rainforest tours — down under tours
kuranda, skyrail & hartley’s crocodile adventures
This tour is a great one for families or those interested in visiting the Kuranda Rainforest near Cairns and crocodiles! The tour departs between 7am–8am from your Port Douglas, Cairns or Cairns Beaches accommodation.
A luxury coach will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Freshwater station where you will step aboard the Cairns Scenic Train to Kuranda. Choose from regular seating or upgrade to Gold Class and enjoy complimentary refreshments and morning nibbles for your ride through the rainforest to Kuranda. While relaxing and enjoying the stunning rainforest views, and as you dip under tunnels and glide overtop bridges be amazed at the history that the Kuranda Railway embraces.
In the 1880s local Tableland residents struggled for the construction of a railway system connecting them to the coast after a long and harsh wet season created callous conditions and famine for local residents of the area. Three routes were originally proposed but the Cairns to Kuranda route was the most practical and so the railroad track was built. The railway was constructed in three sections by hand; the first and third were relatively easy but the second section (where you will be riding) was very hard for workers. The steep rugged land, dense rainforest jungle and aboriginals protecting their territory proved very difficult for engineers constructing the railway. Bare-hands, buckets, dynamite, hand tools and inspiration was the only equipment used to build the rail; it truly was and still is today an enormous feat of engineering excellence.
The train will come to a stop in the rainforest village of Kuranda. In Kuranda you will have a limited amount of free time to quickly browse the daily markets full of indigenous and tropical inspired arts and crafts, go for a scenic walk through the World Heritage-listed rainforest or perhaps grab a bite to eat. At 11:00am it is time to join the next tour of the day, for your descent through the rainforest on an aerial cableway called Skyrail.
Skyrail is a fantastic way to soak in the immensity of the Cairns’ World Heritage-listed rainforest. As you glide effortlessly overtop of the rainforest canopy see waterfalls, rivers and creeks that would otherwise be hidden from the gaze of humans. From Skyrail you will be able to get once in a lifetime views of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Skyrail stops at two terminals on your descent back to Cairns. The first stop is at Barron River Station where you can have a hands on learning experience at the rainforest interpretation centre and enjoy magnificent views of the Barron Falls. The second stop is at Red Peak Station where you will be led on a guided rainforest walk, learning about many native plant and animal species found in the World Heritage-listed rainforest of Cairns. After your 1.5 hour glide through the rainforest your ride disembarks and a coach will now take you to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers you a way to view crocodiles in a seemingly natural environment with the elimination of any danger. Hartley’s Crocodile Farm is home to hundreds of freshwater and estuarine crocs and you get a chance to get up close and personal, viewing their natural behaviours and patterns from the comfort of man-made boardwalks. Hartley’s Crocodile Farm is the only place around Cairns where you are guaranteed to get so close to the crocs you can smell them, and where you get to observe the unpredictable nature of these primitive beasts.
Not only crocodiles live at Hartley’s; at 2:00pm you will get up close with some Australian native snakes during the snake show. At 2:30pm hop on the boat and enjoy a wetlands cruise where you will spot crocs and watch as they fight for food right before your eyes (make sure to keep all hands and children inside the boat.) At 3:00pm you will see the crocodile attack show where you will see the ‘death roll’ and ‘head shake’; two deadly methods crocs use to kill their prey. Finally at 4:15pm, the adrenaline can ease as you watch the cassowary show. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures not only features crocs; see many snakes, birds, turtles and wallabies as well.
After an action packed day touring the rainforest and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, relax on your stunning coastal drive back to your Cairns or Cairns Beaches accommodation.
