Kuranda, heaven in the tropical Queensland hills

What a delightful trip we had on the skyrail up to the touristy town of Kuranda! The skyrail journey was fantastic- with interesting stops and rainforest walks and an information centre where we learnt more about the area and history. Everyone was super friendly and Amelia loved riding above the forest canopy. Following the information booklet we were able to identify many landmarks, trees, wildlife and interesting spots. Kuranda- the town itself is perfect, just big enough and full of interesting people, places, art and special places. You just need to look past the obvious tourist focus and see it for what it is; a lovely little spot.

 Riding the skyrail

 Looking back towards Cairns

 

One of the short rainforest walks on the way up the mountain.

 

The Kuranda Scenic Railway train heading back down

 

 Crossing the Barrum River in the air

When we reached Kuranda we looked through the art galleries and fantastic markets, eventually finding our way to the Butterfly Sanctuary, which is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibition in Australia. The sanctuary is home to 1500 tropical butterflies which are hand reared on site in the hatchery, with approximately 30,000 caterpillars being grown in the lab. For your information, 24,000 pupae are released every year- some of the species only live 10-15 days! Further can be found at http://www.australianbutterflies.com/

 Cairns Birdwing

 

Resting on my arm (apparently if you wear white or red they will land on you!)

 Not the easiest photographic subjects!

Here's the famous Ullyses (this one's male) 
Unfortunately I couldn't find one to sit still long enough for me to capture on the camera.

The ride back on the Kuranda Scenic Railway was also good fun... The railway travels from Cairns to Kuranda in the Macalister Ranges, through hand cut tunnels (15), across towering bridges, through lush tropical world heritage listed rainforest and the impressive Barron Gorge. Originally built in 1886 after a long bitter battle regarding exact location, to service tin mining camps. Actually construction was mired by various issues; sickness, tough working conditions, and challenges lengthened the project, which was finally opened in 1891.  A bit squeaky, the train is only used for tourist purposes now.

I'll add some more photos when I get them off my phone (the camera battery died during the day!)

http://www.ksr.com.au/Pages/Default.aspx 

Tropical North Queensland- Cairns and surrounds

This post is dedicated to one of our amazing friends who is currently recovering from a successful lung transplant, we wish you all the best for a successful, speedy recovery! (This area and further north- Port Douglas is his playground, and the first year in nine that he and his wife haven’t holidayed here- YET!)

Cairns- paradise on earth! What a beautiful, tropical wonderland, with pristine mangrove beaches lined with coconut palms and spectacular ferns and palms, excellent facilities, great playgrounds and water parks and friendly people. We enjoyed our week in the town, perhaps more so given we stayed in an apartment! There’s something about having your own kitchen, laundry and personal bathroom in close proximity that cannot be understated. Sure, the tent is nice- but so are home comforts.

Love these signs on the roads from Townsville to Cairns... be wary of cassowaries...

They actually look like this (from our visit to the Darwin Crocodile Park)...

Colourful- yes, Friendly- not so much! 

By the way we didn't see any on this road- they are endangered.

Cairns was great, with a fantastic water park for Amelia and a beautiful foreshore area.

 

Mummy didn't even ask her to pose like this- she's a natural!

 Stopping for a snack

The drive north to Port Douglas was scenic, windy and reminiscent of our very own Great Ocean Road (but with infinitely better weather!).

 Port Douglas waterfront near the market

 Market Day at Port Douglas

NOTE: pearls were cheaper here than anywhere else- Broome, Darwin and Cairns combined. ANd the red coral necklaces were fantastic, as is the one that joined my collection that day.

 View from  Flagstaff Hill

Dale- these ones are for you! It looks like so much fun.

Walking  along the extremely tidal beach, looking for shells (obviously), coconuts which haven't been already opened and admiring the mangroves, which are a little bit smelly sometimes.

Townsville, Queensland

Heading into Townsville we were surprised with the traffic- I guess it was peak hour, but it still seemed a little crazy. Until we remembered we had not experienced traffic lights since being in Katherine, Northern Territory so our reaction was possibly quite normal. Anyway, our trusty GPS managed to get us there okay and we found where we were staying, out of town alongside the river in an delightful apartment. The place had everything we could ask for, and ABC 4Kids which was perfect. SO off exploring we went...

 Foreshore

Reef HQ, situated downtown near the harbour in Townsville was great fun, especially for our littlest explorer. Here are some of the shots of the day’s activities. We happened to also meet a woman and her three children who are ex-pats living in Abu Dhabi but on holiday in Australia. In fact, her eldest son goes to a school where one of our friends, Stu teaches. It’s a small world! I really enjoyed talking to this lady about the Middle Eastern ex-pat life and Abu Dhabi although it did make me miss the fantastic lifestyle and our many friends over there.

Back to the aquarium, the highlights included talking to a diver in the tank (who tried to show us how friendly “Cuddles” the whale shark is although the animal wasn’t feeling at all affectionate on the day), the touch tanks and children’s centre (Amelia loved the sea star and looking through the microscopes at various marine creatures), and the turtle hospital. We met Leroy; a 2-3 year old green turtle who was found floating and is currently being nursed back to health alongside other larger and older turtles all in similar states, some with prop injuries caused by boating but most with digestive issues perhaps due to discarded plastic bags. Much fun was had learning more about the fascinating creatures which live under the sea.

 regrowing one arm

 "Cuddles"

This funny little fellow spent most of his time swimming directly vertical making big loops around the tank

 Imaginatively named "Pineapple" fish

Fire fish

 Hammerhead

Ray 

 Here's looking at you!

 Touch tank

 Future marine biologist?

 Where's Nemo?

 Leroy

We also enjoyed a walk down to the marina precinct and a glimpse of what life could be like when we win tattslotto and buy a purpose built vessel. (Chris’s dream!!) The area is well landscaped and beautiful. What a perfect place to live!

BIG Thanks to Tara's high-school friend, Sean who was posted in Townsville with the Australian Army for many years and was able to give us some tips on what to see and do in the area.