Cairns Off The Beaten Path

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Most visitors believe that the nearest rainforest pocket is at Centenary Lakes in Greenslopes Street through to Collins Avenue and the Botanical gardens in Edge Hill.
Because the above is frequented by visitors and in all the brochures I can understand why they think this but I believe they are missing out on other areas in Cairns such as Lily Creek.

I often walk the Lily Creek circuit that takes you along a sealed and flat path and bike way that runs parallel to the railway line from Cairns a good starting point is in Water Street and Florence Street Cairns / through Parramatta Park, and Manunda and up to the exit in Greenslopes Street North Cairns where you can then do the Botanical Gardens and the lakes..

You can walk one block or all of them the choice is yours because there is an entry and exit point at each street.The full circuit is 6.6 klm.

You will see pockets of rainforest along the way and water lilies in the creek.
Locals use this path for short cuts--I can't think of a nicer way to go home or walk/cycle through to Cairns Technical and further education (TAFE) in Gatton Street Manunda.

The path is wheelchair and pram friendly with no hills or steep paths to navigate.
Don't forget to take water with you and put on a hat and insect repellant.

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Cairns has pockets of swamps through the suburbs and the Cairns Regional Council has put in walking/cycling paths so visitors and locals can enjoy them close up.

The entry point to the Central swamps is on the corner of Anderson Street and Macnamara Street,Manunda.You can follow the track up to path that veers to the left before you reach Greenslopes Street it will take you along the Saltwater Creek that leads into Pease Street,Edge Hill.
The paved path stops here but if you want to continue there are tracks on the other side of the road/bridge that will take you into Whitfield and Manoora--be very careful of crocodiles in this area.

At the bridge you will come into Woodward Park and a beautiful pocket of rainforest that houses all kinds of birds, frogs,butterfly's insects and many other different types of species including harmless pythons.

Once again please take drinking water,a hat and insect repellant.

This circuit is 4klms. You can also do the Cairns CBD circuit 8.4 klms around the Esplanade and city.

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This is a very special day tour that I want to recommend so much. Of course there are many possibilties to experience Aboriginal culture in Australia - but very often it's rather about history than about how Aboriginal people live today. It is different with the Cooya Beach/Kuku Yalanji tours operated by the Walker brothers, north of Cairns.

The Walkers are native to this part of Australia, they belong to the language group of Kuku Yalanji and their ancestors have lived at Cooya Beach for thousands of years. Here they do tours of at least two hours duration (it depends on what people want and how interested they are). You go hunting at the mud flads at low tide and look for huge crabs and fish, then you enter the mangroves and gather shells. Cooya Beach is a very lonely and beautiful place, I think it's one of the best places I'll ever be in my life. I also never thought you could go through a mangrove forest, but it's possible and even fun (though you shouldn't mind getting very dirty!).
After you finished hunting and gathering you go to the Walker's house just behind the beach where they cook the crabs, fish and shells so you have them for lunch or dinner afterwards together with fresh damper.
Here they also explain a lot about their lives, show you some artefacts, boomerangs and shells and tell you about their culture.

The special thing is that all this is very personal and private, thus it's just a complete different experience from other tourism ventures. I have known a lot about Aboriginal culture and history before, but this was the first time I really had the feeling I understand it and get to know how life really is for them today. It is because they don't do a show for the tourists - they just do what they do everyday anyway and just take you with them.

I have included more pictures in the travelogues, if you are interested.

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Cape York is the large peninsula north of Cairns. This is a very remote outback area, where there is still wilderness and the large cattle stations you think of when you imagine the Australian outback...
Of course the farmers can't go to Cairns all the time to pick up their mail, as driving there takes a whole day and more, and in the wet they often get stuck on their stations for months. That's why there's a mail service - a plane is going to the stations every thursday, delivering mail, freights and also vegetables.
It is possible for tourists to go with this plane!
I did the trip in 2006, although not as a tourist. I was working on one of the stations and went back to Cairns by the plane after quitting. I really want to recommend this trip. Of course it is expensive - in 2006 it was about 600AUD - but if you don't mind spending this, then you can have a real, authentic Aussie experience. You see the cattle stations, the vastness and grandeur of the Cape York outback. You really can imagine then how it is for the people to live in this remote areas, as you see their houses, see the little kids playing in the sand and can also have a chat to some farmers if they have the time. I say it is an authentic experience, because this trip was not invented for tourists - the plane goes anyway, you just have the chance to participate.

I recommend you book the trip way ahead. The plane is very small and therefore seats are very limited.

If you want to know more about Cape York itself, you may have a look at my Cape York Page

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Smithfield Conservation Park is situated in the north of Cairns, in Smithfield, just two minutes from James Cook University. It covers a large area of rainforest and has several walking tracks that are also suitable for mountain bikes. Still there are not many people here and it is very quiet, so you can really relax and also watch out for birds.
From James Cook University, which you can reach by sunbus (lines 2 or 2A from city), just walk right on McGregor Road and you can't miss it.

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Niau Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall with a clear, cold water basin to swim in, north of Cairns in the Daintree area. It is completely surrounded by rainforest and thus a very secluded sight. However, it is privately owned, thus, you can only go here by a guided tour with Bama Way or if you book accomodation with the family who owns it - a perfect base for a short stay in Daintree I'd say. It can only be reached via a pathway right through the forest - but attention, do not forget your moscito spray, as I was nearly eaten by mozzies!
The big plus of course is that hardly any other people will be here - a true paradise.

110km north of Cairns - first to Port Douglas, then to Daintree village. Turn left to Stewarts Creek Road, after 1,5km turn right and cross the bridge on Upper Daintree Road. From there follow the signs.

You need a 4WD!!!

A tree kangaroo??? Yes, there really are kangaroos that live on trees! They only live in Northern Queensland and in New Guinea. They are a threatened species and very rare - but keep your eyes open during dawn, maybe you are lucky!

On the ground they only move very slow, but in the trees they are active and swift. They can jump down on the ground from very high without being hurt. If you are not lucky in the wild, you can also see them in several wildlife parks.

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There are a number of little hidden treasures around Cairns.
You don't have to go far off the beaten track to find them.
Crystal Cascades is one of these lovely places you can visit, especially on a hot/humid day. Here you can swim all year around. Always take care though, as there are deep water holes and follow the rules of not diving into waters you don't know.

Crystal Cascades has a lovely walk along the river bank. Also lots of grassed areas that you can sit on under some lovely rainforest vegetation have a picnic or BBQ on/around.

This is a popular local place.

DANGER...If you decide to go there in the summer months and it has been raining, remember it will be flowing fast. Be very careful.

HOW TO GET THERE....

Before you head out and about around Cairns, grab a map of the local area, a good one is worth the few $'s it will cost.

Find the suburb of Redlynch on your map, head towards this along the Western Arteral Road/Reservoir Road , signs for this will have Redlynch/Freshwater on them.
One you reach Redlynch you will see the signs, it's about 7 k's from the main rd.
There isn,t any public transport to this jewel, also if you grab a cab, remember that there isn't any mobile coverage so you can't call them back!!