Known as the adventure capital of Australia, Cairns draws thrill seekers looking to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef or skydive over the Daintree Rainforest from across the globe.
However, you don't have to be a daredevil to enjoy the nature and animal life of Tropical North Queensland.
In fact, this destination offers plenty of tours that are fun for the whole family, many of which I had the opportunity to explore during my working holiday. A well-planned Cairns itinerary for multigenerational families would combine at least one of the following soft adventure tours with a day on the Great Barrier Reef.
Full of excitement and discovery, the following activities can accommodate travelers of all ages and abilities:
Kuranda
Kuranda is one of the most popular attractions in Tropical North Queensland, second only to the Great Barrier Reef. It presents visitors with the opportunity to venture into the Daintree Rainforest, the world's oldest continuously living example, which has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Center.
My trip to Kuranda began with a ride on the Scenic Railway from Cairns. Constructed during the 1880s, the project was considered a great feat of engineering. It features no less than 15 tunnels and 37 bridges as it carves a route through the dense rainforest terrain.
My train climbed uphill through the lush vegetation before reaching the village of Kuranda, where the streets were bustling with art galleries and cafes. It's a great place to admire the work of local artisans and for purchasing hand-crafted souvenirs.
Since I had a 3-Park Pass, I spent the majority of my visit patronizing Birdworld and the Butterfly Sanctuary. It was peaceful to stroll through both conservatories as a rainbow of winged species flew around me.
At the Koala Gardens, I got to meet Hazel, the photogenic koala who poses with visitors for fun souvenirs. While Hazel stole the show, I spoke with her human, Mark. As a wildlife supervisor for the Koala Gardens, he explained how Australian regulations ensure that the welfare of animals in captivity is an utmost priority.
After saying goodbye to Mark and Hazel, I departed Kuranda by way of the Skyrail. This system of elevated cable cars enables visitors to view the Daintree Rainforest from another perspective.
I recommend upgrading to a Diamond View car, which has clear panels on the floor, for the added experience of observing the rainforest beneath you.
Completed in 1995, construction materials for the Skyrail had to be lowered by helicopter, keeping conservation and natural preservation in mind. As a result, millions of visitors are able to visit the rainforest every year while leaving a minimal footprint on the environment.
It's no surprise the attraction has won numerous awards and is hailed as an example for environmentalism and eco-tourism.
Paronella Park
The perfect activity for non-morning people, our tour to Paronella Park didn't commence until the afternoon. Along the way, we stopped at Josephine Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland.
When conditions are right, Josephine Falls is a great place for swimming. There's even a natural slide that's created by water rushing over a large rock.
We were in luck because it was a good day for swimming, (although I'm the only one from our group who got into the water). Most visitors prefer to appreciate the falls from above, perched upon one of the elevated platforms. It's from there they observe more daring individuals swimming through the rapids and plunging down the slide.
After the falls, we partook in a leisurely stroll through the rainforest, an experience made complete with an audio guide. Just before sunset, we arrived at Paronella Park, an attraction that is both captivating and unique.
Built atop another breathtaking waterfall, the grounds are home to the ruins of a charming Spanish castle.
That's right, an abandoned castle in the rainforest of Australia! A jungle of concrete and Catalonian ingenuity interwoven with the overgrowth of tropical foliage and vines, this convergence of grandiose architecture with the power of nature is further underscored by the castle's fascinating history.
Cultivated by decades of fires, floods and neglect, Paronella Park stands as a testament to the sands of time. Founded as a passion project and overflowing with mystery and character, it's as if every chamber and meandering footpath has a story.
We watched as a brilliant sunset splashed warm light across the dramatic cascades, bouncing hues of purple and orange off the walls. The evening darkness ushered the start of a light show casting colors across the castle and illuminating the shadows. Lights danced from the treetops to the towering minarets, which seemed to reach beyond the rainforest canopy to the abundance of shimmering stars in the sky.
A visit to Paronella Park is sure to be a magical experience: It's an enchanting venue unlike anywhere else on the planet.
Cairns City Sights Tour
This half-day tour is ideal for visitors who want to experience the best of Cairns and Tropical North Queensland but do not have very much time.
Also commencing in the afternoon, our program included a visit to St. Monica's Cathedral, the Flecker Botanic Gardens, lower Barron Gorge, Palm Cove and a stop to take pictures at a scenic overlook.
We were shuttled between these attractions in an air-conditioned bus that was driven by our informative tour guide. This was a great way to get a feel for the destination and see some of its most breathtaking local sites in a short amount of time. (Since my visit, the tour has added another stop at the recently opened Cairns Museum.)
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
The main draw to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is the lagoon, which is full of Queensland's most famous predatory reptiles. From the safety of a boat guarded by metal screens and acrylic sheet windows, I watched a live feeding of crocodiles within an enclosure that was created to mirror their natural habitat.
While the crocodiles may be the star attraction at Hartley's, the park is home to countless other species. There was even a section called the Gondawa Gateway where I got to interact with more of Australia's most loveable marsupials.
Primarily consisting of wallabies at the time of my visit, there was a laid-back senior kangaroo, as well. These marsupials have the freedom to roam around a large grassy enclosure, which includes a wooded area on a hill. T
his concept is wonderful because it gives them a place to retreat when they want to be left alone. Yet, a good number had chosen to come down from the hill and socialize with visitors.
They seemed to enjoy being pet and receiving attention.
I also appreciated the educational displays around the Gondawa Gateway, which illustrate how Australia became isolated when it broke off from Pangea. They explain how this detachment resulted in the evolution of unique species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
My learning experience didn't stop at the Gondawa Gateway.
At the center of the park, there's an outdoor amphitheater that plays host to various educational programs throughout the day. This is where I watched a snake handler teach the audience about some of Australia's most venomous serpents.
There's also Hartley's Cassowary Walk, which is dedicated to the large species of bird that resembles a cross between a Cretaceous dinosaur and a turkey. Native to the rainforests of Queensland and Papua New Guinea, the cassowary is an endangered species and rare to witness in the wild. (I myself had spent almost three months in Queensland without encountering a single cassowary.)
Fortunately, my visit to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures gave me the opportunity to see several cassowaries-along with many of Australia's most famous reptiles and marsupials-before I left the country.
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