Attributes

States: QLD
Regions: Tropical Far North
Themes: History & Heritage
Days: 7

CAIRNS & THE TROPICAL NORTH

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Nature bestowed a range of simply stunning natural attractions on Far North Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef, which gained World Heritage status in 1981, is the largest and most complex expanse of living coral on earth. It extends from north of Cape York to south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Nothing you have read or seen on film will prepare you for the reality of its under water coral gardens, its cays and islands and the huge variety of fish, marine mammals, turtles and birds. Also worthy... [view more] Nature bestowed a range of simply stunning natural attractions on Far North Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef, which gained World Heritage status in 1981, is the largest and most complex expanse of living coral on earth. It extends from north of Cape York to south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Nothing you have read or seen on film will prepare you for the reality of its under water coral gardens, its cays and islands and the huge variety of fish, marine mammals, turtles and birds. Also worthy of World Heritage listing (1988) are the rainforests of the wet tropics, and in particular those of the Daintree area north of Cairns.
Overview
Days:

Day 2


Skyrail

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Cairns & Kuranda

One of the “must do” tours in Cairns is a ride on the historic Kuranda Train for the spectacular ride to the famous, tropical plant clad Kuranda Station. The train journey takes us through the magnificent Barron Falls National Park. Highlights of the ride are picturesque valleys, jungles, railway bridges, tunnels built over a century ago and the Barron Falls themselves. Perched above Cairns on the top of the Range and surrounded by World Heritage Listed Rain Forest is the village of Kuranda. The town is full of arts and craft shops. Late morning we catch the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, across the rooftop of World Heritage listed rainforest areas and back down to the coastal plain (20 minutes). Stretching 7.5 kilometres across the rainforest canopy, Skyrail is the world’s longest gondola cableway. The views are spectacular. We stop off during our descent to visit a rainforest interpretative centre and for a short walk along a boardwalk through the rainforest. This afternoon we visit Tjapukai – the Aboriginal cultural park set on 25 acres at Caravonica Lakes. This will be a special experience. There are five theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional aboriginal camp where we can learn to throw a boomerang! We will have time to see all presentations. The History Theatre tells the story of what happened when the modern world descended upon a 40,000 year old culture. The Spiritual beliefs of the Tjapukai people are portrayed in the Creation Theatre, a celebration of dance and song in the Dance Theatre and didgeridoo, bush foods and medicine demonstrations can be found in the Cultural Village




Tourist Attractions

Accommodation
Hides Hotel
All Seasons Cairns

Meals
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 3

Cairns

Following breakfast we continue our sight seeing with a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. Situated on the magnificent coastal drive between the popular destinations of Palm... read more...

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