Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Australia
A visit to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland Australia is not complete without a journey on the world famous historic Kuranda Scenic Railway especially when you choose to upgrade to some old fashioned first class and ride in Private Rail Carriages in Gold Class with sparkling wine and Canapés in club style seating. On this 90 minute historical train journey your eyes are in for a treat as you pass thru some beautiful tropical scenery surrounded by majestic mountains with cascading waterfalls and dangerously deep gorges. The Kuranda Scenic Railway day tour is an experience for everyone in the family to enjoy and as you sit in your comfortable seats you can listen to the story of how the railway tracks and tunnels were carved out of the rainforest and the granite mountains by hand to build the wonderful trip you get to still enjoy today. The best way to experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway and to enhance your day out is to combine it with a Skyrail Gondola ride so you can see the magnificent rainforests just like the birds do from above the trees. Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail Gondala tour to the rainforest village of Kuranda is one of the most popular and most requested day tours in Cairns second only to the Great Barrier Reef
Kuranda Scenic Rail Overview
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is an unforgettable 1 hour and 45 minute journey up the tropically clad mountainous range from Cairns City to the eclectic Rainforest Village of Kuranda. The scenic railway journey winds its way through the spectacular World Heritage listed tropical rainforest and Barron Gorge. This memorable scenic train journey showcases the very best that Cairns and Tropical North Queensland has to offer, such as magnificent scenery, lush tropical rainforest, steep ravines and cascading waterfalls and rivers. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Cairns' most popular attractions, and most visitors would not make the journey to visit Cairns and Tropical North Queensland without experiencing this enchanting unforgettable train ride.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a holiday experience that encapsulates the wonders of the natural world and the marvels of human achievement. Still considered an outstanding engineering feat, the Kuranda Scenic Railway showcases the pioneering spirit of early Australians and is a monument to the numerous men who lost their lives whilst constructing this historic railway. Kuranda Scenic Railway travels 34 kilometers - at 328 meters above sea level - through some of the oldest and most pristine tropical rainforests in the world. This 100 year old historic Kuranda Scenic Railway climbs more than 300 meters through dense rainforest, delves through 15 dark tunnels whilst you hold your breath, bends around 98 curves whilst you try to balance your champagne flute and tip toes precariously over 40 skinny bridges. The journey is at once both awe-inspiring and breath-taking.
Kuranda Scenic Rail Journey
This spectacular railway journey can begin at either the Cairns Railway Station for those guests staying in Cairns City or the Freshwater Train Station Connection. Please advise f you will need Hotel transfers which can be arranged when booking the Kuranda Scenic Railway experience. The Freshwater Train Station is the most popular point of departure as it boasts a tantalizing restaurant that provides guests with a mouth watering breakfast and hot coffee for those early morning departures whilst sitting back and dining in an authentic historic 85 year old railway carriage which takes you back in time to the good old days and gets you in the mood for some good old fashioned adventure.
The Freshwater train connection also boasts a train Museum, Theatrette, Pioneer Cottage and Kuranda Scenic Railway Gift Shop. Once departing Freshwater Connection, Kuranda Scenic Railway travels up one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Cairns Tropical North Queensland and through the spectacular Barron Gorge National Park.
The next stop on this memorable journey is the magnificent Barron Falls Railway Station. Once at the station passengers alight and take some fantastic memorable photographs and are treated to magnificent views of the Barron River, Gorge and waterfalls. Barron Falls is one of the most popular sites in the World Heritage Rainforest. In the Green season Barron Falls really comes alive, and visitors regularly enjoy being shrouded in a spectacular cloud of mist off the raging waterfalls.
Only minutes away from Barron Falls the train journey comes to an end at beautiful Kuranda Station. Kuranda train station is famous for its heritage listed buildings and award winning hanging fern gardens. Passengers can enjoy refreshments at the delightful Kuranda Railway Tea Rooms.
The End of the Line Activities
Kuranda, affectionately known as 'The Village in the Rainforest' is an absolute 'must do' for visitors to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. Nestled amongst the magnificent World Heritage listed tropical rainforest, Kuranda provides visitors with an abundance of things to do and see such as the daily Heritage Markets where you can scavenge for items of clothing made from natural products such as hemp, bargain with the jewelry artists and purchase some of the abundant freshly prepared array of foods offered by the local migrants. Art galleries, wildlife parks, up close Aboriginal cultural experiences, restaurants, cafes and bars are all on offer here. Kuranda is a well known hippie Village and just the perfect location for the visitors who simply want to relax and enjoy the quiet laid-back feel of it all, or who simply want to 'get back' to nature.
Kuranda Scenic Railway not only provides a visually spectacular and awe inspiring journey, but it is also a journey steeped firmly in Australian Pioneer history. The construction of the railway was first proposed after the Green season of 1882, when the tin mining town of Herberton was isolated for several months by floodwaters. Farmers and workers in the area demanded better access and communication to the coast, by road or train. The famous explorer, Mr. Christie Palmerston was given the task of discovering the best way to cross the treacherous mountain range. Construction began at the Cairns end of the line, cutting through swamps, mangrove forests, and sand ridges before proceeding up the Redlynch valley towards Kuranda. It was made using cement from England that was carried up the mountain by mules. After several years of construction and the deaths of many workers from tropical diseases and accidents, the spectacular railway was finally completed and began operating in 1891.
Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Cairns most popular attractions so Booking in advance is recommended. A fantastic way to experience the World Heritage listed tropical rainforest and Kuranda is to combine the scenic rail journey with the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Whilst Kuranda Scenic Rail gives visitors an amazing view of the rainforest at ground level, Skyrail provides an extraordinary birds-eye-view of the forest as it soars silently only meters above the rainforest canopy. And for visitors who want to spoil themselves why not try Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class? This provides guests with an exclusive class of travel that provides that little bit extra. Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class provides visitors with personalised friendly service, comfortable seating and local gourmet food and beverages. Simply a more luxurious way to travel!
Kuranda Scenic Railway is a 'must do' for anyone visiting Cairns and Tropical North Queensland!
Kuranda Tours | Kuranda Train | Wildlife - Aboriginal Park | TW | R1BT
- Departs From:
- Duration:
8.00 hours (approx)
This is a brilliant Cairns tour that allows you to see and enjoy all of the Kuranda attractions in a one day tour. And you can choose to ride the train up the mountain to Kuranda Village and coach to Rainforestation Nature Park or coach to Kuranda and Rainforest Nature Park and ride the Kuranda train back down the mountain to Cairns.
Kuranda Tours | Coach Tour | Wildlife | Aboriginal Culture | TW | R1B
- Departs From:
- Duration:
8.5 hours (approx)
Kuranda Coach Tour to Rainforestation Nature Park and visit Kuranda Village Markets on an electric bus, just perfect for our fragile environment in Far North Queensland. At Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda you’ll be able to see koalas at this Wildlife Park and meet, amongst other animals, “Jack the Ripper” a 5m ferocious saltwater Crocodile, see a rare Cassowary bird that’s 1.8m (6ft) high and you’ll even get to feed the Kangaroos and Wallabies. If you like you can even have your photo taken cuddling a Koala.
Kuranda Tours SELF DRIVE | Kuranda Train | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway | Kuranda Village | VSD
- Departs From:
- Duration:
Varies depending on option selected
Why Book This Self Drive Kuranda Tour? Families save $28.00 Receive skip the queue tickets with pre-allocated Kuranda Train & Scenic Railway tickets. Enjoy pre-allocated carriage and seat numbers on your Kuranda Boarding Pass. Language options available on all Kuranda Tours.
Best of Kuranda | Rainforestation Wildlife Park, Aboriginal Culture & Skyrail | TW | R1BS
- Departs From: Cairns
- Duration:
9.5 hours (approx)
Whilst on your Kuranda tour learn how to throw a Boomerang from an aboriginal guide Our Kuranda tour has quite a number of upgrade options such as having your photo taken cuddling a koala, barbeque lunch, and more. A simply must do Cairns tour is a ride on the Skyrail Gondola over the rainforest canopy down from Kuranda Village and we have the choice of Train or Skyrail in this Cairns tour Enjoy an amphibius army duck tour thru the Kuranda rainforest to see the nature and its native Australian animals
Cheapest & Best Value Self-Drive Kuranda Tour | Skyrail & Train | A1SD
- Departs From: Skyrail Terminal Smithfield
- Duration:
Varies from 1 to 5 hours in Kuranda depending on the option you choose
This is the cheapest and most flexible Kuranda tour option in Cairns. Self drive to the meeting point, start as early or late as you like, choose to travel on train or skyrail first. Bus transfer is included in your Kuranda ticket price to get you back to your car. Bonus Value:- Skip the queue tickets with pre-allocated Skyrail and Kuranda train tickets and a special carriage! Extra Bonus for families:- 1 child travels free
Classic Kuranda Day Tour | Train, Skyrail & Rainforestation | TW | CKB/BKB/PKB
- Departs From:
- Duration:
9.5 hours (approx)
The magnificent adventure of gliding over rainforest on the Kuranda Skyrail Cableway will not only show you incredible flora, but likewise an unforgettable view of the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef in a beautiful panorama. Take a snap on each side of the Barron Gorge - in the morning on the way to Kuranda and in the afternoon on your way back on the Skyrail and Kuranda Train! The two lookouts are adjacent on either side of the Barron Gorge Don't miss the chance of some of the local foodie delights in Kuranda - the Kuranda Candy Shop and Kuranda Honey House are popular stops. However go where the locals go and head to the red barrow for the best Ice-cream in town!
Cedar Park Rainforest Resort Kuranda
1 Bedrooms 
1 Bathrooms 
Carparks 
Restaurant 
Internet Access 
24hr Reception 
Bar 
Free WiFi 
Free Breakfast 
Just 40 minutes from Cairns Airport, Cedar Park Rainforest Resort offers a relaxing getaway located between Kuranda and Mareeba - a true retreat to nature. Experience the local wildlife, Rainforest walks, or refreshing swim in the spring fed Creek.
