• Kuranda / Barron Falls / Port Douglas
From Cairns we travel to our destinations in the fascinating tropical world. Around Cairns rise verdant hills - even mountains - from the shallow coastal area and just outside the city, the road winds serpentine way up the slope. Up to Kuranda, a mountain village in the rain forest, a mixture of hippie culture, commerce and impressive nature. In particular, the views of unimaginably dense rain forest to the coast is a major attraction of this charming town. We stroll through art markets, where the good craft to the cheap junk lot offered for sale. The markets are located in charming tin and wood constructions, which often are only a roof and two side walls. Drum around everywhere rampant rainforest plants.
Kuranda from Cairns can be achieved with a nostalgic railway. In many tunnels and over bridges, the train winds along the mountain sides, to overcome the nearly 500 meters. Once in the mountain village, the railway into a picturesque train station, a railway station, which is located in a beautifully fragrant tropical gardens. One would also like to wait in the morning on the train, a good half an hour brings the coast of the Coral Sea "at work".
After an extensive tour of the tropical station quarter we take a corner on to the Barron Falls. A drip line in the river course of the Barron River, which from the higher Tablelands seeks its way to its mouth into the ocean. After a nice walk right through the rain forest vegetation to reach a viewing platform. From there, you have a fantastic view of the roaring waters as they are squeezed through the narrow and vertical couloirs and foaming cascade down the wall. After a torrential tropical storms here have masses of water thundering over the rocks, the sight that must have been terrifying.
During the afternoon we cruise through the vast landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands, a slightly higher plateau of green landscapes, lush meadows, beautiful lakes and charming villages. The combination of the tropics and high altitude ensures a pleasant climate and fertile. Volcanic activity have significantly shaped the landscape and hills rich. Everywhere along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views of banana, lychee and coffee plantation, spanning from the deep blue and white wispy clouds of the tropical sky. We are heading to a coffee farm and let us explain during a tour of greenhouse crops and processing plants closer to the science of coffee production. Similarly diverse as the art of winemaking is producing coffee. Thus, for example, achieved by different mixtures of red and green coffee berries in connection with different roasting degrees completely different flavors.
On the way back to Cairns we head to Port Douglas, a cozy seaside town with beautiful old Victorian buildings. A stroll through the town center and an extended siesta with diving into the ocean bath round off the day perfectly.
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| Gallery Kuranda and Port Douglas |
• Mossman Gorge / Cape Tribulation / Cooktown
The trip to the hills of the Atherton Tablelands has our spirit of discovery again properly swing missed. We therefore decide to make another trip to a larger north, the coastal scenery of Cape Tribulation and to Cooktown. Net the distance is, we will need for two days.
First, the Directions in the far north will take time, secondly we want to use the more convenient time reserves to meet this wonderful area more closely. And finally, it is the last trip with our faithful companions, our moving exploration tent.
on the Captain Cook Highway, we head north, where the winding road leads directly along for miles on the shores of the Pacific. Time and again, wide open views over the endless water level. First we make a trip to the Mossman Gorge. Fresh source rivers that lead right through the Daintree Rainforest. After a half hour walk across suspension bridges, past giant trees, gnarled roots of formations and the sparkling waters of the various streams will finally be desired refreshment. Is there anything better than a dip in the wonderfully fresh forest stream? Here comes real "Verzasca Feeling" on!
As we drive off is a leisurely picnic lunch at the rainforest edge was the second half of the day arrived. On we go north to Cape Tribulation. On the way we pass many river bridges, which are sometimes just barely wide vehicle and the road are made of old wooden sleepers. As the glorious in the area fits ... - and in the muddy water of the shore in heavy brush they are lurking, the feared saltwater crocodiles that attack just about anything that moves in the water! Sorry, we spot any of these fear-spreading armored animals, the last direct descendants of the ancient dinosaurs. With a rope-ferry, we cross the Daintree River and continue for a further winding ride the settlement at Cape Tribulation. The point of land, nestled in the tropical-like sea beaches, received its name once more from explorer Captain Cook. Cook has run in 1770 at Cape Tribulation (Cape of suffering) and his ship aground ...
We drive to a secluded Campsite, where up to us for the last night in the camper. Again, open-air cook something nice and accommodating close to nature the next morning slumber. From shrill cries of birds of paradise, we are woken at dawn. Through the windows of the Landis we see a clear morning sky. experience reason enough to sunrise mood at the nearby beach. Shortly after 6 clock we sneak to the beach and let us show the beauty of a tropical sunrise ... - on a beautiful white sand beach lined with palm trees and ferns. A look at the picture describes the mood probably the most impressive!
As the day begins, he is continuing. At times we go go and look forward to the following route. The next 100 km in the middle of an off-piste across the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest and densest rainforests of our planet. It is an area where the rainforest reaches the Coral Sea, a unique combination of soil and water. Looking forward to the difficulty of the 4-WD track we follow the trail course. Again and again have to climb steep ramps. had been concreted Because of the frequent rainfall in the area some steep sections with traffic lanes. At riding along this really damn steep sections would otherwise be difficult to think. More time must be in the 1 Gang switch back to the translation in a small rolling, steep obstacles to overcome. The real highlights of this trip are the numerous river crossings. Several times the track crosses the river and streams of the vast water system. Before each of the passages we have vorinspizieren the appropriate channel. Too large otherwise the risk of getting stuck somewhere in an upright stone or a sudden deep-water source. Not a good place to wait for roadside assistance.
The last river is the water level is quite high and ranges loose the driver up to the thigh. The vehicle is then dip quite a bit. Only a few heavy stones from the path cleared - always on the go, if not somewhere the "lifeguard LaCoste of "lying in wait - and then we let the land cruiser in the first squat Gang roll slowly over the bumpy river bed. Now pending simply nowhere and always keep the track beautifully. The wheels disappear in the river and the water goes higher than the thresholds. If one gets stuck now and need to change gear clutch is it out: burgeoning water occurs between the clutch discs and nothing would go more. But we overcome the obstacle without any problems. Stoically climbed the vehicle meter by meter through the flow. That's definitely a desire for more.
On the way towards Cooktown in the far north Queensland will open up as splendid views over the rain forest landscape and river reaches of the Bloomfield River, which moves slowly between the dense thicket its tracks. Occasionally we pass a few isolated villages in which Aborigines are mostly at home. Fascinating how people live far away from civilization in the jungle.
reached after nearly 4 hours off-road fun around noon we located the town of Cooktown in a natural harbor, where the Bloomfield River flows into the Coral Sea. Cooktown was once due to the discovery of gold's second largest city of the State of Queensland. Today, after which the looted gold veins are just a sleepy - but quite nice - nest at the entrance of Cape York. This northern tip in eastern Australia is one of the last mostly untouched areas of the continent. Difficult of access trails provide access to a few outback stations. A paradise for all-wheel-drivers and lovers of wild nature. Who we are mentally already available, what adventures would be waiting in a four-wheel drive trips into the vastness of the region to one. Such an undertaking would, however, only in a car pool of several vehicles in question.
Cooktown itself was named after explorer Cook once more. Here in the natural harbor of the settlement, he has his ship after the crash at Cape Tribulation set afloat again. In the village itself, we spend an extensive lunch break and go to the high altitude on the Grassy Lookout Hill. Perched high above an old, weather and salt air weathered lighthouse. From here one can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view opens on the coast and through the never-ending blue of the sea. One has the feeling to actually see the curvature of the earth!
climb happy and satisfied with this unique tour is the last time the cabin of the Land Cruisers. Over 320 km takes us back through the interior of the way to Cairns.
whole four days we are in Cairns and in our spacious apartment to spend even more, before we sadly have to return home. Ideal again in the tropical heat soak us in terms of an expected Air shock when we return to the European Midwinter. Now is not time to go, but time enough to let us go there again really good!
And next time, here's is definitely the last time! is approaching soon, our trip home!
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| Gallery Cape Tribulation / Cooktown |
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