Australian Odyssey (Part II)- Cairns & Kuranda Heritage Trail



This is a photo blog on trip to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Australia in June.  Flew Jetstar Airlines from Melbourne to Cairns (3116 km flight distance) and stayed for three nights.  One full day dedicated to a package tour to Great Barrier Reef.  Major part of another day for a heritage train ride on Kuranda Scenic Railway.  Remaining time spent in the quaint town of Cairns.  The trip was more than memorable.  It was a lifetime experience.  Trying to capture a flavor of it here.

Located in the city centre, ibis Styles Cairns (Accor Group of Hotels) is just two blocks from the beautiful Esplanade and Lagoon pool.  Every attraction is a short walk away.  A family suite costing less than $100, the hotel offered great value. 



Located in city center, this hotel caught my fancy- not for the pub or the nice location but for the ornamental iron castings adorning its balcony.  The design is very New Orleans, very Kolkata. 

Cairns Esplanade, around which the life of the tourists revolve

Ecosystem at the Cairns Esplanade mudflat

Life at Cairns Esplanade

Life at Cairns Esplanade

Life at Cairns Esplanade

The beautiful Lagoon at Cairns Esplanade.  It is a 4800 sq m salt water swimming facility that offers free access to everyone all-year round, from 6 am - 9 pm on most days.  It is a magnet for families and tourist groups who come to swim, sun-bathe, do picnic or barbecue  

The beautiful Lagoon at Cairns Esplanade. 



Lavish interiors of the Kuranda Train



Scenic train ride to Kuranda



Scenic train ride to Kuranda



Scenic train ride to Kuranda

Only stop along the trail- no tea shops here

The Barron Rover at Kuranda- apparently infested with crocodiles

Nice place to eat at the Kuranda Village- the waitress lives nearby and witnessed a python swallowing a wallaby within her estate 

Things to do at Kuranda Village while waiting for the return train

Sign at the Queensland Rail Freshwater Station