Kuranda Scenic Railway - Queensland, Australia
Another experience I was really looking forward to in Cairns—aside from the Great Barrier Reef—was riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway. I’ve always enjoyed train journeys, and this one had been on my list of trains to do. On the morning of my tour, I woke up to gloomy skies and light rain, and all I could do was hope the weather would hold off long enough for me to enjoy the day.
I was picked up directly from my accommodation and dropped off at Freshwater Station, where the guide handed me my train ticket with my assigned carriage and seat. The moment I stepped into the heritage carriage, it felt like stepping back in time. The polished wood panels, vintage fixtures, and well-maintained seating gave the train an old-world charm while still feeling premium and comfortable. I was excited for departure, and once the train slowly pulled out of the station, we began the climb into the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest on our way to Kuranda.
The low clouds and mist added an unexpectedly magical, almost mystical feel to the journey. As I chatted with my seatmates, we passed through tunnels, curved around mountainsides, and eventually reached the Barron Falls Train Station, where the train stopped to allow passengers to step out and enjoy the lookout. The falls weren’t at full flow—runoff was light that day—but the dramatic gorge still made the stop worthwhile. I could only imagine how powerful the waterfall must look after heavy rain.
After reboarding, we continued toward Kuranda Station, one of the most charming stations I’ve ever seen. Once I disembarked, I took my time taking photos of both the train and the beautifully preserved station before heading into Kuranda Village.
Kuranda offers plenty to do: the Butterfly Sanctuary, the Koala Gardens, and the Kuranda Amphitheatre are all popular choices. Since my time was limited, I chose to explore the village more deeply. The sidewalks are lined with murals, sculptures, and other art installations, giving the village a creative and colourful charm. There are several cafés, pubs, restaurants, galleries, and souvenir shops to wander through. I explored a handful of shops, visited a couple of art galleries, and simply enjoyed strolling through the village. I eventually stopped for lunch at a pub near the Skyrail station, and by coincidence ran into the same seatmates from the train—so we ended up enjoying lunch together.
After lunch, I made my way to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway terminal. Unfortunately, the rain had started again. Each Skyrail gondola fits around four to six people, and I shared mine with two couples—one from Australia and one from the UK. We chatted as the gondola travelled over the rainforest canopy toward Red Peak. Along the way, we passed near Barron Falls, offering a completely different perspective from above. There’s an option to hop off at the Barron Falls Skyrail Station for boardwalk viewing platforms, but since I had already taken photos earlier from the train station, I decided to stay on and continue the journey.
At Red Peak, the rain had intensified. I still wanted to walk the boardwalk through the ancient rainforest, which is accompanied by educational displays explaining the area’s natural and cultural significance. I would’ve loved more time, but with the downpour I ended up moving through the area quicker than planned. Ideally, I’d recommend spending 20–30 minutes here instead of the rushed 10–15 minutes I managed. Even with the rain, the rainforest was beautiful and tranquil.
I boarded the Skyrail again, descending toward the Smithfield Terminal, where my tour guide picked me up and dropped me back at my accommodation. Despite the weather, it was a memorable day—peaceful, scenic, and a wonderful way to experience Queensland’s rainforest regions.
History & Background
The Kuranda Scenic Railway, completed in the late 1800s, is one of Queensland’s most iconic heritage railways. Built to support mining and settlement in the Atherton Tablelands, the railway required thousands of workers and years of engineering effort to carve tracks into steep mountainsides. Today, the line is celebrated not for industry but for its breathtaking scenery—lush rainforest, deep gorges, waterfalls, and dramatic viewpoints.
Kuranda itself, known as the “Village in the Rainforest,” became a popular creative and cultural hub in the 1960s and 70s. Over time, it grew into a beloved visitor destination with markets, art galleries, wildlife attractions, and cafés. The combination of the historic railway and the Skyrail creates a loop journey that showcases both the rainforest canopy and the forest floor, making it one of the most immersive day trips you can take from Cairns.
Getting There
Kuranda is accessible by rail, cableway, car, or bus from Cairns. Most travellers choose the classic combination of the Kuranda Scenic Railway in one direction and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in the other. The journey begins either at Cairns Railway Station or Freshwater Station, depending on your booking.
If you’re not driving, several tour operators—including the one I used—offer pickup and drop-off services from accommodations in Cairns. This removes the hassle of making your own way to the station and makes the experience seamless. Kuranda Village is compact and walkable, with attractions, shops, and cafés only a short stroll from both the railway and Skyrail terminals.
Route Overview
Duration: 7 hr (Train + Skyrain + Kuranda Village + Rainforest)
Difficulty: Easy
Booking Info: You can book this experience directly through the official Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail websites. Multiple route variations are available—train up or down, Skyrail up or down, or a combination of both. The main difference comes down to the order in which you’d prefer to experience the railway and cableway. I booked the self-guided option through GetYourGuide, which cost roughly the same as the official site but included convenient pick-up and drop-off at my accommodation, saving me the trouble of arranging transport to Freshwater Station myself.
Cost Breakdown
Tour: Cairns: Kuranda Day Trip with Kuranda Train and Skyrail — C$130.73
Food: AU$55.33
Souvenir: AU$5.5
