Choo Choo Time - Up to Kuranda - Down by Sky Rail

It's now the 10th and to the train station at Freshwater for a trip on the Kuranda RR. The journey on the Kuranda Train was delightful. Went thru Red Lynch and Jungara (the largest WW 11 field hospital was located here), then after a 180 degree horseshoe bend, we climbed up to the Stony Creek Falls, sometimes seeing both the front and back of the train on tight curves, with views all the way to the Coral Sea. We stopped for short time at Barron Falls, then went into Kuranda. We ate at German Tuckers, had sausage and beer, did a bird exhibit, a wrecked plane and walked the village. Our return trip was by Sky Rail, a 7.5 km gondola ride above and thru the rainforest. At about a 1/4 of the way down, you stop at Barron Falls overlook (same falls - other side of the valley). Resuming, you go over the rainforest, stopping at Red Peak Station, do a boardwalk atop the rainforest of about 500 ft. Reboard and continue on down through the rainforest to the bottom. At the highest point you're 133 ft off the ground. At the bottom you go next door to the 'Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park' for a lunch buffet and participate in several aboriginal cultural exhibits, including History,Dance & Creation theatres, a cultural village (learned about the Didgeridoo, bush foods and their medicines), spear throwing (guess they didn't need that guide) and boomerang throwing (Ouch). We returned to our hotel to find that our train trip on the 'Sunlander' had been canceled due to a freight wreck earlier in the day. After a panic session, the railroad booked us on a plane the next day into Brisbane. Cleaned up, relaxed and went to dinner on the wharf at Pesci's, another very good meal. Walked about Cairns CBD and retired.

Lets head up the Barron Valley to Kuranda

Freshwater Station - Morning Tea - Cappuccinos & Scones.

This view makes waiting for the train worthwhile.

Ya don't see trains painted like this very often.

On one of the horseshoe curves.

Stony Creek Falls - from the trestle.

From the trestle - the rear end just came out of a cut.

Barron Falls from overlook on south side of valley.

Kuranda Station - well done

Remains of an crashed plane near the village.

4 of the 78 different birds at 'Birdworld Kuranda'.

Do the Sky Rail down

Boarded a Sky Rail car and started down.

Crossing the Barron River.

Approaching the stop at Barron Falls.



Barron Falls from north side of valley.

Looking down on the Rainforest.

Towards Cairns -on the bay behind Airport and Mt. Whitfield.

Port Douglas on coast.

Approaching the base - next door is the red roofed 'Tjapukai Cultural Park'.


Tjapukai Cultural Park

Aboriginal Canoe

At Dance Theatre

Didgeridoo Demo

Babe Checking out the boomerang