A TRIP on Skyrail is literally one of the highlights of a visit to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands.
Being high in the canopy of a World Heritage rainforest is an unusual experience that truly gives you a whole new view of forests.
Skyrail operates between Caravonica Lakes Station (Smithfield) and Kuranda. The 7.5km cableway trip is an unforgettable experience, combining a canopy close-up view with a descent to the green depths of the rainforest. And for something different, you can take the tourist train for the return journey.
A perfect spot to stay when discovering the attractions of this area is the Cool Waters Holiday Park. Situated just three minutes’ drive from the Freshwater Station where you board the train heading to Kuranda and on the same road as the Skyrail Depot, Cool Waters is also just seven minutes’ drive from the Cairns city centre for the days when you’re looking for a cosmopolitan shopping or dining experience.
The park itself has its own attractions. While it is situated on a main road, the caravan and camping ground is located at the other end of the park in serene surroundings.
The Freshwater Creek borders this area and is home to large numbers of turtles and fish, which you can feed. Plus, it’s a birdwatching paradise, with more than 50 species of birds having been identified there.
Growing alongside the creek are giant fig trees that are hundreds of years old and add to the beauty of the park. The creek is often the scene of a park morning tea where you can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere as you munch on scones with jam and cream.
Other park events that are regular occurrences include pizza nights and sausage sizzles. People staying in the park make their own entertainment and it often turns out to be a real talent show with guitar players, singers, mouth organists and even at times whipcrackers and fire jugglers!
And the free barbecues in the park mean you can have your own sausage sizzle anytime. Other cooking equipment can also be found in the large camp kitchen.
As well as the shaded camping sites and spacious caravan sites, there are large sites to accommodate buses and motorhomes. If you have a van and book a tour to Cape York from the park office, they’ll even give you free van and car storage while you’re away. There are 50 cabins ranging from budget to deluxe styles plus a two-bedroom house nestled among the trees if you’d like the space and facilities of a house. Add a pool, new kiosk with internet access and laptop access and you’ll see why Cool Waters is a lovely place to stay.
