Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail (08:50am), Rainforestation, Lunch, Skyrail (3:45pm) & Cairns Transfers

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A full Kuranda day from Cairns with lunch included: the 8:50am Kuranda Scenic Railway up the range, time in the village, then Rainforestation Nature Park for an Army Duck ride, Aboriginal dance and culture, a BBQ lunch and the wildlife park, before the 3:45pm Skyrail back over the canopy.

Days

Full day, about 10.5 hours

Group size

Shared coach and park tours

Start / finish

Cairns / Kuranda / Rainforestation / Smithfield / Cairns
Cairns, about 5:30pm

Return

Cairns, about 5:30pm

Transport

Coach, Kuranda Scenic Railway, shuttle bus and Skyrail

Meals

BBQ lunch

Route

Map of Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail (08:50am), Rainforestation, Lunch, Skyrail (3:45pm) & Cairns Transfers

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Included experiences

Kuranda Scenic Railway — the 8:50am train up the Barron Gorge through 15 tunnels
Kuranda village — about 1.5 hours for the markets and shops
Rainforestation — Army Duck ride through rainforest and water
Pamagirri dancers and Dreamtime Walk — Aboriginal dance, culture and boomerang throwing
Koala and Wildlife Park — hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — 7.5 km over the canopy at 3:45pm

Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail (08:50am), Rainforestation, Lunch, Skyrail (3:45pm) & Cairns Transfers

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: THE KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY

Pick-ups around Cairns run from about 7am. Your driver checks you in with your Kuranda boarding pass, reserved train seats and a village map, then drops you at Freshwater Station for the 8:50am train. The Kuranda Scenic Railway opened in 1891 after five years of work by hand, and it still climbs about 327 metres in 37 km, through 15 tunnels and over 55 bridges. The line runs out of the cane fields into the Barron Gorge, over the curved trestle bridge beside Stoney Creek Falls, and past the Barron Falls, which roar in the wet season.

LATE MORNING: KURANDA VILLAGE

You pull into Kuranda Station, finished in 1915 and hung with ferns, at about 10:30am. Kuranda is the village in the rainforest, and you have about an hour and a half for the shops and markets, with discounts on your pass for some of the attractions. Around midday a shuttle coach takes you out to Rainforestation, a few minutes away.

MIDDAY: RAINFORESTATION NATURE PARK

Rainforestation Nature Park covers 40 hectares of gardens and rainforest. You ride the Army Duck, an amphibious DUKW of the kind built for the Second World War, which drives along the forest tracks and straight into the water while your guide points out tropical fruits and ancient plants. On the Dreamtime Walk you learn about Aboriginal culture and try throwing a boomerang, and the Pamagirri dancers perform in the rainforest amphitheatre. Lunch is a BBQ at about 1pm. Afterwards, in the Koala and Wildlife Park, you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies and see crocodiles and cassowaries, or pay extra to cuddle a koala.

AFTERNOON: SKYRAIL AND HOME

The shuttle brings you back to Kuranda for the 3:45pm Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which opened in 1995 and runs 7.5 km over the World Heritage rainforest of the Wet Tropics. Step off at Barron Falls station for The Edge Lookout over the gorge, and at Red Peak, 545 metres up and the line's highest point, for a boardwalk among kauri pines. Your coach meets you at the Smithfield terminal, and you're back in Cairns at about 5:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns accommodation and set points; your exact time and place are confirmed when you book.
Departure time: Pick-ups from about 7am to 8am.
Finishes: Back in Cairns at about 5:30pm.
Suits: Families and first-time visitors who want the train, Skyrail, wildlife and Aboriginal culture in one day. Children 3 and under travel free but must be booked as infants.
Please note: You travel the train and Skyrail and walk Kuranda at your own pace, with set times on your boarding pass; Rainforestation's activities are guided. The boarding pass also comes in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese or Chinese. Skyrail is being rebuilt in stages until late 2027; while a section is closed, part of the trip may run by shuttle bus, and you are told when you book.

What to bring

Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
Hat and sunscreen
Insect repellent
Water bottle
Umbrella

What is included

Pick-up in Cairns and transfer to Freshwater Station
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Freshwater to Kuranda (8:50am)
About 1.5 hours free time in Kuranda village
Shuttle between Kuranda and Rainforestation
Rainforestation entry with the Army Duck tour, Dreamtime Walk, Pamagirri dancers and Koala and Wildlife Park
BBQ lunch
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda to Smithfield (3:45pm), with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak
Coach from Smithfield back to Cairns
Kuranda boarding pass with itinerary, tickets, map and discounts

Not included

Koala cuddle photo
Drinks and other food
Entry to attractions in Kuranda village

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.