Cairns – Kuranda

Editor’s note – tap on the thumbnail photos for a full picture.

After arriving in the rain yesterday afternoon, doing a bit of a walk around the harbour front before enjoying the local cuisine (Vietnamese of course) we slept for 10 hours and hopefully are back on ‘normal’

This morning we awoke to brilliant sunshine and blistering heat. It was 80F before 7:30. Walking across the hotel parking lot the humidity is so thick dripping water is everywhere, including off us! On the other hand, this is the first non rain day in three weeks.

Our hotel restaurant was a bit of an eye opener as multiple cultures were present, predominantly East Indian, and many Asian countries. We were unique.

Off to the train station for the scenic ride up to Kuranda. Unfortunately the train relies on open windows for AC so waiting for departure was agonizing. This part of Queensland is under an extreme heat alert with the possibility of a 40+ degree (104F) humidex.

Once we got underway the motion of the train made the air more bearable and fortunately we were able to get window seats.

The railway is a marvel of physical perseverance as it was built by hand over a seven year period starting in 1884. Containing 15 tunnels and 55 bridges it climbs into the rainforest above Cairns along the Barron Valley Gorge.

Spectacular waterfalls and vistas everywhere

Then we entered the gorge itself and due to the incessant rains the river was an absolute boiling cauldron.

The village of Kuranda is the railway’s destination and caters to the tourist trade. The merchants were happy to see us as it turned out the rain had canceled the train for more than a week. It was straight off to the small game park/zoo for a photo op.

Then of course we had to feed the kangaroos.

And learn the difference between kangaroos (open plains, grasslands, long hops, great speeds, long distances) and wallabies (dense vegetation, quick hops, short bursts). Oh, and at 2 metres (6’ 6”), the red kangaroo is twice as big as a wallaby (and not to be messed with!).

Our return journey was on the Skyrail gondola which whisked us above the massive trees of the rainforest. Some were so tall it was not possible to see the ground below.

We crossed the Baron river at its widest and saw the results of the flooding and continued rain.

Then it was over the forest for miles of green canopy.

We stopped mid way for a boardwalk tour of facts about the forest and learned how species adapt and thrive in unique ways. Very cool (no pun intended).

Back to Cairns where we collapsed in great delight in our quite frosty cold hotel room. Later a walk along the waterfront, outdoor dining (under a giant fan) and a slow amble back to the hotel.

Tomorrow it’s off to the Great Barrier Reef.