Skyrail and Kuranda

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Red Peak Lookout

Three happy passengers

Working high above the canopy

Barron Falls

Smile!

Butterfly and eggs

The butterfly whisperer

Ragged around the edges

Cairns Birdwing and Emma's foot

Hold it ...

Happy chappy

We're going on a croc hunt ...

Darter hung out to dry

Crocodile No 1 (and friend)

Crocodile No 2

Crocodile No 3

Definitely NOT crocodile burgers!

It was a mizzly start to our Skyrail adventure, but the forecast was hopeful!  As we waited in the queue to board Skyrail, Kathryn was surprised to meet an ex-student and his family right behind us – small world.  It was still drizzling slightly as he headed up the hill, but we were still able to see the surrounding areas, however Green Island was hiding in the mist.  Our first stop was at Red Peak, where we joined a guided tour of the rain forest – and didn’t need the supplied umbrellas.  The next stage of our journey took us past some workmen high on one of the towers before we once again alighted, this time at the Barron Falls.  Even though there was actually water coming down the falls, it would be nothing compared to the wet season.  By this time, the clouds were clearing and the sun had made an appearance for our final leg into Kuranda.

Les was waiting for us, having driven up the range, and we boarded the courtesy bus for the ride to the top of Kuranda Village – and the Butterfly Sanctuary.  We did seem to spend a long time in here, chasing butterflies, photographing butterflies, coaxing butterflies and dodging other tourists doing the same.  The butterflies seemed particularly fond of Emma’s thongs and Les’ hat (colours or odours???).  With a forty minute wait for lunch to be prepared, and the time already after 1.00 pm, we opted for an ice cream to be eaten on the run, as it were.  We took a walk through the original markets (as opposed to the heritage markets) and were met with some unusual odours and some unusual people.  Returning Emma to the street, we continued down the hill, with numerous stops to look at souvenirs, clothes, jewellery and all the other stuff found at Kuranda.

We concluded our visit with a cruise on the Barron River and after feeding the turtles and fish, were lucky enough to see three freshwater crocodiles enjoying the sunshine.  Evidently, there are only four crocodiles in this stretch of river, so we were very lucky to see 75% of the crocodile population.  We partook of afternoon tea on the platform of the Kuranda Station and watched the final train of the day depart for Cairns.  Amazingly, as we drove up the main street immediately afterwards, all the shops had shut!

As we drove back down the range, we stopped at the lookout but were unable to make out Green Island as it was still rather hazy out to sea.  After a drink and nibble at the caravan, we continued into Cairns and enjoyed a hamburger each for dinner, before having a wander through the Night Markets.