Cairns coach operator Tropic Wings achieves major milestone in sustainable tourism

Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters, the leading coach operator in the region and part of the award-winning CaPTA Group, has announced that its innovative Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) infrastructure is now operational.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in their ‘Towards Sustainable Transport in Tourism’ project.

Locally owned and operated Tropic Wings is the longest established coach tour operator in Tropical North Queensland, providing quality Kuranda and Cape Tribulation tours.

This milestone comes as part of the company’s $10.2 million initiative to integrate new 12 state-of-the-art BEVs and accompanying infrastructure into its operations, supported by $4.75 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through its Driving the Nation Program.

The project, a collaboration with industry leaders including Energy Australia, Electric Vehicle Council, and Vehicles Dealers International, includes the installation of 11 advanced charging stations and the development of off-grid operating capability in the event of outages, now fully operational.

As Tropic Wings transitions to the next phase of the project, it is focused on knowledge sharing, data monitoring, and reporting to empower other operators to join the shift toward sustainability.

The first Lessons Learnt Report has been completed, capturing valuable insights from Tropic Wings' implementation and operation of BEVs. In total, eight Key Lessons Learnt Reports will be released, providing practical guidance to inspire and enable similar transitions across the industry.

Tropic Wings General Manager Colin Anderson explained the company’s commitment to fostering industry-wide change noting “our BEV infrastructure is operational, and we are now collecting and analysing data to refine our operations.

“These reports will not only showcase our journey but also serve as a resource for other operators, ensuring that the impact of this project extends far beyond our organisation.”

This initiative cements Tropic Wings’ role as a pioneer in eco-tourism. As the first Australian tourism operator to deploy a 100% electric bus, Tropic Wings is creating a blueprint for sustainable transport in the tourism industry.

The Key Lessons Learnt Reports will be publicly available, reinforcing Tropic Wings’ commitment to collaboration and transparency as it redefines tourism transport. These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also enhance the visitor experience in Tropical North Queensland by creating a cleaner, quieter, and more enjoyable environment for tourists and local communities alike.

Energy Australia Head of Green Transport, Jack Kotlyar enthused “Energy Australia is excited to help Tropic Wings bring their depot electrification project to life.  The lessons learned from engineering, installation, commissioning and customised green retail tariff will pave the way for others in the industry to succeed.

More information on Tropic Wings

Image top from left: Tropic Wings Charters Co-Ordinator Rhonda Harwood, CaPTA Director of Sales & Marketing Ben Woodward, CaPTA Director & Co-Founder Pip Woodward, CaPTA Director of Operations & Projects Michael Woodward, Tropic Wings General Manager Colin Anderson; image below: Locally owned and operated Tropic Wings is the longest established coach tour operator in Tropical North Queensland, providing quality Kuranda and Cape Tribulation tours. Credit: Tropic Wings