About Us
Our History
Tropic Wings Tours & Charters in part of the Woodward Family CaPTA Group, a Cairns tour company founded by Charles and Pip Woodward. They first opened Rainforestation Nature Park in 1976 which is located in Kuranda.
In 1981, the Woodwards started Tropic Wings Coach Tours and then expanded significantly during the new millennium adding Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Wooroonooran Safaris and Jungle Tours & Trekking to become the CaPTA Group.
CaPTA has also established the Careers Training Centre, a Registered Training Organisation specialising in tourism and indigenous training and more recently into Yutong coach sales, coach maintenance, service and parts through ABC Sales & Maintenance.
History of Tropic Wings & Charters
1980- Charles Woodward purchased his first vehicle to take guests to Rainforestation (then called “Mountain Groves”).
1981- Charles and Pip Woodward purchased “Blue Wings” coach company.
1981- The first ever tour to Kuranda and Rainforestation commenced.
1982- Charles and Pip Woodward purchased “Tropic Tours” coach company.
1983- The two coach companies were combined and “Tropic Wings” was born.
1984- The first 45 seater coach was purchased. In the 90s, this was repainted and called “The Frog”.
1985- Long relationship with Barry Bonnitcha and M.A.N. coaches was established.
1987- 3 large coaches and 2 4WD coaches purchased.
1992- Tropic Wings office moved to its current location at Hartley St.
1992- Gray Line franchise acquired by Tropic Wings.
1996- Fleet now had 13 coaches and 659 seats. Newmans coach company absorbed by Tropic Wings.
1998- Australia Pacific Tours acquired.
2005- Jungle Tours, featuring backpacker tours to Cape Tribulation, was purchased.
2006- Fleet now consisted of 17 large coaches and 1197 seats.
2007- Murrays Cairns Charter business acquired along with three 34 seat coaches.
2015- ABC Sales & Maintenance was formed to run the workshop and to act as a dealer for Yutong coaches.
2015- 10 Yutong coaches purchased. Fleet consisted of 14 large and mid size coaches and 705 seats.
2018- Tropic Wings purchases Coral Reef Coaches.
2019- Tropic Wings acquires the first 100% electric bus in Australian tourism. The Yutong E12 is used for daily tours between Cairns and Rainforestation Nature Park.
2019- Tropic Wings enters Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame for 20 years of eco certification.
