A few days in Cairns 24/2-28/2

[Blackadder]

A combination of leave and rostered days off has seen me with a week away from work, so a last minute decision to take a trip to the Tropics in the Wet season.
Initially my plans were for Darwin, but flight costs and the price at my go to hotel (Darwin Hilton) put the kibosh on that idea. So the next option was to Cairns for 4 nights and a great rate at Cairns Hilton of around $240pn.
Flights to/from Cairns direct with QF (QF 922/923) , day tours booked for the Daintree , and for something different heading to other side of the Atherton Tablelands to Chillagoe Caves. Also booked the Kuranda Scenic Railway trip to Kuranda in Gold Class (last seat available), and the Diamond View for the Skyrail.

 

[Saab34]

I’ve been up this way for the past week
Weather has been pretty good until around 2/3pm when the odd storm roll on in (slowly), if not it’s just overcast, but it’s mostly been isolated cells on the tablelands side of the rainforest.

It’s been a dry ish Feb compared to prior years.

The city is a bit feral now like most regional cities across the country which have now become crime and feral ridden.

The next few days are looking pretty good so looks like you are in for a good week. This morning was sensational, blue skies/no wind, spent hours in the water this AM.

 

[Blackadder]

First off, I must say how much easier it is going through security without having to unpack things , both the regular line and Business lines were non existent at 8.30am , so breezed through there.
Had a complementary lounge pass so used if for the Qantas Lounge, nothing to write home about but a place to sit away from the masses.
Had the weirdest tasting juice, it was so bad I could only manage two sips. I can only surmise that it was detergent residue in the juice machine. On the plus side Barista service was great.
Boarding was on time, and for Groups 1&2 at least boarding seemed to flow smoothly.
My flight today was on VH-XZI “Kalbarri”
A short Taxi and we were underway around 10mins behind scheduled , but only a 2.5hr flight saw a on time arrival to Cairns.
Refreshment service in whY was a Beef Ragu,Thyme and Mushroom pie and was actually not bad with a good ratio of filling to gravy, and didn’t fall apart in your hands.
On arrival into Cairns a short wait for my bag, then to make my way to the Hilton my home for the next 4 nights.
Only 1 taxi at the rank is a weird sight to see for an airport, so Uber it was and $20 later I was at the Hilton.
Apparently the Hotel is fully booked, so my room wasn’t available and no upgrades available (either free or paid), to her credit the young lady at reception was very apologetic about it, despite my early arrival.
In a sliding doors moment while chatting to her, I mentioned I’m up from Sydney for a few days, and as it turns out she is headed to Sydney tomorrow for a week.
Still no room available as of 2.20pm , so hopefully soon something becomes available.

 

[Blackadder]

Today was a day tour into the Daintree and to Cape Tribulation.
A 7am pick up , and after a few other pick ups we were on our North, first stop Port Douglas and the Christopher Skase story as background to the drive through tour.
A brief stop at St Mary’s of the Sea , a small church with a view to die for and a popular wedding venue, with a 3 year waiting list. Needless to say couldn’t go too far in, as it was getting prepared for a wedding.After passing the Northernmost Traffic light in Australia at Mossman, it was a short drive Morning Tea , and then our driver became our tour guide on a walk through the Daintree at Mossman Gorge , and a chance for those who wanted a swim in the Mossman River.
After that it was onto our lunch stop at the Daintree Tea House , lunch included a choice of Barramundi, Kangaroo Steak, Ribeye, Chicken or a vegetarian option.
Along with your choice of lunch, it came with a selection of tropical fruits such as Rambutan, Mangosteen, Jackfruit , etc.

After lunch it was a short drive to our 1hr cruise on the Daintree River.

 

[Blackadder]

After our Daintree River cruise we continued Northward with a stop at Alexandra Lookout giving a view of the mouth of the Daintree, meeting the Coral Sea.


Continuing Northward to our Northernmost point on the tour, Cape Tribulation beach and a short guided walk, before some free time to walk along the Beach.
I must say there is something so amazing about walking along a tropical rainforest beach without anyone around.

 

[Blackadder]

Day 3 was a trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns to Kuranda, then the Skyrail back down to Smithfield, and the courtesy coach transfer back to the city.
The morning started with a walk in a Tropical downpour to Cairns Station. despite the Umbrella, I still ended up soaked due to through the roof humidity.
I managed to get the last ticket in Gold Class for the trip to Kuranda , and as luck would have it, it was a window seat.
Right on our departure time of 0930 we pulled out of Cairns , passing through the suburbs to our stop at Freshwater where a number of tour companies and others join our service.
For those in Gold Class joining at Freshwater they also have a complimentary tropical drinks in the refreshment room prior to arrival.
On departure from Freshwater we are given a brief overview of the trip , and given our morning tea menu.
All 3 options are served in sequence to those in Gold Class, with our hostess taking our drinks orders (drinks were topped up twice enroute to Kuranda)

Before you get to Kuranda , you have a stop for approximately 10mins at Barron Falls, for the most amazing views of the falls.
Even though it has been a relatively dry February, the sheer volume of water over the falls is very impressive.


After the Barron falls stop, only a short ride through to Kuranda.

I had booked a 1215 Diamond View Skyrail trip back down the Mountain, so only time for a quick walk through Kuranda village.

Diamond View on the Skyrail gives you a Gondola with a clear floor, for a different perspective on the Rainforest.
For those considering this , only 1 in 10 of the Gondolas have the Diamond View , so you may need to wait.

Along the way at each Skyrail station, you disembark the Gondola, and can take a short boardwalk through the Rainforest.
At the second of the station, you can do a free guided 10min tour through the Rainforest boardwalk. I opted for this and as it turned out, it was my own personal tour with the Ranger.
Definitely recommend doing the free tours, so much more information than just walking the boardwalk.

By the time I reach the Skyrail terminus in Smithfield it was around 1330, and about 30mins until my transfer back to Cairns.
Ordinarily the transfer coach drops you at Cairns Station, but as luck would have it they had a pickup from the Casino, so it worked out perfectly staying next door at the Hilton.

 

[drron]

Of course there’s a dam above the Barron falls which is opened just before the train arrives.