Park Explorer Tour (Half Day Tour)
The Park Explorer Tour is the only half day tour of Killarney National Park. It is a great opportunity for families or those on a tight schedule to visit areas of the Park that they might not find themselves.
The tours has 3 elements; a bus tour, a boat tour and a 5km walk through the National Park. Along the way, passengers will visit the monastic ruins on Innisfallen Island, the beautiful café in Dinis Cottage and have a chance to see the biggest bird of prey in Europe; the White Tailed Eagle.
The walk through the National Park is on a road that is closed to any motor traffic and has Lake views on both sides. The walk is along a sealed, flat road and there is no rush because the bus has multiple departure times from Muckross House.
At the end of the walk, passengers can enjoy exploring Muckross House and Gardens, have lunch at the lovely Restaurant before catching the bus back to Killarney (15 minutes), departure times are as follows: 1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.40pm, 5.30pm.
Options
Park Explorer Tour (Half Day Tour)
What's included in Park Explorer Tour (Half Day Tour)
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Ross Castle
The first stop for the bus is the world famous Ross Castle. Passengers will disembark here to explore the castle exterior and surrounding area. Boats will depart at 10.30am so the guided tour of the Castle will not be possible before departure. The boats depart from the stone pier on the lake side of Ross Castle. Please check in with Rory at the pier.
Innisfallen Island
The first stop on the boat tour is the 7th century monastic settlement on Innisfallen Island. Passengers will have 15 minutes to explore the area. The boat driver will provide a history of the local area as part of the tour which helps to provide context to this peaceful setting.
Lough LeanePass-by Only
Lough Leane is the largest of the 2 lakes upon which the boats will be travelling. The boats will head towards the shore of Tomies Mountain, where our resident White Tailed Eagles have been nesting for the last 18 years since their reintroduction.
Inclusions
- Bus and Boat transport
- Meals are not included in the tour price.
- The tours of either Ross Castle or Muckross House are not included in the tour price.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- The Big Red Bus is a local hop on- hop off service which departs from the bus stop on Mission Road. The bus stop is located behind the Plaza Hotel adjacent to the public toilets. The bus departs at 9.30am sharp. Passengers may show their booking to the driver.
