We arrived in Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest just 25km northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia.
We had previously been on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway, both of which we enjoyed immensely and recommend. We were looking for something different and went to talk with Kuranda Tourism.
Gordon went to move the car, and the lady told me about a new company, the Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda. They operate from Barron Falls Estate, which quite literally is on the majestic Barron Falls. I thought that this sounded like something a little different and I like fruit and rainforests, so this was a deep and meaningful reason for me to say yes. She asked would I like to ask my husband. I said, no.
She rang Perry, the owner and operator of Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda, who organized for us to visit at 3 pm that afternoon. I told Gordon when he got back. He was fine with this. Because the company is very young, there is not a lot of information available, but I did read something that said, you explore on ATV’s.
I asked Gordon, “what is an ATV?” He said, “why?”, I said because that is how we do this new tour. Then he told me that this is an All Terrian Vehicle and that I would be expected to ride it that afternoon for the 2-hour tour. Hmmm. I can’t ride a two-wheel bike, so I can safely say I was a little worried.
We arrived at Barron Falls Estate, a couple of minutes from Kuranda. A man came roaring up the drive way on a quad bike. I said to Gordon, “I guess that is an ATV”. We were joined by three other people. A family. The father just happens to be Alex de Waal, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland. As a travel writer, you can understand that I wanted to give him my resume immediately, but I kept my cool.
Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda
Contents
The aim of the Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda tour is to introduce you to the rainforest environment of the Barron landscape. The Barron Falls Estate is part of the Barron Gorge National Park where you will find the Barron Falls. These are a steeply tiered cascade waterfall on the Barron River located where the river descends from the Atherton Tablelands to the Cairns coastal plain, in Queensland, Australia. They are so close to Perry and his wife’s house, that their windows shake when the river is in the flood.
Perry knows this land well having been brought up here. He knows every tree, plant, animal and legend associated with the land.
He is an educated man, in that laconic Australian way that makes being on tour with him very enjoyable and informative. We were also looking for Cass the Cassowary and her chicks, that Perry seemed concerned about since there have been wild dogs plaguing the wildlife here for some time.
They have planted orchards of exotic fruits like lychee, and durian all of which are sold locally. There is even a still on the ground, but this is not moonshine, and the legal paperwork is being processed. Viewing the expansive grounds is by ATV – a quad bike.
Paula learns to drive an ATV
We were introduced to our ATV. We then were given our hair nets and helmets and our safety instructions. There is also sunscreen and insect repellent, water, and a wet weather poncho supplied should you need it.
Then it was time to learn how to ride the quad bike.
Easy, said Perry.
1 – switch on engine
2 – hold brake
3 – hit the ignition button to turn the beast on.
Then it was release brake and smoothly press the throttle.
Perry walked us each through the stages, and we had some rounds on the front area of the house, to make sure he was happy with our abilities to handle the ATV.
After a couple of jerky moves, we all got it. I believe that I was a natural, and the banana is for the cassowary who love fruit.
Off and Racing, and Learning
Strictly speaking we were not off and racing because that is not what this tour is about. The quad bikes have been modified so any people wanting to race them hard will not be able to. This aim is to enjoy the environment and to learn about the rainforest and the orchards in a fun and informative way, and we did.
There are stops where we learn about different trees, plants and animals, particular to the area, and to the history of Barron Falls Estate. In other parts you cross creeks, honing your AVT skills.
The bananas were for the cassowaries, whose diet is fruit based.
One of those most unique trees on the property is pictured below.
Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda is an excellent product, and Perry is a knowledgeable and pleasant host. This company is an excellent addition to the offerings at Kuranda.
The tour should go for about 2 hours. However, we were well over 3 hours, because it was just too much fun to stop.
How did Paula handle the ATV?
I have never enjoyed myself so much. This was an amazing skill to learn and one that I will repeat. Gordon said I was a hoon, which is Australian for a reckless driver, but I wasn’t. I just made him eat my dust ☺
And I didn’t bother Alex because we were all having too much fun.
Details
You can access the tour from via Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns Australia
Details
perrycarne@hotmail.com or email: tours@barronfallsestate.com.au
Thank you Kuranda Tourism and Perry for this most amazing afternoon.
perrycarne@hotmail.com or email: tours@barronfallsestate.com.au
See the Barron Falls Estate for further information.
We had a great time and learned a great deal about the rainforest. We also saw three cassowaries. A male, female, and a young cassowary. This was a lot of fun. Highly recommended.
I agree, it was one of the most pleasant days on a ATV and seeing so many different things. The cassowaries are amazing.
This looks like such a fun tour! We were in Kuranda last year and did the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway too. I wish I knew about this tour and had more time in Cairns. We have ridden ATVs in sand dunes and this looks so much more relaxing.
This is a new company and it will be on everyone’s to do list when they visit Cairns. I am definitely doing the ATV’s in sand dunes; maybe next time we are in Dubai.
What fun! I’ve never been on an ATV either. I’d be worried about my kids racing or speeding away, so it’s good to know that they can’t. I only got to see Barron Falls and its surroundings from the cableway and railway. Going right into it on an ATV would be so cool. When we were at one of the cableway stops, big signs warned us against going near cassowaries. Is the particular one you were looking for rather tame?
Hi Michele, This would be safe for your children as they are throttled back. No the cassowary is not tame and we needed to be very careful, but Perry is so experienced that we knew we were safe.
Place looks amazing, those trees reminds me Borneo forest. I remember my first time with ATV, I thought I will not be able to use it, but after some time I discover it very nice 🙂
I also enjoyed it a lot, and want to ride an ATV again. This is a beautiful rainforest and not dissimilar to Borneo though the animals are.
What a beautiful place! I’ve never been to this part of Australia but it’s good to know that rainforests also exist in the country!
Australia has world heritage rainforests and many rainforests all over the country. We are a very diverse country geographically, and we even have ski fields.
What a fun adventure! I’ve never driven an ATV either, but looks like you handled it well. The trees and the waterfall are all so unique. What a fun trip!
Definitely try it, and in this environment it was so special.
I’ve always loved the jeep tours that go up into the jungles and waterfalls. I’ve never tried it on an ATV. How fun! I’m definitely on board with trying the next one that way… perhaps even Rainforest & Orchard Tours Kuranda!
Patti, come on and we will do this tour together. It was so amazing that I have already told Gordon we will go again.
Beautiful pictures! Love that tree with the crazy roots 🙂 So glad you guys were able to experience exploring on an ATV. I’ve had difficulties with 2 wheels before as well, but I love bumping around on 4!
That tree was totally incredible. I have not seen one like that before. I can’t ride a 2 wheeler but I sure can ride a 4 wheeler.
OK, Paula, first of all…love the shot of you! And second I love riding a quad bike. We just did a tour in Scotland that was sooo fun!
Thanks Corinne, don’t know that I love that photo but thought I would add it. I was being a smart arse and standing while I was riding the bike ..because i could. Scotland you say for quad biking? Pencilling that in. This is my new favourite activity much to the concern of my mother.
The rainforest looks beautiful! Exploring on an ATV is an interestin way to explore the area. I’m more of a cautious driver on ATV’s, but my husband would probably be considered a bit of a hoon.
I would have liked it to go faster, and going through the creeks was so much fun.
That’s always the first thing that comes to my mind when I meet tourism leaders. 😉
I remember the first time I drove an ATV and how nervous I was. I loved it after the first ten minutes and have been driving one regularly since. Sounds like my kind of trip.
Sounds just like me. I was nervous. But not for long. He was an amazing tour guide and a really decent bloke.
This looks like a lot of fun! I’d be the same, a bit jittery at first. I went rollerskating for first time in decades and found the start a bit strange. Were you scared of any of the animals or insects?
Gemma, we are Australian. We grew up with deadly animals and insects, and we may not like them, but we have a healthy respect of what they can do. No, I am not scared of animals or insects, but I am certainly not fussed on bloody snakes.
Australia is so, so beautiful! This looks like the kind of adventure I could handle without being too scary 😉
Too true, when I found out what an ATV was I was worried, but as it turned out, as you can see I totally loved it and the environment we were in
That looks like fun and what a colorful bird, would have loved to see something like that on a trip into the jungle, where are the orchids?
I didn’t include some of the beautiful flowers but I should have. Maybe that is another post and include some more of the wildlife we met.
Looks like a great experience, Paula! I love visiting rainforests! So many interesting animals and plants to learn about!
I love rainforests too. It is funny different landscapes bring out different feelings for me. Rainforests, mountains and sea make me feel good, which is probably why we live in Wollongong, when we are home, because it is situated between the mountains and the sea and has rainforests surrounding it.
This looks like so much fun. I have never driven a quad before but I am up for the experience. Were you able to feed the cassowary?
I threw the banana toward Cass the Cassowary and I she did eat it. You can’t get too close because they can be a little antsy with people, plus he had the chicks with him. The mother just lays the egg and leaves and the father does all of the child rearing.
Lovely photos, and Cass the Cassowary is gorgeous! 🙂
Cass was beautiful in color and everything, though temperament is another matter.
That looks so much fun! I’m assuming you found the cassowary as you took a great photo of one. Did it eat the banana?
Sure did, they love fruit a lot, and even their poop is full of seeds from fruit.
Lovely…
Thank you
Good on you for giving that ATV a go, and glad you loved it. Sorry to say it, but you did look a bit hoon like dashing through that stream. What a neat place. Glad you found it and shared it with us.
I was a hoon and I say that with great pride.
Ah, you definitely look like a natural, Paula! I’d love to try one of those ATVs sometimes. I was almost ready to go on one in Denali a few weeks ago, but it rained and the trip was canceled… Too bad!
Thanks Anda, I was a natural and would go again immediately. I am now looking for this as an option when we travel.
Wow, two #TheWeeklyPostcard linkups for Cairns/Kuranda this week has got to mean I need to move this area higher up my list of must visit places. Hehe from an ATV virgin to a hoon in a few hours, sounds like it was a very worthwhile tour. I enjoyed reading this one Paula, thank you.
I know and both done independently. I wear “ATV virgin to a hoon” as a badge of honour Lyn. Thank you
Pity I didn’t see this post before our recent trip to Far North Queensland. It is just the sort of thing I would have loved. Oh well – there is always next year.
It is a new tour and not well advertised yet though word of mouth is starting to work. They will have their infrastructure in place to let the world know soon. With so many visitors to Cairns, Australia they will do very well as it is an amazing experience.