Cairns, Qld. 7 August 2017

We've been here three days already and we've been a bit 'slow', so there's just a few things to comment on.

As Cairns is only 80km from Atherton, we arrived early and took ourselves down town and had a walk along the Esplanade. There are 'artworks' all along of course, but I only snapped this one, a giant conch shell

On the Esplanade.  Cairns Qld

First thing Saturday morning, like 6:10am, I was up and getting ready to go to Parkrun, which starts at 7am down on the Esplanade. What surprised me most was not the 240+ bodies that turned up for the event, but the number of other people out and about all over town: running, walking, riding bikes, chasing dogs etc

Parkrun. Cairns Qld

Later on in the day, after I had taken a recovery break, we headed out to shops or somewhere, but only got as far as the front gate, where we had to stop and watch the Horsey types doing dressage on these magnificent animals

Dressage event. Redlynch Qld

Also, we stopped at the entrance to the Equestrian Centre on the way out and took snaps of these Metallic Starlings, which as you can see prove that old adage, 'birds of a feather stick together'. Sorry, it had to be said, but they build all their nests together in one tree and the noise of them is quite deafening

Metallic Starlings. Redlynch Qld

We also spend most of a day driving up to Port Douglas, where we strolled through yet-another-market and had lunch in the Courthouse Pub.

Today we went out and found the Cattana Wetlands, reclaimed and rejuvenated cane fields and sand quarry, where we wandered around one of the lagoons looking for wildlife. We found a Jacana, Willy wagtail and a bush turkey. Sadly the rafts of exotic birds and snakes did not show themselves.

Cattana wetlands. Cairns Qld

Cattana wetlands. Cairns Qld

Right near the van park is Freshwater Creek, and there are proper walking paths right along it, 3km in either direction. There is also a nice stroll up the road and back down the path, which I did this morning and took a few snaps for you

Metallic Starling nests. Redlynch Qld

Flower and fruit of a Cannonball Tree. Redlynch Qld

The fruit of the Cannonball tree grows out from the bottom of the trunk.  Redlynch Qld

Walking path along the Freshwater Creek.  Redlynch Qld

This afternoon we went for a drive to Trinity Beach, where we spend a delightful week or so with Lauren back in 2004. We took another swim in the ocean and were surprised at how warm it was, seemed about 24 or so, certainly warmer than the van park pool.

Trinity Beach. Cairns Qld

On our way back we took a detour out to Lake Placid and Barron Gorge. At Lake Placid we watched as  eight white-water rafts and occupants made their way up from the lake to the waiting transport. Seems that white-water rafting is popular up this way. 

Lake Placid. Cairns Qld

Lake Placid. Cairns Qld

About 5km up the river from Lake Placid is Barron Gorge, which apart from having a hydroelectric power station, is also the place those intrepid rafting adventurers started from. Speaking of intrepid, or perhaps foolish would be a better word, we watched this girl walk barefoot across the rocks from the beach area, climb up to the pool at the bottom of the falls, and then appear to start the 243metre climb to the top of the falls. One would like to think that she knew what she was doing and made it back safely. I might add that it was nearly 5pm and getting dark quickly.

Downstream from Baron Gorge, where they go white-water rafting. Cairns Qld

Surprise Creek waterfall, where apparently you go climbing, barefoot, alone and at dusk. Cairns Qld