Tjapuka, Skyrail and Scenic Railway
 

We want to do the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, the Skyrail and the Scenic Railway. Would you advise that we do this all in one day? I'm a little confused... do we go to Tjapukai, see the shows and then take the Skyrail from there and then the Railway back (or vice-versa)? If we are staying on the Esplanade in Cairns, do we need to purchase transfers or how can we get to Tjapukai? I'm wondering if it's worth it to purchase a package that includes the transfers, Tjapukai and the Skyrail and Scenic Railway. Thanks.

You can get packages for the Skyrail and train and I imagine the aboriginal show but if it confines you to certain times I'd have a think about how you best manage the heat with bubs for the sky rail carriages can be hot little boxes and you're going to certainly have it hot up in Cairns.

It's not the best place for bubs to be unfortunately for they can get extra cranky in heat and humidity and you'll need to watch closely for dehydration.

In fact I's be having a chat to your doctor/pharmacist to say you're going somewhere hot and humid and see if electrolyte tablets are OK for bubs age bubs and get something - they help keep minerals/salts up when you're sweating a lot and without keeping them up you can get quickly run down, bubs probably quicker/worse than an adult - and watch for mosquitoes in regard to him/her and yourselves.

Back to the touring and I'd try to get the sky rail out of the way earliest as possible but seeing as by start up time it'll already likely be hot, the other option would br to leave it until latest as sun could be low and maybe a breeze could spring up - certainly best time to look out to sea and see the reefs patterns.
Pray for a cloudy day.

It'll be a slow hot train trip as well and there is a station in Cairns but last time someone asked it seems as though they may not be leaving from the Cairns railway station for some reason, but best to do that early too, but then to do a later sky rail, you'll need to saty up at Kuranda most of the day, maybe not such a bad idea if it's cooler.

Pat woolford should be able to advise

Hi Mandy, yes, the package is easy to do in one day, and if coming in summer would advise you do the the Scenic Railway first, the train is not airconditioned and we're having some hot days now, at least, and mornings are cooler.

Skyrail's package includes a transfer options (at a cost) from your accommodation to Freshwater (not Cairns) railway station for 8.45am or 9.45am train and would advise you take the early train to have maximum time in Kuranda. The early train will get you to Kuranda just after 10.00am, come back from Kuranda on a 12.30pm Skyrail, allowing 90 mins for Skyrail and walk right next door to Tjapukai at 2.00pm. A few hours in Tjapukai and then a Skyrail shuttle leaving at 5.15pm back to accommodation.

Alternatively, you could walk from your accommodation at Esplanade to Cairns railway station, the length of walk would depend on what end of Esplanade you're staying(trains leave 15 mins earlier from Cairns station than Freshwater)and catch a public bus back from Tjapukai to Cairns at end of day, bus stop is on Capt Cook Highway, a fairly short walk from Tjapukai. This would definitely be cheaper in terms of transfers, but of course not as convenient.

Didn't see your other post, Mandy, so didn't know there was a baby. That's a long day for an infant, I guess you have a stroller for him to sleep in.

Just in case you don't feel like lugging a stroller about there's a good about there's a good baby equipment hire place in North Cairns, in fact have just been there to pick up a folding cot. If interested, let's know and will give you details.

I was thinking more about bubs too Mandy since posting earlier and very seriously

I'd check with your accommodation to see if they could arrange for a babysitter for you instead of a day out like that.

Bubs will far more enjoy staying in a nice cool air-conditioned building than be out and about in the heat and sure will not recall the sights.

If you do take him you could try freezing a couple of bottles of water, wrap them in a towell and something cool to be cuddled.

Thanks for the replies and the helpful advice. I know that it's going to be hot and humid when we're there, but I'm sure it's going to be ten times worse than I imagined. And after a 27 hour plane ride and a 15 hour time change, I'm sure the heat will probably be the straw that broke the camel's back for the poor little guy! We may have to break this day up or, like you suggested, see about a babysitter. I'm sure he'd have a lot more fun with other kids and toys anyway.

Pat, I would love to know the details of the baby equipment hire in Cairns. Do they have a website?

Hi Mandy, its www.babyequipmenthire.com.au and local phone no on website. "2 mins from airport and Cairns city" is a bit optimistic, but not a lot more than that. Although website gives Sheridan St (main road) address its really directly behind Captain Cook Seafoods which is on corner of Sheridan and Lily Sts, baby equipment hire place is actually on Lily St. Any northbound bus out of Cairns will drop you there, bus stop is at ANZ Bank, North Cairns, just nearby, or they will deliver to accommodation.

As you're staying on Esplanade you'll be near Muddies kid's playground, its hard to tear young kids away from there, they love it.