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Monday, May 16, 2011

Log 16-05 Cairns



We set off very early for Cairns, wanting to get there early. We had driven through the city almost to our destination when Libby realized that we had forgotten to pick up our mail at Gordonvale, so we turned around & went back (thankfully it was only 26k’s). Arriving at the P.O. we were informed that there was NO mail for us, try again Monday, so, back to Cairns, not a good start to the day!
We had selected the Cairns Holliday Park as it was the closest to the Ocean, but we found it was still a 45 minute walk each way, the city is well set out with plenty of tropical plants lending much colour to the  surrounds. The walk along the ocean front was enhanced by the park which ran all the way to the marina & city. At first it was a concrete path with exercise equipment & water fountains along the way, the it turned into a boardwalk with a large grassed picnic area with BBQ’s & alongside that was a giant pool, on the other side of the pool was a beach for the sunbathers. (Note the lack of male bathers in the photo?). Continuing past this we came to the Marlin Marina & inner harbor. Although not as big as Townsville, there are still a lot of boats moored here. From here we walked through some of the city, in places, streets are blocked off to crate plazas.
Arriving eventually at Central Station we decided to bus our way home, arriving favourably impressed.
Next day it was back into town as there are Saturday markets, on the waterfront there are stalls for touristy type things, all of very high quality. Walking 4 blocks up into town there is a huge produce market with good, fresh fruit & vegies at very low prices. Most of the stalls allow you to try samples & we had a great fruit salad while doing the rounds. Walked back to the waterfront where we, once again, caught the bus home for a well earned rest, & besides, we had all the fruit we thought we could eat before it went off.
Sunday, up early & off to Jabiru ( an outer suburb of Cairns) so that we had a double car spot for the van. Breakfasted there & then on to the cable-car to take us to  Kuranda, a great trip, high above the treetops, with a couple of stops on the way to look around. A 3 ½ hour stopover at Kuranda, plenty of time to check out all the markets there, a look at the Baron river, have lunch & be at the station in time for the train ride back to Freshwater (only a 10K trip but slowly & with stops, so as to give us time to take pic’s) & a short bus trip back to the van. Lots of pic’s & lots to see. All in all a great day. As soon as we got back we headed straight for Gordonvale, hope our mail’s there tomorrow.
What’s to say,             CAIRNS, GREAT!


Wow! Even the shells are big up here.




The boardwalk.

Swimming pool & beach

Inner harbour


Skyrail station

Riding the rails

The train on the opposite side of the gorge

Libby's new friend

The locals

Too good not to capture

The station

Barron Falls

1 comment:

  1. Hi my darlings!!! Gosh I miss you!! Luuuuv reading your eloquent stories of your journey. It reads like a dream not many live but talk about. I'm so proud to know you guys. Take care of each other always.
    Luv Robyn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete