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Australia - Kuranda
~ Rainforest and Aboriginal Experience ~
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 The
excursion to the wet tropical rainforest
with its luxuriant vegetation and different wildlife, was an outstanding
natural experience. It was pouring with rain that day, as
we had never experienced it before; however - this made the rainforest
shine in its richest colours!
Slideshow
Jungle Tour
// Video
Kuranda-Meeting Aborigines |
For our tour "Rainforest Experience"
we chose the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which starts at Cairns. The Heritage-listed
historic Scenic Railway line meanders its way through the impressive mountain
ranges of the Baron Gorge National Park to Kuranda,
the village in the rainforest. During the 34 km long journey through the
tropical rain forest, the train climbs from sea level up to a hight of 327
metres, winds around countless curves and passes fifteen tunnels and forty
bridges! Along the way we saw the beautiful Stoney Creek Falls and stopped at a vantage point with a spectacular view of the Barron Gorge Falls
which, in the dry season, however have very little water.
 Kuranda,
the
picturesque village in the rain forest, is situated amidst the world heritage
area at the Barron river and offers a multitude of natural and cultural
attractions and sights. Special
highlights for us were the markets with traditional arts and crafts and
the nearby "Rainforeststation", a forty
hectare Nature Park, which includes a Koala and
Wildlife Park, where one can hand feed kangaroos and watch Koalas and
crocodiles etc. Interesting also are the performances of the
Panagirri Aboriginal people. The most exciting experience however was an
adventurous
Jungle Tour by the "Army Duck", an amphibious vehicle
from World War II.
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 The
Aborigines
are the original owners of the rainforest and have been there since ancient
times, so it was very enriching to meet them there. As a part of our package
we watched a Pamagirri Aborigines Dance show against the backdrop of the
scenery of the rainforest, and after that one of the dancers introduced
us into the techniques of playing the Didgeridoo, throwing a boomerang
and an Aboriginal spear, We enjoyed all the performances and the entertaining
way our Aboriginal guide  talked
to us. Unfortunately due to lack of time we missed the Rainbow Serpent
walkway, which takes you through Aboriginal traditions as well as myths
and legends of the Dreamtime.
Above all the return journey by “Skyrail”, a 7,5 km long scenic
cableway, above the Barron Gorge National Park gave us spectacular views
of the canopy of the rainforest, the Barron Falls and surroundings of Cairns.
The Skyrail stops at two rainforest mid-stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls,
with boardwalks and scenic look-outs. Unfortunately due to the heavy rain;
the view from the gondola was not the best.
There is much more to se and to do in Kuranda, but unfortunately our
time was limited, as Skyrail does not accept passengers after 3.45 pm. |
Impressions of Kuranda
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Pamagirri dancers
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Didgeridoo
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Aboriginal shop
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Koalas
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rainforest jungle
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Kuranda
- Village in the Rainforest
Kuranda
Scenic Railway (KSR)
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