Cairns & the Tropical North
Top activities in Cairns & the Tropical North

Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Badge of ExcellenceCairns, Australia

From USD 156.69

Select Date and Travellers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Cairns & the Tropical North Tours
All Cairns & the Tropical North Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 8 hours (approx.)
  • Hotel pickup offered
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day trip from Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas
  • Skip the line with express tickets for the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Travel in Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Railway with premium seating and morning or afternoon refreshments
  • Have plenty of free time to explore Kuranda and take advantage of discount entry to a variety of attractions and wildlife exhibits
  • Browse the famous Heritage Markets in Kuranda Village at your leisure
  • Take an optional exclusive tour of the World Heritage-listed Signal Cabin at Kuranda station
  • Marvel at the engineering of the Cairns-Kuranda Railway, constructed between 1882-1891

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

Skip-the-line and on-board refreshments with this Gold Class ticket for the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

What's Included

  • One way Kuranda Scenic Railway ride in Gold Class
  • One way by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup available from selected locations in Cairns, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove and Port Douglas - IMPORTANT: please ensure to correctly choose the Cairns or Port Douglas option when booking. Contact the operator after booking to confirm your pickup location and time.

What To Expect

Nestled high up the tropical mountains at 1076 feet (328 meters) above sea level, the rain forest village of Kuranda is a must-see destination on any trip to Cairns. Travel to the historic outpost in style, beginning with pickup at your Cairns or port Douglas hotel. Choose the order of your transit options at booking to customize the day. 

On one leg of the journey, skip the line for a ride aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Enjoy Gold Class service in a well-appointed cedar train car featuring comfortable lounge chairs, timber flooring and historic memorabilia. Sip on sparkling Australian wine, tea and coffee and nibble snacks while enjoying magnificent views of mountains and valleys and waterfall-studded Barron Gorge. Receive a complimentary gift pack including a pen, postcard, badge and souvenir guide as a memento of your ride.

On the opposite leg, get an aerial perspective of Tropical North Queensland as you soar over the treetops on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Settle into an enclosed 6-passenger gondola and take in panoramic views of the highlands, forest and Coral Sea on the 4.5-mile (7.5-km) ride. Stop at two lookout stations along the way, where you can chat with rangers, stroll along forest boardwalks and snap photos.

In Kuranda, enjoy several hours of leisure time to explore the historic village and surrounds. Browse heritage markets, have lunch at a local café (own expense), learn about indigenous history at the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park or encounter native wildlife like kangaroos, butterflies and koalas at the Rainforestation Nature Park (not included).  

Your full-day rain forest adventure concludes with drop-off back at your Cairns or Port Douglas hotel.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

The Australia Butterfly Sanctuary is located in the Kuranda Markets. You can choose to visit this place in your free time in Kuranda. Wander through the enclosed rainforest and see the amazing butterfly life.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Journey over and through the World Heritage listed rainforest of Tropical North Queensland.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • Please advise if you are using a Wheelchair. Both Skyrail & Scenic Rail have maximum dimensions they can take.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

See more

Traveller Tips

This tour only provides transportation to and return from Kuranda.
How can you charge for a scenic rail when only one side of the train can see anything?
Reviews
4.5
352 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 352 reviews
Beautiful
Emma_N, Mar 2023
Definitely recommend this trip. The sky rail over the rainforest canopy is breathtaking and kuranda is a gorgeous place to spend the afternoon before getting the scenic railway back to soak up the last of the amazing scenery
Breathtaking views from sky rail to vintage rail
Hayley_W, Mar 2023
We had a fabulous experience on the skyrail and Gold Class Scenic Railway. Picked up at a location close to our hotel as we were in Cairns. Lovely bus driver that gave us helpful and information about our pending trip. Everyone was friendly and helpful and we were placed with two lovely young men in the Gondola that we spent the afternoon with. Nice stops on the Gondola ride to see the forrest and the falls were in full rushing mode so beautiful. Our train ride back was fabulous. The lovely and amazing Vivian and Aiko looked after us with beverages and light refreshments on the journey home. They also informed us of upcoming photo opportunities. It was a fabulous journey. We were disappointed with the village as mostly it was clothing stalls. A shout out for Suzi's cafe. There was such high demand but well worth the wait. Food was fabulous and great prices.
Not reliable.
bbrodbeck, Mar 2023
Train not running week of March 6. Viator never contacted us. How to get money back? I called locally as well as Viator. Yet they keep sending messages asking how well I liked it. Rather than skip the line, I’d recommend skipping Viator altogether. Not reliable.
Do not book through...
bbrodbeck, Mar 2023
Do not book through Viator. The Kuranda train cannot run due to mudslides this week and they did not contact us. I learned it locally and tried to cancel. They did not and continued to send the vouchers and ask if we enjoyed it. So do not know how I’m going to get money refunded even after calling them again. Do NOT book through Viator!
Great trip to Kuranda
Robin_R, Mar 2023
Waterfalls on the route. Great service on the train. Spectacular views from the Skyrail. Well worth the time and money.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hello Robin, thank you so much for your wonderful 5 star review. Visiting Kuranda, the little village in the Rainforest, is just a bonus to the travel to and from Kuranda on the Skyrail and Train, isn't it?
Tour cancelled/not informed by company
Julie_D, Mar 2023
This tour was cancelled. We were not informed. We waited over an hour for pickup that never arrived. Finally got through to Down Under Tours who told us the train wasn’t running. Why weren’t we informed?
Response from Host, Mar 2023
I am so sorry for this situation. On Monday this region experienced a great amount of rain and unfortunately the inclement weather caused hazards on the range. The train was meant to reopen however there was cause for great concerns for passenger safety on the railway line, so deemed not safe. The reservation staff tried to contact you and all the others booked on that experience once we were notified of the continued closure, we are sorry that your day was disrupted and couldn't go ahead as planned.
skip Kuranda
Deborah_B, Mar 2023
the train ride & cable car. Skip Kuranda it's a tourist trap skip Kuranda skip.Kuranda it's a tourist trap
Response from Host, Mar 2023
I am sorry you didn't enjoy the quaint little village in the Rainforest.
Kuranda Tourist trap
Deborah_B, Mar 2023
Kuranda Tourist Trap. The Gold Classic Train is very nice & the Cable Car is awesome. Pick a day when the sun is out, so you can enjoy the view. Kuranda is toooo Commercial. lots of stuff made in China
Response from Host, Mar 2023
I am glad that you spoiled yourselves on Gold Class, it is a wonderful experience, and the Skyrail is amazing. I am sorry that you didn't enjoy the novel "Little Village in the Rainforest."
Treated like royalty!
Jamie_T, Mar 2023
Treated like royalty on the train ride! Wonderful brunch! The gondola rainforest stops provided large umbrellas if it was raining. Town had some internet shops - an uphill climb. Cannot say which we enjoyed more - this day or the reef. Scenery was beautiful!
Response from Host, Mar 2023
The day trip to Kuranda is an amazing experience, isn't it. The whole package, right from the transfers, the historic train, Skyrail Cableway, the views and the novel little village. I am thrilled that you spoiled yourselves by doing Gold Class on the train. We are pleased you have lots of wonderful memories to take home with you.
The gold class training...
Joan_P, Mar 2023
The gold class training was nice Karanda was a tourist trap was OK but don't get your hopes up far any emergency the Aboriginal ceremonies.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
We are glad you enjoyed the special Gold Class service on the Kuranda Train, that's a nice way to experience the journey.
Very Enjoyable
Anonymous, Mar 2023
We really enjoyed the ariel tram. The views were beautiful. Loved stopping at the Barron Falls stop to view the waterfalls up close. Unfortunately, there had been days of heavy downpours and they had to cancel the train due to mudslides. We enjoyed our time in Kuranda. Went to the Koala Gardens and cuddled a koala. They have kangaroos, quokka, crocodiles, and others as well. There are a lot of little shops and a few restaurants.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for your review, I am sorry your journey was at a time when the train was not able to operate. I am pleased you had a great experience on the Skyrail though, it offers such amazing views of the falls and over the rainforest, doesn't it.
Great Day Trip
Randy_B, Feb 2023
The service on the train ride is excellent and the views amazing. The gondola ride is also spectacular. The Ranger tour in the rain forest was very informative. The hiking trails in Kuranda are very good and easy to navigate.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
We are thrilled that you enjoyed your day so much. Thank you for our 5 star review.
Fun in the mountains
Kathleen_B, Feb 2023
The railway ride was wonderful. We were in Gold class and things were very nice, including drinks and food. We enjoyed the wildlife and town for lunch. Pics with Koala were great.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
We appreciate you putting up your 5 star review. I am pleased you enjoyed you day in the village and that you spoiled yourselves on Gold Class.
Amazing Service and Scenery.
Maryann_H, Feb 2023
The Gold Class train car location and service was wonderful. Also, the Skyrail service and cleaning of each car / gondola between passengers was great. The scenery from both train and Skyrail with stops each way to get out and take pictures was Amazing. Kuranda village was nice.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
We appreciate you taking the time to review your experience and for our 5 star rating. We are thrilled you upgraded to Gold Class and spoiled yourselves.
Totally worth it
Fangyi_Z, Feb 2023
Very easy self guided tour. The sky rail bring you up and ride train (gold class with all free drinks) back.
Kuranda and scenic railroad
Susan_H, Feb 2023
Best day trip yet! The gold class train ride was well worth it and Maria was especially wonderful. The town of kuranda was cute but we enjoyed stopping mid-way down on sky tram and walking around. Also we loved the sky tram.
Great tour
Patricia_M, Jan 2023
Train was the best part. Highly recommend the gold class. Sky rail was nice also. Our server on the train was awesome.
Great day out
Kerry_S, Jan 2023
Great service on the Gold class coach on the scenic rail. Wonderful sky rail - it’s very high. Smooth pick up and drop off. Great day out and money well spent.
Outstanding!
Lisbeth_K, Jan 2023
My family and I were extremely happy with this amazing tour! The Gold Class option was incredible, the staff were attentive, and provided us with an amazing experience and service. The train was immaculate and charming, the view was outstanding!
Gold class was fantastic
bentley388, Jan 2023
Gold class was fantastic. Really recommend. Whole trip was excellent. Staff on the platform and train were great
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