Kuranda’s Australian Butterfly Sanctuary was a quiet retreat.

Posted on by Thor

Kuranda‘s Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is located right next to the Original Markets. Terry and I decided to go inside for a look. Unfortunately a whole school bus of local school children arrived shortly after us. All the school kids had on blue uniforms. The kids were actually pretty well behaved and it was nice to see the level of excitement and wonder on their faces.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is
home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies that are hand reared on the premises.

All are local rain forest species, including an iconic Kuranda butterfly, the electric blue Ulysses Butterfly, and the majestic fluoro green and yellow Cairns Birdwing.

The aviary, set in the midst of Kuranda rain forest, was opened in 1987 and has been visited by over a
million people since. Guided tours through the aviary and laboratory are conducted throughout the day, detailing a butterfly’s life cycle and behavior.

The place is thick with colorful species and they will land on you.  Several landed on my sketch, perhaps thinking that the bright watercolor washes might be a delicious nectar. Terry and I ate lunch in town. She wanted to get meat pies anywhere we went. I ordered one as well, but I couldn’t stop thinking of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. That thought might have affected my taste buds.

Dreadlocks and Hair Extensions at the Hidden Echidna.

Posted on by Thor

From Cairnes Australia, we decided to drive up into the mountainous Rainforest, to a town called Karanda. This town is set up with kitschy shops that cater to bus loads of tourists who mob the main street. 0ff the main drag is the Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets which began in 1978 on Honey House
land by a group of local people trying to attract visitors to Kuranda.
At that time, the village was very small with many “Hippie Artists” and
craft people. The markets needed to operate their own train for two
seasons to prove the viability of the service to the Railway Department.

Now the markets have been an amazing success, providing employment for
many, while the town is recognized as a unique Australian rainforest
destination.

In 2006 the current owners began an ambitious undertaking to
completely renovate the original market site. In keeping with the rustic
atmosphere that the original markets were famous for, Malcolm and Ian
McLeod created a miniature village in the rainforest, with rustic touches and bright colors at every turn, tropical gardens and colorful
characters.

The Original Markets are predominantly available to artisans and
craftspeople. You will find locally designed and produced fashions; hand
crafted jewellery; indigenous artists; leather workers; masseurs;
woodworkers and gemstone specialists, as well as North Queensland’s best
range of honeys; local coffee; cafes; tropical fruits; coconuts and
macadamia nuts.

Terry stopped at The Hidden Echidna and on a whim decided to get dreadlocks made from her patch of purple died hair.  Amber, who had a gorgeous mane of blond dreadlocks took care of Terry. The hut was filled with portraits done by Amber Moon (Lunar Sun) of famous people like Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and Dali. Bowls were filled with beads which are used to cap off dreadlocks once they are made. She was able to make three dreadlocks that still remain today. Artegon here in Orlando could learn a thing or two from this market. In Orlando artists rent a cage in a former mall whereas in Kuranda, artists get a rustic shack with character that feels like a quirky community. I was tempted by some hand bound sketchbooks and Terry purchased some intricate Indian curtains for our bedroom.