Our History

The Woodward Family CaPTA Group (CaPTA) was founded by Charles and Pip Woodward who opened Rainforestation Nature Park in 1976 which is located in Kuranda. Charles and Pip pioneered rainforest tourism with Army Duck Tours and later introduced the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and Koala & Wildlife Park.

In 1981, Charles and Pip started Tropic Wings Coach Tours and then expanded significantly during the new millennium adding Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome and Jungle Tours & Trekking to become the CaPTA Group.  Their three sons, Michael, Ben and Peter are all now actively involved in the business.

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.

CaPTA purchased the Cairns Wildlife Dome in 2005 and the Cairns ZOOM attraction was conceptualised, designed and built by the CaPTA Chairman, Charles Woodward in conjunction with his son Michael Woodward.

Construction commenced in April 2012 and the attraction opened eight months later in December 2012. It consists of over 65 challenge elements at different heights, 3 ziplines, an external viewing walkway and a power jump.

More recently, the Pirate Climb, Commando Rope Climb and Slacklining have been added to the ZOOM activities to create even more fun for all!

Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome History

2003- The conservatory of the Reef Hotel Casino is refitted to create Cairns Rainforest Dome.

2003- Goliath the Estaurine Crocodile is lifted into the dome through the top via a crane.

2003- Cairns Rainforest Dome opens.

2004- Cairns Rainforest Dome wins a TTNQ award for New Tourism Development.

2005- The CaPTA Group purchases Cairns Rainforest Dome and renames the attraction to Cairns Wildlife Dome.

2005- The CaPTA Group launched as umbrella company.

2012- Cairns ZOOM attraction conceptualised, designed and built by Charles and Michael Woodward. Construction commenced in April 2012 and the attraction opened eight months later in December 2012. It consists of over 65 challenge elements at different heights, 3 ziplines, an external viewing walkway and a power jump.

2015- Commando rope climb, pirate climb and slackline added.

2016- New crocodile enclosure is added underneath Mid-ZOOM.

2019- New Python Pathway and Invertemates exhibits open.

Above: Goliath the Estaurine Crocodile is listed in through the top of the dome.