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Jindalba FRP Boardwalk Case Study in Daintree

This Tech Talk Tuesday session presents the Jindalba Boardwalk case study, a NatureTREAD™ FRP boardwalk project delivered by Treadwell in partnership with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The boardwalk is located in the Daintree Rainforest, within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, close to the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Queensland Parks identifies Jindalba Boardwalk as part of the Cape Tribulation section of Daintree National Park, around 115 km north of Cairns. The walk allows visitors to experience dense lowland rainforest and crystal-clear creeks from a defined access route.

The project replaced an existing timber boardwalk that had reached the end of its service life after approximately 20 years. In the hot, wet and humid rainforest environment, the previous timber structure was affected by rot, stagnant water, slip hazards and ongoing maintenance demands. Treadwell was engaged to design and supply a new FRP boardwalk structure that could deliver longer service life, improved safety and reduced impact during construction.

Key Benefits

Designed for a harsh rainforest environment

The Daintree environment is hot, humid and wet, making material durability a major consideration. FRP was selected because it resists corrosion, rust, and rot, directly addressing the issues experienced with the previous timber boardwalk.

Reduced maintenance burden for Queensland Parks

The previous timber structure required frequent recoating and regular inspections to remain safe. The FRP replacement was selected to reduce ongoing maintenance, while still supporting public access through the rainforest.

Long design life

Treadwell’s FRP boardwalk system was designed with a 50-year design life in mind. The presenter also notes that the product is case-proven to support a 55-year-and-counting design life in suitable applications.

Anti-slip mini mesh decking

Treadwell supplied FRP mini mesh grating for the boardwalk deck. The anti-slip surface supports AS 4586 compliance and provides P5 and R13 slip resistance performance, making it better suited to wet rainforest conditions than slippery timber planks.

Low impact construction methodology

The new structure used small individual concrete pier footings with stainless-steel base-plate connections. This helped minimise the construction footprint in the sensitive rainforest setting.

Lightweight components for remote installation

FRP’s lightweight properties allowed the construction team to hand-transport members to the site. This was a major benefit in a logistically challenging rainforest environment where large machinery and heavy handling would be difficult.

Reduced on-site fabrication

Treadwell worked with the contractor to optimise member sizes and lengths, reducing on-site work to drilling, bolting and assembly. This helped simplify installation and reduce disturbance in the Daintree environment.

Seamless integration with existing FRP bridges

Treadwell had previously supplied FRP bridges for the site approximately 10 years earlier. The new FRP boardwalk connected to the existing bridge structures without alteration because the bolted FRP system allowed a clean interface.

Hybrid aesthetic solution

Queensland Parks wanted timber handrails for visual reasons. Treadwell worked with the consulting engineers to integrate a compliant timber handrail and balustrade system, bolted to the outer joist of the FRP boardwalk.

Applications

Rainforest boardwalk replacement projects

The Jindalba project is a strong example of replacing ageing timber boardwalks in wet tropical environments with FRP structures designed for longer service life and lower maintenance.

National park access infrastructure

The boardwalk supports public access through Daintree National Park while keeping visitors on a defined path. This helps protect rainforest soils, vegetation and sensitive ground conditions from uncontrolled foot traffic.

Wet and humid public access environments

FRP is well suited to environments where timber may rot, and steel may corrode. This includes rainforest walks, wetlands, creekside access, shaded tracks, and high-rainfall locations.

Low footprint footing systems

The boardwalk used individual concrete pier footings with stainless-steel base-plate connections. This approach is useful where a project needs to reduce ground disturbance and avoid broader excavation.

Projects requiring prefabricated FRP layouts

Treadwell’s scope included detailed design documentation, framing layouts, grating layouts and connection designs based on survey information supplied by Queensland Parks. This makes the project relevant to public infrastructure teams seeking design and supply support before construction tender or installation.

Boardwalks with anti-slip public decking

The FRP mini mesh deck helps address slip risk in wet locations. This is particularly useful for public walking routes where rain, leaf litter and shaded conditions can make timber or other surfaces slippery.

Hybrid FRP and timber public infrastructure

The Jindalba boardwalk shows that FRP structural systems can be paired with timber handrails where natural aesthetics are important. This allows asset owners to combine durability with a look that suits the surrounding environment.

Remote or constrained construction sites

The project demonstrates how FRP can be useful where site access is difficult. Lightweight members, optimised lengths and bolted assembly helped make construction more practical in a remote rainforest setting.

Bridge and boardwalk integration

The boardwalk connected with existing FRP bridge structures that had already been in place for nearly 10 years. This demonstrates how FRP systems can be extended or upgraded over time without requiring major alteration to earlier FRP infrastructure.

Public assets requiring routine cleaning access

The Q&A notes that the boardwalk is blown down weekly by the parks team. To assist with cleaning, the FRP curb rail was elevated using packers at intervals, making leaf litter easier to clear.

Key Moments

00:25 👋 Webinar begins with an introduction to the Jindalba Boardwalk project and invites questions for the end.
04:01 🌿 The project focuses on a Daintree Rainforest boardwalk delivered by Treadwell with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
04:29 🪵 The previous timber structure lasted about 20 years but suffered from rot, stagnant water, and slip/trip hazards.
05:09 🧪 FRP is explained as fiberglass reinforced polymer made from glass reinforcement and resin, with additives like UV stabilizers and fire retardants.
06:08 🛡️ FRP’s corrosion, rust, and rot resistance was a key benefit for the wet, humid Daintree environment.
06:51 📐 Treadwell’s scope included design, FRP arrangement drawings, material supply, framing layouts, grating layouts, and connection designs.
07:53 🌱 Concrete pier footings and lightweight FRP helped minimize environmental impact during construction.
08:21 🔧 Queensland Parks needed a more durable solution because the timber structure required frequent recoating and inspections.
08:49 🚶 The FRP mini mesh decking improved safety and accessibility with AS 4586 compliance, P5 slip resistance, and R13 rating.
09:31 🏗️ Materials were supplied in optimized sizes to reduce onsite fabrication to drilling, bolting, and assembly.
09:57 🌉 The project integrated with FRP bridges previously installed around 10 years earlier, without needing bridge modifications.
10:39 🪚 A timber handrail was added for aesthetics and engineered as a compliant balustrade bolted to the FRP boardwalk.
11:05 ⏳ The boardwalk was designed for a 50-year design life, supported by proven FRP performance exceeding 55 years.
11:54 👷 Adrian Butcher Building completed the construction after winning the separate public construction tender.
12:37 💪 FRP’s lightweight nature allowed workers to hand-carry members into the remote rainforest site.
14:19 🍃 Leaf litter is managed through weekly blowdowns and an elevated curb rail detail that allows leaves to be cleared more easily.
15:19 📅 Typical design turnaround is 4–6 weeks, followed by around 10 weeks delivery for this project.
15:50 📏 The boardwalk was about 2 m wide, while Treadwell can produce structures up to around 4 m wide depending on design factors.
16:40 🧾 Treadwell provided footing reaction loads, while final footing certification came from a third party.
17:08 🌊 The bridge section used an FRP structure with a 15 m clear span, using truss-style or deep FRP girder arrangements.
17:42 📊 Standard walkway beam designs commonly span up to 5 m between columns, with Jindalba using 3–4 m footing spacing.
18:23 ✅ Treadwell can support certification case-by-case, either by educating external engineers or certifying in-house where appropriate.
18:50 📤 The presentation and construction video link will be shared after the webinar.

Why Treadwell?

Treadwell’s value on the Jindalba Boardwalk project was in delivering an FRP solution that responded to the real conditions of the Daintree Rainforest: high humidity, heavy rainfall, sensitive ground conditions, public safety requirements and difficult construction access.

Through NatureTREAD™, Treadwell supports public infrastructure projects, such as boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, access ramps, and outdoor structures, using FRP materials. NatureTREAD™ states that its FRP boardwalk systems are designed for settings such as marshlands, wetlands, dunes, riverbanks and nature reserves, where access must be provided while reducing environmental impact.

The project also shows Treadwell’s ability to work from survey information through to the issue of construction drawings, framing layouts, grating layouts, connection detailing, manufacturing, and supply. A third party handled the footing certification, while Treadwell provided the required data, such as reaction loads, to support the certification process.

For parks authorities, councils, contractors and public infrastructure teams, Treadwell provides FRP systems that combine durability, low maintenance, anti-slip safety and low-impact installation. The Jindalba Boardwalk demonstrates how those benefits can be applied in one of Australia’s most demanding rainforest environments, creating safer access while protecting the natural setting.

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*Disclaimer

The information on this page is derived from webinar content and AI-assisted transcription and summarisation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, minor inaccuracies may occur. We recommend viewing the original webinar recording for context.

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