Exploring Australia&NZ Day 4
Exploring Australia&NZ
Day 04 - Tuesday, April 19, 2011 – Cairns City Tour; Train to Kuranda; Ride Gondolas of Skyrail; Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park
Beginning our day with breakfast in the dining room, we met at the lobby to greet Ian, our Driver and Leigh, our Tour Director at 8:10. I checked the weather and it was 72º and the humidity was 84%.
Leigh gave us information about the city of Cairns and its 100,000 people. This once sleepy town is now the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef with tourist shops and many travel and adventure companies.
We drove to the railroad station in Freshwater, a nearby village where we boarded the Kuranda Scenic Railroad. The train which was once used to haul gold and tin out of the surrounding mountains is now a popular way to see more of this area.
On our winding route we saw vacation cottages, well kept homes, and fields and fields of the sugar cane, once the biggest cash crop of the area. The train traveled on a narrow gauge track on the 1½ hour journey.
We passed through 15 tunnels and dense tropical rainforest, over 40 bridges, past spectacular waterfalls, and over steep ravines to the picturesque mountain village of Kuranda.
There was one stop at Barron where we all got off of the train to take photos of the beautiful water falls. When we reached Kuranda we had time to walk about the shops and we had lunch on our own.
Our choice for lunch was Annabel’s Bakery. We had to try the Kangaroo Pie, a meat pie with a stew of kangaroo meat and vegetables. Along with Jim and Mary Ann we walked around the shops and then met everyone back at the bus at noon.
Ian drove us just a short way to our next adventure, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This gondola is a 4.7 miles long system and the world's longest gondola cableway. The gondolas hang only a few feet above the rainforest canopy so we could enjoy spectacular 360-degree views.
At times we were in the cloud forest and could not see the next tower. There were three places where we were able to stop, get off, and hike the trails for fantastic views of water falls or the forest below.
We met Leigh and Ian at the Red Peak Station at 1:30 and walked to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park. The center gives a wealth of information about the culture of the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland.
The program included Water Stories or folk tales from the first peoples and a dance performance with Aboriginal music. We then walked into the forest and had lessons throwing boomerangs and spears. I was lucky on my first boomerang toss and had it sail back to me.
Our guide Garna told us about the natural medicines and potions for the roots, leaves, and plants of the rainforest. He also gave us more information about the tools and weapons of his native people.
The final demonstration at the Cultural Center was about making and playing of the famous didgeridoo, a hollow tree limb that makes the unique and classical sound of the Australian Aborigine music.
Back at the hotel at 5:15 we welcomed Jim and Mary Ann for a short happy hour. No one was hungry for a big dinner so we walked along the sea coast street and found a kabob stand and we introduced the Carlsons to one of our favorite fast foods.
It was only 8:00 when we got home but it had been a busy day and we were all tired. Gennie started to type the journal and I went through our photos and the many videos of the day.
After posting the journal and doing a bit of laundry, it was time for bed as we have an early wake up call in the morning.
Accommodations: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino - - - Meals: Breakfast
Comments
Post a Comment!Such fun to re-live our very first big trip after I retired. Loved it!
Kuranda Scenic Railroad, Queensland, Australia (1:45)
Leigh Tymms
Kuranda Scenic Railroad
Waterfall and Train Bridge
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Rainbow Man
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