Down Under Tours Kuranda, Skyrail (11:00am) and Scenic Rail Gold Class (3:30pm) incl. Return Cairns Transfers

Map View Full Details

Kuranda the comfortable way: glide up over the rainforest on the 11am or 9:45am Skyrail, take your time in the village, then ride back down the Barron Gorge in the Gold Class carriage of the 3:30pm Kuranda Scenic Railway, with drinks, appetisers and a host, and coach transfers from Cairns, the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas.

Days

About 8 hours from Cairns, a full day from farther out

Group size

Self-guided, shared coach transfers

Start / finish

Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas / Smithfield / Kuranda / Freshwater / your start
Cairns, about 6pm

Return

Cairns, about 6pm

Transport

Coach, Skyrail cableway and Gold Class train

Meals

Drinks and appetisers in Gold Class on the train

Route

Map of Down Under Tours Kuranda, Skyrail (11:00am) and Scenic Rail Gold Class (3:30pm) incl. Return Cairns Transfers

View map

Included experiences

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — 7.5 km over the canopy at 11am or 9:45am
Red Peak — boardwalk loop and free ranger-guided walk
Barron Falls station — The Edge Lookout over the gorge
Kuranda village — markets, cafes and wildlife parks at your own pace
Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class — drinks and appetisers on the 3:30pm train down the Barron Gorge

Down Under Tours Kuranda, Skyrail (11:00am) and Scenic Rail Gold Class (3:30pm) incl. Return Cairns Transfers

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: COACH TO THE SKYRAIL

No early start from Cairns today. Your driver collects you from Cairns at around 10am, or earlier from the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas, and hands you your Kuranda boarding pass: your times, your Skyrail and Gold Class tickets and discount coupons for the village. On the drive to Smithfield, the Skyrail terminal at the foot of the range, the driver-guide tells the story of the region. From here the day is yours, at your own pace.

LATE MORNING: SKYRAIL OVER THE RAINFOREST

You board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway at 11am from Cairns, or 9:45am on the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas options. It opened in 1995 and runs 7.5 km over the World Heritage rainforest of the Wet Tropics. Step off at Red Peak, 545 metres up and the line's highest point, for a boardwalk among kauri pines and a free ranger-guided walk. At Barron Falls station, The Edge Lookout hangs over the gorge; in the wet season the falls roar, while in the dry a weir upstream for the hydro scheme takes much of the flow. With stops, allow about an hour and a half.

AFTERNOON: KURANDA VILLAGE

Kuranda is the village in the rainforest, and you have the middle of the day here. Walk the markets, take a long lunch at one of the cafes, or use your coupons at Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or Kuranda Koala Gardens (entry is extra). Then stroll down to Kuranda Station, finished in 1915 and famous for the ferns along its platform, and be there about ten minutes before your train.

LATE AFTERNOON: GOLD CLASS DOWN THE RANGE

At 3:30pm you settle into the Gold Class carriage of the Kuranda Scenic Railway, fitted out with cedar panelling, old photographs and your own lounge chair. A host brings a chilled towel, appetisers and drinks: sparkling Australian wine, beer, juice, mocktails, tea or coffee. The line opened in 1891 after five years of work by hand, and drops 327 metres through 15 tunnels and over 55 bridges, past Stoney Creek Falls on a curved trestle and through the Barron Gorge. At Freshwater Station your coach is waiting, and you're back in Cairns or the Northern Beaches at about 6pm, or in Port Douglas in the evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns accommodation and set points, or from your Palm Cove, Trinity Beach or Port Douglas accommodation; your exact time and place are confirmed when you book.
Departure time: Cairns pick-ups from around 10am, Northern Beaches from about 9am and Port Douglas from about 7:45am. From the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas this tour usually runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; exact times and days are confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Back in Cairns or the Northern Beaches at about 6pm, or in Port Douglas in the evening.
Suits: Couples and anyone after a slower, more comfortable day. Children 3 and under need a seat booked. The operator recommends its Kuranda tours for wheelchair users and runs a wheelchair-accessible coach; say so when you book.
Please note: This is a self-guided day: the guide is with you on the coach, and you ride Skyrail and the train and walk Kuranda on your own. The boarding pass comes in English, 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
Water bottle
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Umbrella
Money for lunch and any attractions

What is included

Pick-up in Cairns, Palm Cove and Trinity Beach or Port Douglas, and transfer to the Skyrail Smithfield terminal
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Smithfield to Kuranda (11am from Cairns, 9:45am from the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas), with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls
Free time in Kuranda village
Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class, Kuranda to Freshwater (3:30pm), with host service, drinks, appetisers and a souvenir trip guide
Coach from Freshwater Station back to your pick-up area
Kuranda boarding pass with itinerary, tickets and discount coupons, in seven languages

Not included

Other food and drinks, including lunch in Kuranda
Admission to Kuranda attractions

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.