Sat 24th sept Day 28 - Kuranda

 Sat 24th sept

Day 28


The Yungaburra markets are on, and we have a bold plan to hit the butterfly sanctuary in Kuranda before the day is over. 


Yungaburra is a tiny town, it sits in the middle of numerous natural wonders, making it an ideal stopover on the tourist trail. Passionfruit trees grow in the streets.

  


The Yungaburra markets happen on the 4th Saturday each month. 



The central green space is taken over by 4 or so double rows of stalls 100 metres long, and most of them appear to be more bespoked than trashy tourist fare. We pick up a lovely fox scarf for kylie, and enjoy some crepes near the gazebo where a Duo on keyboard and Guitar are playing some folky originals. Seating and shade is a bit scarce, but we find a patch and the food is delicious.

 We find a store selling wooden toys and the artist is a bit bemused when we ask for the semi trailer Sasha likes to be signed on purchase. 





Also rediscovered the terribly tasty donuts from Edmundi markets and learnt that there is an actual shop front of the chain in Canberra.



As we are heading out, a hand printed Tea Towel store catches our eye, and while we waited for the shop owner to return we picked out a few - native bees and cassowaries … as the owner returned, papa realised he was at high school with the artist, who hand screen prints with her husband under the name of Just Bee designs in Cairns. The crafty and arty and tasty markets were wrapping up, and we had ice cream to capture before butterflies.


The Emerald creek ice creamery was a little north of Mareeba on the way to Kuranda, and serves out of a nice clean tin shed right on the Kennedy highway. Mama selects Vanilla bean and strawberry, papa goes for an Espresso (instead of a coffee on this fairly hot day) and Sasha chooses Guava - rose. Nastya has long clued in that this sight and smell means hovering around for a smidgeon is a must, so she leans hopefully between the various options.



We arrive with about an hour left on the clock for butterflies. It is much hotter than the last time we came (in the before Covid times) and the place only has a few people meandering. 












For a Saturday, it all seems a bit too quiet… but never fear, there is a child on hand to make things a bit shrill. We have carefully selected some white clothing as the fluttery ones like this (thanks Kev!), however, Sasha’s technique for attracting things to get photos with is more vigorous than before, and each time one comes near either of the parents, his excitement gets the better of him. Nastya has a go at attracting some, and a few egg flies land on her. 





As a rule, the butterfly sanctuary is more humid and warmer than outside, but we bravely persevered, and I think we can say for sure that no butterflies were harmed in our journey. We cruised through the hatchery, and a few of the static displays a bit quicker than we would have liked, and managed to find some local hand made butterfly trinkets on the way out. 



 

 


 



Butterflies 

https://australianbutterflies.com

7 days

9.30-3.30


Across the road is the Central Kuranda park, with a lovely but well worn playground nestled by a ‘densely forested nature strip’ on one side (this is not a phrase that is useful outside of tropical north queensland). A smattering of children came and went from the park where Sasha played, while Nastya had a feed. 





The main street was all but closed, as Papa and Sasha discovered when they walked to the shop for a snack. After 4 on a saturday, some could assemble a fancy flat packed 9 piece dining table in the main street, and you’d likely not even have someone look over your shoulder to correct a mistake. Papa notes that many of the buildings from his youth are there, a bit worn, some shut down, some refurbished beyond recognition. The old Noctarium stands empty across from the park, a victim of a pre covid downturn, papa did work experience there, back before it was considered wise to get shots for handling bats. 


We drive to the railway station for a look, its aged concrete worn smooth, the typical country station design, hung lavishly with ferns, elkhorns and staghorns making it easily the most picturesque we have seen in Australia. 




Beyond the railway, a steep embankment leads down to the Barron river. 




Compared to its size near Papa's old home out of town, it is grandiose. A wide grassy pitch runs along this side, making for easy walking, so we enjoy the shady canopy and cool lazy breeze off the water. 











Its been a big day though, and although Sasha was wowed by the size of the trees and the river, the hours hung heavy on him, and home time had come. 


Meanwhile, Sasha’s letter recognition is progressing and he’s learning to type a few simple words…






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