August 7, 2012
August 7, 2012
The hillside to the west of Cairns is rainforest and part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. We are going to explore it today. Just north of the city we get tickets for the Skyrail. Skyrail is a series of gondolas that carry us uphill skirting the treetops of the rainforest. It is an anti-climatic journey. After a very short ride we disembark at the first station where a ranger gives a guided-walk through the rainforest. It was very interesting. He pointed out numerous plants and their strategies for growing in this very competitive environment. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention.
The rainforest here gained World Heritage status because it is the only piece left of the immense jungle that used to cover all Australia and Antarctica during the age of the dinosaur. As a result it holds many living relics from that era. One of those is the endangered Southern Cassowary. A giant blue-headed flightless bird. Only the ostrich is bigger. We would love to see one of them walking through the jungle.
Also in Kuranda are several specialty zoos. We pass on them and choose instead to do a short hike in the rainforest. At 2pm we board the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns. This is an old Victorian-era gold mine train that follows the rim of the Barron Gorge. Unfortunately the rainforest growth is so thick we only get glimpses of the canyon. Overall Aimee and I were not overwhelmed with our travel today. Despite the Skyway/Rail tour being very popular and pricey, it was kind of a snoozer. The highlight was when we got off and took the guided ranger hike.
The hillside to the west of Cairns is rainforest and part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. We are going to explore it today. Just north of the city we get tickets for the Skyrail. Skyrail is a series of gondolas that carry us uphill skirting the treetops of the rainforest. It is an anti-climatic journey. After a very short ride we disembark at the first station where a ranger gives a guided-walk through the rainforest. It was very interesting. He pointed out numerous plants and their strategies for growing in this very competitive environment. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention.The rainforest here gained World Heritage status because it is the only piece left of the immense jungle that used to cover all Australia and Antarctica during the age of the dinosaur. As a result it holds many living relics from that era. One of those is the endangered Southern Cassowary. A giant blue-headed flightless bird. Only the ostrich is bigger. We would love to see one of them walking through the jungle.
The next station on the Skyrail is near an overlook for Barron Falls. Surrounded by jungle we can’t get a good view of the falls. This is the dry season and the flow is minimal anyway. Based on the surrounding rocks it is clear that in the wet season, this waterfall grows to immense proportions.
The last stop on the Skyrail is the touristy mountain town of Kuranda. Main Street is one big line of souvenir stores. Since we are new to Australia, it is still fun wandering around. The big sellers seem to be Aborigine art, analogous to American Indian jewelry at home. I like this Australian version much better. It is very unique. Buying anything though is going to have to wait till the end of our trip. I am not dragging painted boomerangs all over Australia.
posted by Mike and Aimee at 8:58 AM
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