Next year we have lived in Australia ten years. Queensland is always a popular 'local' holiday choice for us and I would never get bored of going there. It is so different to my suburban Melbourne life...
Little Wandering Wren
A walk through the Tropical rainforests is like stepping straight into an Aussie version of Jungle Book - can't you just see Mowgli swinging through the trees, or even (moving jungles) Tarzan arriving with a loud bash on his chest and his famous unulating yell?
Everything seems to be on a bigger scale up north! Let's not go there on the spiders, I'm talking bugs. I cheated, I didn't really want to get close to a real life massive flying something or other, but this sculpture gives you the general idea.... HUGE!
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| Beware strange animals |
Even the animals are different. This sign warns you of the Southern Cassowaries which are an endangered species. I reckon extinct is a far better word because I've searched and searched, and I've never seen one. They are out there, there are warning signs not to feed them, or leave out food scraps as they can become aggressive and dangerous towards humans...hmmm just like the Unicorn, Loch Ness Monster or the Greater Barrier Reef Mermaid ;)
Oh, I'm telling porky pies, we did see one on our travels, here spotted together with his friend the plastic Brush-turkey, both animals should be discouraged if they try to join your picnic lunch...you will get a nasty fright and they will get a tummy ache...
The plants are different, there are some extraordinary Tropical Rainforest plants. I mean just look at the roots of this tree in the main drag at Palm Cove...
Or the carpet of orange beside the road on the Atherton Tablelands...
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Barron Falls at Kuranda. In fact if waterfall-spotting is your thing, there is a whole waterfall circuit right in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands which will take you to 17 falls within this Wet Tropics World Heritage area... It's the best Wet n Wild day trip you'll ever do...
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| Barron Falls, Kuranda |
For those with an icy resolve, or who have completed their family lineage to know their Ursus Maritimus (polar bear) heritage, you also have the chance to swim in the crystal clear waters of various waterholes... Such as at the Babinda Boulders.
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| Babinda boulders |
If the cold and wet options do not appeal, there is always the insiders view of the rainforest from the comfort of your own carriage. If you are planning to visit Kuranda, the village in the rainforest, then why not make a day of it and take the colourful Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns - I read there is even a Gold Class ticket! There is also a 90 minute Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which takes you on a 7.5km journey above the rainforest...
If all this sounds a bit dull, there is plenty around to give you an adrenaline rush! Try bungy jumping, supposedly the most beautiful bungy jump in the world, if you are game enough to have your eyes open!...Whitewater Rafting on the mighty Tulley River, widely considered the best rafting river in Australia... How about mountain biking, sea kayaking, four wheel drive adventures, parasailing, the list is endless.
Me, my adrenaline rush comes from the simpler things in life such as the chance for free sampling of cheese and yoghurt at the Mungalli Creek Bio-Dynamic Dairy Farm at Millaa Millaa, or to stop off at GalloDairyland to drool at their chocolates counter.
There is something for everyone on a holiday in Tropical North Queensland, I hope we can come back soon!
All typos for the pleasure of those who enjoy finding!
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