Cape York Adventure

After a fabulous 4 days on the Savannahlander train journey, we're ready to embark on another trip, this  time to Cape York and the islands with APT Tours.

APT 4X4 Tour Bus

So, this morning, we're leaving Cairns on our journey along one of Australia's most picturesque coastlines to Port Douglas.

We'll be cruising along the Daintree River, hopefully spotting crocodiles and other wildlife.

Daintree River

Cape Tribulation

Milla Milla Falls and Paronella Park

This morning, we're doing a 'Eco-Certified' scenic Tableland tour with spectacular views of the Mulgrave Valley, to Milla Milla Falls and a visit to Paronella Park, built by a Spanish immigrant in the 1930s..

Milla Milla Falls

Paronella Park

 José Paronella arrived in Australia from Catalonia in Spain, in 1913. For the next 11 years he worked, cutting sugar cane initially, then purchasing, improving, and reselling cane farms. In 1924 he returned to Spain and married Margarita in 1925. The trip back to Australia was their honeymoon.

First they built a house to live in, then they started on the Castle itself. Apart from the house, which is made of stone, all of the structures were constructed of poured, reinforced concrete, the reinforcing being old railway track.

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Final Day - Back to Cairns

After three days in the outback, we jump back onto the Savannahlander and head back to Cairns.

Undara - Mt Pleasant

An early start this morning. We leave just before 7.00AM, this time on a coach to Mt Surprise where we'll be visiting the famous Lava Tubes.

Undara Lava Tubes at Mt Surprise.

Tonight, we're staying at the Undara Lodge in modified railway carriages converted to motel rooms, how exciting?

To Forsayth

Day 2 of our Savannahlander train tour and we're leaving Chillagoe early this morning for Forsayth, southwest of Chillagoe. It's nearly a full day on the train, passing through the Newcastle Range and promises to be a photographer's dream with spectacular vistas all the way to Forsayth.

The Savannahlander crosses Copperfield River

Forsayth Railway Station

Cute little Forsayth Station i not exactly Paddington Station in London, the Garde du Nord in Paris or Union Station in New York, but it's cute.

Onto the Savannahlander

This morning, we jump onto the Savannahlander Railmotor which will take us all the way to Almaden and from there we're on a coach to Chillagoe

Railmotor Route

The trip will take us up the 34km journey trough heritage listed rainforest on one of the most incredible rail engineering feats of the 19th century, past the spectacular Barron Gorge onto Kuranda.

The Savannahlander on the Kuranda track

Chillagoe Station

In the afternoon, we'll be visiting the famous Chillagoe caves

Chillagoe Caves

Accommodation tonight is in the Chillagoe Cabins.

We're Off On Another trip

Today, we're flying to Cairns in North Queensland for a couple of tours. Firstly a four day trip on the Savanahlander Train and then on a APT tour to Cape York.

First up, Brisbane to Cairns

by Qantas, of course

You'll be able to follow us on this blog which is updated most days during the trip.