Sept. 27 Thursday Cairns-Breakfast again at 6:30. A bus picks us up again and we head north for the Kuranda scenic railway. We start by exploring their museum before boarding for a leisurely ride that snakes through the rainforest via the magnificent vista of the Barron River Gorge. We go through 15 hand hewn tunnels. We are treated with macadamia nuts and unlimited champagne and orange juice on our way. We can look out and see the coastal plains and sugar plantations stretching to the sea in the distance. We stop and get out to take pictures of the beautiful Barron falls. They tumble 240 meters (787feet) to the valley floor. We proceed up to tropical town of Kuranda famous for it’s markets. We both buy Aussie hats. A TIP-if you go sit on theright side facing front for good pictures Check out www.ksr.com.au and www.kuranda.org We meet at 12 for the tour. The skyrail rainforest cableway ride is a 90 minute sensational ride in gondolas that carry 6 people. We get a birds eye view across the rainforest’s lush canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. Traveling at treetop level we get totally immersed in our surroundings. Our senses tingle as we become one . There are 2 stops where we get out and experience the forest floor from the safety and comfort of boardwalks. A wild turkey escorts us down the pathway to view the falls from the opposite side of the train. At the red peak station a ranger explains the fascinating eco-system. We see basket ferns in the large superb strangling fig tree, stag horn ferns and other epiphytes. A very large old majestic Kaui pine and vine clad rainforest with fern covered forest floor are sights to be seen. The canopy is the natural rooftop of the rainforest. It protects the forest from rain wind and sun. It acts as a blanket trapping humidity and as a solar panel harnessing the sun’s energy for growth. This experience was made available without destroying the forest in an amazing engineering triumph no rainforest was damaged as all construction was delivered by helicopter. It was exhilarating to be able to float along virgin rainforest www.skyrail.com.au Next we visit Tjapukai Aboriginal culture park. We start with a buffet lunch (lamb is on the menu) yum. A magical mystical world dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal culture. We watch them dance, build a fire the old fashion way and play the haunting sound of the musical instrument the didgeridoo. We watch as well as try to throw the boomerang and a spear. www.tjapukai.com.au