design. The design scheme builds on the successful delivery of the first stage – the Hills Creek Jetty and Welcome Shelter precinct – and original project concept developed by architect Philip Follent.
The 12,000m² site will span four key precincts connected via a 1.1-kilometre boardwalk weaving through wetlands rich in ecological and cultural significance. The site’s future development centres on a series of ‘towers’: distinctive, sculptural forms that will serve as both wayfinding devices and markers of experience across the site. Rising like totems from the canopy, the towers are elemental in form, using a material palette that complements the natural setting. By day, they will orient visitors through Country and provide vantage points for immersion; by night, they will glow as illuminated landmarks that guide a uniquely Australian eco-cultural journey.
Tower 1 – the Food, Accommodation and Cultural Discovery Precinct – will be the first public interface with the site. Featuring a café, interpretive centre, performance amphitheatre, and glamping-style accommodation, it sets the tone for the journey ahead: immersive, welcoming, and visually connected to Country.
Tower 2 – the Gathering and Adventure Precinct – invites exploration, thrill, and community. With a 250-metre zipline, climbing walls, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of the landscape, it introduces a sense of movement and play, grounded in cultural and environmental awareness.
The Accommodation and Conference Precinct will cater to larger visitor groups, incorporating flexible event spaces, eco-luxury lodgings, and pop-up dining options designed for seasonal use. A future fifth precinct, Tower 3 – a Research and Education Centre – is also anticipated, further strengthening MYECITP’s connection to knowledge-sharing and long-term cultural resilience.
COX’s design approach is one of deep respect. Elements are lifted above ground to protect landforms and waterways, and durable, locally sourced materials are used to minimise construction footprint.
MYECITP represents a bold, Indigenous-led vision for eco-cultural tourism in Australia, and is currently seeking further funding to progress to the next stage. It will offer one of the most authentic and layered cultural tourism experiences in the country, immersing visitors in stories of Country, culture, and connection. Designed to encourage longer stays and repeat visitation, the precinct delivers meaningful social and economic benefits for the Mandingalbay Yidinji people, the Yarrabah community, and the broader Far North Queensland region.
