Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Skyrail and Train-Self Drive

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Park at Skyrail's Smithfield terminal, glide 7.5 km up to Kuranda over the Wet Tropics rainforest, spend the middle of the day in the village, then ride the heritage Kuranda Scenic Railway back down through Barron Gorge, with a bus back to your car.

Days

Full day

Age

All ages; under 15s with an adult

Group size

Self-guided; gondolas may be shared

Start / finish

Skyrail Smithfield terminal / Kuranda / Freshwater station / Smithfield

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Own car, Skyrail gondola, Kuranda Scenic Railway and a bus

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Skyrail and Train-Self Drive

View map

Included experiences

Skyrail — 7.5 km over the Wet Tropics rainforest canopy
Red Peak — ranger-guided rainforest boardwalk walk
Barron Falls — The Edge Lookout over the gorge
Kuranda — markets, wildlife parks and cafés at your own pace
Kuranda Scenic Railway — heritage carriages down through Barron Gorge

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Skyrail and Train-Self Drive

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: TO SKYRAIL AT SMITHFIELD

Either drive yourself to the Skyrail terminal at 6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, and park for free, or take the Skyrail bus from a pick-up point in Cairns city, depending on the option you book. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway opened in 1995 and runs 7.5 km from Smithfield, about 15 minutes north of Cairns, to Kuranda. Gondolas leave continuously and your boarding time is set in a 15-minute slot. Within minutes of leaving the terminal, 5 metres above sea level, you're skimming over the canopy of Barron Gorge National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area listed in 1988, with the coast and the Coral Sea opening up behind you. Download the free audio guide app before you set off: it tells Djabugay stories of the forest as you go.

ON THE WAY UP: RED PEAK AND BARRON FALLS

The first stop is Red Peak, Guriguri Bunda, the highest point on the line at 545 metres. Step off onto a 250 metre boardwalk loop among tree ferns, climbing palms and giant kauri pines, and join one of the free ranger-guided walks, about 15 minutes long. The Wet Tropics hold around 40% of Australia's bird species, so listen as well as look. At Barron Falls station, Din Din to the Djabuganydji people, a boardwalk leads to The Edge Lookout, hanging over the gorge. In the wet season, December to March, the falls roar; in the dry, a weir upstream for the hydro scheme takes much of the flow. Nearby sits old machinery from one of Queensland's first hydro-electric schemes, and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre explains what you've flown over. With both stops, the trip up takes about an hour and a half.

MIDDAY: KURANDA VILLAGE

Skyrail ends beside Kuranda Station, finished in 1915 and famous for the ferns along its platform, a short walk from the village. Kuranda is the village in the rainforest, and Skyrail suggests two to three hours here. Walk the Heritage Markets, take a long lunch at one of the cafés, or visit Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens or the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, home to the largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia (entry to each is extra). Be back at the station about ten minutes before your train.

AFTERNOON: THE SCENIC RAILWAY DOWN THE GORGE

The Kuranda Scenic Railway opened in 1891 after five years of work largely by hand, and it still drops about 327 metres in 37 km, through 15 tunnels and over 55 bridges. The timber heritage carriages, some up to 90 years old, wind down through the Barron Gorge, pause for photos at the Barron Falls, and cross the curved trestle bridge beside Stoney Creek Falls, with commentary in every carriage. If you drove, you leave the train at Freshwater Station after about an hour and a half, and a bus takes you the 7 km back to your car. On the bus option, the train runs on to Cairns Central station in the middle of town, and you make your own way from there.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Skyrail's Smithfield terminal, 6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, with free parking, RV and caravan spaces and two electric-vehicle chargers.
Departure time: Your Skyrail boarding slot is set when you book. Afternoon trains leave Kuranda in the early and mid afternoon; your train is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Back at your car at Smithfield, after the train and a short bus ride from Freshwater station.
Duration: About 8 hours: 1.5 hours on Skyrail, 2 to 3 hours in Kuranda, 1.5 hours on the train, plus the bus.
Suits: All ages and abilities. Children 14 and under must be with an adult; infants under 4 travel free but still need a ticket.
Gondolas: Each gondola takes up to six people. Seats are sold individually, so at busy times you may share with other guests.
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible: the cableway slows or stops for boarding, there are ramps and accessible toilets throughout, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free, subject to availability. Personal wheelchairs must be no more than 950 mm long. Folding prams go in the gondola with you.
Please note: Skyrail is card only, including the shop and café; Kuranda's shops take cash and card. Eating is not allowed in the gondolas or at the mid-stations, and the whole experience is smoke-free.

What to bring

Camera
Credit or debit card (Skyrail is cash-free)
Sun protection
Comfortable walking shoes
The Skyrail audio guide app, downloaded

What is included

One-way Skyrail journey, Smithfield to Kuranda
Stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls
Ranger-guided boardwalk tour at Red Peak
Skyrail audio guide app
One-way Kuranda Scenic Railway journey, Kuranda to Freshwater
Bus from Freshwater Railway Station back to the Smithfield terminal
Free parking at the Smithfield terminal

Not included

Transfers from Cairns (drive yourself to Smithfield)
Gold Class train upgrade
Food and drink
Entry to Kuranda attractions

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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.

Reviews

4.8

Based on 9 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(4/5)

Buy tickets ahead, as it can be busy at peak times. Very worth it, and you can book the train, Skyrail and bus back to the city all together on their website.

Enzo Lefevre Verified· Travelled 24th October 2026

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(5/5)

A lovely, relaxing day exploring Kuranda and the rainforest, with butterflies, koalas and beautiful views from the Skyrail. Renovations meant we only rode down to the falls, which had little water in the dry season. The slow train back through the rainforest was really cool, though young kids might find it a bit slow.

Etyene Lavall Verified· Travelled 16th October 2026

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(5/5)

A wonderful day. We took the Skyrail up in the morning and the Kuranda Scenic Railway back in the afternoon. The rainforest is beautifully preserved, even the toilets at the top are zero waste, and the rainforest walk with Chloe was amazing.

Simran Verified· Travelled 16th October 2026

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(5/5)

I booked the cableway up and the train down. The upgrade work made the ride under ten minutes, but the staff were warm and I'd come back.

黃仁鴻 Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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(5/5)

A fantastic experience. My wife and I loved gliding over the canopy on the Skyrail and taking the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway through Barron Gorge, a stunning way to see the World Heritage rainforest.

Angelito Richard Banzuela Verified· Travelled 5th October 2026

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(5/5)

Skyrail was a highlight of our honeymoon, with a breathtaking gondola ride and stops that make it more than just a ride. We turned up without tickets and Marcus in the ticket office went above and beyond, sorting our Skyrail and finding great seats on the train back from Kuranda. Annette in the shop was lovely too.

James Andrews Verified· Travelled 5th October 2026

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