Day 44 - Cairns Kuranda

What a day! Today we woke early for our big day on the Skyrail and Scenic train experience to Kuranda. We were a little disappointed with the weather as it was very over cast and showering but hey, we are in the tropics and this was not going to deter any of us.

We opted to do the Skyrail up and the train down, as the train carriages only have seats on the Lefthand side of the car which means you get a better view on the way down, into the rain forests and the valley floor below.

We arrived at 9am into the Skyrail terminal, only to be met with one of THE biggest spiders i have ever seen. The spider is commonly refereed to as the Golden Orb Spider and is about the size of a human adult hand, it eats small rodents, children, that sought of thing......

The Skyrail is a 7.5Km suspended cable car system linking Cairns and Kuranda. It consists of a total of 4 stations, at which you can either stop and transfer to another car or get off and wander around the boardwalks to various waterfalls and rainforestations. The sky cars can sit up to 6 adults, but we had one all to ourselves.

The Skyrail to Kuranda takes about 1.5 hours including the two stops at Red peak and Barron falls. http://www.skyrail.com.au/

The trip up was rather spectacular with much to see, even when the clouds were closed in around you.

We did stop at each of the two stops to explore the local rain forest and boy was it spectacular! At Red Peak you get to explore the undergrowth and the rain forest. The green of the trees and shrubs is truly great, with lush green foliage.

Barron falls did not quite live up to expectations due to the low water levels in the river. Never the less the views were still exceptional. Barron falls would be spectacular during the wet season.

From Barron Falls it was onto Kuranda, which is know for its local markets and arty products. We spent about 4 hours wandering around, purchasing asmall amount of local products and nicknacs.

For lunch, we found a local German place where we finally had some decent Bratwurst, they were all yummy. As a treat we stopped in at a local Scottish place, which served delicious scones and tea.

Soon after it was time to head home via the Scenic railway, which winds it way through the mountain passes into Cairns, needless to say the scenery is spectacular. The train journey takes about 1.5 hours, mainly due to the slow speed and sheer cliff on either side of the railway tracks.

We arrived back in Cairns at 5 or so to be transferred form the train station back to Skyrail terminal where our car had been parked for the day. Needles to say we all had a great time and are now all due for some well deserved sleep.

We are not sure as to what we will do tomorrow, there is SOOOO much to do here.