Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail, Skyrail, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures & Cairns Transfers

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Three of Cairns' big days out in one: the Kuranda Scenic Railway up the Barron Gorge, the Skyrail cableway back down over the rainforest, and an afternoon at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures with a wetlands cruise among saltwater crocodiles.

Days

Full day, about 11 hours

Group size

Self-guided, shared coach transfers

Start / finish

Cairns / Kuranda / Smithfield / Hartley's / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Coach, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail cableway

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail, Skyrail, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures & 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 an hour for the markets and boutiques
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — 7.5 km over the canopy with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures — 25-minute wetlands cruise among saltwater crocodiles
Hartley's shows — Crocodile Attack Show, Snake Show and cassowary feeding

Down Under Tours Kuranda, Scenic Rail, Skyrail, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures & Cairns Transfers

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: CAIRNS TO FRESHWATER STATION

Pick-ups around Cairns start at about 7am. Your driver collects your voucher and hands you a Kuranda boarding pass, with your train and Skyrail tickets printed on it and discounts for the village, then drives you to Freshwater Station, the railway's stop in the Cairns suburbs, for the 8:50am train. It's a long, full day with three big sights in it, so wear good walking shoes and bring a hat.

MORNING: THE KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY

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 timber carriages are more than a century old. Leaving the cane fields behind, the train climbs into the Barron Gorge, crosses the curved trestle bridge beside Stoney Creek Falls and pauses at the Barron Falls lookout, which roars in the wet season. You pull into Kuranda Station, finished in 1915 and hung with ferns, at about 10:25am.

LATE MORNING: KURANDA AND SKYRAIL

Kuranda is the village in the rainforest, and you have about an hour for a quick walk through the markets and boutiques. At 11:30am you board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which opened in 1995 and runs 7.5 km back down over the World Heritage rainforest. Step off at Barron Falls station for The Edge Lookout over the gorge, and at Red Peak, 545 metres up, for a boardwalk among kauri pines and a free ranger-guided walk. Your coach is waiting at the bottom in Smithfield.

AFTERNOON: HARTLEY'S CROCODILE ADVENTURES

The coach heads north along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, the stretch of the Captain Cook Highway that hugs the coast between Cairns and Port Douglas, and reaches Hartley's Crocodile Adventures at Wangetti at about 1:20pm. Hartley's began as a roadside wildlife park in 1934 and now covers more than 15 hectares, with 2.5 km of boardwalks through woodland, rainforest and melaleuca wetland. Your entry includes a 25-minute boat cruise through the wetlands among saltwater crocodiles. The afternoon shows usually include the Snake Show, cassowary feeding and the Crocodile Attack Show, where a big saltwater croc shows its head shake and death roll. Koalas, kangaroos and wombats line the paths, and the Lilypad Cafe sells lunch.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

The coach leaves Hartley's at about 4:45pm for the drive back down the coast road to Cairns, with the Coral Sea on your left the whole way.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns accommodation and set points; your exact time and place are confirmed when you book. Not available from the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas.
Departure time: Pick-ups from about 7am to 8am.
Finishes: The coach leaves Hartley's at about 4:45pm for Cairns.
Suits: Families and wildlife lovers who want the train, Skyrail and crocodiles in one day. Children 3 and under need a seat booked.
Please note: It is a long, full day with only about an hour in Kuranda. You travel the train and Skyrail and walk the park at your own pace; the driver-guide is with you on the coach. Show times are set by the park. 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
Money for lunch

What is included

Coach pick-up in Cairns and all transfers through the day
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Freshwater to Kuranda (8:50am)
About 1 hour free time in Kuranda village
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda to Smithfield (11:30am), with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak
Entry to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, including the wetlands cruise and wildlife shows
Trip guide with itinerary, tickets and discounts for Kuranda

Not included

Lunch and snacks (Lilypad Cafe at Hartley's, or cafes in Kuranda)
Koala, crocodile or snake holding photos at Hartley's
Entry to attractions in Kuranda

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.