Queensland

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

Badge of ExcellenceSmithfield, Australia

From USD 122.70

Select Date and Travellers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Queensland Tours
All Queensland Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
  • 7 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rain forest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets and opt to include a delicious buffet lunch. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
  • Day trip to Kuranda from Cairns
  • Experience the wildlife, history and lush landscape of Tropical North Queensland
  • Enjoy spectacular views of Barron Falls on the Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for aerial views of the verdant forest
  • Explore the markets and wildlife attractions of Kuranda during free time in the village
  • Choose from tour options that include Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Rainforestation Nature Park
  • Pickup and drop-off at Cairns and northern beaches hotels included

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

Choose from multiple tour options, all including the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail.

What's Included

  • Cairns pickup and drop-off
  • One-way trip on Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Rainforestation Nature Park (if option selected)
  • Kuranda Boarding Pass
  • Written itinerary available in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens & Butterfly Sanctuary (own expense)
  • Any other optional activities not mentioned

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
    6 Skyrail Dr, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia

    6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, Bus Zone at the front of Skyrail Terminal

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pickup is available from selected locations in Cairns - please contact the operator after booking to confirm your pickup location and time.

What To Expect

Create your own perfect day in the beautiful rain forest of Tropical North Queensland with the choice of five different itineraries showcasing the best of Kuranda. Explore indigenous culture at the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park, including didgeridoo demonstrations and a heritage dance performance. At Rainforestation Nature Park, take an exciting Army Duck tour and observe animals such as birds, kangaroos, and koalas. See the Itinerary section below for a description of each option.

All itineraries include a one-way ride aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. During the 1.5-hour journey, learn about regional history as your train winds through Barron Gorge National Park and wraps around mountain curves for spectacular vistas. Cross Stoney Creek Bridge and chug by gorgeous waterfalls before arriving at the charming Kuranda train station. 

To return to Cairns, get an aerial view of the rain forest as you glide above the treetops on the 4.5-mile (7.5-km) Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Ride in a 6-passenger gondola and disembark at two different vista points to take in fantastic views and explore the forest via a boardwalk. 

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns is included with all options.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Rainforestation Nature Park

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kuranda Scenic Railway

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kuranda Koala Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Barron Gorge National Park

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Barron Falls

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Birdworld Kuranda

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Down Under Tours - Day Tours (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 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.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

See more
Featured review
Leah_R
There is great commentary on the train along the way and beautiful sights to see too. It can be a little squished with four people to a row but the ride isn’t that long to be uncomfortable. We went with Down Under Tours for the Karunda Train and Skyrail combo. The company was very fast to answer my questions, convenient pick up and drop off location and the bus driver was very friendly. Going one way up and one way down on the train and Skyrail is the way to go. The Skyrail is beautiful with two stops along the way. Highly recommend this tour combo.

Reviews

4.5
846 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
0
0
0
0
0
Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 846 reviews
Very educational journey for the kids to learn how hard the last generation had done
Christine_L, Sept 2023
We were lucky to be booked at the very last carriage of the train. It’s the best position to see the turns of the train
Kuranda is an awful,...
Peter_L, Sept 2023
Kuranda is an awful, Americanized tourist trap. There is no cultural indigenous experience to be had there. All the animal “sanctuary” places are small cramped depressing zoos. Please don’t give them your money. The train and sky rail are fine.
A very nice tour if all goes well.
David_M, Sept 2023
We enjoyed learning about and experiencing the incredible ride on the railway and seeing Kuranda, and the Skyway ride was amazing, but there was a 30 min. delay at the station due to some problem on the railway. They were “sorry for the inconvenience” but it really but a dent in our already very limited time in Kuranda. I know Viator had no control over this, and hopefully it was an anomaly, but we were not happy about it.
Spectacular vistas and great day
Loretta_H, Sept 2023
Our Grand Dad was the assistant Conductor of the Kuranda Railway Station when he was just 17 yrs old Many years ago so it was a treat to travel this way. The terrain was spectacular both on the train ride and the Sky Railway on the way down. Be sure to explore the stops they are both worth the time!! The Village of Kuranda has plenty to see and do. We needed more time to see it all And shop a little!
Fabulous
Vicki_D, Sept 2023
The day was great. Very informative train ride. The view from the skyrail was fantastic. Staff were friendly and helpful. Can have coffee and a bite to eat at Cafe.
Family perfect!
Rhonda_A, Sept 2023
Great day out for the family, even when it rains. Informative Ranger enroute on cable car and lots of information on the train coming home
Kuranda
PaulChalupnik, Sept 2023
Nice trip , no large group you can explore independently, get Skyrail app for commentary. Train ride is interesting. Lots to see in Kuranda and sanctuary
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Lovely to hear you had a nice trip and enjoyed your day to Kuranda.
Great Kuranda trip
Anthony_T, Sept 2023
Loved the journey we upgraded to Gold class and the waitress in the carriage was excellent. Loved everything we did
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Anthony, it's great to hear you loved everything about your day!
5 Star if we had not had 2 hour delay.
billandcarolpowell, Sept 2023
I gave this a 3 star review only because our train ride was stuck for 2 hours midway up while it waited for clearance to continue. Because of this delay we were unable to tour the Kuranda area or see the Butterfly exhibit. We had to jump on the Cable Car to make our way down in time to get our bus back to our hotel. The Cable Car ride was amazing and a great way to see the rainforest. If it had not been for the 2 hour long wait in our train car i would have given this a 5 star review.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
We are sorry to hear your experience wasn't to be expected because of the Scenic Rail disruption. I invite you to give me a call if you would like or email if you prefer with your booking number. +61 7 4047 9057 tara.reynolds@downundertours.com
Amazing sies in our way back to cairns by train. Experience not that great in cloudy/rainy day
fernandooliveira, Sept 2023
amazing sights during our train trip back to Cairns. However, day was cloudy and rainy, and skyrail was not working for security reasons when we went up. So, we were not able to enjoy the whole experience.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Fernando, thank you for your review. Please feel free to contact me so I can look into your booking further. +61 7 4047 9050
100% recommend to go
Angela_H, Sept 2023
The train was beautiful! And so well kept. The learning experience you receive from staff is amazing, and the Skyrail is a must!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Angela, thank you for the 5 star review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your Kuranda experience.
Train stops for two and half hours.
Mark_N, Sept 2023
What can I say. The train stopped mid-journey for nearly two and a half hours. Apparently, this was caused by a power outage in the building where train safety was monitored. I am just surprised that houses such an important piece of infrastructure did not have a backup generator. As a result, I did not arrive in Kuranda until a full hour after I was meant to board for my forestation tour. I understand this was a rare occurrence but I can't give a higher rating to a tour so disrupted.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Mark, sorry to hear your experience wasn't to be expected because of the Scenic Rail disruption. I invite you to give me a call if you would like or email if you prefer with your booking number. +61 7 4047 9057 tara.reynolds@downundertours.com
Great experience
Amy_W, Sept 2023
Was a great experience. One worth doing. I did the rail up and the Skyrail down. Little advice bring plenty of water.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Amy. Good advice for everyone to bring water with them and thank you for the review.
Tour guide not great but train and skyrail was great!
Melita_P, Sept 2023
The train ride was lovely up and the skyrail was nice back It was lovely to spend few hours in the town Karunda and check out the little markets I only rated 3 stars because I didn’t like the tour guide on the bus. She was very rude and it seemed as if she was very tired on the job as there was no enthusiasm from her and couldn’t hear her clearly when she was giving a tour on the bus.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Hi Melita. Thank you for the review. I would like to know a little more about your experience. If you would like to you can email me on sales@downundertours.com or call on: +61 7 4047 9050
Train Ride Experience
Crystal_N, Aug 2023
The shuttle pick up from the hotel was great and took us to the rail station. The train was great it went slow so we could see all the nice viewpoints. They did a quick stop at Barron falls which was nice. Keep in mind, you get an assigned seat on your ticket so if you’re sat on the outside it may be hard for you to get a good picture of the view while in the train. You get maybe about 2 hours of free time to explore the village before u take the skyrail (if u chose this option) back to the beginning station. The shuttle then took us back to our hotels as expected which was great.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hello. We are pleased to hear the transfers ran smoothly and that you had a great experience. Thanks for the review.
Very enjoyable and varied tour
Desiree_S, Aug 2023
Well organized trip and easy to follow. The rail tour was lovely and very scenic, takes you back in time. The commentary is also very informative. Skyrail was also a lovely experience. Kuranda village is so interesting, very touristy and tropical with many shops and restaurants plus nature activities.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thanks for the review. Very happy to hear it was a well organized enjoyable day.
There was a double...
Jennifer_C, Aug 2023
There was a double booking of on the scenic railway - it was a bit confusing but the attendants found us another seat. The sky rail was very good - I downloaded the app which I enjoyed listening to
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Jennifer. Thank you for the review and we are pleased you had a good day. I would like to look further into your booking if you would like to, I invite you to give me a call. +61 7 4047 9050
Wonderful sights and Kuranda markets were great
Susan_J, Aug 2023
We were told that lunch would be provided it was also on our itinerary so we didn’t want to be pushy so we waited and waited but nothing 8.30 am start and 5pm finish we were extremely hungry it would be nice if a credit on my credit card was forthcoming but lm not holding my breath home tomorrow
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Susan, I would like to invite you to give me a call so I can look into your booking and day tour itinerary for you. Call: +61 7 40479050
Very helpful!
Ava_V, Aug 2023
Very helpful to have someone plan this day trip. We had a great schedule that allowed for wandering before going to rainforestation. Would 100% recommend the boat tour- it was so fun! The views of the Skyrail and train were amazing.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Ava. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your day and that it ran smoothly. Thanks for the review.
Not happy
Jodie_T, Aug 2023
The tour itself was fabulous. But I am disgusted at the fact the prices shown were not labelled as US $. As a result, I didn't know the ACTUAL cost on AU $( the country I live in and booked the tour in! ) until I received the Paypal receipt showing the conversion. Not happy at all.
...

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
No Photo
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
833
7 hours
Free Cancellation
From
USD 122.70
No Photo
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Day Trip from Cairns
183
7 hours
Free Cancellation
From
USD 122.69
No Photo
Great Keppel Island Day Trip with Lunch
48
8 to 9 hours
Free Cancellation
From
USD 45.87

Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Explore Similar Things to Do

Help CentreCustomer CarePrivacy PolicyAbout ViatorNewsViator blog
© 1997-2023 Viator, Inc.
Terms & Conditions