From Cairns: Kuranda Scenic Train & Skyrail Guided Tour with Transfers

Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail in one seamless tour with round-trip Cairns transfers and time to explore Kuranda Village.

Getting started

Begin with pickup from your Cairns hotel for a comfortable round-trip transfer to the Kuranda region. Your driver provides basic orientation and your Kuranda Scenic Railway ticket before dropping you at the correct departure point. From here, you follow the signs to board your first leg, either the Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, depending on the option you select.

What to expect

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Travel through the rainforest-clad mountains on the Kuranda Scenic Railway between Freshwater Railway Station and Kuranda Railway Station.

Features

• Use your one-way Kuranda Scenic Railway ticket to ride this historic route, with live commentary on the train that points out key sights along the journey.

• Pass waterfalls, deep ravines, and dense rainforest as you wind between Cairns’ coastal plain and the Kuranda plateau, with time to take in the changing landscape.

• If you select a coach-and-train option, your expert local bus driver and guide explains the coach up, train down route and helps you connect smoothly to the railway.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Glide above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway between the Smithfield (Cairns) Terminal and Kuranda, if you select an option that includes Skyrail.

Features

• Board with your one-way Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ticket and travel in enclosed gondolas over the rainforest, enjoying elevated views of the surrounding ranges and valleys.

• Combine the Skyrail with the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a contrasting experience, choosing either scenic train up and Skyrail return, or Skyrail up and scenic train return, as per the option selected.

• Live commentary on the connecting bus helps you understand the layout between the Skyrail terminal at Smithfield and the Scenic Rail departure at Freshwater Railway Station.

Kuranda Village

Spend free time in Kuranda Village at your own pace between your journey legs.

Features

• Enjoy free time in Kuranda Village to browse markets, cafes, and local shops before or after your rail or Skyrail sectors, depending on your chosen itinerary.

• Use coupons for discounted entry to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Kuranda Koala Gardens if you select an option that includes these attraction deals.

• Some guided options include a Kuranda Boarding Pass with attraction discounts, making it easier to plan and save on village experiences.

Rainforestation Nature Park (if you select this option)

Add a visit to Rainforestation Nature Park on select full-day Kuranda itineraries.

Features

• Enter Rainforestation Nature Park to join the Army Duck tour, explore the Koala & Wildlife Park, and take part in the Dreamtime Walk with a Pamagirri dance performance if you choose this upgrade.

• Enjoy a BBQ lunch at the park as part of the Rainforestation option, giving you a midday break within the rainforest setting.

• These full-day Kuranda tour itineraries are structured so you still have around 1.5 hours of free time in Kuranda Village alongside your Rainforestation visit.

Guided coach options without Skyrail (if you select this option)

On certain days and times, you can opt for a guided coach and train combination that does not include Skyrail.

Features

• Travel by luxury coach from Cairns to Kuranda with an expert local guide on the coach up, train down route, then return to Cairns on the afternoon Kuranda Scenic Railway.

• Enjoy free time in Kuranda Village before your one-way Kuranda scenic railway trip back to Freshwater Railway Station, followed by a coach transfer to your hotel.

• Make use of coupons for discounted entry to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Kuranda Koala Gardens, plus bonus entry to either Birdworld or Kuranda Koala Gardens, if you select these guided coach variants.

Wrapping up

At the end of your chosen route, your coach returns you from Freshwater Railway Station or the Skyrail terminal to your Cairns hotel. If you select an option with an expert local bus driver, you benefit from live commentary on both the bus and train and, on some variants, additional perks such as the Kuranda Boarding Pass, attraction discount coupons, and bonus entry to Birdworld or Kuranda Koala Gardens.