Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
by BeverlyTyler
PHOTO: TJAPUKAI DANCE THEATRE PRESENTATION. THE PERFORMER ON THE RIGHT IS PLAYING A DIDGERIDOO.
The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is not what you expect. You first learn, through a film, about what the native Aboriginal people believed and about their creation stories, their folklore and beliefs. Then you learn through film and first-hand stories about their history since the white settlers came, in many ways a very tragic history. Then you see their artifacts and carvings and the many items of their culture and you begin to understand the richness, beauty and significance of their lives and their story.
We then went into the park where they performed at the Tjapukai Dance Theatre and introduced us to their culture, both past and present. It's a toss up between learning to throw the boomerang in the Cultural Park (I spend almost a half hour with the young man in the picture later in the day), and sitting having afternoon tea in a beachside cafe in Palm Coast and watching the serf, the sailboats and the people walking by.
Tolga Bat Hospital: Volunteer with flying foxes
by Gypsygirl05
If you really like bats and are visiting Cairns around October to December, there is an opportunity to volunteer with orphaned flying fox pups at the Tolga Bat Hospital located outside Atherton (about an hour from Cairns). It is a little out of the way and there is an application process, but it is extremely worth it. I was lucky enough to meet one of the regular volunteers and went up there for a day to help feed the orphans (which are absolutely adorable), clean cages, and rescue one pup that had been stranded on a power line. There is accommodation on-site for two to three people.
For those who are interested in bats but not enough to spend a weekend at the hospital, there are also limited visiting hours where you can learn about the bats. See the website for details.
TAXI
by Anne12
Taxi is the way to go if you are needing a ride to your restaurant and home.
We have drink drive laws in Australia and the police do hang out on the roads at anytime day or night.
I can assure you that in Cairns they are there 24/7. It isn't worth driving if you are going to drink, even if you think you will only have one beer!!Why spoil at good night/day out for the price of a couple of beers.
Taxi's are readily available here. The waiting time is excellent, they come pretty well straight away, you may have a wait if there is something big on in Cairns, example, if it's a big race meeting.
There are a number of Taxi ranks in the city area.
OR you can ring them, just make sure you have an address to give the operator, stand in front of a restaurant or pub and give that name to the operator, they don't like picking up from random areas, like a phone box!!!!
If you need one from the restaurnat you have been at, they will ring for you.
If you are going to the airport, book a cab ahead. It would be best if you are outside to meet this cab, remember to book a time that will give you plenty of time to travel to the airport and allow you the hour before bookin that is required for domestic, and also whatever time you need for International.
The lagoon
by bijo69
Cairns doesn't have a nice natural beach, but it has this beautiful artifical lagoon. It measures 4800 square metres, it's filled with filtered saltwater and even has a sandy area.
There are all amenities, picnic tables and bbq facilities.
Another great thing: there's no admission fee!!!!
Skyrail to Kuranda, scenic railway back to Cairns
by coolbananas
The Skyrail takes you on a trip not through, but ABOVE the rainforest all the way to Kuranda. It's a unique opportunity to see a rainforest in a different way. On the way to the top there are two stops, where you can go for a walk through the rainforest, visit the interpretative centre and have a look at Barron Falls.
In Kuranda, a little town 40 km north of Cairns, you can go for a walk through the rainforest or have a look at the tacky souvenir shops and markets.
The way back to Cairns can be done by the 'scenic railway', that takes almost two hours. On board of the train you're provided with information about the construction of the railway line and all the nice sights the train passes.
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A little rest
Roving Shepherd Aunty Dorrise.
Niau Waterfall
The fish are something like the emblem of Cairns
