Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
open from 10am to 3:30pm; admission is A$12 (US$7.80) for adults, $6
(US$3.90) for kids 4 to 16. Both aviaries are closed Christmas.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary A rainbow-hued array of 1,500
tropical butterflies—including the electric blue “Ulysses” and Australia's largest
species, the Cairns bird wing—is housed in a lush walk-through enclosure here.
Take the free, guided tour and learn about the butterfly's fascinating life cycle.
The butterflies will land on you if you wear pink, red, and other bright colors.
8 Rob Veivers Dr. & 07/4093 7575. Fax 07/4093 8923. www.australianbutterflies.com. Admission A$13
(US$8.45) adults, A$12 (US$7.15) seniors, A$6.50 (US$4.25) children 5-16, A$30 (US$20) family pass. AE, DC,
MC, V. Daily 9:45am-4pm. Free guided tours every 15 min. from 10am; last tour departs 3:15pm. Closed
Christmas. On-street parking. Bus stop 7 min. from sanctuary.
Rainforestation Nature Park At this 40-hectare (99-acre) nature and cul-
tural complex, you can take a 45-minute ride into the rainforest in a World War
II amphibious Army Duck. You'll hear commentary on orchids and other rain-
forest wildlife along the way. You can also see a performance by Aboriginal
dancers; learn about Aboriginal legends and throw a boomerang on the Dream-
time Walk; or have your photo taken cuddling a koala in the wildlife park. You
can do any of these activities separately, or do them all (except cuddle a koala)
in a package that costs A$34 (US$22) for adults, A$17 (US$11) for kids 4 to
14, or A$84 (US$55) for a family. Koala photos are A$12 (US$7.80). The Army
Duck runs on the hour beginning at 10am; the Aboriginal dancers perform at
10:30am, noon, and 2pm; and the 30-minute Dreamtime Walk leaves at 10, 11,
and 11:30am, noon, and 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30pm.
On the Kennedy Hwy., a 5-min. drive from the center of Kuranda. & 07/4093 9033. Fax 07/4093 7578.
www.rainforest.com.au. Shuttle from Thongon St., Kuranda (opposite the Post Office), every 30 min. from
10:45am-2:45pm costs A$6 (US$3.90) adults, A$3 (US$1.95) children, and A$15 (US$8.95) families, round-
trip. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 9am-4pm. Closed Christmas. Ample parking.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING & OTHER THRILLS
RnR Rafting ( & 1800/079 039 in Australia, or 07/4051 7777; www.
rnrrafting.com) and Raging Thunder Adventures ( & 07/4030 7990; www.
ragingthunder.com.au) serve as one-stop booking shops for action pursuits in
and around Cairns, including hot-air ballooning, skydiving, jet-boating, horse-
back riding, ATV (all-terrain vehicle) safaris, parasailing, and rafting. Ask them
about multipursuit packages.
BIKING Dan's Mountain Biking ( & 07/4033 0128 ) runs a wide range of
full- and half-day guided tours in small groups from A$75 to A$135
(US$49-US$88) per person.
BUNGEE JUMPING Contact A. J. Hackett Bungy ( & 1800/622 888 in
Australia, or 07/4057 7188). The cost is A$109 (US$71) per person including
transport to the site, which is 20 minutes north of town on McGregor Road.
FISHING Cairns is the world's giant black marlin capital. Catches of more
than 1,000 pounds hardly raise an eyebrow in this neck of the woods. The game-
fishing season is September through December, with November the busiest.
Kids
Staying Warm in Kuranda
If you visit Kuranda, don't forget to bring some warm clothing in winter.
It can get nippy in the mountains, especially at night.
Tips
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