Rainforestation
Guided tour: Rainforestation's Army Ducks provide a unique way of viewing the local rainforest.
At the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park, you'll get to experience indigenous culture, Australian native wildlife and World Heritage listed rainforest all on one site.
Set on 100 acres in the midst of World Heritage rainforest, this unique tourist attraction is situated five minutes from Kuranda Village, and half an hour by coach from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland.
Rainforestation has three main attractions.
The first is a tour around the World Heritage rainforest on a World War II Army Duck (officially spelt DUKW).
Rainforestation has 11 of these historical vehicles, which hold up to 30 passengers and have 6 wheel drive, propeller and rudder.
As you traverse part of the property on your 45 minute rainforest tour, knowledgeable guides will point out and explain ferns, orchids, strangler figs and stinging trees, as well as birds such as the Azure Kingfisher and a host of other animals and reptiles.
With propeller engaged, your Army Duck cruises up to the water’s edge whilst turtles, fish and eels swim up close.
Keep an eye out for water dragons or pythons sunbaking or slithering up trees.
After your Army Duck Tour, take time to meander through the Tropical Fruits Orchard, which features over 40 different species of exotic tropical fruit trees.
This tranquil setting provides the perfect opportunity to view and learn about fruits of the region including jackfruit, paw paw, lychees, mango, cocoa, carambola, star apple, and pineapple, as well as regional produce such as tea, coffee, and sugar cane.
The second main attraction is the culture of the Pamagirri indigenous people.
Witness a half hour show of traditional dance performance in a rainforest amphitheatre, depicting animals, food gathering, and hunting.
The rainforest serves as the theatre walls whilst sounds of wildlife provide accompaniment to the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo and clapsticks.
They also offer a half-hour guided dreamtime walk along an all weather walk-way modelled on the Rainbow Serpent.
The walk gives a fascinating insight into aspects of local aboriginal rainforest culture.
Try your hand at boomerang throwing - after a demonstration and a few lessons, you’ll be ready to test your skills with this ancient aboriginal implement.
The area is specially netted for safety, as boomerangs do come back!
Observe spear-throwing - you'll be amazed at the distance the Pamagirri Guides can throw spears using a Woomera.
One of the guides, Jauwa, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records with a distance of 147.75 metres – that’s one and a half football fields!
In the midst of traditional aboriginal dwellings, hear the Pamagirri guide play the didgeridoo, an ancient wind instrument.
Listen carefully for sounds imitating Kangaroos or the Kookaburra.
You can also purchase authentic artwork and artefacts such as didgeridoos and boomerangs.
The final part of the Rainforestation experience is the Koala and Wildlife Park.
Wander at your leisure or join a guided group with an experienced Wildlife Keeper.
Covered boardwalks provide excellent viewing of native Australian animals, including crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, snakes, lizards, and the cassowary.
Handfeed kangaroos and wallabies, or have your photo taken cuddling a cute koala!
So whether your looking for a bit of local indigenous culture, getting up close and personal with the region's wildlife or looking to experience a little bit of local history, don't look past Rainforestation.
It's a worthy way to get a little bit of everything in one fun-filled day.
For more information about tourist attractions in the Cairns region, please check cairns.com.au
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