Down Under Tours Kuranda Self Drive: Scenic Rail Q-0950 and Skyrail S-1245

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A short Kuranda loop for travellers with their own car: park free at the Skyrail terminal in Smithfield, ride the 9:50am Kuranda Scenic Railway up the Barron Gorge, take an hour in the village and glide back down on the 12:45pm Skyrail to your car.

Days

About 6 hours

Group size

Self-guided day

Start / finish

Skyrail Smithfield / Freshwater / Kuranda / Skyrail Smithfield

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Own car to Smithfield, short coach transfer, train and Skyrail

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Down Under Tours Kuranda Self Drive: Scenic Rail Q-0950 and Skyrail S-1245

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Included experiences

Kuranda Scenic Railway — the 9:50am train up the Barron Gorge through 15 tunnels
Barron Falls lookout — pause on the train ride up
Kuranda village — about an hour for the markets and cafes
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — 7.5 km over the canopy at 12:45pm
Red Peak and Barron Falls stations — boardwalks, The Edge Lookout and ranger walks

Down Under Tours Kuranda Self Drive: Scenic Rail Q-0950 and Skyrail S-1245

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: SMITHFIELD TO FRESHWATER STATION

Drive yourself to the Skyrail terminal at Smithfield, about 15 minutes north of Cairns at the foot of the range, and park for free. You're given your Kuranda trip guide, with your times, your train and Skyrail tickets already printed and discount coupons for the village, then a short coach transfer takes you to Freshwater Station, the railway's stop in the Cairns suburbs. Depending on the option you pick, you board the 8:50am or the 9:50am train. With tickets in hand there is no queue to join, so you can walk straight to the boarding area.

MID-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 heritage carriages are timber and more than a century old. The line runs out of the cane fields and into the Barron Gorge, crosses the curved trestle bridge right beside Stoney Creek Falls, and pauses at the Barron Falls lookout. In the wet season the falls roar; in the dry, a weir upstream for the hydro scheme takes much of the flow.

LATE MORNING: KURANDA VILLAGE

The train pulls into Kuranda Station, finished in 1915 and famous for the ferns hanging along its platform. Kuranda is the village in the rainforest, and you have between one and two hours here, depending on your times. Walk the Heritage Markets and the Original Rainforest Markets, grab a coffee or lunch at one of the cafes, or use a coupon at Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or Kuranda Koala Gardens (entry is extra). Keep an eye on the clock: your Skyrail time is on your trip guide.

EARLY AFTERNOON: SKYRAIL BACK TO YOUR CAR

At 12:45pm, or 1:30pm on the later option, you board the 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 highest point of the line, for a boardwalk among kauri pines and a free ranger-guided walk. With both stops the ride takes about an hour and a half, and it ends at Smithfield, right where you parked.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway terminal, Smithfield, where parking is free. The tour starts and finishes here.
Departure time: For the 9:50am train; your meeting time at Smithfield is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Skyrail Smithfield terminal, mid-afternoon.
Suits: Travellers with their own car who want the train and Skyrail with a short stop in Kuranda. Children 3 and under travel free.
Please note: There is no guide: you ride the train and Skyrail on your own with the trip guide, which 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 shoes
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Umbrella

What is included

Free parking at the Skyrail Smithfield terminal
One-way coach transfer from the Skyrail car park to Freshwater Station
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Freshwater to Kuranda (9:50am)
About 1 hour free time in Kuranda village
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda to Smithfield (12:45pm), with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak
Kuranda Trip Guide with itinerary, tickets and discount coupons

Not included

Food and drinks
Admission to Kuranda attractions
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Personal expenses

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.