Experience the Ultimate Kuranda day tour
Skyrail & Kuranda Scenic Railway is easily, Cairns most popular day out!
When planning the ultimate self-drive road trip to Cairns or further north to the Daintree or Cape York, there’s one essential part of your journey that doesn’t actually involve any road at all!
The Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway package is Cairns’ most popular day out for good reason – it combines the breathtaking Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and sandwiched in the middle is the charming Kuranda Village with its iconic markets, mouth-watering Kuranda foodie scene and unique wildlife attractions.
Discover the worlds oldest rainforest stories
All three experiences together – Skyrail, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Kuranda Village – tell unique and fascinating narratives and reveal a spectacular landscape with awe-inspiring views from every angle from the home of the world’s oldest rainforest stories. Your journey of discovery also celebrates the people of this ancient rainforest, from the Traditional Custodians (the Djabugay Aboriginal Rainforest Peoples) to the pioneers who built the railways, artisans who came together to form the creative hub that is Kuranda and the Skyrail Rangers who share intriguing insights into the diverse flora and fauna of this special place.
Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway Package Options
There’s so much to see and do, but the Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway package makes it super easy to combine everything into one awesome day.
How does Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway work?
Plan your day with Skyrail’s experience map. Once you navigate to the interactive map, hover and click on each part of the Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway experience to find out more information about how it all works!
Whichever way you choose to combine the two iconic experiences – either Skyrail in the morning and Kuranda Scenic Railway in the afternoon or vice versa!
Is it better to go up or down on Skyrail or Kuranda Train you ask? The experience is the same in either direction, regardless of how you choose to travel.
There is ample free parking at Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal and a bus transfer between Skyrail and Freshwater Railway Station is included in the self-drive package, so the whole thing’s a breeze. Once you’re in Kuranda, the day is best enjoyed on foot with plenty of time to explore.
How often does Skyrail & the Kuranda Train depart?
Skyrail departures run every 15 minutes throughout the day and there are two train services departing Freshwater Station each morning at 8:50am and 9:50am heading up to Kuranda and returning at 2:00pm and 3:30pm daily. Occasionally there may be seasonal variations or pre-planned maintenance closure dates, but you can confirm specific times when you book online via the official website. We recommend allowing 90 minutes for Skyrail, 90 minutes for Kuranda Scenic Railway and 2-3 hours for Kuranda Village in between.
What’s included in the Skyrail & Train day tour?
As well as an amazing journey of discovery, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience includes complimentary Ranger Guided Boardwalk Tours at Red Peak / Guriguri Bunda:, the Rainforest Discovery Zone, Rainforest Interpretation Centre, and stunning panoramic views of the Barron Falls / Dindin from The Edge lookout, plus a fascinating audio tour and interactive augmented reality via the Skyrail app – well worth downloading before you head off.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Kuranda Scenic Railway is one Australia’s most stunning rail journeys. Travel from Cairns / Gimuy through the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest, Barron Gorge / Dindin National Park, to the mountain village of Kuranda / Ngunbay.
Enjoy the scenery from the beautifully refurbished vintage timber carriages as the Kuranda train winds its way between Kuranda and Cairns along some of the most scenic and jaw-dropping railway tracks in Australia. Journey through 15 hand-carved tunnels, over bridges past towering waterfalls, and deep ravines, accompanied with a great commentary telling extraordinary tales of the railway’s 130-year history.
Upgrade your tour to Diamond View & Gold Class
You can also customise your day with some amazing upgrades including Skyrail’s Diamond View, gondola with a glass floor, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class experience which includes individual lounge style seating, a commemorative gift pack and a selection of delicious local delicacies to eat and drink on your journey
The perfect Cairns day tour for all travellers
The Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway package is a great day out for families, couples, groups of friends or even solo. Whether you’re travelling in a car, campervan, 4WD or towing a caravan there’s heaps of space in the free Skyrail car park to leave the rig (or the EV on charge) and the road behind and take to the treetops!
There are many combinations for your ultimate Kuranda day tour. You can build your very own perfect half or full day itinerary by starting with either Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Kuranda Scenic Railway and adding the components that suit you best.
If you have your own vehicle, select the “I will drive and park” option after tapping book now, and this will add the ‘self-drive’ bus transfer to your itinerary. This includes a pre-booked bus service that runs between Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal and Freshwater Railway Stations as they are approximately 7km apart. Here’s where the flexibility starts…
Starting with Kuranda Scenic Railway
If you are staying in Cairns City and would like to catch the train from Cairns Central Station, you can make your own way to commence your train journey (at 8:30am or 9:30am). You can then enjoy Kuranda village and return at your convenience with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, as it departs every 15 minutes. You can either pre-book a one-way bus back to the city or make your own way.
Drive and park at Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal, then catch the bus first (at 8:15am or 9:15am) over to Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Freshwater Station to commence your train journey. Enjoy time in Kuranda village then select your Skyrail Rainforest Cableway return time form their afternoon departures, where your car will be waiting for you upon return to Smithfield Terminal.
Starting with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Park at Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal, then commence your day on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway at your pre-selected time– enjoy Kuranda village and return via Kuranda Scenic Railway (at 2:00pm or 3:30pm). The bus will meet you at Freshwater Railway Station, as soon as the train arrives and bring you back to your car at Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal.
Refresh and relax in Canopy Café
Skyrail’s rainforest themed souvenir shop and Canopy Café is a place where you can relax with locally roasted White Whale coffee before or after your journey. Canopy Café at Smithfield Terminal is open from 8:00am, offering a selection of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, pies, bakes and cakes. There is free Wi-Fi available, recycled solar mobile phone charging stations and plenty of space to relax looking out across our colourful, tropical gardens. *Please note food and hot drinks (unless in a keep cup) cannot be consumed in the gondolas.
Ready to experience two of Cairns best attractions?
For more information and to plan your visit of an unforgettable Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway experience, book right here – on the official Skyrail website. You will receive instant confirmation via our secure booking platform with no credit card of booking fees. Wondering if there is a cancellation fee? For added peace of mind, we offer a full refund right up until the day before you are due to travel if you happen to cancel. What about changes or amendments? You are welcome to make changes to your booking right up until the day before you travel without any penalty, subject to availability.
Embark on a journey through two unique perspectives of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area and create memories that will last a lifetime.
By Guest Writer, Tropical Mama:
Tropical Mama has lived in Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest for 25 years and is passionate about sharing the unique experiences of Tropical North Queensland with her extended family.
