Experience Hawaii Firsthand with the Zipline Used in Jurassic Park
Experience the closest thing on Earth to Jurassic Park. Today, guests can revisit scenes from the Jurassic Park movies at the Kualoa Ranch. Spanning 4,000 acres of land, this cattle ranch provided the location for Isla Nublar in those films, as well as other films based in Hawaii.
A Jurassic Zipline Tour of the Ka’a’awa Valley
While hiking trips, all-terrain vehicle tours, and movie tours are available, one of the best ways to experience the Kualoa Ranch is through the Zipline Tour. Following the treetop canopy, the tour includes an impressive seven tandem sections, three miniature hiking trails and two suspension bridges. The hiking trails only take about five minutes to walk, so the majority of the tour is spent soaring through the air.
Depending on the zipline, the length varies from 200 feet to a quarter of a mile. As visitors zip across the treeline, they will see natural streams and abundant plant and animal life as they get a panoramic view of the valley.
Life in Kualoa
As one of the world’s most famous private nature reserves, Kualoa has a storied history. Created in 1850 as a cattle ranch, the 4,000 acres of Kualoa hosted 500 head of cattle from the steep cliffs to the ocean. Terrain in this area varies from sandy, pristine beaches to jaw-dropping cliffs. In the past, the Kualoa Private Nature Reserve was the site of the films 50 First Dates, Windtalkers, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Jurassic World, Godzilla, and Tears of the Sun.
There are two main areas on the property. The Ka’a’awa Valley is the setting for most of the movies. On the southern half of the reserve, the Hakipu’u Valley contains an 800-year-old fish pond and a secluded beach. Long before these sites became a part of the reserve, they were considered sacred locations by ancient Hawaiians. Once a residence of kings, the location was a site where the royal family once learned history, war, and society.
Back in 1850, King Kamehameha III sold 622 acres of land to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd, a missionary doctor. Over time, Dr. Judd increased his holdings with purchases from Queen Kalama and others to create the 4,000 acre reserve. Today, the entire reserve is held in the name of the Morgan family, Dr. Judd’s descendants.
From 1863 to 1870, the Kualoa Sugar Mill operated on this land. Years of drought caused by minimal rainfall led to mill’s closure. Later, during World War II, the United States military set up an extra airstrip in Kualoa. While the military no longer has a presence, Kualoa is still owned and maintained by the sixth generation of Dr. Judd’s family.
Zoom Through History
From the top of the Ka’a’awa Valley, visitors can zoom through the past and present of the Ka’a’awa Valley on the Jurassic Zipline. For the thrill-seeker or nature enthusiast, this zipline offers an ideal way to safely zip through the valley. Beforehand, a tour guide will cover the different types of flora, fauna, and history that will be seen during the run. After this briefing, visitors can enjoy suspension bridges, nature trails, and multiple ziplines.
As you prepare for your Oahu Zipline tour, make sure to pack your camera and insect repellent. Pull back your hair, wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for an added level of safety. Tours depart Waikiki at 7:00 A.M. and return around 2:30 in the afternoon, so get ready for an entire day of adventures and once-in-a-lifetime moments at the Jurassic Zipline.
