Cairn u Diggit? (Cairns)

Member Name: harmonyk

Product:	Cairns
Date:	24/08/01 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 2World Heritage Sites, Old and New, Natural beauty at its best

Disadvantages: Long way from home, Expensive to get there

If you read my opinion on the Great Barrier Reef you will know that my base for my recent visit to Queensland Australia was Cairns - the capital of the North East State.

Although we were only there for three days, my companion and I managed to pack a lot into that time. The first day, as mentioned, was spent on the Great Barrier Reef. I wont go into too many details of that as you may as well check out the other op. Sufice to say that, for me, it was the hightlight of my month in OZ.

Our accomodation in Cairns was the amusingly named 'G'day Tropical Village Resort' a moderately priced array of holiday bungalows set amongst palm trees to the north of the city.

There are many more expensive forms of accomodation should you prefer it or for the penniless backpackers and students there are really inexpensive hostels. The land is known as God's own land - and it surely must be. The sun shines all year round. Brits might prefer to visit in the Oz winter when the temperature is around 25 - 28 degrees centigrade and the nasty creatures like Box Jellyfish or poisonous spiders aren't so likely to be around.

The centre of Cairns is bright and laid back, lots of shops for the rich and poor and even a night-time market to catch all those dollars you didn't spend on the reef!

Night-life can be wild (if that's what you want). A very interesting place to visit is 'My Place' a Karaoke bar. Be warned it is not the place to take your kids for a sing song. It is loud, brash and you can't be too sure if the woman you might be dancing with is ALL woman, (and vice versa!)

As far as excursions go - no-one should miss the chance to go to the Rainforest. If you take the scenic railway train up to the village of Kuranda you can spend hours (if not days) wandering around this little town in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest. There will be lots of people eager for you to spend your cas
h on their wares. I purchased a fantastic Didgeredoo from an equally fantastic Madagascan guy. he assured me the 'didge' was locally made from Eucalyptus (not a cheap bamboo one) and was even able to give me details of the Aboriginal artist who made it. That cost me A$90 (around £36) and I was able to carry it home as hand luggage - (big mistake it was so heavy!)

I also purchased a chunky steel chain and pendant from a nice blond guy in the middle of the rainforest - and he turned out to be from my home town of Bournemouth - so if anyone out there knows Steve Campbell from Pokesdown - he's alive and well selling crystals and jewellery in the jungle!

Our return trip from Kuranda was via the Skyrail. It is the longest cable car ride in the world (about 7.5 miles if I remember rightly). I was a bit uneasy at first but soon we were skimming over the rainforest mountains and after 2 stops enroute to look at the trees (and the hunky Skyrail Ranger - Nick) we arrived at the base an hour and a half later.

Another trip to consider is up to the Daintree River for a riverboat ride amongst the Crocodiles. There are plenty of coach excursions or if you prefer you can hire a car for as little as A$45 a day. Then you can travel further up the coast to Cape Tribulation, where Captain Cook discovered Australia - there are so many wonderful places to explore - just take care - and be aware of the potential dangers. Cassowaries are huge (if rare) flightless birds that could slice a man in half with razor sharp blades on the back of their legs. Huntsman, red back and trap-door are some of the lovely spiders to look out for in OZ. And if you go swimming look out for Box Jellyfish. Bottles of vinegar on the beach are not for fish and chips, they are to try and neutralise the stinging - but don't rub it in - you will make it worse - and you REALLY dont want that. Hospital treatment should be sought immediately.

So if you are
ever lucky enough to visit Cairns have a wonderful time - say hi to Steve, Nicholas and the Madagascan didge seller - and dont forget the vinegar!

Summary: