The Army Ducks use four wheel drive on the highway and have ten forward gears and two reverse. They have 6-cylinder engines, but only get 4-6 miles per gallon on the highway and 1 mile per gallon off road. The Ducks at Rainforestation have been converted to cleaner-burning LGP to conserve energy and help the environment. The maximum speeds for the Ducks are less than 40 mph on land and less than 10 mph on the water. The tires spin even when the Duck is in the water.
Army Duck at the Rainforestation near Kuranda, Australia Rainforestation Nature Park - Shore Excursion from Cairns, Australia
By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide
The Army "Ducks" are actually DUKW and were first used in World War II. They can operate on land or in the water and have 6-wheel drive.
Army Duck at the Rainforestation near Cairns and Kuranda, Australia
Cairns Photo (c) Linda GarrisonPrev Next
More on Cairns, Australia
Harbor and Downtown Area of CairnsKuranda Scenic Railway between Cairns and KurandaCairns - Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef from the About.com Guide to Australia
More Australian Ports of Call
Things to See and Do in Sydney, AustraliaKoala Park in Sydney, AustraliaHamilton Cove in the Whitsunday Islands
More on Cairns and North Queensland from the About.com Guide to Australia
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.