Community
30 March, 2023
Coasting along for 40 years
LOCALLY owned and operated coach company, Tropic Wings Cairns Tours and Charters, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Over the past four decades, the Cairns-based, eco-friendly operator Tropic Wings has grown from two small coach companies to a thriving business with a fleet of modern coaches and a team of expert tour guides.
The company has a history dating back to 1981, when Charles and Pip Woodward, the founders of The CaPTA Group, acquired their first vehicle to transport visitors from Cairns to Mountain Groves in Kuranda, now known as Rainforestation Nature Park. The late Mr Woodward was determined to get tourists to Kuranda.
“We’ll get tourists to Kuranda on a Sunday even if we have to buy a coach company to do it” – and that’s exactly what he did.
The Woodward family initially acquired a local coach company, Blue Wings Coach Tours, in 1981, and the first day tour from Cairns to Kuranda began operating soon after.
The fleet expanded further in 1982 by buying Cairns Tropic Tours. On March 30, 1982, Tropic Wings Coach Tours was launched with eight coaches and nearly 300 seats, offering day tours to the Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, and Cape Tribulation.
Today the fleet totals 36, with 62 staff, including 46 drivers.
CaPTA director Michael Woodward said his father was a driving force behind the growth of tourism in the region.
“Dad was quite instrumental in lobbying for the Cairns International Airport, which has played a vital role in making the region an accessible and attractive holiday destination for international travellers,” he said.
CaPTA Managing Director Peter Woodward said his father was “very passionate about promoting Australia and the local region first, then his own business”.
Tropic Wings general manager Colin Anderson said that the important milestone was testament to the dedication and hard work of the team and the support of the community.
“Tropic Wings aims to achieve carbon neutrality, having also set an example in sustainable transportation by being the first Queensland business to introduce a 100 per cent electric bus for commercial use back in October 2019.”
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are more committed than ever to promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and diversity of Tropical North Queensland.”
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Tropic Wings is offering a range of special tours and packages.
