GO KARTS ATTRACTIONS BARRON GORGE

Discover where Australia begins at Tjapukai. Explore the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture, dating back over 40,000 years. Whether you visit the park by day or night, you’ll enjoy a unique cultural experience with performance, dance, food and arts. 

By day, the park is filled with interactive experiences to give you an authentic insight into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Learn the art of throwing a returning boomerang, and how a didgeridoo is played. Sample some traditional bush foods, and get an insight into the ancient medicinal value of native plants. And to make your trip extra memorable, you can also create your own souvenirs. The Tjapukai artists will guide you through the intricate art of weaving, creating natural rainforest style jewellery and painting your own returning boomerang in traditional Aboriginal style. 

Venue
Tjapukai is 15 minutes north of Cairns, next door to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, off the Captain Cook Highway. Guests can take advantage of Coach Transfers to and from Cairns and the Northern Beaches. A public bus service also stops there from Cairns and its a quick taxi ride from the town centre.

How To Get There 
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns Western Arterial Road, Caravonica, 4878, QLD

Guidelines
Any dietary requirements should be advised when making a booking.

Opening Times
Tjapukai is open between 9am and 5pm, then from 7pm to 9.30pm. We are open seven days a week including public holidays. Tjapukai is closed on Christmas Day.

Cancellation Policy
Less than 24 hours notice prior to the arrival date 100% cancellation fee.

Numbers on the Day
No minimum numbers 

Suitable for Spectators
Yes

Weather
Tjapukai is an all weather venue.

Dress Code
Casual

This truly amazing facility enables people of all ages to learn about and see wild animals in action, seven days a week from 9am to 4.30pm.
Visitors can see Bears, White Rhinos, Hippopotamus (both large and small), a large variety of primates are there, just to mention a few firm favourites - and of course there is more… the Big Cats . . . lots of them.
Tigers and Cheetahs are joined by the largest pride of Lions in Australasia, making this remarkable animal reserve the ideal place to see all of the popular animals of the world, up close and safely.
Breakfast with the Beast. Imagine sharing your morning coffee surrounded by 19 lions. Bookings available daily.Also bottom line delete Dine on Edge as we do not hold that at the moment.
There are 12 different feeding times throughout the day starting at 9.30 am with the common hippos, these are on every ½ an hour, with a different animal, where a keeper gives you an informative talk and the animals come close to feed, it is recommended that you follow these feeds and talks to make the most of our day.

Facilities also include a fully stocked café, gift shop and information services building.
This amazing destination can be accessed in both Tropical driving loops – The Southern Tableland loop from Cairns and Innisfail, and also the Cairns Highlands loop from Port Douglas or Cairns.
Enjoy Breakfast with the Beasts & Dine on the Edge where you dine with Lions. (Available Wednesday/Fridays/Saturdays bookings essential).

Wheelchairs available for hire.

Immerse yourself in one of the most unique wildlife attractions of Tropical North Queensland.

Join the birds in their beautiful rainforest habitat. Flying around you are species from the vanishing rainforests of the world, including some of Australia's most precious and beautiful birds.

There are brilliant Amazonian macaws, the endangered and stately cassowary, cheeky rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos and many more. Don't be surprised to find a feathered friend taking a ride on your shoulder!

Naturally landscaped with waterfalls, ponds, exotic and native plants, Birdworld replicates the natural habitats of almost 80 species that roam this unique rainforest immersion exhibit. It is truly a photographer's delight.

Birdworld Kuranda is located in the Kuranda Heritage Markets on Rob Veivers Drive, Kuranda and is the latest attraction to come under the Wildlife Tropical North Queensland banner. As a locally owned and operated family company since 1980, Wildlife Tropical North Queensland is proud of its achievements in the field of professional wildlife tourism.

Bruno Rixen is acknowledged as developing the idea of cable skiing. Mr Rixen (a german national) had the idea of using winter ski lifts for water skiing.

Since the first cable ski system appeared in 1962, on a German lake called 'Sci Nautico', cable skiing has spread over the world!

The first recognised cable ski championship was organised and eventually held in Germany in 1985.The sport developed legitimacy over the following few decades and in 1994 the World Cable Ski council was formed.

There are now roughly 140 cable ski parks over the globe.

Down Under Cruise and Dive operate a large, modern, sleek vessel, cruising at high speed, providing a superior and comfortable ride in nearly all weather conditions. Professional, friendly and attentive staff ensure a safe and enjoyable, fun-filled experience. The reef locations have been carefully selected for the clarity of the water and the abundance and diversity of marine life. Every moment spent exploring the magnificent array of colourful coral formations and swimming with the brilliant coloured fish is one of discovery, often exciting, sometimes breathtaking, with unforgettable memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. Visiting two spectacular outer reef sites in one day you will spend maximum time in the water and minimum time travelling. Great for all ages!

Barbecue lunch, glass bottom boat tour, snorkelling equipment and tuition and onboard entertainment included in standard reef tour. Extra Diving and Helicopter options available onboard.

Passions of Paradise travels to two of the most sought after locations on the Great Barrier Reef; Michaelmas Cay and Paradise Reef. Having recently won the Australian Tourism Award for Adventure Tourism and been inducted into the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame (Adventure), you can be sure they are dedicated to providing a truly unique and personalised reef experience.

Sailing daily aboard a 25 metre catamaran, they provide an excellent, eco-friendly opportunity to view the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Specialising in introductory and certified diving, let their dedicated, energetic staff showcase the best the reef has to offer. Certified divers explore the best sites using our specially designed dive tender, while introductory divers and snorkelers discover the underwater realm in shallow, calm waters teeming with fish life and beautiful coral gardens.

Enjoy the splendour of Michaelmas Cay, where their special permits allow access to one of the most breathtaking ecosystems on the planet. Paradise Reef, part of Breaking Patches Reef, is exclusive to Passions of Paradise, so their guests encounter the underwater world in tranquillity. Every afternoon the bar is open, and guests relax as they hoist the sails and cruise the Coral Sea.

Raging Thunder Adventures is the largest adventure company in Australia. They have a reputation for excellence and have established themselves as a World Leader in Adventure Tourism.

Raging Thunder Adventures pioneered rafting in Queensland, Australia in 1984. Since then they have expanded their product range to include a series of adventure tours suitable for all levels of excitement including White Water Rafting on the Tully and Barron Rivers, Sea Kayaking, Hot Air ballooning. They also have a range of extended packages suitable for the independent traveller. These packages incorporate tours throughout Northern Queensland.

The World Heritage listed, wet tropical rainforest is our work bench. Their guides are trained to leave nothing but a footprint and take nothing but photos. The mood of their trips is informal; the emphasis is on team work and sharing. The pioneering of their tours and equipment, safety procedures, and highly trained adventure guides, have made Raging Thunder Adventures the leaders in Adventure Tourism.

The award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park is a 100 acre (40 hectare) tourist attraction set in the midst of World Heritage Rainforest. 30 minutes by coach from Cairns and five minutes away from Kuranda Village. It’s locally owned and operated by the Woodward Family.

Board an amphibious World War II Army Duck for a unique rainforest tour on both land and water, where your guide will identify and explain fascinating plants and wildlife as you pass by. Then meander through the Tropical Fruits Orchard, with over 40 different species of exotic tropical fruit trees.

Learn about indigenous culture with the interactive Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Join the Dreamtime Walk which includes boomerang throwing, spear-throwing and the didgeridoo.

The park contains many Australian species such as crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, snakes, lizards, and the cassowary. Handfeed kangaroos and wallabies, or have your photo taken cuddling a cute koala or holding a small crocodile (optional extra cost).

Enjoy a fantastic barbecue lunch or snack in the licensed Colonial or Outback restaurant with much variety of meals to choose from. There is the Tropical Treats Juice Bar for fruits, ice creams and fresh juices.

Skybury's Australian Coffee Centre is a dedicated award winning visitor centre overlooking the Skybury Coffee Estate, Australia's oldest and most successful coffee plantation. Perched on the peak of the Great Dividing Range, in Australia's premier coffee growing region, the stunning timber building enjoys spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. With extensive open decks cooled by natural breezes throughout the year and surrounded by extensive native gardens, this is the place to taste, tour and take home Australia's purest coffee.

The Australian Coffee Centre also represents the very best of Australian craftsmanship, with extensive use of Australian timbers. The Australian coffee Centre has a fully licensed cafe and bar, with meals served throughout the day.

The centre has seating capacity for over 100 people. They also have a wonderful range of gifts, where visitors can indulge their passion for all things coffee. Visitors can also purchase freshly roasted coffee and 'roast and post' service is also offered.

Discover why the Australian Coffee Centre was voted the best new tourism development at the 2006 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards.

Small World Journeys is the eco-tour company of Cairns.

Join a small group (ten guests maximum) on an eight day journey--perfect for solo travellers--led by a naturalist guide. Nature experiences, adventure and culture combine with unique lodging and exceptional cuisine on these set departures.

Alternatively, they can tailor an Independent Journey around your own dates and budget. These customised trips offer the best of the Cairns region—reef, rainforest and outback—while travelling in an ecologically responsible and comfortable style.

Educational groups are particularly well catered for - they find service projects, cultural interactions and learning opportunities that students and teachers love. Think marine biology, rainforest ecology, and indigenous culture in a fun, affordable package.

How are they eco-friendly? They pay Sustainable Travel International to offset the carbon emissions from all their trips, and support locally-owned businesses to keep income in the community. Trips focus on education and low-impact travel. Small World Journeys also donate to environmental and indigenous groups, and with help from the Australian Rainforest Foundation, a 25-metre rainforest square in adopted in the names of their guests.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a unique rainforest experience, taking you on an unforgettable journey over and through Australia's World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforests from Cairns to Kuranda. Spanning 7.5 kilometres in the Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway glides just metres over the canopy, its comfortable six-person gondola cabins providing spectacular views of the rainforest, tropical Cairns, the Coral Sea and lush Cairns Highlands. Your adventure includes time at two mid-stations, where you can alight from the cableway learn more about this fascinating environment from the forest floor. At Red Peak Station, Skyrail's Rangers provide guided boardwalk tours sharing their knowledge on these ancient tropical forests, amongst giant buttress roots, ancient Kauri Pines and climbing wait-a-while palms. Barron Falls Station has pathways and lookouts over the Barron Gorge and Falls, historical displays and a Rainforest Interpretation Centre. Developed in conjunction with CSIRO, the Rainforest Interpretation Centre houses interactive touch-screen computers and audio-visual displays, providing an engaging and fun learning experience for people of all ages. Multiple winner of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, Skyrail is The World's Most Beautiful Rainforest Experience and is a convenient 10-minutes from Cairns and 50-minutes from Port Douglas.

Welcome to Flecker Botanic Gardens, the only wet tropic botanic gardens in Australia. At Flecker Botanic Gardens, the collections reflect their tropical diversity, with plants from the steamy jungles of South East Asia, South America and Africa easily adapting to the warm, wet climate of Cairns. These gardens have a fairytale-like feel for many plant collectors, with the most outstanding flowering and foliage plants arranged in natural landscape style. Situated on Collins Avenue only four kilometres from the Cairns City Centre, the gardens comprise of three main areas; Flecker Botanic Gardens - main botanic collection, Orchid House, The Fernery and aboriginal Plant Use Garden. There is also the award winning Botanic Gardens Restaurant Cafe open for breakfast and lunch. Centenary Lakes - has the wonderful rainforest boardwalk, Amazon Pond Lilies, native fruit trees, ample bird life, Freshwater Lake and Saltwater Lake with the occasional crocodile siting. Mount Whitfield Conservation Park - the famous red and blue arrow hiking tracks with stunning views over Cairns and Trinity Inlet, where you can spot the occasional scrub turkey and orange footed scrub hen.

The picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village is just 25 kilometres northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is a vibrant little town surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Travelling to Kuranda is a highlight in itself. Visitors can travel to Kuranda on Kuranda's Historic Scenic Railway, by car or bus, via the spectacular Kuranda Road, or above the rainforest canopy on Skyrail - the world's longest rainforest Cableway. Kuranda has come a long way from its initial origins as a centre for those choosing an alternative lifestyle in the late 1960s. Kuranda's shops and markets with their exotically handcrafted goods, Aboriginal artifacts, restaurants and coffee shops make Kuranda a well known day destination, but to truly enjoy the ambience this village has to offer you can stay a night. Take the time to visit some of Kuranda's many first class nature based tourist attractions, which include koalas, butterflies, native and exotic birds, kangaroos and reptiles. There are wonderful walking tracks which meander through magnificent rainforest and which are breathtaking when in flood. You can also see traditional Aboriginal dancers perform, travel on a riverboat on the mighty Barron River on join an Army Duck ride through the rainforest.

Carrowong Sanctuary is a 90 acre pristine property completely surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest. This unlogged rainforest gives guests a unique experience to enjoy walking through a pristine area unspoilt by outside interference. They have no cages or fences, and rainforest life is free to roam. Endangered, rare and vulnerable species here include the southern cassowary, musky rat kangaroo, red legged pademelon, northern platypus, pogonomys, antechinus, hydromys, green, striped and pygmy possums and much more. Around 130 bird species exist here together with 15 notable reptiles. Flora of course is unique with species like Macintyres Boxwood, Licuala Palms, Plalcospermum and so on. Roads and walking tracks throughout the sanctuary have been constructed in such a way as to limit the removal of any old growth forest and fan palms, to avoid both soil erosion and impeded drainage. Their power is generated from the sun and only eco-sensitive composting toilets are used. Their original wildlife tours continue to lead the way in rainforest eco-tourism. Carrowong's Wildlife Mountain Safari concentrates on the rare and endangered mammals of the night and A Night in the Rainforest, their nocturnal spotlighting walk, reveals the great bio-diversity of these ancient rainforests. Over 90 per cent of Australian wildlife is nocturnal, so the best time to view the native inhabitants in their natural environment is at night. All tours are led by local wildlife specialists. A very different experience compared to the mass tour market. Their tours tend to transform guests into strong advocates for environmental protection. Carrowong Fauna Sanctuary is privately funded, locally owned and dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of native rainforest wildlife. They know the rainforest, it's where they live and their original wildlife tours continue to lead the way in rainforest eco-tourism. All tours are led by local wildlife specialists.

Rugged mountains, ravines, tumbling waterfalls, magnificent rainforest, rich and varied wildlife, easy access and a fascinating history make Barron Gorge National Park one of Queensland's most popular national parks. The park extends from the coastal lowlands to the elevated regions of the Atherton Tableland and lies within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Barron River dominates the park. Rising from the rainforests of Mount Hypipamee National Park, the river winds 60 kilometres across the Atherton Tableland. The river then enters the deeply-incised Barron Gorge, between the Macalister and Lamb ranges. The river falls 250 metres onto the coastal lowlands and flows to the Coral Sea. During the wet season, floodwaters regularly create a spectacular sight at Barron Falls. The park is part of the traditional lands of the Djabugandji Bama (local Aboriginal people) who maintain a close spiritual connection with this country. Before Europeans arrived, Bama traversed this country, developing trails linking the coast to the uplands. These historic trails now form sections of a walking track network. Walk the network of walking trails including the elevated boardwalk to the lookout over the spectacular Barron Falls. Raft or canoe down the river or picnic at Lake Placid.

High in the Lamb Range, Dinden National Park protects rainforest and eucalypt woodland. The clear waters of Davies Creek flow over smooth granite boulders and make a refreshing place to relax. Picnic or bush camp beside Davies Creek. Spend a day climbing to Kahlpahlim Rock (Lamb Range's highest point) for views over Cairns and the Atherton Tableland or take a hike on the eight kilometre Turtle Rock circuit trail. Learn about the rainforest on the Clohesy fig tree circuit walk.