Australia

2026/9/19

A Dream Koala Experience in Kuranda Village! A Day with Kangaroos and Colorful Birds

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 ...

Australia

2026/9/19

Kuranda Skyrail from Cairns in Our 60s: Rainforest, Souvenirs & DiDi Tips

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 ...

Australia

2026/9/19

Shangri-La The Marina Cairns Review: Great Location & Breakfast

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 ...