Sunday 25 September 2011

Oz: Outside Cairns - Kuranda

Other than as a hop-off point for the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is quite unexciting as a destination.  Most packages would include a visit to Kuranda via the historic scenic railroad and a return trip by gondola Skyrail, both providing spectacular and often breathtaking views of the tablelands over which Kuranda is perched.  The rainforest park is the primary attraction in Kuranda and tourists are bused into the swamp on army ducks.  You will see below some of the wildlife we encountered on that trip.  




Historic railroad


View from the train


Barron Gorge with the two lakes


Historic railway station in Kuranda


"Jack the Ripper" 5 metres long 750 kg 45 - 50 years old expected to live to 100


Can you see the well-camouflaged iguana?


Spear-throwing aboriginal performer


A striking tropical Torch flower


Perky iguana


This is the life!


This looks like it might be a fearless Bush stone curlew but I could be wrong.  Perhaps my Australian friends can enlighten us?


Stunning ride over the rainforest 


Great Kauri pine


Approaching Cairns on the Skyrail


Cairns at dusk


This is the end of our Australian trip, we hopped on the plane to New Zealand the following day.  The next posts will cover our driving tour of the North and South Islands.  

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