Chuga Chuga Train in the Kuranda rainforests of Australia. Elsie Gabriel

               Chuga Chuga Train in the Kuranda rainforests of Australia. Elsie Gabriel

Exploring the world heritage rainforest in Kuranda Australia, which is millions of years of old is simply overwhelming! On the Kuranda Scenic Railway, you will meander through a rich green world filled with foliage both tall and small, a tropical paradise framed by rough mountains and splashing waterfalls tumbling forever into the  rocky landscape and deep ravines.

It was wonderful to be a child again, chugga chugga train rumbling on wooden tracks, cherishing every moment as against the super speed ones I have been on under the English Channel or USA NY.

With my senses soaring, letting the wind kiss my forehead on and on, lapping up the  raindrops, gosh was I in love? Of course yes, I ultimately realized I live, eat and breathe nature and was heavily smitten by the travel bug. Big Time.

Authentic timber carriages transport you between Cairns and the pretty village of Kuranda, via hand carved  tunnels and across towering bridges, through the Barron Gorge. Your senses will come alive to the exotic beauty of Far North Queensland’s wet tropical rainforests, marveling at the incredible array of plants and animals encountered all along the way. Simply awe inspiring!

 

 The tourist railway snakes its way up the Macalister Range and is no longer used for regular commuter services. It passes through the suburbs of Stratford and Freshwater stopping at Freshwater Station and Redlynch before reaching Kuranda. The railway is 37 km (23 mi) in length. It takes about one and three quarters of an hour to climb one way. This tourist train stops at a lookout, with a sweeping view of Barron Falls. A number of smaller waterfalls are passed, including Stoney Creek Falls, just metres from the train.

As the train travels up and down, a detailed commentary of the railway's construction is provided. Construction of the railway began in 1882. The railway was completed as far as Kuranda in 1891. Passenger services began operations on 25 June 1891.Many lives were lost as numerous tunnels and bridges were built. 15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges were built to climb from sea level to 328 metres up the Macalister Range. Three million cubic metres of earth had to be excavated during construction. The first operation of a tourist train from Cairns to Kuranda was in 1936, using four longitudinal seating carriages.

This photograph is very close to my heart and simply taught me that the journey is more important than the destination! Enjoy your life now!

copyright pic elsiegabriel.