Tjapukai, Kuranda

The word for the day is “boomerang”. We toured the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park this morning and learned a lot about their tribe. AD especially liked the boomerang and spear throwing lessons. We’d starve if we had to hunt with the spear and boomerang. Can you imagine trying to kill a bird with a boomerang? We were surprised at how it would circle back if we threw it correctly.

The cultural park had presentations describing the aboriginal story of creation and their gods, the impact of Europeans on the land and peoples, and rainforest foods and medicines. The aboriginals

considered themselves the caretakers of the land. They knew how to protect the wildlife from over-hunting. Dance and music played an important part to their history. They didn’t have a written language. Stories needed to be told from generation to generation.

We had lunch at Hungry Jacks (Burger King in OZ) A bacon double cheese burger comes with three slices of ham type meat, not BACON. Plus there’s a mayonnaise lettuce salad on it. Not what the boy ordered or is used to! Of course the salad got wiped off and ham eaten by me. AD says, “I’m not coming to BK again on this trip!”. AD & TD went to see “Good Boy” at the mall theatre while I had a nap and then some shopping. Free time is in short supply. We then went to the city center to Andrew’s Barber Shop to get AD a haircut but it was closed. We bought some souvenirs for AD’s class while down there.

The swimming pool sounded like a cooling idea. We swam and read by the pool for an hour. Afterwards we went out to eat at another “roadhouse”, Dunworthys, down the street from the hotel. I asked if this was an Australian-wide type of eatery and was told that it’s a north Queensland traditional style. The food was excellent again and they have a kids menu with meals for $5.00. TD was happy with that.

Dec. 14th - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda

Took our rental car back to Thrifty at 7:30 when they opened. Our bus pickup for Kuranda was at 8. The driver was a humorous chap. He dropped us off at the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which took us up into the mountains. Rising up from the coastal plains are an area called the Tablelands. This area has an astonishing amount of biodiversity and is recognized by the UNESCO. Rainforests exist in warm climates where large amounts of rain fall. Unfortunately Queensland is in it’s third year of drought and has received 1/3 of the normal amounts. The forest shows the damage being done.

The Skyrail has two stations on the 7Km long ride. First stop has look outs for Barron Falls which cascade 300 meters. The second stop has interactive nature displays about the rainforest. They describe the interaction of plants, animals and birds. It was very educational.

The Skyrail stops at Kuranda, a tourist village. It has changed greatly since Michael & I were here. That trip, you took the train up and back. DW & AD went to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary where 1500 tropical butterflies fly freely around you. Kuranda also has a bat rescue station. It was the highlight of the visit. A man held different “flying foxes” and told us about them. They are remarkable creatures, very agile and smart. We enjoyed eating bratwurst and sauerkraut sandwiches and shopping for souvenirs. AD kept looking at boomerangs. He finally found some for a reasonable price. AD’s very slow to spend his own money.

The Kuranda Railroad was built in the 1870’s to access the Tablelands. It allowed ranchers to get the cattle to market, goods to travel from the coast to the gold fields and interior settlements. Of course it’s described as one of the world’s most scenic railroads and most difficult to build. There are 15 tunnels and lots of bridges. I think every country seems to have it’s railroad challenges in the history books. The non-air-conditioned coaches took a toll on our interest in the scenery. The ride takes almost 2 hours to return to Cairns.

Swimming sounded just right after the hot train ride. Our motel and Cairns has seemed to emptied out as we approach Christmas. There’s a noticeable change during the time we’ve been here. The only place busy is the shopping mall and that’s locals buying Christmas presents. I walked and brought home Dominos Pizza for dinner in our room. Surprisingly pizza was cheaper than at home. Just about the only thing I’ve found that costs less than at home. Best of all (for AD’s sake) it tastes the same.

AD Journal

Today we went to Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park. In the park we went to the history, creation and the dance theaters. There they showed native dances, talked about their beliefs and told us what has happened in their lives. Just like the American Indians the Aboriginal tribes lost their land, their homes, their families and most of their culture to the Europeans.

They also had a show about herbal medicines and foods such as berries, nuts and fruit. Some of these are poisonous and they had to cook them in an earth oven for days before they could be eaten. After those shows we learned how to throw spears and boomerangs. They use the boomerang for killing birds for food. The spears were not solid sticks but were attached to a handle (spear thrower). By bending the pole, then grabbing the spear with your thumb and pointer fingers you throw it holding onto the spear thrower. It was hard to aim the spear at a target.

Australia

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Tjapukai and Kuranda, Australia

Dec 13th - Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, by DW

Dec. 14th - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda

Australia