Cairns

After Sydney, we flew up to Cairns, on the northeast corner of Australia.  Cairns is between the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, and we saw a lot of both.

We took the Kuranda Skyrail along its 9.5km length from Cairns up to Kuranda, a little town in the middle of the rainforest.  We got some great views, including this one back towards Cairns.


Kuranda Skyrail


One of the more interesting species of plant in the rainforest is the basket fern.  These things grow in the branches of trees, and can weigh hundreds of pounds.  Our word for the day: "epiphyte."


One of the many well-placed overlooks along the skyrail track.




Another great view from the Sky Rail:


We took the train back from Kuranda to Cairns.  At one point, the train passed by this waterfall:




This is a view of Cairns from the train:


 

 The Great Barrier Reef