Day 21 Cairns

Day 21 Cairns

We decided to spend today – our last in Cairns and penultimate in Australia – actually seeing what the town has to offer.  There are, in fact, quite a few interesting and free things to do…many child-friendly….This would actually be a great place for a family holiday.  The esplanade that goes all along the sea front for several kilometres has gardens, sculptures, playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas all along it. There are both cycle and walking paths, exercise stations with free daily classes (that Aussie obsession with public exercise again…), viewing platforms and information displays where you could watch the crabs and birds in the mud and sand flats – some also with binoculars to watch the sailboats and yachts leave the harbour for nearby islands, large shade trees with colourful blooms, beach volleyball and skateboarding facilities and a swimming lagoon…..all with plenty of well-tended toilets and well-placed drinking fountains. 

We spent about an hour strolling along…I even tried out one of the exercise stations – not quite sure what that ‘flexi-wheel’ was supposed to do……then walked through a small craft market into the town centre.  We visited a couple of art galleries – as much for the air conditioning as the art, though there were some interesting exhibits….one by two young contemporary artists that combined film taken by drones with performance was particularly good… and a shopping arcade where we stopped for a coffee – a very nice coffee…the Australians do enjoy their coffee (Rob said to add that they all draw elaborate ferns in the milky froth) – and it is usually very good.

We then walked to the other end of town – to another art gallery, housed in old, unused water tanks, and the botanic gardens where we had an excellent lunch in the café.  The Lonely Planet guide had recommended the Wild Bean Café there, but we found that the café of the botanic gardens was better value for money and in a much better setting.

We walked back to our hotel via the rainforest boardwalk – with displays explaining the plants in the different areas - and a river walk.  

All in all around 10 kilometres walking today…in temperatures in the mid 30s C. It was with some relief that we reached the hotel with its swimming pool, air conditioning and showers!

We have greatly enjoyed our time in Australia….it is difficult to choose one or two highlights….the stromatolites, dolphins and dugongs in Western Australia? The history and food in Sydney and Tasmania? The wildlife and treks at Uluru and King’s Canyon? The village of Kuranda and Great Barrier Reef outside Cairns?  The friendly people we have met along the way?  It seems scarcely possible that our holiday is nearly half over….New Zealand, here we come!