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Wheelchair Accessible Tours and Activities
26th May 2026
Wheelchair Accessible Tours and Activities
Cairns is a beautiful tropical tourist destination with many different attractions suitable for those with disabilities and/or mobility issues. Below is a comprehensive list of tours and activities in Cairns and Port Douglas that are wheelchair accessible. With a variety of experiences on offer including the Great Barrier Reef, Rainforest, Wildlife, and Adventure.
Reef Tours
Quicksilver - Pontoon (depart Port Douglas)
Quicksilver have a chair lift that enables disabled passengers to be lowered into the water to enjoy "snorkeling". The electric hoist assists mobility impaired people to be lowered into the water. One can either stay in the hoist and enjoy partial participation or move into flotation devices to enjoy full participation. This is available only on the Agincourt 3 floating platform. At the Outer Barrier Reef there are ramp facilities from our vessel to our floating platform, however access to the underwater observatory, swim platforms and our semi-submersible coral viewing vessels is by stairs only. Our primary vessel Quicksilver VIII is the most suitable vessel for wheelchair passengers. There are occasions however when this vessel may not operate and back up vessels are used that do not have wheelchair facilities. On Quicksilver VIII there is an oversized toilet cubicle suitable for most wheelchair passengers. Quicksilver V also has a wheelchair accessible toilet.
Reef Magic - Pontoon (depart Cairns)
Reef Magic has ramp access from the wharf to the vessel and vessel to the Marine World platform. However, passengers are required to negotiate at least one set of stairs on the vessel depending on tides and loading position so the assistance of a carer is highly recommended. The Reef Magic II catamaran has wide aisles and a wheel chair accessible toilet & shower. Access to the water, coral viewing vessels, underwater observatory and sundeck all require stairs to be negotiated and would require a carer to be present if the customer can not walk unassisted.
Sunlover - Pontoon (departs Cairns)
Our Great Barrier Reef catamarans are equipped with gangways for boarding from the Cairns Marina and to the pontoon. These gangways are narrow so it is advised that you get in contact with our team prior to your tour date to ensure your ability to board comfortably and safely. Disabled toilets are situated on the aft deck on our reef boats. There are also portable ramps for use to assist in wheelchairs crossing hatchways and onto the gangways as required.
Rainforest Experiences
Skyrail
Skyrail caters for wheelchair passengers with the following:
- Optional use of ramp, to assist with loading and unloading from gondola cabins on the cableway
- Ramp access to all boardwalks at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations.
- Access to the CSIRO Interpretation Centre at Barron Falls Station.
- Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities at all stations.
The following information details wheelchair guidelines for guests traveling on Skyrail.
- The width of the wheelchair can not exceed 630mm (63 cm).
- The length of the wheelchair can not exceed 950mm (95 cm).
- Wheelchairs must be capable of being tilted backwards to enable loading into the gondola. To load a wheelchair, the wheelchair will need to be tipped backwards raising the front wheels and then gently pushed into the gondola.
- The combined weight of the wheelchair occupant and the wheelchair must be of a manageable weight to allow cableway operators to load the wheelchair.
- Wheelchairs must have handles to ensure easy lifting into the gondola cabins
*** Skyrail can provide the complimentary use of wheelchairs (subject to availability) during the Skyrail experience. We recommend asking at the time of booking to confirm wheelchair availability.Please note that wheelchairs cannot be carried on the Skyrail coach/bus transfer service.
Additional Information for Skyrail for those with limited mobility or in wheelchairs: https://www2.cairns.qld.gov.au/Filestore/accessforall/SkyrailRainforestExperience.pdf
Kuranda Scenic Train
The Kuranda Scenic Train caters for wheelchair passengers with the following:
- Wheel chair access atCairns, Freshwater & Kurandastations
- Wheel chair Ramp at Cairns station
- Wheel chair lift at Freshwater & Kuranda stations
- Wheelchair accessat Barron Falls station is unavailable
*** A limited number of wheelchairs/mobility scooters can be transported on each Kuranda Scenic Railway service in the PWD carriage so pre-booking is advised.
https://www.ksr.com.au/Pages/Default.aspx
Additional Information for KSR for those with limited mobility or in wheelchairs: https://www2.cairns.qld.gov.au/Filestore/accessforall/KurandaRailExperience.pdf
Rainforestation Nature Park
On arrival at Rainforetation car parking for people with disabilities is located in the top car park to the right of the Main Entrance. The principal public entrance has flights of stairs and wheelchairs will need to enter from the top car park. The main entrance is mainly serviced by large coaches, and most cars are parked in the top car park which maintains this as dignified access. Car parking is located next to the entry point which is very accessible to people who use mobility devices.
Once inside the complex all the paths are easily accessed and are covered from the weather making Rainforestation an enjoyable experience in any weather condition. All areas are accessible including the Wildlife Park and Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The Pamagirri Rainforest Amphitheatre is up a relatively steep path and some visitors may require assistance. Once at the amphitheatre, there is a viewing platform for mobility devices to enjoy the Pamagirri Corroboree, depicting aspects of indigenous culture including animals, food gathering and hunting.
The Army Duck can be boarded at platform number 2. The seats at the rear of the Duck are the designated seats for a person with a disability as the side barriers lift out to allow ease of transfers and the seats are higher. Staff will take your mobility device to platform 3 if you wish to disembark the Duck at the Pamagirri Amphitheatre to view a show.
The restaurants are easily accessed and staff and very willing to ensure that your dining experience is as enjoyable as your visit to the park. The parks accessible toilets are located next to the restaurants inside the conventional male/female toilets. The accessible toilets are very clean and roomy.
The staff of RainForeStation make the whole experience a very enjoyable one, they make you feel at home and are more than happy to assist where possible.
https://www2.cairns.qld.gov.au/Filestore/accessforall/Rainforestation.pdf
Adventure Activities
SkyPark - Bungy Jumping
SkyPark caters to people who use wheelchairs and are very professional in working with people with disabilities. They are able to assist a person in their wheelchair from the reception level to the top of the jump tower. You will need to talk with staff when booking to let them know the type of chair you may use and level of your disability. They are not able to get electric chairs up the tower due to weight and there may be medical restrictions on some disabilities. AJ Hackett Bungy is 20 minutes north of Cairns in the middle of the rainforest. With the natural surroundings of the rainforest and waterfalls into the natural flowing pond, the site is considered to be an oasis in the rainforest.
The Bungy tower is 50m tall and is the highest viewing platform in Cairns. From the top you can see out over the Northern Beaches and out to the Great Barrier Reef, so when you're on the edge ready to jump suck in the view as it looks quite different on the rebound! The staff are very professional and take great pride in ensuring your jump experience is one that you will remember. You can be taken to the top of the tower in your chair providing you are comfortable with being carried in your chair and the chair is capable of being carried safely. You will be secured in a full body harness and the team will ensure that you and your chair are secured together in the safest possible way. This harness will also be used if you want to try the Jungle Swing, try it, you won't believe how much fun it is hurtling through the jungle at 120km per hour. Jumping in your chair is an amazing experience and if you are brave, go backwards and see if you can complete a full back flip.
Wildlife and Animal Parks
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
This wildlife park provides an amazing animal experience with a heavy emphasis on the crocodiles! People with disabilities are boarded first on the Lagoon Boat Cruises where staff will escort you to the boat and ensure that you board the vessel safely and with dignity. The boarding ramp is wide and easily accessed, some visitors may require assistance. The boat trip is excellent with plenty of hungry crocs waiting to show you how far out of the water they can reach. The tour guide gives a great explanation of how crocodiles behave and interact with each other. You will also learn about the region and its wildlife. The park keepers are very entertaining and knowledgeable and put on a fantastic show.
The Tropical Walk-through Aviary entry is through an airlock system for the safety of the birds. The gates leading in and out are very light and very easy to open and have self closing mechanisms.
The Gondwana Gateway entry is via an inclined pathway and assistance will be required. Once down into the koala display and wallabies it is flat and easy to get around. Another inclined pathway leads up to the Monitors, Snakes and Quolls. The viewing pens for the reptiles are through large glass panels and the Quolls have a very easy to look through mesh that allows you to get close to the animals. Access to the Cassowary Gateway is via a steep path and it has been signed to show caution required by people using mobility devices. Assistance will be required by some visitors when negotiating the path. Once into the Cassowary area you will be able to view the cassowary up close. There is a small compacted gravel path at the end of the cassowary viewing area that leads in a loop around the rainforest habitat area.
Hartley's creek is a fantastic experience show casing some of the Far North's and Australia's wildlife. Accessibility is very good and it is pleasing to find a tourism operator that is considering the needs of all visitors to the region.
https://www2.cairns.qld.gov.au/Filestore/accessforall/HartleysCreekCrocodileAdventures.pdf
**We do have 10% discount coupons available for collection in any of our three office locations at the Cairns Tourist Information Centre
Cairns Esplanade & Swimming Lagoon
The Cairns Foreshore Promenade is a great area to visit with easy access to the vast array of restaurants, hotels and accommodation facilities located along the famous Cairns Esplanade. The pedestrian spine provides visitors and locals a stunning view of the natural environment. The designated walking path will take you along the full length of the Esplanade approx 5km return trip. It is fully wheel chair accessible with accessible toilets located in five locations along the 2.5 km walk. The Promenade gives easy access to the CBD, the Lagoon, restaurants and shops.
The boardwalk itself is suspended over the mudflats to provide a pedestrian accessway and a viewpoint for birdwatching and to enrich the experience, strong environmental, cultural and historical themes are woven into the promenade through the use of public art, interpretive material and landscaping.
Escape the summer heat at one of Cairns' best known landmarks the Esplanade lagoon, set on the Cairns foreshore overlooking the Barrier Reef and Trinity Inlet. The 4800 sq metre saltwater swimming lagoon offers locals and tourists a year round safe swimming location, Saltwater is pumped from the inlet and filtered through a state of the art filtration system, to meet Australian standards.
Wheelchair Hire Information & Contact
Independent Living Specialists
P: 1300 766 266
W: https://ilsau.com.au/hire/category/wheelchairs/
Aida Care
P: 1300 133 120
W: https://www.aidacare.com.au/products/hire/wheelchairs-and-seating
