RIDE OF A LIFETIME
A NEW business in Cairns has a way of making its customers stop dead in their tracks.
Brett Scotney’s venture has come up with a novel way to transport locals and tourists around the city – in a hearse.
He started Hearse Tours Cairns a month ago and such is the popularity among members of the public, they’re all dying for a ride in the six-seater custom vehicles.
Top of the firm’s offerings is the Dead Drunk Brewery Tour which takes guests to Hemingways, Macalisters and Two Turtles Tap Room to sample the region’s best beers.
Two hearses are available and can be hired for formals or special events as well.
“We’ve had a lot of interest and we’ve only really been advertising on Facebook,” Mr Scotney, a prison officer and former limousine driver, said.
“I bought one hearse off someone in Sydney who had done all the engineering to fit the seats in. She’s a beautiful car.
“I’ve done a few transfers from Cannon Park into the casino when the races have been on.
“We’ve had a few people hire it and had no idea what was coming and freaked out which it turned up but most love it for what it is. It’s a lovely old car.”
Mr Scotney said he also had formulated plans to ferry customers around the city on ghost tours and in preparation he said he had spent countless hours researching the history of Cairns.
“There are all sorts of macabre and paranormal stories and I’ve done a fair bit of research,” Mr Scotney said.
“I was telling my mates some of the stories and they reckoned they’d lived here 20 years and had never heard of them. I think the tours will really appeal to those interested in the history side, the paranormal side – the underbelly of Cairns.”
The black hearse – Mr Scotney also owns a white one – made an appearance at this month’s Cairns Swap Meet where he showed off the extensive work he’d put into reconditioning the interior of the vehicle.
He said hotel operators had also expressed interest in the service.
For more information on Hearse Tours Cairns search for the business on Facebook.