Kuranda Scenic Railway and Day Trip Tours
Journey from Cairns to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Ride the historic kuranda scenic railway, glide above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and enjoy a relaxing kuranda village tour while exploring the vibrant Kuranda Village markets and rainforest surroundings.
Departs Daily 10.30am – 5.30pm
Discover Kuranda with Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the rainforest in comfortable six-person gondolas and explore Kuranda in your own time. Enjoy the 1.5 hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that travels through the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.
Adult $210.00 | Child 4-14yrs $110.00 | Family 2A+2C $557.50 | Gold Class upgrade $67.00 per person
Adult $229|Child $118 4-14 yrs|
Family 2A+2C $576
Departs Cairns Daily 7.30am – 5.30pm
The Kuranda Army Duck Tour with Train and Skyrail. You will journey through and above Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-listed wet tropics rainforest. Experience an amphibious WWII Army Duck Rainforest Tour at Rainforestation Nature Park. Free time in Kuranda before finishing your day with Kuranda Scenic Railway. Hotel transfers included. Photo Credit: Tourism Australia
Adult $240.00 | Child $128.00 4-14 yrs | Family 2A+2C $640.00
Due to Skyrail upgrade project in 2026 this tour is bookable to 19th July and from 26th October 2026 onwards
This Kuranda Day Tour includes the Kuranda Scenic Train and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park. Ride an amphibious WWII Army Duck through the rainforest, meet Aussie wildlife at the Koala and Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal experience and Aussie BBQ lunch plus hotel transfers.
Adult $306.00 | Child 4-14yrs $162.00 | Family 2A+2C $814.50
Explore Kuranda at a relaxed pace with a classic rainforest journey—9.45am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and the 2.00pm Kuranda Scenic Railway the other. Gives you 2.5 hours in Kuranda to wander the Kuranda village and soak up the rainforest atmosphere.
Explore Kuranda at a relaxed pace with a classic rainforest journey—9.45am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and the 3.30pm Kuranda Scenic Railway the other. Gives you 4 hours in Kuranda to wander the Kuranda village and soak up the rainforest atmosphere.
Adult $217.00 | 4-14yrs $115.00 | 2A+2C $588.00
Travel on the 8.50am Kuranda Scenic Train – spend 3 hours in Kuranda Village, return from Kuranda on the 1.45pm Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Adult $217.00 | 4-14yrs $115.00 | 2A+2C $588.00
Explore Kuranda at a relaxed pace with a classic rainforest journey—11.00am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and the 3.30pm Kuranda Scenic Railway the other. Gives you 3 hours in Kuranda o wander the Kuranda village and soak up the rainforest atmosphere.
Adult $217.00 | 4-14yrs $115.00 | 2A+2C $588.00
Explore Kuranda at a relaxed pace with a classic rainforest journey—11.00am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and the 2.00pm Kuranda Scenic Railway the other. It’s a great half-day option that still gives you time to wander the Kuranda village and soak up the rainforest atmosphere.
Adult $217.00 | 4-14yrs $115.00 | 2A+2C $588.00
Travel to Kuranda on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, then enjoy up to four hours in the village to explore at your own pace. Return in comfort on the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class, featuring handcrafted Victorian-style décor, lounge-style seating and personalised onboard service.
Adult $286.00 | 4-14yrs $184.00 | 2A+2C $864.00
Adult $185|Child 4-14yrs $95|Family 2A+2C $465
Departs Cairns daily from 7.45am – 5.15pm
Experience emission-free travel from your Cairns hotel to Kuranda on a 100% electric bus. Explore Rainforestation Nature Park on an authentic WW2 Army Duck rainforest tour, guided Koala & Wildlife Park Tour and Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Performance in the rainforest Amphitheatre. Enjoy free time in Kuranda before returning on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Return Transfers included.
Adult $200.00 | Child 4-14yrs $102.00 | Family 2A+2C $527.50
Adult $195|Child $102 (4-14 yrs)|Family 2A+2C $492
Departs Cairns daily 8am – 5:30pm
Begin your eco-friendly journey on our electric coach to Kuranda. Visit Rainforestation Nature Park for unique wildlife encounters, Pamagirri Aboriginal experience and an authentic World War 2 Army Duck rainforest tour. Explore Kuranda in your own time to wander through the shops and markets before returning on the breathtaking Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Includes return hotel transfers.
Adult $210.00 | Child $110.00 (4-14 yrs) | Family 2A+2C $557.50
Adult $145|Child$80|Family $390
Gold class option 9.30 train only $60 per person
Train departs Cairns 8.30am or 9.30am
Return Skyrail 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Tour not bookable online – please contact us P: 07 40283567
Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns Central or Freshwater Station, choose from 8:30 am or 9:30 am trains (Gold Class upgrade available). Explore the Kuranda markets Wednesday through to Sunday and the many attractions of Kuranda, then return on the Skyrail as you guide over the rainforest canopy. Includes return transfers from Skyrail to Cairns Railway Station.
Adult $155.50 | Child $85.00 | Family 2A+2C 4-14yrs $399.00 | Gold class option 9.30 train only $60.00 per person
Embark on an unforgettable kuranda day trip from Cairns to Kuranda, nestled in the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest. Travel one way aboard the famous kuranda scenic railway, a highlight of many kuranda scenic railway tours, winding past waterfalls, tunnels and bridges through Barron Gorge National Park before returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway with breathtaking views.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway, operating for over 134 years, is a true piece of living history. This 37 km journey features onboard commentary, spectacular views of Barron Falls, and the option to upgrade to Gold Class for a touch of luxury with lounge-style seating and personalised service.
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway runs 7.5 km between Smithfield (Cairns) and Kuranda, taking around 1.5 hours with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls, where ranger-guided boardwalk tours offer insight into this ancient rainforest. Please note: Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Train close on select dates for maintenance.
Many visitors include the Kuranda Scenic Railway as part of a full Kuranda day trip itinerary combining train, cableway and a guided Kuranda village tour experience, but if you’re short on time, there are also other half day options in Cairns to consider.
Once in Kuranda Village known as the “Village in the Rainforest” stroll through the vibrant markets, enjoy coffee at local cafés, and visit wildlife attractions such as the Butterfly Sanctuary and Koala Gardens.
Just 10 minutes away, the Rainforestation Nature Park offers amphibious Army Duck rainforest tours, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Show, and guided cultural walks. A free hourly shuttle operates from the Butterfly Sanctuary from 10:45 am.
Prefer to self-drive? Park at Cairns or Freshwater Station, take the train up, and return by Skyrail for a seamless round-trip experience. Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Skyrail Upgrade Project 2026 -2027
As Skyrail reaches 30 years of operation, they are embarking on a $85 Million upgrade project. The project aims to replace the existing cableway infrastructure and all Gondolas, improving the accessibility as well as providing a quieter, smoother enhanced rainforest experience
Important Skyrail Closure Dates:
Skyrail does not operate on the following dates due to maintenance.
25th May – 3rd June 2026 inclusive
26th July – 18th August 2026
Mondays & Tuesdays 19th August – 25th October 2026
Skyrail modified operations
Wednesdays to Sundays: Skyrail will operate a Kuranda ⇄ Barron Falls Loop Experience
19th August – 25th October 2026 inclusive
Kuranda Scenic Train not operating due to maintenance on:
11th – 15th May 2026
17th – 19th June 2026
4th – 6th November 2026
25th December 2026
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For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kuranda worth visiting when staying in Cairns?
Absolutely. Kuranda is one of the most popular day trips from Cairns and suits almost every type of traveller. Set in World Heritage-listed rainforest, the charming village is known for its markets, wildlife encounters, and the iconic journey to get there. The combination of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway makes the trip itself a highlight.
What’s the difference between the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail?
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a historic 37km rail journey that winds through Barron Gorge National Park, passing waterfalls, tunnels and rainforest it has been operating for over 134 years. Skyrail is a modern 7.5km gondola cableway that glides above the rainforest canopy with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Most tours combine both, travelling one way by train and the other by cableway.
What types of Kuranda and Tablelands day tours are available from Cairns?
There are options to suit different budgets and interests from self-drive packages combining the Scenic Railway and Skyrail, to fully guided full-day tours that include Rainforestation Nature Park, a WWII Army Duck rainforest ride, Koala and Wildlife Park, Pamagirri Aboriginal cultural experience, and lunch. Some tours also combine Kuranda with Atherton Tablelands highlights or add a hot air balloon flight over the Tablelands at dawn.
How long does a Kuranda or Atherton Tablelands tour take?
Most Kuranda day tours depart around 7.30 – 8.30am and return to Cairns by 5.00 – 5.30pm. Half-day options are also available. Atherton Tablelands tours typically follow a similar schedule, running roughly 7.30am to 5.30pm depending on the specific itinerary.
What attractions are typically visited on Atherton Tablelands tours?
Tablelands tours commonly visit highlights such as the volcanic crater lakes (Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham), iconic waterfalls including Millaa Millaa and Zillie Falls, the ancient Curtain Fig Tree, Yungaburra village, local coffee and macadamia farms, and the Mount Uncle Distillery. Food and wine tours also include tastings of regional produce across multiple stops.
Are Kuranda and Tablelands tours suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes, both destinations are well suited to a wide range of visitors. The Scenic Railway and Skyrail are accessible and comfortable for all ages, and Rainforestation Nature Park is popular with families. Tablelands tours are generally low-impact and scenic, though some walking trails at waterfalls may be uneven. It’s worth checking specific tour details if mobility is a consideration.