Plans taking flight
A Bell 407 helicopter was in overdrive above Skyrail yesterday as major maintenance work ramped up at the Far North tourism icon. The famous rainforest cableway closed to the public on Monday and is expected to remain out of action for four weeks. It is the longest period of scheduled maintenance since Skyrail opened in August 1995. Managing director Craig Pocock said upgraded technology will improve capabilites.
A BELL 407 helicopter was in overdrive above Skyrail yesterday as major maintenance work ramped up at the Far North tourism icon.
The famous rainforest cableway closed to the public on Monday and is expected to remain out of action for four weeks.
It is the longest period of scheduled maintenance since Skyrail opened in August 1995.
“Upgrade of our technology, including the replacement of our communications pathway from copper to fibre optic, will greatly enhance our operational capabilities and the customer experience into the future,” said Skyrail managing director Craig Pocock.
“Skyrail is now closed for the duration of the project … we will be open to the public again on Monday, June 5.”
He previously told the Cairns Post that Skyrail had advised its market partners about the closure since early last year.
The end of the maintenance work will coincide with the start of the peak tourism season, which operators are tipping will be another lucrative one for the region.
Nautilus Aviation was contracted to help with the project and one of its helicopters yesterday spent several hours hauling crucial timber and scaffolding equipment up the range.
Nautilus boss Aaron Finn was glad to be involved in the project and said it wasn’t the first time the company had been brought in.
“The only way to access the tower is by helicopter,” he said.
“We do this kind of work all the time but it’s usually out in the bush and not close to town.
“I guess it’s pretty similar to seeing cranes up in the city.”
Nautilus will again launch its Bell 407 at Skyrail tomorrow with work to be “ongoing as required” over coming weeks.
The company is also helping with maintenance work for the state government-operated and popular tourist attraction Kuranda Scenic Railway.