Tropic Wings Kuranda Deluxe with Skyrail & Butterflies

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A full Kuranda day from Cairns that adds the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary to Rainforestation: walk among more than a thousand tropical butterflies, ride a WWII Army Duck, throw boomerangs with the Pamagirri people, eat a barbecue lunch by the lake and ride the Skyrail gondola over the rainforest.

Days

Full day, about 7.5 to 9 hours

Age

All ages; child prices 4 to 14

Group size

Shared coach tour

Start / finish

Cairns / Kuranda / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Electric coach and Skyrail cableway

Meals

Aussie barbecue lunch

Route

Map of Tropic Wings Kuranda Deluxe with Skyrail & Butterflies

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Included experiences

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary — free-flight aviary and breeding laboratory
Army Duck — WWII amphibious ride through rainforest and lake
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience — dance, Dreamtime Walk, boomerang throwing
Koala and Wildlife Park — koalas, cassowary, feed the kangaroos
Kuranda Village — markets and shops
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — gondola over the canopy

Tropic Wings Kuranda Deluxe with Skyrail & Butterflies - SALE

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO KURANDA

Tropic Wings' electric coach collects you from your Cairns hotel, with the tour leaving at around 9am, and heads up the range. Kuranda sits about 330 metres up in the Wet Tropics, World Heritage-listed in 1988 and home to some of the oldest rainforest on earth. The running order of the day is set by the crew around the shows and the Skyrail timetable, so the stops below are described rather than timed.

THE AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY

A short walk from the village stations, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary has the largest butterfly aviary in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than a thousand tropical butterflies flying free. Look for the Cairns birdwing, Australia's largest butterfly, the male a flash of emerald green and black. Wear something bright and they may land on you. Every butterfly here is bred on site, and in the laboratory you see the caterpillars that will become the next ones overhead. Staff collect the eggs every day and raise up to 4,000 caterpillars by hand before the new butterflies are released into the aviary.

RAINFORESTATION: DUCKS, DANCE AND WILDLIFE

Rainforestation Nature Park has been welcoming visitors since 1976 and covers 100 acres of rainforest on the Kennedy Highway just outside Kuranda, on the country of the Djabugay people, who have lived in these ranges for thousands of years. Your Army Duck is a DUKW, a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck of the Second World War with a propeller under the back; more than 21,000 were built to run troops and supplies from ship to shore. The Duck Captain drives you along rainforest tracks, pointing out plants and wildlife, then rolls straight down the bank into the lake.

The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience won gold at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards. In the rainforest amphitheatre the dancers perform to didgeridoo and clapsticks, with dances about animals, hunting and gathering food. On the half-hour Dreamtime Walk, along a path shaped like the Rainbow Serpent, you throw a boomerang in a netted area and watch the guides launch a spear with a woomera, then take aim at the target yourself.

In the Koala & Wildlife Park, raised boardwalks lead past koalas, which sleep up to 20 hours a day, and the endangered southern cassowary, Australia's heaviest bird. Look for a Lumholtz's tree kangaroo, found in the wild only in the rainforests of the Atherton Tableland, and the only Tasmanian devils in North Queensland, the largest meat-eating marsupials left on earth. Kangaroos and wallabies roam free, so you can feed them by hand, and Jack, a 5 metre saltwater crocodile, keeps watch from his pool. Lunch is an Aussie barbecue at the park.

KURANDA VILLAGE AND SKYRAIL

There's time in the village for the markets and shops, and then Skyrail becomes your ride back down the range. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway opened in 1995 and carries you 7.5 km in six-person gondolas just above the canopy between Smithfield and Kuranda, about an hour and a half with its stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations. From the boardwalks at Barron Falls you look straight into the gorge. In the wet season the falls roar; in the dry, much of the river is diverted to a hydro-electric station and they can thin to a ribbon. The coach returns you to your hotel.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns city hotels and most Northern Beaches accommodation. Your exact pick-up time is confirmed when you book.
Departure time: Around 9am.
Duration: A full day, about 7.5 to 9 hours.
Minimum age: Child prices are for ages 4 to 14.
Fitness: Easy. Most of Rainforestation is paved and under cover, with ramps for wheelchairs and prams to the shows and wildlife park; you board the Army Duck by sliding onto the rear seat from a platform.
Please note: Rainforestation's activities run in the rain and the Army Ducks have roofs. The order of the day can vary.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent
A water bottle
A light rain jacket

What is included

Return transfers from Cairns city hotels on a 100% electric coach
Entry to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Entry to Rainforestation Nature Park: Army Duck tour, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Koala and Wildlife Park
Aussie barbecue lunch
Time in Kuranda Village
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Not included

Other food and drinks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.