We reluctantly leave the tropical oasis at Cape Tribulation and take the Cook Highway towards Cairns. Halfway there, we turn off to Port Douglas, an upscale resort town with many large hotel resorts.
From the harbor, we take one last look at Cape
... where it's currently raining
A small Catholic chapel catches our eye
Of course, always fully booked for weddings under the palm trees. We continue to the beach park and see many sea turtles passing by on their way to the Whitsunday Islands, where they will lay their eggs.We then continue up to the lighthouse, where we have a wonderful view of the 4 mile beach.4 mile beach In the afternoon, we arrive at our next accommodation in Redlynch-Cairns. Marilyn and Kim are already waiting for us and give us a warm welcome.Unpacked, resting for a while and then heading to the waterfront in Cairns, where we enjoy our dinner by the sea in the bustling city. Like everywhere in Australia, many people are still barbecuing and enjoying the mild night temperatures in the beach park after swimming in the public and free pool.At night on the waterfront in Cairns - if you look closely, you can see the flying foxes in the air The construction of the railway line between Cairns and Kuranda (330 m above sea level) in 1887 was a technical masterpiece and one of the most ambitious railway projects of all time, connecting the rich mining areas with the sea. The Scenic Railway takes us up to Kuranda the next morning and offers fantastic views of the winding Barron River, the valley to the sea, the waterfalls and the rainforest along the way. 2 diesel locomotives pull the 14 historic carriages through the gorge, through many tunnels and over bridges. The train reaches the heritage-listed Kuranda station at a snail's pace.Kuranda Station The Aboriginal people from Queensland associate the Barron River with the Dreamtime in their oral legend of 'Buda Dji'.An Aboriginal artist living in Cairns has decorated the two diesel locomotives of the Scenic Railway with motifs of the Buda Dji, which wind their way through the Indigenous rainforest.The Diesel Locomotive The Story of Buda Dji In conclusion: Those who drive slowly will also reach their destination. Somehow, everything can be connected with everything else. Tomorrow is a travel day by plane to Sydney
