Kuranda day trip from Cairns: Skyrail and the train

A Kuranda day trip from Cairns works best if you go up by Skyrail cableway and come back on the scenic railway, or the other way round. Kuranda is a small village in the rainforest, about 25 km from Cairns by road. You get two very different views of the same mountain, and you still have a few hours in the village between the rides.

This guide explains what each ride is, how to order them, and how to time the day so you are not rushed.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Kuranda, Queensland.

The two rides in brief

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is the older ride. Passenger trains began on 25 June 1891, after workers built the line by hand through the Macalister Range. The track is about 37 km long and climbs to roughly 328 metres. It has 15 tunnels and 37 bridges. A one-way trip takes about two hours.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is much newer. It opened on 31 August 1995. It is about 7.5 km long and runs from Smithfield, north of Cairns, to Kuranda. The gondolas glide just above the treetops of the Barron Gorge National Park, which sits inside the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. A one-way ride takes around 90 minutes, because there are stops on the way.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Kuranda Scenic Railway; Wikipedia, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Which way round should you go?

Most visitors go up on Skyrail and come down on the train. The cableway gives a high, open view over the forest canopy while you are fresh in the morning. The train then gives a slower, lower view on the way home, when you may be glad to sit down.

Either order works. Here is a simple way to choose.

• Skyrail up, train down: a gentle start and a restful finish. This suits most people.
• Train up, Skyrail down: you reach Kuranda by lunchtime and ride the gondolas in the afternoon light. Check the last cableway departure first, so you do not miss it.

Check the current fares and times with Skyrail and the railway operator before you book, because prices and timetables change.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; Wikipedia, Kuranda Scenic Railway.

What you see on the way

On Skyrail, the gondolas stop at two rainforest stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls. At each one you can step out onto a boardwalk and look at the forest from the ground. Most people take at least one of these stops. It adds time, so plan for it.

On the train, you pass through the hand-cut tunnels and over high bridges. You also see waterfalls on the way, including Stoney Creek Falls and the Barron Falls. The train leaves Cairns, calls at Freshwater station and ends at Kuranda. Freshwater station has an information centre and a gift shop.

Both rides cross land that the Djabugay people have known for thousands of years. Take a moment at the lookouts to learn the local names for places.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; Wikipedia, Kuranda Scenic Railway; Wikipedia, Kuranda, Queensland.

A simple timetable for the day

Allow a full day. The rides take about 3 to 4 hours between them, and you need a few hours in the village. This plan fits most people.

1. Reach Smithfield in the morning and ride Skyrail up. Aim for one of the first departures.
2. Stop at Red Peak or Barron Falls for a short boardwalk walk.
3. Arrive in Kuranda around midday. Eat lunch and walk the village.
4. Take an afternoon train back to Cairns. Confirm the departure time on the day you arrive.
5. Be back in Cairns by late afternoon.

The Kuranda village sits on the Atherton Tableland edge, and has shops and galleries along Coondoo Street. The Kuranda Koala Garden and St Saviour's Anglican Church are also in the village. You do not need to see everything. Pick two or three things and enjoy them.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Kuranda, Queensland.

Practical tips

June is part of the cooler, drier season in the Cairns region, which is a good time for this trip. Rain can still fall in the rainforest at any time, so pack a light jacket.

• Book ahead if you are going on a weekend or in school holidays.
• Wear flat, closed shoes. The boardwalks can be damp.
• Carry water, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Bring a camera with a strap, and keep it ready at the lookouts.
• Keep your tickets for both rides together so you do not lose a return leg.
• Check the weather the night before. Cableways can pause in strong wind.

If you are travelling with children or older relatives, think about doing only one ride each way and skipping the long walks. This is general travel information, not medical advice. If anyone in your group has a health concern, ask the operator about access before you book.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Kuranda, Queensland; Wikipedia, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, Kuranda Scenic Railway: en.wikipedia.org
2. Wikipedia, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: en.wikipedia.org
3. Wikipedia, Kuranda, Queensland: en.wikipedia.org