First exploratory day in Cairns
On Sunday I went to the Tanks Art Gallery, the nearby Barron Gorge National Park (Australia has 3200 National Parks... you're never too far from one!) and later, the village of Kuranda and Barron Falls. The Tanks is literally art inside of tanks... a very interesting space that is really art in itself. There is also a monthly bazaar here with entertainment and a market, and though I was there on the right day, it had already wrapped up.
Neat sculpture within the walls leading up to the gallery.
This plant was confused as to whether it was a tree or grass. ;)
The drive up to Barron Gorge follows the Barron River.
Thar be crocs in here, I think!
The view down the gorge. Stunning!
I imagine it's even more impressive with some more water in it.
Nevertheless, we still have waterfalls.
The view up the gorge.
Who would do this? Really, it does not look pleasant down there!
On the drive down, I kept seeing these lovely sprawling trees.
I pulled off onto a side road and found this sign.
I was right, thar be crocs! (closeup of sign follows)
Then I took the very windy and very fun road up to the village of Kuranda.
It meandered quite high up and I got an impressive view of Cairns and the Coral Sea beyond.
Click here to see the panorama
There is a famous rail trip and skyrail (gondola) to Kuranda, but I am glad I was there after the departure of both, as I'm sure it would have been crowded. As it was, the boardwalk to Barron Falls was deserted and I had the rainforest to myself.
Barron Falls, a mere trickle compared to the surge of water in the wet season.
I would looove to get a pic of the train coming around a bend. Am working on a plan to achieve this!
Just up the road was Wayne's Lookout, composed of the valley leading down to Cairns.
Neat sculpture within the walls leading up to the gallery.
This plant was confused as to whether it was a tree or grass. ;)
The drive up to Barron Gorge follows the Barron River.
Thar be crocs in here, I think!
The view down the gorge. Stunning!
I imagine it's even more impressive with some more water in it.
Nevertheless, we still have waterfalls.
The view up the gorge.
Who would do this? Really, it does not look pleasant down there!
On the drive down, I kept seeing these lovely sprawling trees.
I pulled off onto a side road and found this sign.
I was right, thar be crocs! (closeup of sign follows)
Then I took the very windy and very fun road up to the village of Kuranda.
It meandered quite high up and I got an impressive view of Cairns and the Coral Sea beyond.
Click here to see the panorama
There is a famous rail trip and skyrail (gondola) to Kuranda, but I am glad I was there after the departure of both, as I'm sure it would have been crowded. As it was, the boardwalk to Barron Falls was deserted and I had the rainforest to myself.
Barron Falls, a mere trickle compared to the surge of water in the wet season.
I would looove to get a pic of the train coming around a bend. Am working on a plan to achieve this!
Just up the road was Wayne's Lookout, composed of the valley leading down to Cairns.