Yesterday we took the Train on the Kuranda Scenic Railway up the mountain to Kuranda village. Then Skyrail (basically) an enclosed chairlift back down the mountain.
Kuranda is a lovely village high up in the mountain range above Cairns and is serviced by the tourist railway and Skyrail. Kuranda has many shops and 2 major markets that cater for the tourists that visit the village, predominantly by the rail network but tourists travel up by cars as well. We caught up with Janine and Earl again for lunch and visited their home. Whilst it looks like suburban street its basically in the rainforest and you can’t see any of the surrounding homes. Certainly a different life to when they lived in Emerald.
The original rail line was put into Kuranda to help with the gold mining boom in the 1800’s. It took thousands of men over 2 years to build the line and many a number lost their lives doing so. The line also served the military well during WW2 as many Defence establishments were located in the mountains above Cairns.
Kuranda is a lovely village, although it seems very structured for the tourists and is no doubt feeling the pinch during these COVID times.
The train trip up the range was very good but the Skyrail back was equally if not better. There is something about hanging off a line hundreds of feet above the ground that gets your juices flowing and some of the views coming back down off the range were outstanding. It was certainly an enjoyable day.
The day starts at Freshwater Station. Freshwater because that was were the first lot of fresh water was located for the rail workers when they were building the line.The Train rolls into Freshwater Station. Whilst the original train had steam engines, the train is now pulled by 2 forty year old Diesel Locos up the near 400 metres to Kuranda. Not the Aboriginal painting of the engines, signifying the local Indigenous tribe.Looking back over the southern regions of Cairns.A number of falls are along the line and this one happens to be right on the main bridge. A bit of “Puffing Billy” in this photo except for the false in the background.Part of the Barron Gorge as we continue the climb up to Kuranda.Quick stop at Barron Falls just out of Kuranda for a photo opportunity!Historic Kuranda Railway Station. Had a very ‘Hogwarts Station” feel about it!In the gardens behind the heritage markets is the wreck of an ex WW2 DC3 (C47). No, it didn’t crash here, nor did it crash at all but someone thought it would make an attraction (the story is to long long to tell here) but it grabbed my attention (surprise, surprise)!Skyrail Station at Kuranda, very pretty.Skyrail had very long spans, hundreds of feet above the rainforest floor. Would be an exciting trip on a windy day!The Barron Falls from a different perspective, the Skyrail side and note the Railway side. Notice the “youngsters at the top of the falls, pretty daredevil if you ask me.It was a long way down, no place for people afraid of heights!Coming back down the range. Yorkey’s Knob is in the centre of the photo on the coast with Palm Cove to the left of the picture.
Be Brave on Tour 