Cairns Day Trips And Rainforest Safaris

Daintree - Cape Tribulation - Rainforest Tours

The 135-million year old rainforest of the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree is the most ancient and primitive in the world. Many species originated when Australia was part of Gondwana, more than 120 million years ago.

Although Australia contains less than one thousandth of the world's tropical rainforests, these forests are some of the most significant ecosystems on the planet. These rainforests have been inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988 in recognition of their universal natural values as:

• an outstanding example of the major stages in the earth's evolutionary history;

• an outstanding example of significant ongoing ecological and biological processes;

• an example of superlative natural phenomena; and

• containing important and significant habitats for conservation of biological diversity

Atherton Tablelands - Rainforest Tours

The Atherton Tableland is a blend of the best attractions of the tropics; a combination of nature and lifestyle at its finest. Among the World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks, mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls are some of Australia's richest agricultural lands and charming small townships.

For visitors, the Tablelands present opportunities for bush walking, bird watching, a wildlife cruise, marsupial spotting, hot air ballooning and water sports as diverse as fishing and white water rafting.

Winding roads lead to spectacular lookouts and waterfalls, and highlights include Australia's widest waterfall - Millstream Falls - and many others flowing all year round, the deep blue waters of extinct volcano crater lakes, Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, the ancient Bromfield Swamp near Malanda and the Hypipamee National Park and crater near Herberton.

Wildlife is abundant on the Tablelands, as a night time spotlighting tour will show. There are possibilities of seeing shy tree kangaroos and perhaps even a reclusive platypus scurrying along a cool riverbank.

Kuranda Train and Skyrail - Rainforest Tours

Kuranda is a picturesque little village hidden in the rainforest of Tropical North Queensland and is accessible on a daily basis by Queensland Rail's 'Kuranda Heritage Train' and 'Skyrail.'. The Queensland Rail 'Heritage Train' journey takes 1 ½ to complete and has full commentary on the history of the region and the railway with a souvenir booklet included. The train route winds along the Kuranda Range and takes in the spectacular scenery of The Barron Falls.

On the return journey via Skyrail (the tour can also be done in the reverse order) you will be carried over and through of the rainforest canopy with superb views and sights that can only be imagined. The Skyrail journey takes approximately 1 12/2 hours from top to bottom and includes two stops, Red Peak Station and Barron Falls Station, where friendly Skyrail Staff will help you disembark your Gondola to enjoy the spectacular and scenic Rainforest Boardwalks, Rainforest Touch Tables and CSIRO Rainforest Interpretive Displays.

Kuranda Village is famous for arts & crafts and indigenous artefacts and the excellent attractions of the Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, Birdworld and the Aviary, to name but a few.

The original Kuranda markets are held Wednesdays, Thursdays, Friday and Sunday. The Kuranda Heritage markets are open daily.