Tropic Wings Grand Kuranda Experience Reverse Tour from Cairns

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The full Grand Kuranda day from Cairns, run as the reverse departure: the Kuranda Scenic Railway one way and Skyrail the other, with the butterfly aviary, Army Duck rides, wildlife and Aboriginal culture at Rainforestation, and a barbecue lunch in between.

Days

Full day, about 9.5 hours

Age

Child prices for ages 4 to 14

Group size

Shared coach tour

Start / finish

Cairns / Kuranda / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Electric coach, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail cableway

Meals

Barbecue buffet lunch

Route

Map of Tropic Wings Grand Kuranda Experience Reverse Tour Ex Cairns

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Included experiences

Kuranda Scenic Railway — through Barron Gorge between Freshwater and Kuranda
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — over the canopy via Red Peak and Barron Falls
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary — flight aviary and guided laboratory tour
Rainforestation — Army Duck ride through rainforest and lake
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience — Dreamtime Walk, boomerang and spear throwing, dance show
Koala and Wildlife Park — koalas, cassowary, Tasmanian devils, feed the kangaroos

Tropic Wings Grand Kuranda Experience Reverse Tour Ex Cairns - SALT

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE RANGE

An electric coach collects you from your Cairns hotel. This is the reverse departure of the Grand Kuranda day, the fullest of the Kuranda tours, so the train and Skyrail run in the opposite order to the standard tour; which way round your date runs is set when you book. The Kuranda Scenic Railway runs 37 km between Cairns and Kuranda, rising 327 metres through Barron Gorge National Park over 55 bridges and through 15 tunnels. Gangs of workers cut it into the range largely by hand, and it carried its first travellers in 1891. Watch for the curved bridge at Stoney Creek Falls, where the carriages swing right past the falling water.

KURANDA VILLAGE AND THE BUTTERFLIES

Kuranda sits about 330 metres up in the Wet Tropics, World Heritage-listed in 1988 and home to some of the oldest rainforest on earth. The village's markets, galleries and cafés fill the streets between the station and the Skyrail terminal. A short walk from the village stations, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary has the largest butterfly aviary in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than a thousand tropical butterflies flying free. Look for the Cairns birdwing, Australia's largest butterfly, the male a flash of emerald green and black. Wear something bright and they may land on you. Every butterfly here is bred on site, and in the laboratory you see the caterpillars that will become the next ones overhead. A guide shows you through the aviary and the laboratory.

RAINFORESTATION: ARMY DUCK AND LUNCH

Rainforestation Nature Park has been welcoming visitors since 1976 and covers 100 acres of rainforest on the Kennedy Highway just outside Kuranda, on the country of the Djabugay people, who have lived in these ranges for thousands of years. Your Army Duck is a DUKW, a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck of the Second World War with a propeller under the back; more than 21,000 were built to run troops and supplies from ship to shore. The Duck Captain drives you along rainforest tracks, pointing out plants and wildlife, then rolls straight down the bank into the lake. Lunch is an Aussie barbecue buffet overlooking the lake, and you can wander the tropical fruit orchard on your own.

RAINFORESTATION: PAMAGIRRI AND THE WILDLIFE PARK

The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience won gold at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards. In the rainforest amphitheatre the dancers perform to didgeridoo and clapsticks, with dances about animals, hunting and gathering food. On the half-hour Dreamtime Walk, along a path shaped like the Rainbow Serpent, you throw a boomerang in a netted area and watch the guides launch a spear with a woomera, then take aim at the target yourself.

In the Koala & Wildlife Park, raised boardwalks lead past koalas, which sleep up to 20 hours a day, and the endangered southern cassowary, Australia's heaviest bird. Look for a Lumholtz's tree kangaroo, found in the wild only in the rainforests of the Atherton Tableland, and the only Tasmanian devils in North Queensland, the largest meat-eating marsupials left on earth. Kangaroos and wallabies roam free, so you can feed them by hand, and Jack, a 5 metre saltwater crocodile, keeps watch from his pool.

THE OTHER WAY: SKYRAIL

Your second ride on the range is Skyrail. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway opened in 1995 and carries you 7.5 km in six-person gondolas just above the canopy between Smithfield and Kuranda, about an hour and a half with its stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations. From the boardwalks at Barron Falls you look straight into the gorge. In the wet season the falls roar; in the dry, much of the river is diverted to a hydro-electric station and they can thin to a ribbon. The coach then takes you back to your hotel at the end of a full day.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns city hotels and most Northern Beaches accommodation. There is no pick-up from private homes such as Airbnb rentals.
Departure time: Morning pick-up; your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: A full day, about 9.5 hours.
Minimum age: Child prices are for ages 4 to 14.
Fitness: Easy walking on mostly paved, covered paths. Rainforestation has ramps to the dance show, Dreamtime Walk and wildlife park, and you board the Army Duck from a platform by sliding onto the rear seat.
Please note: The tour runs in all weather; the Army Ducks have covers and most of Rainforestation is under cover.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent
A water bottle
A light rain jacket
Money for snacks, drinks and photos

What is included

Return transfers from your Cairns hotel on an electric coach
Kuranda Scenic Railway (one way)
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (one way)
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary entry, with a guided tour of the aviary and laboratory
Rainforestation Nature Park: Army Duck tour, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Koala and Wildlife Park
Aussie barbecue buffet lunch
Time in Kuranda village

Not included

Other food and drinks
Souvenir photos (sold on the day)

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

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.

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 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

5.0

Based on 2 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.

(5/5)

The Kuranda rainforest tour is a must in Cairns. At Rainforestation we did the Aboriginal walk with didgeridoo, spear and boomerang throwing and dancing, an Army Duck ride, and fed kangaroos in the wildlife park, then a tasty buffet lunch with plenty of vegetarian options. In Kuranda we saw the butterfly house and village, rode the Skyrail to Barron Falls, and took the breathtaking train back to Cairns. A late start cut some time short, but we'd book it again.

Vanessa Albrecht Verified· Travelled 2nd September 2026

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(5/5)

My family did the Grand Kuranda tour and it was awesome, always on the move. We saw the rainforest from the Skyrail and boardwalks, then the butterfly aviary and the zoo with friendly kangaroos and wallabies, and finished on the train with glorious mountain views.

Elizabeth K Verified· Travelled 13th June 2026

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