After being in Cairns now for a couple of months, we decided to start exploring the surrounding areas. Our first trip we decided would be to Kuranda. Kuranda is a small town in the nearby Atherton Tableland and is surrounded by tropical rainforest.

We decided to get there using the kuranda scenic railway. This is an old fashioned train and this added to the experience for our day out. The railway takes about 45 minutes to reach Kuranda from Cairns. The line takes you up a steep winding line to get there, and you see some spectacular scenery as you make your way through the rainforest. This included many waterfalls and the Barron Gorge, which was made even more stunning by the recent rain we have had. (Have I mentioned it's the wet season urgh)

The railway stopped off at the gorge and gave us some time to take it all in and snap some pictures. We then carried on up to Kuranda.

After getting off the train in Kuranda, we decided to head to the markets and have a good look about. kuranda gives you the feel of a true Aussie town and all the markets are run by locals. After spending time there we did some more exploring and had some lunch.

To get back down from kuranda we decided to go on the Kuranda sky rail. Two words.....never again......I am not a lover of heights, and believe me this was high....I saw my life flash before me......

At its highest you are 40.5 metres up. This to me is far too high.......So we set off in our gondola and both soon realised we should have got the train both ways. We got off at the first viewing station to have a look at the views and saw the Barron Gorge from another angle. I also saw a massive spider, so it was back into the gondola and straight to the bottom of the sky rail.....I couldn't risk seeing any more insects......I should add, the views from the gondola were amazing, but I was too scared to enjoy it.....

We got the bus back to our flat and had a beer on our return to calm the nerves........

It was brilliant to get up to Kuranda and to start exploring Far North Queensland. much more exploring to come......