Cairns: Kuranda UNESCO Tropical Rainforest

 

The heart of tropical North Queensland and home to nature, culture and wildlife, we winded our way up from Cairns to the Kuranada's rainforest, which is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting over 894,000 hectares of tropical forest. Renowned for being over 120 million years old, it is one of the world's oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests, supporting, and harbouring unique biodiversity, including rare species like the cassowary. The area is part of a Gondwanan forest legacy, containing plants that date back 50–100 million years. The region is home to 60% of Australia's butterfly species, 40% of bird species, and 30% of mammal species.

Representing an unparalleled record of 100 million years of ecological and evolutionary history, the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area contains relics of the Gondwanan forests, and supports over 700 endemic plant species, 3,000 total plant species, and nearly one-third of Australia’s mammal species, and is also recognized as an area possessing outstanding scenic features, natural beauty and magnificent sweeping landscapes. 

Upon our arrival at the impressive Reforestation Nature Park, we boarded a vintage Army Duck, which is a heavy amphibious truck used during WWII, for a picturesque ride through the rainforest, traveling on both land and water as our driver identified and introduced fascinating plants and wildlife. Afterwards, we explored the rich traditions of the local Indigenous culture with a Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, as we encountered some of Australia and North Queensland's most iconic wildlife including the Southern Cassowary and Saltwater Crocodiles in the Koala and Wildlife Park. Having signed up for the 'Exclusive Koala Experience', my husband and I had our photograph taken with one of Australia's most iconic animals, the Koala.

Vintage Army DUKs, which are a heavy amphibious truck used during WWII, 

are used for picturesque rides through the rainforest

Riding through the Kuranada Rainforest

Fallen eucalyptus branches that had been naturally hollowed out by termites,

are used to make didgeridoos, played by aboriginal peoples in northern Australia 

The most dangerous plant in Cairns rainforests is the Gympie-Gympie, also known as the Stinging Tree, with hair-like needles that inject neurotoxins, causing intense, long-lasting pain 

Basket Ferns are enormous, brown-and-green clumps in the canopy known for trapping nutrients 

and moisture, often acting as a habitat for snakes, frogs, and other epiphytes

Queensland Fan Palm are a common site in rainforests, swamp forest, mangroves and littoral forest

Heading into the swamp is part of DUKs appeal as an amphibian vehicle

Camouflaged cameras in the rainforest, one with an alligator head

Gliding along the inland lake in the DUK, colloquially known as a Duck

The swamp waters are home to freshwater turtles, alligators and various fish 

A saw-shelled turtle wading by our DUK

The swampy water areas provide a unique perspective of the ancient Kuranda rainforest 

Umbrella Trees burst into flower and ar followed by large dark red raspberry shaped fruits

Queensland Red Fern Berries being nibbled by an Australian Red-Collared Lorikeet

Our DUK guide Ken showing us a wait-a-while vine, also known as Lawyer Vine, a climbing palm with long, whip-like tendrils covered in sharp, backward-pointing yellow hooks that snag clothing and skin, often forcing hikers to "wait a while" to disentangle themselves

Extremely common in North Queensland rainforests, 

the vine is found along walking tracks, trails, and undisturbed areas

Ken's theatrical demonstration was a lesson in keeping our arms inside the DUK

Spectacular Basket Fern is a native epiphyte found in Queensland rainforests, 

often clinging to trees and features unique, oak-leaf-shaped brown "nest" fronds that collect debris

A banana plant with a large, teardrop-shaped purple flower, known as a banana heart or blossom

Returning to the DUK station we disembarked from the Rainforest Tour and meandered through the Tropical Fruits Orchard, with over 40 different species of exotic tropical fruit trees

Queensland Durians

Sour Sop also known as Guanabana are tangy yet white and creamy 
and used to make iced cream, sorbets and jams

Mabolo Velvet Apples

Torch Ginger Flower

Shell Ginger

Decorative waterfall

Cat's Whiskers is known for its unique white or lavender flowers with long, 

wispy stamens resembling feline whiskers and found in Queensland

We purchased one of the few photo opportunities with their resident Koala

with photo to come...

The beautiful Laughing Kookaburra

The Dingo is Australia's wild dog. It is an ancient breed of domestic dog that was introduced to Australia, probably by Asian seafarers, about 4,000 years

Koalas sleep 20 hours a day, so are often found snoozing

Wallaby reclining in the shade

Wide-spread along the east Coast of Australia, 

Lace Monitors are the closest relative to the Komodo Dragon

The Pamagirri Aboriginal experience features Indigenous men playing the didgeridoo,

an ancient Aboriginal wind instrument from Northern Australia 

 The didgeridoo is played by vibrating lips to create a continuous drone, and utilizes circular breathing to produce sustained, rhythmic sounds often used in ceremonies and storytelling

Originating thousands of years ago in Northern Australia, 

the didgeridoo is considered one of the world’s oldest instruments

www.rainforest.com.au