Kuranda 11/7/18

We were picked up early and taken to the Skyrail terminus past the expanding northern suburbs around Redlynch .  Our driver responded to my question about the FNQ elevated houses by asserting that 'crocodiles do not climb stairs!'

 The Skyrail trip was a wonderful way the view the extent and fecundity of the rainforest with a unique birds-eye view.  On arriving at Kuranda we walked around the Baron River walk to the markets thinking we had arrived in Nimbin!  Maureen wondered if the stall owners came down from the trees each morning with a profusion of new age wares on display in the   happy'erb shops and 'reading booths'.

We enjoyed the circuit bush walk of Kuranda winding down to the Baron River back to the train station.  In the late afternoon we returned to Cairns via the Kuranda railway which was built between 1880-1890  through dense mountainous bush.  The line remains in use and is a  testament to the thousands who built it.  The line is a breathtaking engineering achievement rivaling any other in Australia including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

We were delighted to meet my niece Rose Parker for dinner at Hemingways Bar in the wharf area.  Rose is working as a scuba diving instructor on one of the major reef adventure tours that are based at Cairns.