Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour and Cruise
4.5
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour and Cruise
By Nautilus Aviation
About
Ages 0-99, max of 6 per group
Duration: 9h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Hotel pickup and drop off from Cairns hotels
- Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail Cableway
- Approx. 25-minute helicopter tour
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Buffet lunch
- Entry/Admission - Cairns
- Entry/Admission - Kuranda
- Entry/Admission - Nautilus Aviation
- Entry/Admission - Great Barrier Reef
- Entry/Admission - Cairns
What's not included- Beverages
- AU$20per person for the Environmental Management Charge and Fuel Levy is payable direct to the operator on the day of travel
- Semi-submersible boat tour and diving
- Private return transfers to/from Port Douglas are $205 per car (up to 4 passengers).
- Departure details
- Traveller pickup is offered.
- Transfer from Cairns and Northern Beaches (up to and including Palm Cove) are included for all tours. Transfers to/from Port Douglas are $205 per car (up to 4 passengers)
- Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3262_CAIRNS- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry-on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of ticket price - this is non-commissionable and payable to Nautilus Aviation on day of travel.
- Child Policy: Children 3 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price. Subject to conditions, children under 3 years may travel free of charge when seated on a parents/guardians lap. For bookings of more than one infant (under 3 years), conditions apply – please contact Reservations.
- There is a maximum of 6 to 7 passengers permitted depending on aircraft availability
- It is recommended that you wear swimmers upon check in
- you will have a compulsory 20 minute safety briefing before being allowed enter the water, this is part of your two hours out at the reef
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3262_CAIRNS
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Itinerary
- You'll get picked upSee departure details
- 1CairnsStop: 2 hours - Admission includedSee details
- 2Skyrail Kuranda TerminalStop: 60 minutes - Admission includedSee details
- 3Nautilus AviationStop: 25 minutes - Admission includedSee details
- 4Cairns Cruise Liner TerminalStop: 15 minutes - Admission includedSee details
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Lifeisfordancing0 contributionsMost Wonderful Experience Ever!!Unbelievable Experience! Took the 40 minute flight. Well worth the money! The Great Barrier Reef is definitely something to see from the air!! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!! Niels, our pilot was awesome❤️‼️❤️Written 4 December 2023
- Mickel790 contributionsAn incredible way to get to Green IslandIt was an amazing trip out to Green Island with great commentary and humour from our pilot. All the staff were very helpful from start to finish, even organising a tour for us as we landed at Green IslandWritten 29 November 2023
- juliecL4239AZ0 contributionsAmazing experienceAbsolutely amazing experience and staff from start to finsh were great would highly recommend loved that my son and myself were able to sit up frontWritten 21 November 2023
- noradA8483CW0 contributionsAbsolutely incredible!Incredible experience with stunning views of both the reef and rainforest with very friendly staff before and after along with a brilliant pilot! I highly recommend this tour!Written 4 October 2023
- L359DOjamesm0 contributionsWorth every dollarWas an amazing view of the reef and rainforest that you couldn’t get any other way. Highly recommended!Written 4 October 2023
- RJAdams20180 contributionsAmazing experienceWe added the 10 minute scenic flight to our Great Barrier Reef cruise just a few days beforehand and it was well worth it. Took off from beside the pontoon and the reef and circled for 10 minutes - absolutely stunning views and a completely different perspective than from the pontoon. Took many photos Well organised and shout out to Michael, our pilot for the experience. Sorry, I don't know the name of the person on the boat that ferried us to the floating helipad and back, but he was also polite and professional. If anyone is thinking whether to take a helicopter flight over the reef, then I would whole heartedly recommend this one - you're up above the reef straight away.Written 1 October 2023
- jenniferbZ4034BP0 contributionsAmazing reef and forest views.Amazing experience. 45 minute helicopter ride went to reef via Green island and returned over rainforest with views of waterfalls. I am afraid of heights but felt safe and secure. Beautiful experience and well worth the costWritten 23 August 2023
- Ross_L630 contributionsHighly recommendedGreen island is beautiful (although food prices while there are extortionate) and the helicopter ride was fantastic! Was a really great day out.Written 22 August 2023
- D5284DFdonnad0 contributionsHelicopter flightLoved the views, seeing the reef and whales. Felt very safe even being afraid of heights Absolutely the highlight of my holiday to Cairns.Written 18 August 2023
- 178maxp0 contributionsAmazing tripAmazing views, amazing experience. Beautiful memories. Would definitely recommend. We would definitely come back and hopefully see the GBR again.Written 31 July 2023
- TrekStars0 contributionsBreathtaking way to explore the reef and rainforestWe couldn't recomment Nautilus more highly. Our family of four had a 45 minute reef and rainforest tour. It was a truly a breathtaking way to explore the area. Our pilot Julian was so friendly, welcoming and informative. We were all amazed at how smooth the ride was thanks to his excellent piloting skills, and what a bonus to spot a whale! Julian really went above and beyond and is an absolute credit to the company. We felt very safe and relaxed in his care. The girls who helped us organise our booking, check in and board the helicopter were also amazingly efficient, professional and friendly. It's definitely worth treating yourself to a flight with Nautilus if you are visiting the area. We could not fault them!Written 22 July 2023
- pennyhS2488AN0 contributionsA Stand Out on first visit to CairnsOn a perfect day we enjoyed a perfect tour. The ride was as smooth as could be to take in the views of the spectacular reef and islands. Our pilot Josiah made our trip a 110% experience. He was so informative to enable us to learn new things but not overdone commentary: it was so relaxing and just right. He was professional from start to finish, indicating points of interest and providing backstories and ensuring that each passenger got a great view. Then over the gorge was 'wow' territory even more. We were able to really survey the whole area so much better. We recommend this experience to anyone and everyone. All staff were friendly, relaxed and professional. Thanks Nautilus.Written 18 July 2023
- Peter J0 contributionsGreat experience!Staff were really warm helpful and encouraging. The flight out was stunning although our later time meant a shorter time in the water. Could not recommend this tour or operator more highly.Written 28 June 2023
- Andrewstanden990 contributionsAmazing trip from start to finish and incredibly good value !!!Can't recommend these guys enough . From the initial meet with the super lovely Brooke who was so patient and informative to the safety video and explanation , we were incredibly impressed . And then we were really spoilt by the amazing Shauna who flew us beautifully and was so informative and accomodating . We left the pier buzzing and had a fabulous day to remember for our wedding anniversary . Thank you Brooke , thank you Shauna and thank you Nautilus . Thoroughly Recommended !!!Written 18 June 2023
- kerry t0 contributionsFirst time helicopter experience, well worth the money, and spending time on the reef after seeing it from the air was wonderfulThe experience of seeing the reef from above was magic, to be flying over the water at 500 meters you could see so much more than when on the waterWritten 21 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Samantha H
Arlington, VA77 contributions
Oct. 2019
As the company didn’t provide pickup from our AirBnB we had to pay for an uber since the meeting spot was a 35 minute walk. Then we sat outside waiting, our driver was over 15 minutes late - finally we were taken a short distance to the train station and given our stickers and train tickets.
The train ride was nice and slow, good for me since I get motion sickness. There is a bathroom and drinking water in each car. The train slows for points of interest, and an announcer provides details about the train, views and surrounding areas as you ride. Relaxing time.
There wasn’t much time to explore Kuranda - so if that is your goal, skip this package. We went straight to the sky rail, which starts from the top of the mountain and you make a couple transfers until you get back down. They seat up to 6. Each party gets their own so you can ride with just your group which is nice. They also go slow, and you hover just above the rainforest canopy, feeling the breeze.
Once we were done and went through the gift shop we waited outside of the skyrail station, ... waiting ... waiting (the reason they dropped from four to three stars) late again. 25 minutes later I called the helicopter company Nautilus Aviation, and while on hold they contacted International Coaches and Tours, who was supposed to provide transport - and apparently their bus broke down... would have been nice for them to contact us! We almost missed our helicopter ride! So by that point, they sent a taxi to retrieve us - we barely made it to the helicopter, were rushed in and took off right away so I didn't have time to get my phone out of my bag to take pictures, bummer. We were able to take small backpacks, and it’s helpful to put your bathing suits on in the bathrooms at the bottom of the skyrail before you leave for the helicopter.
At least the helicopter ride to the boat was awesome, our pilot pointed out stingrays, and different facts - swooping down so we all got a good look at the reefs, before landing. Then a small boat took us to to the larger dive and snorkel boat called Evolution, where we quickly got into our snorkel gear since we only had an hour now to enjoy the reef before the boat left. Then we ate a mostly cold meal the 1.5 hour ride back to shore. The boat was nice, and so was the staff. All in all great experience, minus everything that had to deal with getting rides. We decided to skip the “ride home” which would have been a few blocks from the marina where we ended, so we walked over and told the driver to check us off and we’d find our own way back. Not sure if the package is cost effective, but the attractions are worth going to.
The train ride was nice and slow, good for me since I get motion sickness. There is a bathroom and drinking water in each car. The train slows for points of interest, and an announcer provides details about the train, views and surrounding areas as you ride. Relaxing time.
There wasn’t much time to explore Kuranda - so if that is your goal, skip this package. We went straight to the sky rail, which starts from the top of the mountain and you make a couple transfers until you get back down. They seat up to 6. Each party gets their own so you can ride with just your group which is nice. They also go slow, and you hover just above the rainforest canopy, feeling the breeze.
Once we were done and went through the gift shop we waited outside of the skyrail station, ... waiting ... waiting (the reason they dropped from four to three stars) late again. 25 minutes later I called the helicopter company Nautilus Aviation, and while on hold they contacted International Coaches and Tours, who was supposed to provide transport - and apparently their bus broke down... would have been nice for them to contact us! We almost missed our helicopter ride! So by that point, they sent a taxi to retrieve us - we barely made it to the helicopter, were rushed in and took off right away so I didn't have time to get my phone out of my bag to take pictures, bummer. We were able to take small backpacks, and it’s helpful to put your bathing suits on in the bathrooms at the bottom of the skyrail before you leave for the helicopter.
At least the helicopter ride to the boat was awesome, our pilot pointed out stingrays, and different facts - swooping down so we all got a good look at the reefs, before landing. Then a small boat took us to to the larger dive and snorkel boat called Evolution, where we quickly got into our snorkel gear since we only had an hour now to enjoy the reef before the boat left. Then we ate a mostly cold meal the 1.5 hour ride back to shore. The boat was nice, and so was the staff. All in all great experience, minus everything that had to deal with getting rides. We decided to skip the “ride home” which would have been a few blocks from the marina where we ended, so we walked over and told the driver to check us off and we’d find our own way back. Not sure if the package is cost effective, but the attractions are worth going to.
Written 18 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tahatoi
Wellington, New Zealand23 contributions
Oct. 2019
From the professional team picking us up and dropping us off, to all of the activities in between - this adventure was enjoyable. At every location staff were friendly and professional. Timings were perfect, no stress. Kuranda Scenic Rail, Skysail plus Snorkelling and Cruise back to Cairns on Evolution... memorable. Of course the helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef and landing on the pontoon at Hastings Reef were the absolute highlight. The "Cairns in a Day" tour is great value for money. Met some great people along the way which made the journey a little more special for us.
Written 7 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aronManila
manila22 contributions
Mar. 2018 • Friends
Awesome! Take the skyrail cable in Cairns, Queensland. Via 7.5 km Skyrail Rainforest Cableway view over and through the tropical World Heritage-listed rainforest. Stop at points to see trees and plants only seen in the rainforest. Up in the skyrail one cannot see the rainforest ground. Viisit Kuranda Village, Butterfly Sanctuary and Bird Aviary. Return to Cairns by railway via the scenic and historic Kuranda railway.
Written 28 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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