It is time to come closer to home and tell of an Australian rail experience, one which provides joy to millions of visitors to Cairns, major centre of Far North Queensland.
In the 1880s, miners working on the Atherton Tableland inland from the coast were often isolated by flooding rains in this tropical part of Australia. Eight metres (315 inches) of rainfall is not uncommon in a year in these parts. Agreement was eventually reached on a route for a railway. The first sod was turned in 1886, and involved 13 km of relatively level track to the foothils. However, the second section of 24 km had to climb from 5.5m above sea level to 327m, involving some 15 tunnels, 93 curves and dozens of difficult bridges over ravines and waterfalls. Most of this work was done by hand. Many workers lost their lives. The remaining 37.4 km to Mareeba was again relatively easy to complete. The first goods train used the line on 15th June, 1891, and passenger trains followed 10 days later. At last, the early settlers had a reliable link to the coast. Much more detail of this history can be found here.
Leaving Cairns terminal station, the train first travels along the coastal plain, passing sugar cane plantations. As the climb begins, houses with views to the ocean are passed.
Fairly soon, the train is entering a cutting and there is just time to snap the view looking back towards Cairns. Then come the bridges and tunnels.
At the best vantage points, such as near the Barron Falls, the train stops and passengers are able to get off the train to take photos of the spectacular scenery. As luck would have it, this had been a fairly dry year, so the waterfalls were not at their spectacular best.
Eventually, Kuranda Station, itself featuring tropical plantings, is reached. There are two trains each way, each day. Here, both sit in the station awaiting the return journey.
Kuranda is known as The Village in the Rainforest. Surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest, it has been home to the Djabugay Aboriginal people for more than 10,000 years. This vibrant indigenous culture continues to thrive today. Tourists come to experience some of this culture, as well as markets and other attractions. It can be reached by a Skyrail which traverses over the treetops from the coastal plain, or by the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway. As a train enthusiast, it is the train journey that I have taken – several times over the years.
The photos used in this post are all from the pre-digital age! Scanned from prints, with a few enhancements, I hope they give a good impression of this train journey.
Further reading: Kuranda Scenic Railway; Kuranda Village ; Kuranda Skyrail
