Cairns

Driving to Cairns was a pretty drive with lots of interesting things to look at.  We also drove into Innisfail for a Cooks’ look.  It’s a lot large than I imagined.  We reached Cairns in the mid afternoon where we pulled in at the Crystal Cascades Caravan Park in Redlynch.  It was a really pretty park and they even guided Nigel into the caravan spot.  Now that’s service.  Susie and Mick had already set up and wandered up to find us while we were still setting up.  They invited us for drinks but decided for an early night for the kids as they had been up late the previous night.

Our next day we took the quick drive to Crystal Cascades.  It was very pretty and the kids and Nigel went in for a swim. While out taking the walk we met a family from Taralgon that were also staying at Crystal Cascades. Had a quick chat and then continued our tour.  We then drove into Cairns and visited the lagoon where everyone went for a swim. Except me as I read my book and took in some rays with all the over exposed and skinny tourist.  Mostly European.  We had drinks and nibbles with Mick and Susie as well as Al and Carol and Jo and Julie.  Some more couples that were also on the road.

 

Our following day we took the train to Karanda on the scenic railway.  It was a very rushed trip to get to the train because we decide at the last minute to catch it.  We arrive at the Freshwater train station just in the nick of time.  We purchased our tickets and jumped on board as the whistle sounded and the train took off.  We travel through many tunnels and climbed the mountain looking back over the plains of Cairns.  Very spectacular.  The kids enjoyed hanging their heads out the window (which worried me to tears with so many tunnel entrys).  We arrive in Karanda around 10am and walk the main street.  It was a very pretty little town.  We did a tour of the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary where we saw some amazing butterflies including the Ulysses and the Cairns Birdwing.  Both very spectacular.  I took man amazing photos but never could quite catch the Ulysses’.  It was just took quick.  I finally got a shot of a Ulysses but only because it was dead on the ground....lol...(they only live 15 days so there was one bound to be dead).  Our journey home from Karanda was on the Skyrail.  God I was terrified.  The highest tower 280m high.  On average we were 200m above the rainforest floor.  Our journey even took us over Barron Falls Dam.  This was the where I was most terrified as the skyrail slow and came to an almost complete stop.  I was terrified we were about to come off the line and fall in the dam Jordan thought she would play a trick on me and squeal.  Which sent me into panic mode...blasted kids.  I think I lost 10 years off my life from that little trick.  It was a very memorable trip but one I think will only be a once off.  The view coming down the hill back into Carnavour was very spectacular indeed.

Our next few days were recharge days for the kids and us.  The kids spent many hours schooling.  We were taking it a little easy also and really enjoying relaxing around the park.  We did a little shopping and enjoyed swimming and soaking up the sun.  The kids spent time on their bikes at the BMX track and we had nibbles and drinks with the others many times.  We decided to spend an extra day at Cairns.  The kids had been doing some great work on their journals and maths work we decided before we headed for Cooktown we would give them one more good schooling session. 

Our last afternoon in Cairns we visited Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Ellis Beach.  Nigel and Austin paddled in the shallows of Ellis Beach but the rest of us had no want or need to be eaten by crocodiles so we stayed away from the water’s edge.