Cairns for the Disabled
Cairns stands proud in offering a wide variety of things to do and see in Cairns for those of all ages including the handicapped and Disabled. Tours that can cater for disabled or handicapped persons and their carer must be booked in advance to ensure the guests full satisfaction and assistance on the day can be provided for. Be sure to book well ahead and advise the agent or staff member at the time of booking if a passenger uses a wheelchair or any other means of mobility along with any other special requirements to ensure preparations are put in place to ensure you are well catered for. While every attempt is made to ensure these facilities are available on a daily basis, due to operational consideration some facilities may not be available on the desired day of travel. It is important that all wheelchair passengers are fully briefed prior to joining a tour.
The Great Barrier Reef for Disabled
Great Barrier Reef Islands
Most of the Great Barrier Reef tour operators that take guests to the Islands moor their boats 500 meters off the islands and then ferry passengers across on motorised dinghys so a level of mobility would be required for these reef tours. Green island is different on the other hand. Green Island has its own jetty which makes it more of a viable option. The reef operator must be informed of the guests handicap and mobility level at the time of booking as not all of the Green Island transfer boats are wheelchair accessible. The operators have various transfer boats and times that they depart Cairns to go out to Green Island and by booking ahead, the reservation can be secured onto one of the wheelchair accessible boats. Furthermore, based on the tide levels on certain days, there may be a few steps at the end of the gangway onto the Green Island jetty. Tides can generally be predicted and the friendly staff will organize your day and time based on when the tides are predicted to be at the appropriate level - please note that not all motorized wheelchairs can be accommodated for as they are sometimes too wide. Push wheelchairs are preferred. Green Island features disabled toilet facilities and paved or wooden boardwalk pathways that are easy for wheelchairs to access. There is also a boardwalk that takes you directly through the rainforest into the centre of the Island which is flat and easily accessible. The sand on the island is very soft so wheelchairs are not recommended. To board the glass bottom boats, there are a few steps, therefore may not be suitable if the passenger has no mobility whatsoever. The same goes for the semi-submersible submarine
Outer Great Barrier Reef Pontoons for the Disabled
Many of these tour boats travelling to the Outer Great Barrier Reef Pontoons are very accessible. Please be sure at the time of booking to specify the handicap and mobility level to ensure that you are on the appropriate reef tour with wheelchair accessibility. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available onboard the boats; however on some of the pontoons they are not available... Thankfully this is not a problem, as the boat moors beside the pontoon all day and wheelchair accessible platforms connect the boat to the pontoon for constant easy access. Access to the underwater observatory, swim platforms, semi-submersible or any coral viewing vessels are non-accessible for those who have no mobility as they involve stairs. The BESToption for a pontoon would be with Quicksilver, Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon. Be sure to ask for Quicksilver VIII that goes to the Port Douglas Agincourt 3 floating platform. The Quicksilver pontoon is equipped with a hydraulic lift to enable transfer between the lower deck and the water, allowing guests with limited or no mobility to be able to put on a mask, snorkel and look into the water from the chair. The area where this is done is also the fish feeding area so get ready to see a wide variety of bright unique small and large fish.
Transfers for all Vessels for the Disabled
Normal coach transfers are available for Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches and Port Douglas passengers who are self sufficient and able to negotiate 3 stairs on and off the coach. The height from the ground onto the first step of the coach is approximately 300mm.
For wheelchair confined passengers, a wheelchair taxi can be booked on your behalf to Port Douglas or Cairns. There is a set taxi price from Cairns and Cairns Beaches to Port Douglas and will be a metered cost in the Cairns area and payment can be made direct to the taxi company on the day; just make sure you book in advance.
More information about the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns Scenic Flights for the Disabled or Disabled Visitors
Cairns scenic flights are fun for everyone and a great way to see Australia's Great Barrier Reef for the magnificent natural phenomenon that it is. Soar above the oldest rainforest in the world or through the famous Australian Outback. The choice is yours. For those who are in a wheelchair or with limited mobility, it is suggested to bring a carer as there are 1 - 2 steps required to get into the helicopter, seaplane or plane and the Disabled guest will need to be lifted. Although the option of flying out to the reef to your desired pontoon or Green Island is a possibility, if the guest has no mobility at all, they will need to be carried twice more - Once onto the tender boat between the landing pad and the pontoon and once again onto the pontoon. The scenic helicopter flights on the other hand simply require just the lift over the steps to get in and out of the helicopter, seaplane or plane.
More information about Cairns Scenic Flights
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail for the Disabled
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail are a highlight not to be missed and are definitely accessible. Like any of the other Cairns tours, at the time of booking, please inform the agent or operator of the particular situation of your handicapped or Disabled passenger to ensure total satisfaction. The Kuranda Scenic Railway has hydraulic lifts to get passengers in and out of the train. There is limited seating in this particular coach so book ahead to secure those seats and guarantee your preferred date. The Skyrail is also wheelchair accessible via a ramp but the wheelchair must not be any wider than 61cm. If the wheelchair is larger, the staff will assist in transferring the handicapped or Disabled guest into a smaller wheelchair that is onsite and have the guests personal wheelchair shuttled down to meet them at the bottom or top. Kuranda Village takes pride in having stairs and ramps to accommodate all visitors' needs in getting around this unique rainforest village in the sky. Visit the Kuranda markets, Birdworld, Butterfly Sanctuary and The Koala Gardens, all of which are wheelchair accessible.
Bus Transfers
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail do have Normal coach transfers available for Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches and Port Douglas passengers who are self sufficient and able to negotiate 3 - 4 stairs on and off the coach. The height from the ground onto the first step of the coach is approximately 300mm.
For wheelchair confined passengers, a wheelchair taxi will be booked at the operators specified time only. If guests wish to travel at a time opposing to what the operator offers, the guest must pay for their own taxi transfer at the taxis metered rate. If the guest cooperates in going at the time the operator offers, the rate is at the same price as the regular transfers for Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail transfers. This MUST be arranged at least 48 hours in advance.
More information about Cairns Skyrail
The Daintree Rainforest for the Disabled
The Tours going to The Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation or The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway do have normal coach transfers available for Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches and Port Douglas passengers who are self sufficient and able to negotiate 3 to 4 stairs on and off the coach. The height from the ground onto the first step of the coach is approximately 300mm - 400mm on the buses and these tours require getting on and off of the bus numerous times.
The Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway Self Drive for the Disabled or Handicap
Self Driving the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation or The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway are all possibilities as the boardwalks are wheelchair accessible. In Cape Tribulation, the beach is non-wheelchair accessible as the sand is quite soft but all rainforest surrounding areas are great ways to explore the area.
More information about Daintree Rainforest
Cairns Parks, Aboriginal Cultural Parks and Australian Native Animal Parks for the Handicapped or Disabled
Cairns tours and attractions such as Cairns Tropical Zoo, The Dome, Rainforestation, The Rainforest Habitat, Cairns Wildlife Safari, Hartleys Crocodiles Adventures and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park are all wheelchair accessible.
Cairns Adrenaline Activities and Tours for the Disabled
Cairns Skydiving
Cairns Skydiving Companies pride themselves on the fact that they have taken guests skydiving with mental and physical disabilities, ages 14 to 80. This must be booked well in advance and does require a Doctors note, a specific tandem skydiving master to be working and a medical questionnaire that is to be filled out in advance too. It is the companies discretionary right to refuse the skydive if the medical conditions do not coordinate to what is legally safe but are definitely open minded and look into making the dream come true as best as they can for these unique cases.
More information about Cairns Skydiving
Cairns Bungy Jumping for the Disabled
From those in wheelchairs, with limited or no eyesight and many other cases, Cairns AJ Hackett Bungy will get the job done! Try the Minjin Swing that soars 45 meters above the ground horizontally at the speed of 125 km per hour! The minimum age is 10 years of age and minimum jump weight is 45kg. If the guest is less than 45kg they can participate in a tandem jump with a friend, or one of the great crew. There is no maximum age or weight so pick up that phone and make that booking!
More information about Cairns Bungy Jumping
Cairns Hot Air Ballooning for the Disabled
Don't go through life wishing you always had... Go on and book that Hot Air Ballooning Tour that you always dreamed of! Cairns hot air ballooning tours are $100.00 cheaper to do here than in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and offer the scenic views of the Cairns tablelands, no other can compare to. Upon booking, the handicapped or Disabled must answering a questionnaire to ensure that they are prepared for handling the hot air ballon ride. A carer must be present with the handicapped or Disabled guest.
More information about Cairns Hot Air Ballooning