Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Move on through the Magic Space museum and gallery section of the com-
plex to the History Theatre, where a 20-minute film relates the history of the
Tjapukai people since the coming of white settlers 120 years ago.
Outside, a suspension bridge links the main building with a cultural village
where you can try boomerang and spear throwing, fire-making and didgeridoo
playing, and learn about bush foods and medicines. In the open-sided Dance
Theatre, Aboriginal men and women perform dances incorporating ancient and
modern steps. Shows and demonstrations are planned so visitors can move from
one to another easily, without missing anything. The complex also includes a
restaurant and coffee shop. An arts-and-crafts gallery and shop is stocked with
the work of Aboriginal artists and crafts workers.
“Tjapukai by Night” tours operate on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, from 7:30
to 11pm, and include transfers to and from accommodations, interactive time
in the Magic Space museum, a Creation Show performance, and an outdoor
Serpent Circle—a new, interactive show featuring tap sticks for each guest, a
join-in corroboree (an Aboriginal nighttime dance), and a dramatic ceremony
involving fire and water. It is followed by a buffet dinner and dance show, and
the chance to meet the Tjapukai dancers. The cost is A$92 (US$60) adults,
A$46 (US$30) children.
Captain Cook Hwy. (beside the Skyrail terminal), Smithfield.
&
07/4042 9900.
Fax 07/4042 9990. www.
tjapukai.com.au. Admission A$28 (US$18) adults, A$14 (US$9) children 4-14, A$70 (US$46) family. AE, DC,
MC, V. Ask about packages that include transfers, lunch, and a guided Magic Space tour, or Skyrail and/or
Scenic Rail travel to and from Kuranda. Daily 9am-5pm. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Bus: 1C or 1E.
Book shuttle transfers from Cairns and northern beaches hotels (A$17/US$11 adults and A$8.50/US$5.50
children) through the park. Park is 15 min. north of Cairns and 15 min. south of Palm Cove along the Captain
Cook Hwy. Free parking.
MORE ATTRACTIONS
In Cairns
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Hartley's is the original Aus-
tralian croc show, and after a move to a new location and a multimillion-dollar
redevelopment in mid-2002, quite possibly the best. What makes it different
from others is the fantastic natural setting—a 2-hectare (5-acre) lagoon sur-
rounded by melaluca (paperbark) and bloodwood trees and home to 23 estuar-
ine crocs. The best time to visit is for the 3pm “croc attack” show, when you can
witness the saltwater crocodile “death roll” during the 45-minute performance.
At 11am you can see these monsters get hand-fed or hear an eye-opening talk
on the less aggressive freshwater crocodiles. There are tours of the croc farm at
10am and 1:30pm; at 2pm there is a snake show; and at 4:30pm it's koala-feed-
ing time. This attraction makes a good stop en route to Port Douglas, and also
has cassowaries, which are fed at 9:30am and 4:15pm.
Capt. Cook Hwy. (40km/24 miles north of Cairns; 25km/16 miles south of Port Douglas).
&
07/4055 3576.
Fax 07/4059 1017. www.crocodileadventures.com. Admission A$25 (US$16) adults, A$13 (US$8.10) children
Kids
Wait Till You Get There . . .
Unless you are sure which tours you want to take, it often pays to wait
until you get to Cairns to book them. Local travel agents, your hotel or
B&B host, and other travelers in Cairns are often valuable sources of
advice. Cairns has about 600 tour operators, so even in peak season, tours
are rarely booked up more than 24 hours in advance.
Tips
