Hovering above the Queensland rainforest aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, I couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by the majestic, green canopies that stretched for miles around me.

Like many travelers, I hold a special place in my heart for these moments, humbling moments, reminding me that I am just one being in life’s natural order.

Crystal, my best friend and travel companion on this trip, and I stared in silence and probably shared the same thought—I hope this stays just the way it is.

I’m only too familiar with the scene when I come back to a place about which I have a special memory, only to find that it has become a tourist trap, morphed by development and change.

But education has given rise to a new type of traveler, one who is conscientious of the place he visits, and how his presence helps its community. This connection is what makes one destination a different experience for everyone. Ecotourism, as this type of responsible tourism is referred, is described by the International Ecotourism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

In a nutshell, ecotourism can be defined as travel that takes into account three issues—the environment, culture, and economy. It minimizes negative environmental impact, respects the culture and traditions of local people, and benefits its host community financially.

SKYRAIL RAINFOREST CABLEWAY

I wasn’t surprised to learn that Skyrail received global recognition with its Green Globe Gold Certification. The award is given to companies who have achieved Green Globe Certification for five consecutive years, demonstrating outstanding, continuous commitment to environmental performance and improvement. Green Globe is the worldwide benchmarking, certification and improvement system assisting the international travel and tourism industry to attain and maintain sustainability. Skyrail is the only organization in Australia to have received this award of 18 groups worldwide.

The experience spans over pristine rainforest, with stops along boardwalks and scenic lookouts. At the end of my cable car ride, I reached the village of Kuranda, known for its laidback surroundings and art shops, where I perused through Aboriginal artifacts.

At the other end of Skyrail sits Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. It showcases the culture of indigenous rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland and is the most awarded Aboriginal cultural attraction in Australia.

TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK

“Tjapukai” means “rainforest” and this is used to describe the Aboriginal tribe of the area. During a brief stay, most visitors to Tjapukai experience every aspect of the people’s culture, from history to food and even didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing.

Though customs today aren’t as traditional as they were many years ago, such as underground cooking and arranged marriages, the Tjapukai culture is very much alive and well, in terms of family values and the importance of familial bonds. Cousins are like brothers and sisters, and uncles and aunties are respected as parents.

The Tjapukai are just one tribe among hundreds across the Australian continent. Just one hour north of Cairns lies a different tribe, one that shares their culture through the Flames of the Forest.

FLAMES OF THE FOREST

The Flames of the Forest experience is one of fine dining within the depths of the rainforest, featuring Gary and Robert Creek, two local Aboriginal brothers who come to share their stories.

Their grandparents are from different clans of Queensland, but met in the days when they were forced to live at the Lockhart River Mission. The area where Flames is held is significant to the brothers and their families, because it was a place to gather with other people of their tribe and exchange cultural stories.

One important thing to note, although the rainforest people were hunters and gatherers, they respected other creatures with which they had to coexist.

Australia is home to many indigenous animals, including crocodiles, snakes and many more that live under the sea.

HARTLEY’S CROCODILE ADVENTURES

Set in the foothills of MacAlister Range, in Tropical North Queensland, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is home to a range of habitats.

It provides a new approach to viewing and interacting with wildlife, so that visitors can immerse themselves in the natural environment while staying safe.

Visitors can help feed turtles, fish and water birds, take a boat cruise among dozens of feeding crocodiles and watch cassowaries swallow entire fruits.

I took a chance to take a photo, while holding a baby crocodile named Rufus.

CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO

Owned by the same family as Hartley’s, Cairns Tropical Zoo is the largest wildlife attraction in Tropical North Queensland. It is locally-owned and operated, and is home to hundreds of different types of animals found in the northern tropics.

Unlike many traditional zoos, Cairns Tropical Zoo offers opportunities to get close, touch and interact with many animals. This experience makes more of a connection with its guests, creating an emotional tie between the visitor and nature.

The zoo’s philosophy is that personal interaction with animals encourages a greater understanding of native wildlife and promotes the need to preserve their natural habitats.

Crystal and I spent a lot of time with the kangaroos, hanging out in an enclosed she as we joined them staying out of the rain.

At night, the zoo offers an entirely different experience, as many of the zoo animals are nocturnal.

The night zoo experience begins with a traditional Aussie barbecue before a guided tour through the dark to meet the creatures of the night.

I was told not to be surprised if any of the animals hitched a ride, which I was a bit confused by, until I saw a green tree frog jump on a little girl’s head. He stayed with her for the rest of the night.

Though this journey to Cairns wasn’t my first, it’s still one full of first impressions. And when I return, I hope to make many more lasting ones, not just for me, but also for many future visitors.