Tropic Wings Cairns Koalas & Creatures and City Sights

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A day of Cairns in two halves: a morning keeper-guided tour at Cairns Koalas & Creatures on the waterfront, then an afternoon with a local guide at St Monica's Cathedral, the Cairns Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Devonshire tea, a mountain lookout and the beach at Palm Cove.

Days

Full day, 10:30am to about 6pm

Age

Child prices for ages 4 to 14

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cairns Koalas & Creatures, The Pier / Cairns city / Palm Cove
Your Cairns hotel, about 6pm

Return

Your Cairns hotel, about 6pm

Transport

Walk in to the wildlife tour; coach with driver-guide in the afternoon

Meals

Devonshire tea

Route

Map of Tropic Wings Cairns Koala & Creatures + City Sights

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Included experiences

Cairns Koalas & Creatures — keeper-guided tour of koalas, crocodiles, reptiles and birds
St Monica's Cathedral — themed stained glass windows
Cairns Museum — guided tour of the city's history
Cairns Botanic Gardens — guided walk, Conservatory and Aboriginal Plant Use section
Edge Hill — Devonshire tea
Lake Morris Road — lookout over the city and Coral Sea
Palm Cove — beach and jetty

Tropic Wings Cairns Koala & Creatures + City Sights

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: KOALAS AND CREATURES ON THE WATERFRONT

Make your own way to Cairns Koalas & Creatures, inside The Pier on the city waterfront, for a 10:30am tour with one of the wildlife keepers. Koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, reptiles and tropical birds live in displays built around Australian habitats, and your keeper talks you through each species, with time for photos as you go. Look closely at the koalas: northern koalas like these are smaller, with shorter fur, than their cousins in the cold south. The whole attraction is under cover, so rain doesn't matter, and your ticket lets you come back free within five days.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND MEETING YOUR GUIDE

Around midday you have free time for lunch at your own cost. The Cairns Esplanade runs right past The Pier, with cafés along it and the free saltwater Esplanade Lagoon, built in 2003 because the muddy shoreline and summer stingers make the sea itself a poor place for a swim. Spread a towel on the grass or find a shady table and watch the pelicans on the mudflats. In the early afternoon your local Cairns guide meets you nearby, and the second half of the day begins.

AFTERNOON: ST MONICA'S AND THE CAIRNS MUSEUM

St Monica's Cathedral was built in the 1960s as a memorial to the Battle of the Coral Sea, fought off this coast in 1942. Its 24 stained glass windows tell the story of creation, with the Great Barrier Reef among the scenes, and together they make the largest themed display of its kind in the world. The Cairns Museum fills the old School of Arts building of 1907, and a guide takes you through the stories and photographs of the town's tropical past, from the gold rushes and cane fields to the reef. Your museum ticket lets you return free for three days.

MID-AFTERNOON: BOTANIC GARDENS AND DEVONSHIRE TEA

The Cairns Botanic Gardens were first set aside in 1886, and a guided walk takes in the Conservatory and the Aboriginal Plant Use section, where you learn which plants were eaten, woven or used as medicine. Then it's Devonshire tea in leafy Edge Hill, the suburb at the foot of Mount Whitfield: scones with jam and cream, and a pot of tea or a coffee.

LATE AFTERNOON: LAKE MORRIS ROAD AND PALM COVE

The road then climbs the range behind the city towards Lake Morris, the dam that holds Cairns' drinking water. From the lookout on the way up you see the whole city, the Coral Sea and the rainforest ranges at once. The last stop is Palm Cove, a beach village on the Northern Beaches whose esplanade is shaded by old paperbark trees and coconut palms. Walk out along the jetty, or slip off your shoes for the sand, before you're dropped at your hotel at around 6pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns Koalas & Creatures, The Pier Shopping Centre, 1 Pier Point Road, Cairns, at 10:30am. There is no hotel pick-up in the morning.
Finishes: Drop-off at your Cairns hotel at about 6pm.
Minimum age: Child prices are for ages 4 to 14.
Fitness: Easy walking; suits all ages.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent
A water bottle
Money for lunch

What is included

Guided keeper tour at Cairns Koalas & Creatures, with 5-day re-entry
Local guide for the afternoon city tour
St Monica's Cathedral
Guided tour of the Cairns Museum
Guided walk in the Cairns Botanic Gardens
Devonshire tea with tea or coffee
Lookout and Palm Cove stops
Drop-off at your Cairns hotel

Not included

Hotel pick-up in the morning
Lunch
Koala holding photos (not listed as included)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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.