After living in the Cairns area for 14 months time, we decided it was about time we visited the much awarded Skyrail. A tourist destination. We had been wanting to go on the Skyrail since we moved but it was just one of those things we just didn't do. But since last week's escapade to Cooktown, we've decided to actually get out and about more up here and see the sights. We've got a list that is slowly dwindling, but we've still got a lot more adventures to go on. Like we did today.
The Skyrail was worth waiting to travel on. Sure, the weather wasn't crash hot (it ended up pouring with rain), but it brought out the beauty of the rainforest. After all, it was rainforest area we were in. Only seems fitting that it rained.
So what is the Skyrail? Opened in 1995, (and built by a local, who has just bought a multi-million penthouse apartment in the complex at Lyndon's work!!) it is a 7.5 kilometre trek through rainforest clad mountains. The catch? It is via a cableway, being one of the world's longest gondola cableway and was a lot of fun. The cableway towers were lifted into the rainforest via the use of helicopters, to avoid disturbing the rainforest. Something like only 12 trees were destroyed along the stretch, which I find amazing.
The Skyrail was worth waiting to travel on. Sure, the weather wasn't crash hot (it ended up pouring with rain), but it brought out the beauty of the rainforest. After all, it was rainforest area we were in. Only seems fitting that it rained.
So what is the Skyrail? Opened in 1995, (and built by a local, who has just bought a multi-million penthouse apartment in the complex at Lyndon's work!!) it is a 7.5 kilometre trek through rainforest clad mountains. The catch? It is via a cableway, being one of the world's longest gondola cableway and was a lot of fun. The cableway towers were lifted into the rainforest via the use of helicopters, to avoid disturbing the rainforest. Something like only 12 trees were destroyed along the stretch, which I find amazing.
The gondolas (114 in total) stretch up over mountains, above the rainforest canopy. The view was amazing, from above. There would be no way one could trek through the forest below...
There were two stops along the way. The first one was called Red Peak Station, where a ranger gave us a walk along the 175 metre boardwalk, where the views were fabulous and it was oh so green. It was nice to stand and look up to see tall trees and all types of ferns and the like.
The second stop was at Barron Falls, but since it is in the dry season, they weren't at full force like they were when we saw them when we first moved up here (just after Cyclone Larry had passed through).
The cablecars finished at Kuranda, a self-proclaimed Hippy Town in the Rainforest. Full of markets and eateries, we had been here a few times before so there was no need for us to explore the town. Instead we went for a quick wander down 'the main drag' then settled into the old Irish Pub near the Skyrail Station. It was one way to avoid the onslaught of tourists and the buckets of rain that arrived not long after we did. (And the rain didn't stop!)
Of course the beer was tasty. Midday this time.
The trip back down to the original Station, 7.5 kilometers back along the mountains was just as enjoyable, bar the fact that we were draped in clouds, fog and rain. But we remained dry of course, all snuggly in the pods above the rainforest.
The cablecars finished at Kuranda, a self-proclaimed Hippy Town in the Rainforest. Full of markets and eateries, we had been here a few times before so there was no need for us to explore the town. Instead we went for a quick wander down 'the main drag' then settled into the old Irish Pub near the Skyrail Station. It was one way to avoid the onslaught of tourists and the buckets of rain that arrived not long after we did. (And the rain didn't stop!)
Of course the beer was tasty. Midday this time.
The trip back down to the original Station, 7.5 kilometers back along the mountains was just as enjoyable, bar the fact that we were draped in clouds, fog and rain. But we remained dry of course, all snuggly in the pods above the rainforest.
Experiences like that makes you appreciate nature. And makes you want to preserve it.
Okay I'm all inspired now, I'm off to do this.
9 comments:
This just looks so cool! What an amazing feat to build this thing and only damage a dozen trees.
That looks awesome. I have put it n my list of places to see when I get to Australia.
Wow, that sounds fantastic! How wonderful to be able to view the rainforest from such a great perspective. Your pics and dialogue give a great taste of what it was like to be there. Rainforests are definitely worth preserving - good for you!
Wow. Not quite sure what else to say, except for please stop giving me more places to put on my "must see" list. Nothing is getting crossed off it these days, after all...
Ah, now midday sounds much better for a beer.
Isn't it glorious ?
We took the boy when he was only 3months old, so we're probably due a re-visit :)
Although there's enough of Victoria on our list, let alone Qld !! Next month my husband is planning a whole weekend off ( unusual ;) and we are planning a Healesville/Puffing Billy excursion - yay ! :)
How gorgeous!
Beautiful!! 114 gondolas?! That's quite an operation!
ps -- love your new look & bigger type size!
Have you had a look at Paronella Park yet down near Innisfail ? It got pretty shredded by Cyclone Larry bit should have recovered a bit by now.
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