Cairns is the only place in the world where two World -Heritage-listed areas are side by side. One can
dive into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, or soar above the world`s oldest tropical rainforest at the Barron Gorge National Park. A Rainforest exists where at least 1,300 mm of rain falls each year, being distributed throughout the year . Australia`s rainforests receive up to 4,000 mm of rain annually.
Today, we chose to be at one with nature and see the spectacular tropical landscapes via the Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
The Skyrail is one of the longest, it is a 7.5 km Gondola cableway journey through Australia`s Tropical Rainforest. We boarded our Skyrail at the Caravonica Terminal which is located 15 minutes north of Cairns.
As soon as we got into our cable car (gondola), we were eager to look down . We were rewarded with rugged
mountain scenery, steep ravines, rich wildlife, and tropical rainforest. The view presented us with magnificent trees of all heights everywhere. The entire view was a solid mass of interwoven branches, ferns, and creepers.
Our first stop was at the Red Peak Station. From there we were able to get a closer look at the diverse
array of plant species, including the towering 400 year-old Kauri Pine. The boardwalk meandered through the undergrowth taking us past majestic Buttress roots, beautiful tree ferns, and climbing
wait-a-while palms. Occasionally, there were areas bathed in light which filtered through the maze of foliage . Every vine and shrub seemed connected like snakes.
``Look at that super tall tree,`` I exclaimed. Òh and that vine, it`s like what Tarzan would have used!``
We covered two miles before we got off on the second stop which was at the Barron Falls Station, and it is one of the most visited sites. The majestic Barron Falls, at a mighty 260 metres tall, attract visitors, and artists from around the world.
There were three lookouts and everywhere I looked, there were stunning panoramic views . The pathways were also relaxing to walk as we listened to the singing of Cicadas, and the rustling of leaves.
There was a light breeze blowing from time to time.
After the Barron Falls station was the Kuranda terminal, and Kuranda village. There were so many things to do and see in the village, such as the Butterfly sanctuary, colorful bird aviary, and a Koala park. There was also a diverse array of art galleries, shops, cafe`s, and restaurants. The Kuranda Arts and
Crafts market was also a delight.
We took the Kuranda railway on the way back to Cairns . The 1720 class locomotives were built between 1966 and 1970. The carriages we were travelling in were built in 1909, and were the originals made from Silky Oak timber. Today, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is decorated in the vivid Buda Dji colours.
dive into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, or soar above the world`s oldest tropical rainforest at the Barron Gorge National Park. A Rainforest exists where at least 1,300 mm of rain falls each year, being distributed throughout the year . Australia`s rainforests receive up to 4,000 mm of rain annually.
Today, we chose to be at one with nature and see the spectacular tropical landscapes via the Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
The Skyrail is one of the longest, it is a 7.5 km Gondola cableway journey through Australia`s Tropical Rainforest. We boarded our Skyrail at the Caravonica Terminal which is located 15 minutes north of Cairns.
As soon as we got into our cable car (gondola), we were eager to look down . We were rewarded with rugged
mountain scenery, steep ravines, rich wildlife, and tropical rainforest. The view presented us with magnificent trees of all heights everywhere. The entire view was a solid mass of interwoven branches, ferns, and creepers.
Our first stop was at the Red Peak Station. From there we were able to get a closer look at the diverse
array of plant species, including the towering 400 year-old Kauri Pine. The boardwalk meandered through the undergrowth taking us past majestic Buttress roots, beautiful tree ferns, and climbing
wait-a-while palms. Occasionally, there were areas bathed in light which filtered through the maze of foliage . Every vine and shrub seemed connected like snakes.
``Look at that super tall tree,`` I exclaimed. Òh and that vine, it`s like what Tarzan would have used!``
We covered two miles before we got off on the second stop which was at the Barron Falls Station, and it is one of the most visited sites. The majestic Barron Falls, at a mighty 260 metres tall, attract visitors, and artists from around the world.
There were three lookouts and everywhere I looked, there were stunning panoramic views . The pathways were also relaxing to walk as we listened to the singing of Cicadas, and the rustling of leaves.
There was a light breeze blowing from time to time.
After the Barron Falls station was the Kuranda terminal, and Kuranda village. There were so many things to do and see in the village, such as the Butterfly sanctuary, colorful bird aviary, and a Koala park. There was also a diverse array of art galleries, shops, cafe`s, and restaurants. The Kuranda Arts and
Crafts market was also a delight.
We took the Kuranda railway on the way back to Cairns . The 1720 class locomotives were built between 1966 and 1970. The carriages we were travelling in were built in 1909, and were the originals made from Silky Oak timber. Today, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is decorated in the vivid Buda Dji colours.
The paintings were created by the local aboriginal artists and they portray the legend of Buda Dji the carpet snake, said to have carved out the Barron Gorge.
Sitting in our carriage, and watching the trees go by in at a relaxing speed, we observed a different vista of the wonders of the rainforest. On and on we went, on what seemed to be a solid mass of forest, with a few trees that stood out boldly against a myriad of other plants and trees. A few times, I spotted mangoes, banana and other tropical fruit trees amongst what
seemed like an impenetrable wall of matted and tangled vegetation .
Sitting in our carriage, and watching the trees go by in at a relaxing speed, we observed a different vista of the wonders of the rainforest. On and on we went, on what seemed to be a solid mass of forest, with a few trees that stood out boldly against a myriad of other plants and trees. A few times, I spotted mangoes, banana and other tropical fruit trees amongst what
seemed like an impenetrable wall of matted and tangled vegetation .
Construction of the Cairns- Kuranda railway was; and still is, an engineering feat of enormous magnitude.
Supply routes were primitive and perilous. The routes were also untraversable, and thousands of people came close to starvation during construction. As we sat in our carriage, we could only imagine the number of men who died from malaria, dysentery, anaconda
and other snake bites.
We had a ten minute-stop at the Barron falls station and viewed the falls from a platform. The railings
were crowded with people gazing at the falls. The occasional heard sound from the waterfalls, seemed distant.
By the time we got back to Cairns, we had passed through 15 tunnels, 55 bridges and saw several cascading waterfalls making; this port our best Aussie stop ever !
P.S.
Track Facts:
Labour: 1,500 men majority were of
Irish and Italian descent
Distance: 37 kms of train track
Ascent: 327 metres above sea level
Engineering and earthwork: removal of
2.3 million cubic metres of earth, 106 cuttings, 15 hand carved
tunnels (1,746 m in lenght), 55 bridges (244 m of steel bridge spans
and 1,894 m of bridges), 98 curves
Supply routes were primitive and perilous. The routes were also untraversable, and thousands of people came close to starvation during construction. As we sat in our carriage, we could only imagine the number of men who died from malaria, dysentery, anaconda
and other snake bites.
We had a ten minute-stop at the Barron falls station and viewed the falls from a platform. The railings
were crowded with people gazing at the falls. The occasional heard sound from the waterfalls, seemed distant.
By the time we got back to Cairns, we had passed through 15 tunnels, 55 bridges and saw several cascading waterfalls making; this port our best Aussie stop ever !
P.S.
Track Facts:
Labour: 1,500 men majority were of
Irish and Italian descent
Distance: 37 kms of train track
Ascent: 327 metres above sea level
Engineering and earthwork: removal of
2.3 million cubic metres of earth, 106 cuttings, 15 hand carved
tunnels (1,746 m in lenght), 55 bridges (244 m of steel bridge spans
and 1,894 m of bridges), 98 curves
No comments:
Post a Comment