Platform Perfection

Australia Broadcast Center

4 days ago

Jerry takes a ride on the 130-year-old Kuranda scenic railway, winding his way through Far North Queensland's world heritage listed rainforest. This area is in the wet tropics, and it's the world's oldest rainforest - home to over 1200 species of flowering plants.
Jerry's here to see the celebrated tropical gardens at Kuranda railway station, renowned for their eclectic collection of jungle jewels.
Station master Glen Currie first worked at Kuranda 30 years ago. He loves working at the greenest station in Australia and say it's great to get the compliments from the customers about the gardens. He says he's only an amateur gardener, but the pandemic meant the staff had extra time for the garden in anticipation of welcoming back customers.
His favourite plant is the King Fern ( Angiopteris evecta ) on platform 2, that's been there for decades. Jerry says the size of the base shows how old it is. It's even bigger brother sits at the station entrance. Jerry says this species is older than the dinosaurs, and this particular plant is as old as the railway itself.
Jerry meets Leanne Roods-Smith, who has been at the station 35 years and is the Operations Coordinator. Her favourite area of the station has stands of Heliconias, Cordylines and ferns. Jerry says this garden is a great example of what does well in north Queensland.
Stationmaster Glen has asked Jerry for some expert advice on Kuranda's maidenhair ferns, which are looking a little shabby. Jerry says they always put on a flush of growth and then fade and shrivel each year. He can see the new flush is about to come through, so it's time to be brutal in anticipation. Jerry prunes off all the current, dying foliage, and Glen is a little shocked! Jerry recommends a teaspoon of dolomite watered in to aid the bounce back. Glen promises to send a photo of the response. True to his word, Glen sends the photo, and the maidenhair is looking better than ever.
'This garden is a must see, where the destination is just as important as the journey' says Jerry.
KING FERN Angiopteris evecta TORCH GINGER Etlingera elatior LOBSTER CLAW Heliconia rostrata cv. CORDYLINE Cordyline fruticosa cv. MAIDENHAIR FERN Adiantum aethiopicum