What a joy it is to jump on your bike and head out to explore a new city! I was beginning my bike ride to Cairns Esplanade from Lake Placid, where we were staying. Just in case I got lost, I had a small booklet with me titled “Cairns: Cycling and Walking Guide”.
Lake Placid to Freshwater Station (5 Kms)
With plenty of parking and public toilets, Lake Placid is a convenient place to start a bike ride.
The lake is beautiful, especially where it flows into the Barron River (cover photo at top).
My ride started down Lake Placid Road where it bordered Kamerunga Conservation Park. I turned right into the park to use the old low level crossing across the Barron River.
From there, I followed a bike path that bordered the river. As I was taking in the rainforest scenery, a couple of cyclists passed me.
At the end of the path, the cycling couple headed up Hanley Street and turned left into Cowley Street. Following them, I was soon on another bike path.
As I was rolling downhill next to Route 91, I could see the train to Kuranda heading west. The bike path took me through an underpass and I came out on the other side of the railway line.
I had lost my cycling couple now, so I followed the railway line towards the coast.
After a bridge over Freshwater Creek, the bike path turned into a bike lane for 600 metres. I could see workers building a new cycling trail for this section, but sadly it wasn’t yet ready for me.
Soon I was at Freshwater Station.
Freshwater Station to the Esplanade (8 Kms)
Freshwater Station is a stop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which winds its way through heritage-listed rainforest from Cairns to Kuranda.
After the station, a lovely bike path ran alongside the railway tracks.
Sugarcane fields lined the side of the path. It felt so tropical after travelling for many months through arid countryside.
In a nearby field, a tractor was tilling the soil and planting a fresh crop. The strong, sweet smell of the sugar cane, something like molasses, hit me suddenly and brought back vivid memories of childhood. (I spent the first twelve years of my life in Queensland.)
As I cycled on, I was interested to see these tall bright yellow bollards.
Recently, a few of my friends have sustained injuries crashing into bollards (and often flying over the handlebars). Clearly, the Cairns Regional Council hoped that these taller and brighter bollards would reduce this kind of accident.
The bike path turned south and ran next to Aeroglen Drive. When this road joined the Pacific Highway, the path ran for 500 metres alongside the highway like this.
I thought this was a pretty good solution for a tricky connection. The path was separated from the highway by a barrier as well as parked cars.
On the other side of the Pacific Highway, a good quality bike path continued. Then, when I crossed Lake Street, there was a dedicated cycleway.
The Cairns Esplanade (3.5 Kms each way, 7 Kms return)
At the Esplanade, I could choose to continue on the cycleway or a shared path which limited bicycles to 8 km/hour. Being a tourist, naturally I chose the more scenic shared path.
A pedestrian only path was closest to the ocean.
At the end of the Esplanade, I stopped to take a photo of the Cairns waterfront. The tide was high, covering the muddy flats which emerge when the tide is low.
I rode out along the Marina
and then stopped for a coffee at Mooz.
From Mooz, you can look across the water and see GBR (Great Barrier Reef) Helicopters landing and departing.
Back to Freshwater Station (8 Kms)
On the return journey, the next train on the Kuranda Scenic Railway passed through. I just had time to catch a photo. It was moving quite quickly.
Freshwater Station to Elva’s Cafe (4 Kms)
When I arrived back at Freshwater Railway Station, I had to make a decision. I could take Lower Freshwater Road back (an on-road scenic ride of 2.5 kilometres with minimal traffic) or I could ride to Elva’s Cafe. I hadn’t eaten earlier, and was ready for a snack.
Derek was still at his routine medical appointment, so, rather than head straight home, I decided to go to the cafe.
After Freshwater Creek, I rode under the Route 91 motorway and turned left to head south.
The Route 91 cycle path crossed Freshwater Creek again
and after four kilometres I was at Elva’s.
Elva’s Cafe looks out on a lovely garden and is popular with cyclists. After peppermint tea and some delicious date and walnut loaf, it was time to head back.
Elva’s Cafe to Lake Placid (8 Kms)
Before long, I was on the Barron River bike path again. Just a few more kilometres along Lake Placid Road and I was home.
Altogether I had cycled 40 kilometres and climbed 355 metres.
My bike ride to Cairns Esplanade had been wonderful, with lots of varying scenery.
The Cairns Regional Council website provides useful information about cycling in the area, including recreational ride suggestions.
