Parachute jumping in Cairns: jumping from 16,000 feet

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After a month in Australia, skydiving in Cairns seemed a suitable way to end an epic journey

I let myself fall into the pillow with the scattered expression of someone who is faced with 200 channels and not a decent television program in between. I sighed, then yawned and leaned.

After seven diving days in the Great Barrier Reef and all the miracles and the adrenaline that goes hand in hand with it, it seemed to us to end our one -month trip across Australia like a damp hit when we spent 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 we had been hiked, sailed and dipped through this country by the size of a continent, we were not happy with a calm.

Incidentally, we still had a few miles on our Greyhound 10,000 km of passport, which we bought for Transport and tours (now replaced by the Whimit Pass). We had used most of our contingents for the crossing from Adelaide to Alice Springs and then from Airlie Beach to Cairns as well as for a Neighbors tour in Melbourne and two camping nights on the Uluru. Surprisingly, we still had enough miles to jump in parachute in Cairns and therefore eagerly booked a flight with Skydive Australia.

Alt = "Our charging car awaits the parachute jump in stone heaps"Atlas & BootsOur led car is waiting

Peter and I were both parachutists and this was an opportunity to enjoy the experience with first -hand knowledge, which awaits us. And so we got up before sunrise and bundled our collection at 5 a.m.

In the minibus there was a group of six passengers, all with the overnight eyes and sober, maybe not yet conscious what to expect. When the dawn broke out outside, we noticed the ceiling of heavy clouds to tremble and tremble in a torn sky. When it rained, the parachute jump was canceled; At 16,000 feet, raindrops like needles are lined up because they fall much faster than water.

With crossed thumb for good weather, we arrived at the SkyDive Center and did the necessary paperwork and some trouble a weighing (a fair calculation after a month shattered AVO breakfast). We put on loose pants and tight straps and then looked at an instruction video.

Alt = "Ready for skydiving in stone heaps"Atlas & BootsReady to fly

Outside, the weather worsened and we waited patiently while our instructors were researching. After about an hour we got green light and grabbed the minibus in a mixture of fear and high feeling.

The instructors were typical of Gung-Ho: all bursts before enthusiasm and blazing exuberance when we went to the airfield. The thing with adrenaline junkies is that they never get tired of adrenaline. In the riot we were somehow an ancient “death swadron”.

Unfortunately there would be no fate test, because as soon as we reached the airfield, the weather window slammed. Deflationed we waited half an hour at the airfield before we went back to the administrative center.

Alt = "Dark sky when jumping down in stone heaps"Atlas & BootsGloomy sky

Two from our group left because they had to catch a flight that afternoon. The rest of us were asked to wait a while. Maybe our last day in Australia would be a moist hit. We waited for an hour until Peters needed his need for speed. We assured our instructors that we still wanted to jump and came back right after the coffee.

As the SOD law prescribes, just when we arrived at the coffee house, called an instructor and told us we should bring it back. Another window had opened. This time we grabbed the bus with a feeling of dwindling hope; The sky outside seemed worse than before.

We would not have had to be afraid, because as soon as we arrived, we were told that we should put our equipment back and go to the plane. Adrenaline began to pump again. When we climbed the plane, I noticed that Peter was calm and relaxed, in contrast to our first parachute jump. As he said in city girls, I said, I hardly shrugged when I jumped out of the plane for the first time while he was a storm of strength.

That shouldn't mean that there were no nerves in the game. A customer who hung out of the plane asked for a grace period. If this had been my first parachute jump, he might have given me a break, but as it stood there, I felt calm and relaxed.

When we jumped out of the plane, I looked around, instead of cheering and screaming as the first time, the view took up and enjoyed the feeling of flying.

We drove through condensed clouds and I saw that it was true: at this height and speed the drops stab like needles. Fortunately, it didn't rain and we quickly got through the painful section.

After a minute in free fall, my instructor warned me that he would pull on the cord. We shot up in an intoxicating rush and then an unnatural calm: a strange feeling of the farce, as if it were somehow unreal.

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  • Alt = "Ready for skydiving in stone heaps"
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Atlas & Boots

Ken left my reins and I maneuvered ourselves under his instructions. After a short time I happily gave up control (there is a reason why I avoid driving). As we meander and fluctuated, I was happy to have taken a pill against travel sickness. When we jumped with the parachute for the first time, I was totally sick after I pulled circles in the sky. This time there was nothing but awe.

It was soon time for the descent. We rest towards the floor and I lifted my legs as shown in the teaching video. When Ken hit the floor, I also swung my feet down. We fluctuated for a moment, then we calmed down when pure adrenaline shot through our veins.

Alt = "Celebration after the flight after skydiving in Cairns"Atlas & BootsCelebration after the flight after sky jumping in Cairns

We howl and howling - the only possible reaction to racing 16,000 feet through the sky. Peter joined me again and we thought about how it differs from our first parachute jump. It was less scary, but just as exciting.

Ken asked us the question he asks all of 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 worthy end.

Parachute jumping in Cairns: The essentials

What: sky jumping in Cairns, Australia.

Where: We stayed in the Park Regis City Quays Hotel in Cairns, a clean and comfortable starting point to explore the city and beyond. The rooms are spacious and functional and have a refrigerator, a microwave and a cozy balcony.

There is a roof pool and a relaxed lounge area next to the reception. The Park Regis City Quays also offers a number of apartments, including an option with two bedrooms, a large balcony, a large refrigerator and a microwave.

When: Cairns is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and therefore the best time for a visit July to October because of a good view and little rain and wind.

Like: We were in Cairn's skydiving with Skydive Australia, a professional outfit with which we felt 100% safe and comfortable.

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

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Australia is a huge country. If you prefer to make the planning, we recommend G Adventures and your small group Australia tours.

Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less roads.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots
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