Travel to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands
Uncle Brian's Tours in Australia's Tropical North
Jun 19, 2009
There are many activities, tours and sights to see around Cairns, the largest city in north Queensland. Kayaking, jungle surfing, swimming in lakes, crocodile spotting...there is lots to do and a lot to learn. There is still rich Aboriginal culture in this region, and their legends colour the landscape. Time doesn't seem to exist. It's hot and humid, it rains constantly, and there are snakes, spiders, cassowaries and crocodiles living in the forests and lakes.
It's not an ideal place for everyone; you need a sense of adventure, a tolerance for the stifling weather and a love for the unexpected. If you think you fit these criteria, then keep Cairns in mind for your next holiday. There are plenty of backpacker and bed and breakfast hostels, and enough plans to keep you occupied and happy every day you're there.
Uncle Brian's Tours Through the Tablelands
There are many tours that depart Cairns and explore its neighbouring towns and regions. But most tours aren't like Uncle Brian's; they don't go where they go nor do they do it with such style. Everyone speaks wonders of this tour, for its all-encompassing day of fun, food and swimming.
Uncle Brian's pride themselves on their friendly, family environment. Gus the Bus is the main character, and he makes everyone laugh from morning to evening. Being on Gus, and listening (and singing along) to Gus FM, is an experience unlike any other.
The singing, the swimming, the eating and the games add to the great atmosphere and the beauty of the Tablelands.
It's a landscape unmatched in Australia: a place where mountains and plains, rainforests and lakes come together, provoking awe and child-like joy in everyone lucky enough to be there. The heat and humidity can be overwhelming, but Uncle Brian has planned this tour to perfection.
When it seems impossible to sweat anymore, a cool, refreshing lake or natural pool adorned by waterfalls is presented. Water is truly Nature's greatest gift.
To See and Do
This tour is planned around having fun in the water and food. First, there is a walk through the bush, where toxic plants are pointed out, and some secrets of the forest revealed. Then, you reach Devil's Pools. This is an amazing gorge of huge boulders decorated with swirls of colours that amaze and hypnotise. An old Aboriginal legend tells of a fatal love story which gives these pools their name—a story of forbidden love and choosing death over life without love. Dozens of young men have drowned in these pools, and if the stories are right, they have all been chasing the young woman who made this place legendary.
Then, morning tea is served.
After tea, and only a short, fun drive away, the tour reaches Josephine Falls. This is a three-tiered waterfall, with a smooth rock face which comes out from the water...perfect for sliding! Deep in the forest, Josephine Falls is beautiful and fun (but watch out for flash floods).
Then, another snack. And off to Milla Milla Falls. (Milla means water in the local Aboriginal language; saying the word twice emphasises the amount). This is a high, narrow fall with a small pool. It’s refreshing and beautiful, and even plays optical illusions.
After all of that swimming and fun, everyone is very hungry at this point. So that's when the tour heads to the Tablelands, to Mom and Pop's house.
After a delicious home cooked meal, it's time to get moving again. Now the tour goes into the Tablelands... the endless rolling hills of lush green; the cattle and the heat; the type of landscape that makes you smile and stay perfectly still. After a bit of exploration, it's time to get back on Gus and off for a final swim.
Crater Lakes National Park
These lakes are deep and cool, and a great place for picnics and spotting turtles and water birds. It's a refreshing end to a hot day, topped off with afternoon tea.
And then comes the most exciting part...but also the hardest one to plan ahead. Sometimes you just get lucky...
This is definitely one of the highlights; seeing the allusive and weird platypus. What a strange creature; a furry aquatic mammal that lays eggs. Its duck-like beak and graceful swimming make this shy and swift animal a difficult one to spot, and a rarity so amazing, seeing it is a privilege.
The entire tour is one of a kind, friendly, fun (and educational). It is highly recommended, as it is the best way to see the Atherton Tablelands.
For more activities in North Queensland, click here.
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