Day Trip to Kuranda: Scenic Rail and Skyrail

Imagine soaring above the Queensland rainforest in a cable car and riding a scenic train on this journey to Kuranda from Cairns.

Queensland Rainforest & Kuranda Trip from Cairns

The trip starts from your hotel in Cairns at the designated time. First, we will go to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for panoramic views over the forest. The Skyrail experience ends at Smithfield Terminal station, where lunch is at your own expense. In the afternoon, we will proceed to Freshwater Station to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail, a historic train journey through the Queensland rainforest, recognized as one of Australia’s iconic train routes.

Upon arrival in Kuranda, there will be three hours of free time to explore the town, including local markets and restaurants. We will return to your hotel in Cairns approximately 7.5 hours after the initial pickup.

Crocodile Sanctuary

For this option, pickup is from your hotel in Cairns at the indicated time, followed by a ride to Freshwater Station to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. You will have one hour of free time in Kuranda. Then, you will experience the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway back to Smithfield Terminal, followed by a trip to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures crocodile sanctuary to see these reptiles up close. Finally, you will return to your hotel in Cairns about 9 hours after pickup.

Partial Closures

The cable car will be closed on these dates:

July 20 to August 18, 2026: the cable car is completely closed; travel will be by bus.August 19 to October 25, 2026: the cable car operates only between Kuranda and Barron Falls; the rest will be by bus.

As compensation for these closures, you may choose between a ticket to Birdworld or Kuranda Koala Gardens.