Cairns Airport welcomes the return of Tiger Airways. 

The airline announced today it will resume flights into Cairns with a daily Melbourne – Cairns return service, commencing 25 April 2012.

International Coaches & Tours can provide private transfers to your Cairns and Port Douglas Accommdation: http://www.internationalcoachesandtours.com.au/transfer.html

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said Tiger’s resumption of the busy Melbourne – Cairns route has been long awaited.

“That Tiger will again operate services into Cairns on what has been voted Australia’s fastest growing route just ahead of our peak season is very welcome news indeed.”

“Tiger commenced flights into Cairns in September 2010 and proved a popular airline even while operating on late night arrival and early morning departure times,” Mr Brown said.

“We also welcome the fact that Tiger is going to provide a daytime service, arriving into Cairns at 12:15pm and departing at 12:45pm, offering greater convenience for its passengers.”

“It is also excellent news for the regional economy with a daily domestic service calculated on average to provide an additional $75million per annum in gross regional product and generate 843 new jobs in the region.”

Today’s announcement comes after ongoing negotiations between Cairns Airport and Tiger Airways that commenced soon after services where withdrawn due to action by CASA in 2011.

“We have worked closely with Tiger Airways to find the right time to relaunch their Melbourne – Cairns service,” Mr Brown said. “With those flights set to recommence we will continue our negotiations and are confident we can work with Tiger to achieve further growth on Melbourne – Cairns as well as encourage them to introduce new routes.”

Looking for something to entertain the kids while you are in Kuranda?

Head to the Kuranda Original Markets and check out the mountain top mini golf course set admist lush tropical gardens. Fun for all the family! From just $5!

While you are there discover funky hand-made wares unique to Kuranda. Clothing, jewellery, curios, craft, massage, food and many more surprises.

Tip: you have to try a Kuranda Tropical Homemade Icecream. Yum! Perfect for a warm summers day! 

Don't waste a day because of your flight times! 

International Coaches can pick you up and drop you off at a time that suits you. We will also collect your luggage and store it while you are on tour, we will then drop you and your luggage to the Airport or Hotel after your day tour! Kuranda is a perfect option for your arrival or departure day! 

Enquire about our tour options now! 

FIVE performers from Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park will lead the charge to bring 2018 Commonwealth Games to the Gold Coast.

The dancers will head to St Kitts, in the Caribbean, this Sunday to perform for delegates from 71 countries before they choose between the Gold Coast and Hambantota, Sri Lanka, to host the Games.

If the Games bid team are successful, Cairns will host preliminary basketball matches, providing an outstanding sporting spectacle and a boost to the Far North’s tourism industry.

To read the full story by the Cairns Post please click on the link - http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/10/28/188495_local-news.html

Kuranda Day  Free celebrations for everyone!! 

Sunday October 23, 10am-4pm

Celebrate the 123rd anniversary of Kuranda's official survey date with a day of free festivities for the whole family throughout the village. Join the massive lolly throw in Centenary Park. Free entertainment includes pony rides, buskers, a circus workshop, jumping castles, stilt walkers and face painting.

See you in Kuranda this weekend.

Kuranda Day Program

9.30-11am
Bash of the Barron River Raft Race Challenge
Ten teams race on the Barron River below the Kuranda Railway Station.

11am-12pm
The Great Kuranda Charity Undie Run
On the banks of the Barron River. $5 entry fee with all money going to Kuranda SES.

11.45am-12.30pm
German Tucker Sausage Eating Competition
Centenary Park. How many sausages can you eat in 5 minutes? BIG PRIZES.

1-2pm
Local Designers Fashion Parade
Amazing local designs at the Kuranda Original Markets.

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kuranda Amphitheatre with a weekend of festivities at an amazing entertainment  venue built, managed and staffed by volunteers of the Kuranda community.

Saturday September 17

Understage from 6pm. Intro by Joon Graham, short historical skit by Focus Theatre, musical entertainment by Lonesome Trio, Kuranda Range Hoods, Trish Molloy and Leah Kelly. $15 or $10 for members.

Sunday September 18

Buskers, Brunch and Beats. Free music in Kuranda from 10.30am to 1pm with Koahlition playing in Centenary Park from 1pm to 4pm.

We are delighted to announce that the Tablelands branch of Hire For Baby will open on Monday!  Juanita Hunter (nee Paronella) is a born and bred Tablelander and is looking forward to assisting with all your baby equipment requirements!

Phone 4091 1047 or email  tablelands@hireforbaby.com

Skyrial has been getting lots of reviews on Tripadvisor lately. But don't just take our word for it! Check it out for yourself http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1152915-d522679-r114613895-Skyrail_Rainforest_Cableway-Smithfield_Cairns_District_Queensland.html#REVIEWS 

We are delighted to announce that the Tablelands branch of HIRE FOR BABY will open on 1st August 2011.

This is a fantastic opportunity for people living in or visiting Atherton, Mareeba and the surrounding areas to take advantage of HIRE FOR BABY's fantastic products, fantastic prices and fantastic reputation! 

Contact cairns@hireforbaby.com for more information!

Ferns are a characteristic feature of rainforests due to their love of moist conditions. As any ardent gardener knows, ferns don't like wind and often need watering. This dependency on water has led to some interesting adaptations to the dry season.

Ferns will often lose their green leaves when the humidity drops and will go into hibernation. Once the rain starts, they can often go green overnight. Typical for the epiphytic ferns, those growing on top of trees, is their tendency to grow in the lee of the wind on the branches.

Ferns are ancient plants and have a life cycle consisting of two distinct plants. The plant we generally think of as the fern is in its asexual stage. Spores are produced under the leaves in clusters and are carried away by the wind. If they land on a good spot they germinate and become a tiny heart-shaped plant just two cell layers thick that reproduces sexually. This stage only lasts for a few weeks and is rarely seen by most people. Once fertilised, the plant is in its asexual stage and will grow on top of its dying parent, feeding off the remains.

To find out more about the ferns of this area you can read the full report at http://www.skyrail.com.au/diary.html.

However, there are a few Aussie influences you wouldn't find in a traditional French café. "The kangaroo prosciutto crepes made one French visitor roll his eyeballs, although he was back for more the next day," laughs Aurelien.

With Bastille Day on July 14 turning thoughts to all things French, Aurelien and his partner Kia Martin are reworking the menu. The pastry chef is keeping it under wraps for the moment, but he is sure to retain two favourites the locals keep coming back for - the goats cheese and caramelised onion savoury crepe and the sweet strawberry and rhubarb crepe.

Another thing he won't be changing is the superb coffee he has sourced locally at Mareeba. Maloberti's NQ Gold make a special medium roast blend for Petit Café to ensure a wonderfully smooth and rich coffee, just as the French like it.

Petit Café is open seven days a week from 8am to 3pm.

Most joeys leave the pouch around the age of six months and the wildlife keepers at Rainforestation are confident Clover's joey will remain out soon as the youngster was spied eating pap, the runny poo from its mother, which is a sign it will leave the pouch about five days later.

Cybile's joey is the most recent addition to Rainforestation's koalas, but at only one and a half months old, it will be some time before this one is seen by the public. Rainforestation runs competitions with visiting tour groups to name their baby koalas and they will soon choose a name from the competition for Matilda's joey.

Another new attraction that is proving a hit with the kids and also helps them see like an insect is the UV light room at the Sanctuary. Step inside and press the button and discover what the world looks like for a butterfly. Mum and Dad might remember the same effect from their disco days on the dance floor! The light helps you discover which colours butterflies prefer because the colours they see best literally glow in the dark under the UV light. You'll also discover that there are many shades of white when it comes to clothing.

There are more than 1500 butterflies which you can walk among in the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and a nursery area where you can see caterpillars emerging and eating. Tropical North Queensland is home to the world's largest moth, the Hercules moth, and you can see its enormous caterpillars right now at the Sanctuary.

New signage is going up with multiple choice questions such as: How do butterflies protect themselves? You'll have to visit the Sanctuary to discover the answer. Until then have a look at http://www.australianbutterflies.com/butterflies/facts.htm for some more interesting facts.

The race will start with a 5km road run from Freshwater Station to the Barron Gorge National Park before runners hit an 8km trail on the undulating four-wheel-drive McDonalds Track to Wright's Lookout, then revert to a 5km road run on the Barron Falls Rd to Kuranda Station.

Runners will be faced with a challenging ascent as they leave from a few metres above sea level on a steady climb to 50m before an extreme ascent to more than 300m, at times topping 400m. Meanwhile, the Kuranda train will be winding its way through tunnels and bridges along the spectacular 31km winding track through the Barron Gorge National Park.

Volunteers for marshalling and drink stations are required for the Kuranda section of the race. For more information contact race director Alan Courtenay on 0418 759 318.

Kuranda is getting ready to celebrate on June 25 with another of its famous fun days in the park. We will be stepping back in time for the 120th anniversary of Kuranda Scenic Rail with a full day of activities themed around the 1880s. Kuranda Scenic Railway's 120th anniversary is an amazing milestone and a time for the local community and businesses to unite and celebrate this special occasion. It is a remarkable achievement for our local railway service which has become an iconic and important tourism product for our destination.

Characters from the bygone era will be busking around the village, there will be street performers, activities for the kids, magic shows, massive jumping castles, horse and carriage rides, live bands in the park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal dancers, whip cracking shows and games of old such as horseshoe throwing competitions.

The Honey House will be hosting Kuranda's first mini-golf tournament at the Kuranda Original Markets with cash prizes up for grabs. It's only $5 entry with first prize $100 and second $25. Tee-off times are midday and 1.30pm.

The star of the day, the Kuranda train, will be running as scheduled with anniversary celebrations including anniversary pins, balloons and morning and afternoon tea for passengers, plus a welcoming band.

From 4pm there will be an open mike competition at Nevermind Café in the Kuranda Heritage Markets. Owner Debbie Robinson has been hosting regular open mike evenings with a featured artist to encourage live music in the village. "I really want to see young people get up to the mike and enjoy performing," she says.

Debbie takes to the mike herself when she performs with Miguel Trapaga as Deb and the Moonbear. Debbie enjoys singing and the pair perform a range of popular covers, although they are recording some originals at the moment. Miguel's name may be familiar, he is the brother of acclaimed jazz singer Monica Trapaga. Deb and the Moonbear will be appearing during the afternoon in Centenary Park, as will Koahlition Reggae Band.

In light of the NAIDOC celebrations, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is holding a special celebration day on Tuesday 5th July 2011. The park will be open from 9.00am to 5.00pm and *admission is FREE for all.

Our normal Tjapukai by Day shows will be operating for guests to experience.

"Bangaa" (foods cooked in traditional earth oven) will be available in the Boomerang Restaurant and a sausage sizzle will be available in the Cultural Village for guests to purchase.

 Tjapukai is keen to get the community involved and is inviting indigenous organisations, businesses and community groups to set up stalls around the park.

*Please be advised we are expecting to be at full capacity on this special day and will therefore refuse entry to guests once we reach full capacity. Please be advised to arrive early to ensure entry.

Skyrail now has a webcam which is located on the top of Tower 25, adjacent to Skyrail's Barron Falls Station.

There is a 125 watt solar panel supplying the camera and modem. A daylight sensor is installed to shut down the camera and modem at night to conserve power. The video stream runs on demand wirelessly through the cellular network.

“Pick up the paper, search the internet and You will discover Australia’s Property market is Booming with properties in some Capital Cities increasing by up to 19% during 2010...But have You missed out, is it too late for You to invest?”

You will also have immediate access to Quality New Properties at drastically reduced prices that are being sold many thousands of dollars below original price “Under instructions from appointed Receivers and Managers” starting from just $310,000......Some offer secure leases from 2 - 5 years!

Lots more detailed information on where Cairns has been and where it's headed, download your FREE REPORT today

Come on out to the Daintree and join our tree planting celebrations. Help Rainforest Rescue plant 1000 trees and create a rainforest. An activity suitable for all ages. Bring the family. Help restore the natural environment.

Where: At Lots 21 & 28 Ironbark Rd, Diwan (off Cape Tribulation Road)

When: Tuesday to Friday 22-26 February 2010

Time: 9.00am - 12 noon

Cost: FREE

The Daintree Rainforest is the most significant tropical rainforest in Australia and sustains a unique range of flora and fauna. over the past 100 years parts of the Daintree hve been cleared to create land for farms that are no longer in operation. Replanting these cleared areas with rainfroest trees provides important habitat for the endangered Cassowary and 100 other rare and threatened species found in the Daintree.

Rainforest Rescue is a not for profit organisation commited to protecting our rainforests forever. For further information, please visit rainforestrescue.org.au or phone 1300 763 611 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au 

Published results of a survey conducted in 2007 by Galaxy Research found that nearly $1Billion is spent on unwanted Christmas gifts each year. In a bid to rescue rainforests at the same time as Christmas, not for profit organisation Rainforest Rescue is running a ‘Rescue Christmas Campaign’ offering unique Rainforest Gift Cards, targeting those 'difficult to buy for' friends and loved ones.

Right now, rainforests and their inhabitants are under greater threat than ever.

In the Daintree of far North Queensland, large areas are situated on freehold land and laws and regulations to prevent development are inadequate. Securing and protecting rainforest habitat for the endangered Cassowary — of which only 1,000 remain — is urgent.  Meanwhile, only 1% of the most diverse ecosystem in New South Wales — The Big Scrub — remains. Planting and restoring this area is vital to the survival of over 38 threatened species of flora and 61 species of threatened fauna.

Rainforest Rescue are protecting rainforests with projects that re-establish habitat through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest. Amongst other project outcomes, this year Rainforest Rescue successfully planted over 10,000 rainforest trees and acquired their 11th property in the Daintree.

With their 'Rescue Christmas' Campaign, Rainforest Rescue are promoting Rainforest Gift Cards devoted to a range of projects that allow purchasers to nominate number of trees planted, or square metres / hectares protected. For example, $25 will save five square metres of the Daintree Rainforest which Rainforest Rescue will purchase and protect on the Gift Card recipient’s behalf. Each card details the gift with a special front cover photo or exclusive Leunig cartoon along with an inner description of the project outcomes achieved.

“Gift Card sales will make a significant contribution to both our Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project and the Plant a Rainforest campaign. This year more Australians are recognising how we need to make a difference when it comes to our environment.” Said Kelvin Davies, CEO of Rainforest Rescue.

Rainforest Rescue Gift Cards can be sent directly to a recipient anywhere in the world with a personalised message inside or they can be sent to the giver's address for personal delivery.

Critically endangered species like the Daintree's Southern Cassowary and Indonesia's Orangutans are among many who have little to celebrate this Christmas. And with deforestation causing 25% of global emissions, protecting rainforests is really a gift for everyone. Through their 'Rescue Christmas' campaign, Rainforest Rescue urge all those concerned for our planet to consider this easy and affordable way to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone.

Orders can be placed online at www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by phoning 1300 763 611.

Rainforestation Army Duck Driver Murray Freeman has celebrated reaching his 30th year of employment at the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda.

Murray started working at Rainforestation on 23rd September in 1979, when it was known as Mountain Groves. At the time, the only other army duck driver was founding Managing Director Charles Woodward.

Murray remembers starting his employment with the company particularly well as he married his wife Laura the following week.

“So techinically, you can say I’ve been married to my job longer than I have my wife!” he said.

In those early days, Murray’s duties were varied and extended beyond just driving an army duck, from serving behind bar, to helping out in the restaurant.

“I remember on my first day, I wore good clothes to work, then my first task was a trip in the old truck to the dump – with a particularly messy batch of rubbish,” he said.

Over the years, Murray has seen the attraction evolve from a small business employing six people, to an internationally successful operation with currently 75 employees.

Due to his extensive knowledge of amphibious war vehicles, Murray has often been used as specialist consultant for film and television productions, such as the Steven Speilberg produced mini-series The Pacific which is currently in production.

Rainforestation Managing Director Charles Woodward said it was great to see a long-term employee remain so dedicated and passionate about their work.

“After 30 years, his tours have remained fresh and interesting – although some of his jokes haven’t changed,” he said.

“Murray has been presented with many opportunities to move into more senior roles, but has turned these down as he is content in this role, and continues to give it 100%. We are pleased to see him reach this milestone, and are proud of his ongoing commitment to Rainforestation,” he said.

Today, Murray has the additional responsibility of training the army duck drivers on driving, safety skills and guiding.

The award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda has just completed a successful exchange of koalas with Alma Park Zoo in Southern Queensland for breeding purposes.

The aim is to introduce new genetics into the breeding programmes at both Rainforestation Nature Park and Alma Park Zoo, Queensland's longest running zoo, situated 30 minutes north of Brisbane.
Sakura, a 2 year old female koala born at Rainforestation in their successful breeding program, has
swapped places with Alma Park Zoo's Kodi, a 3 year old male koala.

Rainforestation Head Wildlife Keeper Kate Coughlan said it is hoped Kodi will become one of their
top breeding males, as well as a star in the "Koala Experience" for koala photos.

"Kodi has settled in nicely and is revelling in his new role posing in the Koala Experience, so we're
also hoping he will take to two of our female koalas in the next couple of months," she said.

Meanwhile, Sakura is also expected to be a future breeder at Alma Park Zoo, with Rainforestation to
receive the first female offspring she produces, bringing new genetics into the koala colony again.

Both Rainforestation and Alma Park Zoo plan to work together for Koala management for the future,
thus beginning a long term partnership between the two parks.

For more information or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact CaPTA PR Manager Ben
Woodward on 0406 384 886 or 07 4041 9401.

Sunrise at 6.31am & first light at 6.09am, seen every day from a hot air balloon here in the tropics in May, is displaying some amazing colours.

Taking off on the Atherton Tablelands, west of Kuranda and Port Douglas daily, the ballooning industry keeps the most up to date weather information to determine balloon launch sites & flight plans. Temperatures this week will range from an overnight of 19 degrees to a high of 27 in Kuranda and Mareeba. We suggest a light jacket and enclosed shoes, when starting your early morning tour and definitely sunglasses and a hat for after breakfast. To see photos of today''s weather on the Atherton Tablelands go to www.hotair.com.au  

It will be mostly fine and sunny inland for the week ahead though you will notice a difference driving from the Atherton Tablelands back to Port Douglas where the forecast is for moderate SE winds, fresh at times along the coast.