Vacation to Port Douglas and Cairns-Day 8 (Last Full Day of vacation)

Since the day before was full of driving, we decided to make this last day all about the kids.  We spent the morning playing in the splash parks and swimming in the lagoon/playing on the beach and the afternoon playing at the parks.

                                    

                                       

                                      

                                     

This playground was in a different area, called the Tree House as it was built in the tree.  It was very cool and had a neat little house where you’ll see on of the pictures taken through the “window” of it. 

After dinner, we were walking back to our hotel when we saw this going on….very good show and end to our vacation!

And last but not least, here are the big girls flying back home.

Vacation to Port Douglas and Cairns-Day 7

This was our driving day through the Atherton Tablelands.  We headed north to Kuranda (a village in the rainforest), then west toward Mareeba (past Barron Gorge National Park), then south through Atherton and to Milla Milla before heading north and east again to Yungaburra and then back to Cairns.  It was a very full day, but we saw and learned and lot!

In Kuranda, we took a walk out to Barron Falls

                                     

Beautiful rolling hills and farm land along our drive

We stopped at Moutn Hypipamee National Park to see The Crater (which was formed from a volcano)

                                     

After walking out to The Crater, we were going to see Dinner Falls…Brian took the path that was best for the pram, while the girls and I opted for the cooler, more rugged looking path.  It stated out okay, until I wasn’t sure if we were going to right way or the girls wouldn’t fall down the cliff-yikes!  Anyway, here are the girls “hanging around” on that path.  And then we finally made it to Dinner Falls where Brian and Hallie were watiing.

                                      

These falls and the river was really pretty and the girls had fun jumping over the opening between rocks.

                                    

                                      

More of the beautiful countryside on our way to Milla Milla to see 3 different waterfalls in the Falls Circuit. (1). Milla Milla Falls, 2). Zillie Falls & 3). Ellinjaa Falls)

                                      

                                       

                                       

It’s crazy seeing what the roots of the trees can do to an existing tree!

We left Milla Milla and headed toward the town of Yungaburra where we stopped to see this amazing Curtain Fig Tree.  Take a look to see how it was created-AMAZING!

                                      

Before stopping for dinner and calling it a night, we stopped at a river area where there are often platypus out playing in the water.  This was what the girls wanted to do most on this day’s trip, so we were THRILLED when we saw one splashing and flipping around underneath this bridge!  It was a great end to long day!