Cairns Australia

 

After a forty hour journey, which began from my home in Indiana on Sunday at 1 PM  , I finally arrived in Cairnes about 10:30 PM Wednesday. Checking into my hotel,I eagerly awaited the next morning when my group would be making the overland journey to the tiny town of Laura to witness an Aboriginal Songfest.(Corroboree).

Cairnes has a full range of accommodations from 5 star hotels to youth hostels, luckily for us we were in a 5 star hotel, we were heading for the outback and  it would be the last hotel we would see for days.

Located in the NE of Australia, it was once a town built as a port to serve the gold fields inland, Cairnes still has a small town feel, (population 100,000), however since it's birth in the 1870's it has slowly emerged as a tourist town. With the terrain being flat, the streets follow the common Australian grid plan. Even though very few buildings remain from the pre- tourism era, there is very little high rise development.

Ranging from golden sunny beaches to pristine rain forest, and adding to the mix the Great Barrier Reef, this area of Australia literally has it all. Cairnes Esplanade , once a huge grassy park, now has been turned into a world class recreation area. It's main attractions include an amphitheater, grassy picnic areas, free public barbecues, a sandy swimming lagoon, shops, restaurants, and a children's playground.

Located as it is, Cairns is the only real hub to the adventures that North Queensland has to offer, as the town overlooks a tidal mud flat, it has no beaches , they are located just north of town along a 16 mile long pristine coastline.

Since Cairnes is the "jumping off" point for the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rain forest and all of the York Peninsula, there is plenty to do and see. much shopping, and dining exists, and if you have time, visit one of the many mini resorts, such as Machans, Holloway, Yorkeys Knob,or Palm Cove.

Popular excursions include bungee jumping (AJ Hackett Bungee site); tandem sky-diving; white-water rafting; hot-air balloon trip. Boat trips to the Great Barrier Reef and its islands, with opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming and picnicking; take a  Daintree rain forest tour, scenic railway ride to Kuranda in Atherton Tableland (can be combined with 4½-ml cable-car ride through and over the rain forest); as well as various trips to the  outback .

We opted for a day trip to Green Island located near the Great Barrier Reef. It is a very lush, beautiful Island just a short ferry ride from Cairnes. As you can see from the above photo taken on Green Island, it is paradise.

After a delightful breakfast overlooking the hotel pool and the Aussie sunrise, it was on the bus and off to our adventure in the Land of Oz.

View the World and It's Wonders!!