Skydiving in Cairns: Jumping from 16,000 feet

Skydiving in Cairns: Jumping from 16,000 feet

After a month in Australia, skydiving in Cairns seemed like a fitting way to end an epic trip

I collapsed into the pillow with the distracted expression of someone faced with 200 channels and not a decent TV show in between. I sighed, then yawned and bent over.

After seven days of diving in the Great Barrier Reef and all the wonder and adrenaline that comes with it, it seemed like a cinch to end our month-long journey across Australia with two days in a hotel in Cairns. Sure, there was a great pancake house down the street and, yes, Aangan around the corner had excellent Indian cuisine, but after camping, hiking, sailing and diving our way across this continent-sized country, we weren't satisfied with a quiet goodbye.

By the way, we still had a few miles left on our Greyhound 10,000 KM pass that we purchased for transportation and touring (now replaced by the Whimit pass). We had used up most of our quota on the crossing from Adelaide to Alice Springs and then Airlie Beach to Cairns, as well as a Neighbors tour in Melbourne and two nights camping at Uluru. Surprisingly, we still had enough miles left for skydiving in Cairns, so we eagerly booked a flight with Skydive Australia.

alt="Our chariot awaits the parachute jump into piles of stones">Atlas & BootsOur chariot is waiting

Peter and I have both been skydivers before and this was an opportunity to enjoy the experience with first hand knowledge of what to expect. And so we got up before sunrise and bundled up downstairs for our 5am pickup.

Inside the minibus was a group of six passengers, all bleary-eyed and sober, perhaps not yet aware of what awaited them. As dawn broke outside, we noticed the blanket of heavy clouds that seemed to tremble and tremble in a ragged sky. If it rained, the skydive was canceled; At 16,000 feet, raindrops line up like needles because they fall much faster than water.

With our fingers crossed for good weather, we arrived at the Skydive Center and completed the necessary paperwork and, to some annoyance, a weigh-in (a fair reckoning after a month of smashed Avo breakfasts). We put on loose pants and tight straps and then watched an instructional video.

alt="Ready to skydive into piles of rocks">Atlas & BootsReady to fly

Outside, the weather was deteriorating and we waited patiently while our instructors investigated. After about an hour we got the green light and packed into the van with a mixture of fear and exhilaration.

The instructors were typically gung-ho: everyone was bursting with enthusiasm and blazing exuberance as we walked to the airfield. The thing about adrenaline junkies is that they never get tired of adrenaline. In the riot, we were somehow anointed a “death squad.”

Unfortunately there would be no test of fate because as soon as we reached the airfield the weather window slammed shut. Deflated, we waited at the airfield for half an hour before heading back to the administration center.

alt="Dark skies while skydiving into piles of rocks">Atlas & BootsGloomy sky

Two of our group left as they had a flight to catch that afternoon. The rest of us were asked to wait a while longer. Maybe our last day in Australia would be a wet blast after all. We waited another hour until Peter's need for coffee outweighed his need for speed. We assured our instructors that we still wanted to jump and would come back straight after coffee.

As sod law requires, just as we arrived at the coffeehouse, an instructor called and told us to bring it back. Another window had opened. This time we packed into the bus with a feeling of fading hope; the sky outside seemed worse than before.

We needn't have been afraid because as soon as we arrived we were told to put our gear back on and head to the plane. Adrenaline started pumping again. As we boarded the plane, I noticed that Peter was calm and relaxed, in complete contrast to our first skydive. As he said in City Girl, Country Boy, I barely flinched the first time I jumped out of the plane while he was a barrage of expletives.

That's not to say there weren't nerves involved. A customer hanging off the plane asked for a reprieve. If this had been my first skydive he might have given me a break, but as it stood I felt calm and relaxed.

As we jumped out of the plane, instead of whooping and screaming like I had the first time, I looked around, taking in the view and enjoying the feeling of flying.

We drove through condensed clouds and I saw that it was true: at this height and speed, the drops sting like needles. Luckily it wasn't raining yet and we quickly got through the painful section.

After a minute of free fall, my instructor Ken warned me that he was pulling on the line. We shot up in an exhilarating rush and then an unnatural calm: a strange feeling of farce, as if this were somehow unreal.

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Atlas & Boots

Ken gave me the reins and I maneuvered us under his guidance. After a short while, I happily gave up control (there's a reason I avoid driving). As we weaved and swayed, I was glad I had taken a motion sickness pill. The first time we skydived, I felt completely nauseous after drawing circles in the sky. This time there was nothing but awe.

Soon it was time to descend. We raced towards the ground and I lifted my legs as shown in the instructional video. As Ken hit the ground, I swung my feet down too. We swayed for a moment, then calmed down as pure adrenaline coursed through our veins.

alt=“Post-flight celebration after skydiving in Cairns”>Atlas & BootsPost-flight celebration after skydiving in Cairns

We yelped and yelped—the only possible response to hurtling 16,000 feet through the sky. Peter joined me again and we thought about how this was different from our first skydive. It was less scary but just as exciting.

Ken asked us the question he asks all his flyers: Would you do it again? Peter and I paused and then smiled. Yes. Of course we would do it again. And so our Australian odyssey ended and what a fitting end.

Skydiving in Cairns: the essentials

What: Skydiving in Cairns, Australia.

Where: We stayed at the Park Regis City Quays Hotel in Cairns, a clean and convenient base for exploring the city and beyond. The rooms are spacious and functional and feature a refrigerator, microwave and cozy balcony.

There's a rooftop pool and a relaxed lounge area next to reception. Park Regis City Quays also offers a range of apartments, including a two-bedroom option with a large balcony, full-sized refrigerator and microwave.

When: Cairns is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and therefore the best time to visit is July to October due to good visibility and little rain and wind.

How: We went skydiving in Cairns with Skydive Australia, a professional outfit that made us feel 100% safe and comfortable.

Cairns itself can be reached by car from Hertz Australia, by bus from Greyhound Australia or by plane to Cairns Airport. Book domestic or international flights with Skyscanner at the best prices.

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Australia is a huge country. If you'd rather hand off the planning, we recommend G Adventures and their small group Australia tours.

Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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