My final day in Cairns has been just like the previous ones – clear blue skies, no wind, mid 20s. Perfect.  Today we headed up over the range at Kuranda, where the rainforest gives way to savannah forest and the rich red agricultural soils of the tablelands.  There are still remnant pockets of rainforest here, and these are where most of the attractions are.

Our first stop was for morning tea at tranquil Lake Tinaroo.  This would be heaven for anyone wanting to sail, fish or paddle.  Next we visited the amazing Curtain Fig Tree.  it’s hard to believe this massive tree grew as a parasite from a single seed.

The highlight of the day for me was the Yungaburra Avenue of Honour. This is a new memorial to Australian soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan since 2001.  It was opened only a couple of months ago by Julia Gillard in one of her last official engagements as Prime Minister before being booted by Kevin Rudd.  The park lies on a gentle grassy slope above the lake.  The design is simple but eloquent, and features a wall of memorial plaques to each soldier, a cairn made of stones brought from Afghanistan, and poems and tributes – including one to the explosion detection dogs. The avenue is lined with flame trees which will look spectacular when in flower.

Since our visits last year to the cemeteries and memorials of the Western Front and Gallipoli, I strongly believe that these places play a very important role as somewhere for reflection and respect.  This one is in a beautiful setting and the local community should be commended for establishing it.

Lunch was at a lovely tea house on the shore of volcanic crater Lake Barrine, with a walk through the rainforest that hugs the lake shore, necessary to walk off our giant burgers with the lot.  Just up the road is a second crater lake, Lake Eacham, which has scenic overlooks and picnic spots.  When we arrived, we saw the little parrot at the top of this page, sitting in a tree just inches from the car door.  Unperturbed by us, he kept eating his seed while we took the photo.  We also saw cute little tortoises in the lake, swimming serenely just under the surface.

We made our way back via Yungaburra and Atherton, back down the range.  A wonderful day was capped off with fresh fish and chips for tea.  Tomorrow morning I depart very early, so my Cairns mini-break is all but over.  it’s been exactly the batter-recharger I’ve been needing. Thanks mum and dad for feeding and chauffering me!  Next stop Brisbane for the two day Queensland Champs .