Cairns (pronounced "cans") Far North Queensland - Oct 17 through Oct 20

 

Cairns is a tropical resort area in Far North Queensland. It is north of the Tropic of Cancer and we expected very warm weather. We were pleasantly surprised to find slightly warm but very mild weather!

We took the Carnival shuttle bus to the Sydney airport. For some reason still not clear, Carnival announced the bus would be free! We arrived at the airport with three busloads of people and got in que to "drop" our bags. An hour later, our bags were checked and we were on our way to the gate.

The flight north took us over the "outback" area. It was reminiscent of flying over the Southwest US with mountains, valleys, plains dotted with farms, and rugged looking territory.

Cairns is in a valley bordered on the north and west by foothills.

Pat and Judy are part of the Wycliffe international mission organization and had arranged for all six of us to stay at the Tree Top just outside of Cairns. Just a short hike up this hill to get home after our outings!

The facility was very comfortable and nice but was made especially nice by the wonderful volunteer staff! This little fountain was at the entrance/lobby.

 

Thursday Oct 18

Theresa was sick as a dog and stayed in the room sleeping all day. The rest of us walked down the hill to meet our shuttle bus pick up for a trip to Kuranda on an historic railroad. While we were waiting for the bus, I found a pharmacy and bought some expectorant but alas, there was no time to run it back up the hill to Theresa!

At the station they had this large scale model showing just what and where the railroad was cut into the jungle and mountains. Meanwhile, I asked the manager of the gift shop if she had any ideas of how I might get the expectorant to Theresa, thinking she would suggest a taxi or something. She just smiled and said "I have to go that way when I close up at 11. Why don't I just take it by?" We found consistently that the Australian people are just nice people and her generosity was representative of a charming people!

The engine of the train was a Diesel rather than a steam engine (a concession to the age, I guess)

The cars are reproductions but are very well done - true to the period

The interior is bench seats. At first, we were all bunched up but as we pulled away, the conductor announced we could move to any empty seat, which allowed everyone to get a good spot for photos.

As we progressed up the mountain, the conductor played recorded messages describing the part we were passing. This gorge gave us an opportunity to photograph the engine . . .

. . . and the caboose!

At mid point, they stopped the train and allowed us to get off to shoot photos of the valley and gorge below

Bill & Peggy

Again, through the train window

We noticed the sky train towers - we would return that way later

We finally arrived in Karunda - a very nice station!

As we wandered this small town, we discovered that most of the business district was aimed at separating the tourist from their money!

Peggy jokes with a small stuffed crocodile in a shop

Judy examines a "roo" (kangaroo) hide

We came to the wildlife exhibit and paid for admission to the area with the koalas

I think this is as close to a real croc as I care to come!

The crocs are reptiles and spend the midday sunning themselves

But the Koalas are what we came to see!

Koalas spend most of their time sleeping and eating eucalyptus leaves.

Peggy is clearly pleased to see the koalas

Bob paid to hold a koala. The naturalist explained that each koala "serves" this function for only 30 minutes every two days. She carefully placed Bob's arm and gave specific instructions on how to hold the animal with the other arm.

The koala looks bored with the whole process but clearly Bob is happy! The koala is much heavier that Bob expected!

The naturalist asked if the whole group wanted to join in for a photo with Bob's camera.

In the next area, we could pet & feed wallabies - like a kangaroo, only smaller.

This wild turkey was one of many birds in the aviary

Bill & Peggy in a small museum remembering the pioneers of Karunda

Bill & Peggy walk toward exit

In the gift shop was a cockatoo . . .

. . . and a chick!

This bird was gnawing large chunks of wood from his perch. We decided we did not want him gnawing our fingers!

More birds in the aviary

Outside, this vendor was playing the didgeridoo - a long hollow tube carved from native woods (looks a little like a very rough bassoon without the holes and keys). The narrow end is packed with beeswax to form a mouthpiece. The resultant note is a low, raspy sound that is haunting. He claimed his didgeridoos were made by native craftsmen in the ancient way. They were priced from $600!

They manage to include the koala in almost everything!

Bill & Peggy relax on a cast iron bench.

Finally, we reach the cable-way platform.

We traveled above the rain forest and could see details below

Here is a view from the cable-way across the valley to the railroad tracks on which we ascended

There were two stopping points where we could walk some trails to overlooks. We saw valleys we'd seen on the way up - from a different angle . . .

. . . and some we'd not seen from the rail line

Bill & Peggy on cable way

At the lower station, we waited for our bus to take us back to our hotel and Peggy spotted this bird . . .

. . . doing a number on this tree fruit!

That evening, we walked a few blocks from the bus drop-off point and found a pizza place. We went to a local take out place and bought a six pack of Australian beer to drink with the pizza

On Friday, Theresa was feeling better (yes, the lady delivered the expectorant and it helped!) and we all traveled to Green Island - part of the Great Barrier Reef.

The boat was a catamaran and helped smooth out the choppy waters - little did we know the weather would worsen through the day and it would be even choppier on our return

Green Island contains a national park which included an interesting walk through a rain forest

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Bill, Peggy & Theresa went on a glass bottom boat - Bob wanted to snorkel (it was either/or & Bill & Peggy brought their own snorkels)

They saw many fish

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Later, Peggy and Bob went snorkeling - water temp was too low for Bill & Theresa was still feeling punky

Bob & Peggy swam for about 45 minutes and saw a few fish and some coral.

Saturday, Bob & Theresa, Bill & Peggy bid adieu to Pat & Judy and flew to Sydney.

This time the routing took the plane down the coast for quite a while . . .

. . . passing over a forest fire . . .

. . . and Sydney Harbor.

We took a cab from the airport to our hotel. Turns out, the hotel is somewhat difficult to find by car (you have to turn down an alley way and drive for 2 blocks!). The Springfield Hotel is a small four story hotel with about 40 rooms total. While it was close to the notorious sections of Darlinghurst Rd, a small plaza acted as a buffer so that none of the seedi-ness of the area was evident.

The king room was snug but adequate . . .

. . . while the bathroom was absolutely Lilliputian making us long for the spacious bathroom of the Carnival cruise ship! When you entered the shower, for example, you had to press in to the far corner so you could close the door!

Tomorrow - Sydney