Our day in Kuranda: up on the train, Rainforestation, and Skyrail
Our visit, October 2026 · Photos: Little Places
Kuranda was our big day out from Cairns. Train up the range, Rainforestation in the middle, Skyrail, then a coach back down.
We booked direct by phoning Kuranda Scenic Railway on 1800 577 245. You can also book the train, and train-and-Skyrail packages, through the tours further down this page.
Waiting to board at Cairns.
We boarded at Cairns station, inside Cairns Central on Bunda Street. You can also join at Freshwater, about 25 minutes up the line.
The trip up takes just under two hours. It is not fast, and that's the point.
Cane country first.
It's a heritage train, and it clickety-clacks slowly out through the cane fields. Then it starts winding up into the rainforest.
The kids' faces lit up. Of everything we did that day, the train was the winner.
From the back carriage.
The line was finished in 1891. It runs 37 kilometres and climbs 327 metres, through tunnels and over bridges.
The best bit is the Stoney Creek bridge. The train curves slowly across it, right beside the falls.
Close enough to see the moss.
All the way back to the coast.
Higher up, you look straight back down the Barron River valley to the sea. A good moment to show the kids how far they've climbed.
Barron Falls station.
The train stops for about ten minutes at Barron Falls. Everyone piles off for photos along the railing, so hold little hands.
The falls in October.
In October the falls were thin streams down a wide rock face. After the summer rain there's far more water.
Kuranda station is about a five-minute walk from the village. It wasn't too busy when we were there.
There are plenty of places to eat, and no shortage of souvenir shops.
Our package included Rainforestation Nature Park, which runs a shuttle from the village during the day.
A dingo, up close.
Looking down from the walkway.
The wildlife park has koalas, a cassowary, dingoes and saltwater crocodiles. You watch the crocs from a walkway above their pool.
The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience has dance, didgeridoo and a Dreamtime Walk. On the walk you get to throw a boomerang, in a netted area.
The kids loved that. Possibly more than the crocs.
All aboard the Army Duck.
Their other favourite was the Army Duck. It's an amphibious vehicle that drives through the rainforest and straight into the creek.
Tree ferns along the creek.
The driver stops along the way to point out plants and animals.
Taped off for a reason.
One plant to know is the gympie-gympie, or stinging tree. Big heart-shaped leaves. Never touch it.
Torch ginger by the track.
If your kids prefer bugs to boats, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the other big option in Kuranda. We went years ago. Its walk-through aviary holds about 1,200 tropical butterflies.
Barron Falls from the Skyrail side.
Then Skyrail. In October 2026, upgrade works meant it was running a loop from Kuranda to Barron Falls station and back, not the full trip down.
At Barron Falls station we walked out to the lookout, which faces the falls across the gorge.
Because of the loop, we came back to Cairns by coach. It'll be better once Skyrail takes you all the way down again. Still worth it.
Check Skyrail's site before you book, and ask whether your package includes the coach.
Bring water and a hat for the village, and closed shoes for the rainforest walks.
Details from Kuranda Scenic Railway, Kuranda Scenic Railway: frequently asked questions, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda Scenic Railway: departure times and Rainforestation: Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Check times and prices with each operator before you go.