Australia cont'd: Cairns

Kuranda station

21/3/94 Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns to Kuranda, winding its way up the Macalister Range through 15 tunnels and over 14 bridges, over gorges and waterfalls with beautiful views. Passed Stoney Creek falls and stopped at Barron falls before continuing to Atherton Tablelands.

 

After lunch at Tinaroo Dam we visitied Millaa Millaa Falls

and an amazing Curtain Fig Tree followed by a cruise on Lake Barrine.

23/3/94

Glorious trip on the Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay,
a very pretty bird sanctuary. It was just us and a few others who had gone over to the island so it was beautifully quiet. We swam, snorkelled and sunbathed. Had a delicious smorgasbord lunch with champagne before heading back.

24/3/94

Went on the swing bridge at Mossman Gorge and a barge on the Daintree river. In the afternoon we headed to Port Douglas. It’s a lovely resort but at the time of our visit it had suffered a major wind storm and there was a lot of debris around.

25/3/94

Reluctantly left Cairns. It was pouring with rain, which made leaving slightly better!

Overnight at Townsville.

26/3/94
Left Townsville and went to Billabong Sanctuary. Drove through Airlee beach and stopped in Shutehaven for coffee and scones and magnificent views of the Whitsunday Islands.

27/3/94

Travelled to our friend’s home in Cooroy, north of Brisbane. Cooroy is a town in the heart of Noosa Hinterland located amongst rolling green hills and mountains near Lake Macdonald and The Noosa Botanical Gardens.

28/3/94

A nice lie in followed by a stroll around Jane and Harry's 8½ acres  of orchard, veg and flower gardens, swimming pool, large paddock for the cows and a small enclosure for three ancient chickens.

During our walkabout I almost sat on a snake, it was on a small wall around a flower bed, Jane saw it just in time. I needed a stiff drink after that! After a swim and lunch we drove into Cooroy.

29/3/94

Spent the day in Noosa. Walked round Noosa Heads National Park. Tee Tray Bay, Dolphin Bay, Granite Bay, Hills Gate and Alexandra beach. It is a stunning coastline. Delicious fish n chips lunch on the bank of the Noosa river. Swam in the Pacific ocean at Noosa beach which was quite frightening as the current was very strong, I was picked up and turned over and Harry lost his hat.

We just had time for a whistle stop tour of the gorgeous shops before it rained. I liked Noosa very much, it’s like an Australian St Tropez.

Coastline around Noosa National Park. It looks overcast here but it had been a beautiful day.