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Published: August 14th 2012
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11th August 2012
We went into Cairns and walked along the coastal boardwalks. There are free exercise stations along the boardwalk, and they even run free fitness classes there too! What a great idea. (None running at the time though). We went to the markets, then I went to organise a haircut while Mike supervised Alex and Kyle at a playground. After lunch I had my trim, and we did a bit of shopping. Very impressed with the city area, which is picturesque and bustling.
Back at the caravan park in the afternoon, Alex and Kyle fed turtles and fish at the caravan park creek, and rode their bikes.
12th August 2012
We went on a trip to Green Island today (without Nanna & Pop this time). We left from the caravan park at 7:30am, then caught the 8am ferry across. We went on a glass bottomed boat and saw quite a few fish, coral, giant clams and a turtle. It was cool and windy in the morning so we went for a walk and had lunch. It took ages for the lunches because both the beepers we were given were not working.
After
lunch we had a snorkel. We saw parrotfish, a giant patterned sea cucumber like thing, and lots of small colourful fish. Mike went out further on his own and saw hawksbill turtles and a reef shark as well. Then we sat on the beach and the boys made sandcastles until it was time to get the boat back.
We got back to the park at about 6pm, just in time for the park's pizza evening.
13th August 2012
We took the scenic railway into Kuranda. What an amazing railway it was for the time! So many bridges and tunnels. At Kuranda we took the jungle and creek walk into town, then browsed the shops and markets. We had crepes for lunch, then went to the playground where Alex and Kyle burnt off some energy.
We caught the Skyrail back to Cairns, stopping at the Barron Falls lookout and Red Peak lookout (545m above sea level). It runs for 7.5km. At the lookouts we saw some extremely tall Queensland Kauri. These get up to 50m high, although the ones at Red Peak are more like 30m as they are in rocky soil. The timber from
them is very good and termite resistant.
I made minestrone soup for dinner.
14th August 2012
We drove up the coast to Mossman, and out to Mossman Gorge. There is a big new visitor's centre where you park, then you either need to walk 45 minutes to the gorge or pay for a shuttle bus there as there is minimal parking at the gorge now. Nice little earner for someone. The gorge was not as precipitous or deep as I had imagined, but still very scenic, with large boulders strewn through the river. There are good boardwalks, viewpoints and bridges and a 2km rainforest walk which we took.
Cairns has been a very comfortable and pleasant stay. Lots to do, lovely fine weather, and all the amenities. Onwards tomorrow!
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