After having a great time at Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Kuranda, we headed back on the Kuranda Scenic Railway♪ But before catching the train, we wanted to do a little souvenir shopping. This was a chocolate shop. Shopping in Kuranda Village — Be Careful, Many Shops Close Around 3 PM There were lots of colorful clothes for sale in Kuranda Village! Compared with the shops we saw at Myer and Cairns Central, there seemed to be more resort-style designs here. They even sold swimwear (^^)/ This is one of Kuranda's well-known hat shops♪ Some things are unique to Kuranda, so if you find something you really like, I recommend buying it rather than thinking, “Maybe I'll find another one later.” At one of the souvenir shops in Kuranda, I bought this canvas bag. It has a zipper, and I thought it would be useful for taking to the gym too! The bag was AUD 14. I later saw it at a souvenir shop in Cairns for AUD 16, so it was cheaper in Kuranda. I suspect there were probably other souvenirs that were cheaper in Kuranda than in Cairns too. Why do I say “probably”? Because... quite a few shops start closing around 3 PM! (T_T) Even the shop where we bought the CAIRNS bag had already started closing up at around 2:45 PM. I wanted to look at more souvenirs, but I couldn't... Today, Kuranda's Original Rainforest Market is open from around 10 AM to 3 PM, while the Heritage Markets generally operate ...
When we arrived in Kuranda Village, it was a little warm, so we started with some ice cream. Mungalli Ice Cream is known as an ice cream that is kind to both our bodies and animals. It uses locally grown Broken Nose vanilla, and the cream and egg yolks are made from ingredients produced through farming methods that avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides and follow natural cycles. I chose the mango flavor, and it was rich but not heavy at all. It was absolutely delicious! Maybe that’s because they really care about the quality of the ingredients. Holding a Koala at Kuranda Koala Gardens We had purchased our admission tickets in advance. We exchanged our voucher for tickets on site and headed to Kuranda Koala Gardens. At Kuranda Koala Gardens, I finally got to experience one of my dreams: meeting a koala up close. The koalas here can be seen without glass barriers, so you can enjoy a much more direct and intimate view. The koalas were so adorable that I honestly felt like I could watch them forever. They were incredibly soothing to look at. Because the weather was cloudy and rainy that day, most of them were sleeping a lot（笑） Even the way one koala scratched itself was unbelievably cute♡ This koala looked so dignified. It was such a treat to see koalas from this close. At Last, I Got to Hold a Koala! And finally, I got to do something I had always wanted to try— holding a koala(^^)/ The photo experience ...
On the second day of our Cairns trip in Australia, we headed to Kuranda Village! Kuranda is one of the best-known sightseeing destinations near Cairns. It is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest, and visitors can also enjoy Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and colorful birds. This time, I want to share our experience riding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. We traveled to Kuranda by Skyrail and returned on the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class. It was a great combination because the scenery and experience were completely different in each direction. For our 2024 trip, the Skyrail journey plus Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Railway cost AUD 364 for two people. Prices can change, so check current rates when booking. We Took DiDi from Our Cairns Hotel to Smithfield Terminal From Shangri-La The Marina, where we were staying in Cairns, we took DiDi to the Skyrail terminal at Smithfield. There were also packages that included hotel transfers, but we thought arranging our own ride would save time and let us leave when we wanted. And for us, it was absolutely the right choice! When we compared fares during our 2024 stay, DiDi was sometimes cheaper than Uber for the rides we checked. There was also a new-user promotion available at the time, so our ride ended up being quite inexpensive. Rideshare prices and promotions change, so it is worth checking both Uber and DiDi before booking your ride. Cute Souvenirs at Smithfield Terminal — Bird Lovers, Look Here! We ...
We took our first trip to Australia in our 60s, and Cairns was our first stop. For our stay, we chose Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns. Since it was our first time in both Australia and Cairns, one thing mattered a lot when choosing a hotel: we wanted somewhere comfortable and, above all, easy for sightseeing. Once we arrived, we realized just how convenient the location was. The Reef Fleet Terminal for trips to Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the Great Barrier Reef is very close to the hotel, and we also found it easy to use Uber. The location was probably the biggest reason we thought, “We’re glad we chose this hotel!” There was another thing we really liked too: the breakfast. There was plenty of variety, including bread, smoked salmon, congee and made-to-order omelets, so breakfast stayed enjoyable even during a longer stay. In this review, I’ll share our actual experience from 2024, including our Deluxe Room, breakfast buffet, location and a few things we noticed during our stay. Please note: Room facilities and hotel services mentioned in this article are based on our 2024 stay. Check the hotel or booking website for the latest information before booking. Why We Chose Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns is located beside the marina in central Cairns. According to the hotel’s current information, Cairns Airport is around a 15-minute drive away. More importantly for us, the Reef Fleet Terminal is right nearby. This is where many boats leave for the Great Barrier Reef. For ...
During our trip to Cairns, we visited Coles inside Cairns Central. It is a large supermarket selling everything from vegetables, meat, milk and other drinks to household products such as laundry detergent. Basically, you can find just about everything you need for everyday life. We bought souvenirs here and also picked up dinner for one evening, so I'll show you what we found♪ Everything Looks Bigger in Australia! The vegetables in Australia looked huge! The sweet potatoes and potatoes were so big that I had to take a photo. We really enjoyed fries and mashed potatoes during our trip to Australia, so next time I'd like to stay somewhere with a kitchen and try cooking some of the local produce myself. I had never seen the potato in the middle before either! It looked so smooth and quite different from the potatoes we usually see in Japan. The Sausages Were Huge Too! This was the sausage and processed meat section. We enjoyed some of the bacon and other processed meats we ate in Australia. I do not eat processed meat very often at home in Japan, but seeing products that are different from what we usually find at home is part of the fun of travelling. And once again, everything looked big. Some of the sausages were incredibly long, and there were so many varieties. The AUD7 item at the front was so large that I wasn't even completely sure whether it was still a sausage. I’m only half joking. Prices shown in this article ...
This time, I want to share our shopping experience in Cairns, Australia. Cairns has a large shopping centre called Cairns Central and a department store called Myer, where you can shop for fashion, cosmetics and more. Myer can also be accessed from inside Cairns Central. You can find clothes, homewares, food and just about everything else here! From Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, where we stayed, it took us around 15–17 minutes to walk there. Sale Fashion — and the Seasons Are Opposite to Japan! We first walked through Cairns Central and went to Myer. As of 2026, Myer Cairns is located on the Ground Floor of Cairns Central. On Sundays, Cairns Central opens at 10:30 AM, while Myer opens at 10:00 AM, so you can enter Myer 30 minutes earlier. Myer sells beauty brands such as Jurlique, MAC and Estée Lauder, as well as women's fashion, men's fashion, children's clothing, tableware, bed covers and other home products. First, we looked at the clothes. I had bought something before from this brand, Review, and wore it on a trip to Okinawa. Because the seasons are opposite to Japan, it was autumn and winter in Australia at the time, so many of the clothes were in calmer, more autumn-like colours. Australia also has a wide range of clothing sizes. The items we looked at ranged from size 6 to size 18. We had also timed our visit during a sale period, so there were plenty of discounted items. In the sale section we looked at, there seemed ...
Our flight to Cairns took around 7 and a half hours. Cairns, in Queensland, is one hour ahead of Japan. It actually felt much quicker than I expected(^^)/ Security at Cairns Airport felt fairly strict, but all the staff we met were very friendly. From Cairns Airport to the City by Uber From Cairns Airport, we took an Uber to Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, where we were staying. At the time of our visit, the fare was AUD24.27. Because we arrived early in the morning, it was a little more expensive than I expected. (On the way back, we used DiDi and paid AUD11.34.) For us, DiDi was cheaper, so if you're travelling from Cairns Airport into the city, it may be worth comparing Uber and DiDi before booking. Rideshare fares can vary depending on the time of day, demand and traffic conditions. Cairns Airport currently has designated rideshare pickup areas. When we arrived at Shangri-La, it was still too early to check in, so we left our luggage at the hotel and headed out into Cairns. This tree was near the hotel. So big～～!! Cairns Weather and Pedestrian Crossings One thing we noticed in Cairns was how quickly the weather could change. It could be sunny, then suddenly turn cloudy and start raining. During our stay, some showers only lasted a few minutes. We saw local people walking or running in the rain without using umbrellas, but if you prefer to stay dry, a small folding umbrella is useful. Even when the forecast showed ...
After staying at Sheraton Okinawa in Onna Village, we moved to Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street in the heart of Naha. In this review, we will share what we liked about the hotel from the perspective of a traveler in her 60s, including the guest room, public bath, breakfast buffet, pool, and accessibility. Right in the Middle of Kokusai Street Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street is located right in the center of Kokusai Street, making it very convenient for shopping and dining. The exterior reminded us a little of the Royal Hawaiian in Hawaii, so much so that we jokingly called it “Okinawa's Royal Hawaiian.” If you want to return to your hotel quickly after exploring Kokusai Street, this location is a major advantage. Guest Room at Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street This was the room we stayed in. It was not especially spacious compared with the Sheraton, but it did not feel cramped either. There was also a sofa, although we did not use it much. Next to the television, there was a small space where you could sit and do makeup. The room also had a coffee machine, which was a nice touch. The toilet had a washlet. The sink area was simple, and amenities were provided near the front desk, so guests could take only what they needed. The bathroom was not particularly large, but it felt clean. Relax in the Large Public Bath Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street has a large public bath, so we recommend using ...
This time, we are sharing our experience exploring Kokusai Street in Naha, Okinawa. Kokusai Street is not by the beach, but it is packed with souvenir shops, local food, and restaurants you may not find elsewhere. We think it is well worth visiting at least once, including for travelers in their 60s and beyond. Original Soki Soba at Gabusoka Shokudo Genjiya Right next to Hotel Palm Royal, where we stayed, we found Gabusoka Shokudo Genjiya. We ordered their original soki soba. The restaurant was fairly busy when we arrived, but luckily we were able to get a seat. It is a small restaurant, so the seating area is fairly compact. This was the original soki soba. The pork was large, juicy, and absolutely delicious. After trying it, I realized that with soki soba, the quality of the meat really makes a big difference. Look at how thick the pork was! I would happily eat here again. It can get crowded around lunchtime, so visiting a little earlier or later may be more comfortable. Restaurant Gabusoka Shokudo Genjiya Phone 090-3792-3093 Address 3-9-43 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013 Hours 11:00–21:30 (Last order 21:00) Closed Open year-round, with occasional substitute holidays Tropical Gelato on Kokusai Street at Fontana Gelato After our soki soba lunch, we stopped at nearby Fontana Gelato for dessert. This gelato shop was selected as a finalist in the Gelato World Tour Japan FINAL, a competition featuring Italian-style gelato in Japan. There were 18 regular flavors, plus seasonal flavors. We tried several, including banana milk, pineapple, ...
On our Okinawa trip, we visited Senagajima Umikaji Terrace for the first time. Since we do not drive, we booked an optional tour through VELTRA that took us to Umikaji Terrace by open-top bus. After visiting Umikaji Terrace, the tour also included a meal at Sam's Restaurant near Kokusai Street. The tour we joined was: Open-Top Bus Tour with a Choice of Three Courses and a Meal at Sam's Restaurant / Umikaji Terrace Course This exact tour has since ended, but it was a very convenient and good-value way for us to visit without renting a car. VELTRA currently offers similar sightseeing tours, including open-top bus tours departing from Naha. If you prefer sightseeing without driving, this type of tour can be a convenient option. ▶ Check current Okinawa tours and availability on VELTRA Getting to Senagajima Umikaji Terrace by Open-Top Bus This is the open-top bus we took to Senagajima Umikaji Terrace. Our meeting point was near the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office in Naha. Driving is certainly one way to reach Umikaji Terrace, but an open-top bus is especially convenient for travelers who do not drive, do not want the stress of driving, or simply prefer to leave the transportation to someone else. The weather was comfortable during our trip, and the breeze on the open-top bus felt wonderful. Even though it was an open-air ride, the wind was not so strong that our hair became completely messy. A guide also accompanied the tour and shared information about Okinawa along the way. Seats were ...
