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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway provides the easiest and most scenic way to explore the Cairns Rainforests. This 7.5km cableway travels continuously in a loop throughout the day, between its Smithfield and Kuranda Terminals. There’s two stops along the way at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. Red Peak has Ranger guided boardwalk tours and interpretive signage, Barron Falls has a cantilevered lookout for waterfall and gorge views. Travel on Skyrail is in gondola cabins which seat a maximum of 6 guests and provide panoramic views of the Cairns Rainforest, Barron Gorge, Barron Falls and Cairns Hinterland. There is an upgrade option to a Diamond View gondola cabin, which has a clear perspex floor providing amazing photo opportunities, these cabins seat a maximum of 5 guests.
The Skyrail return price includes the cableway journey and all activities at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. The cableway operates from 8.30am and 5pm daily (except Christmas Day) with bookings made in 15-minute intervals. A one-way journey takes 1.5 hours, including the station stops, and a return experience takes 2.5 hours. When choosing your return times, make sure you allow time to explore Kuranda the Village in the Rainforest.
What We Love About Skyrail (Return). Skyrail is the most convenient and flexible way for people to experience and explore Cairns’ Rainforests. Its Smithfield Terminal is just 15 minutes north of Cairns city and the whole experience is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with the gondolas and boardwalks able to accommodate prams and wheelchairs. More than that, the views over the rainforest are simply outstanding, and the Ranger tours, interpretive signage and Audio Guide App deepen your understanding of this amazing environment. Time in Kuranda Village, the cherry on top. Read our Cairns Skyrail Review.
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Skyrail Cairns is a ‘must do’ inclusion on any Cairns itinerary. The cableway itself provides sensational views and endless photo opportunities. It’s a joy to effortlessly glide over the rainforest canopy soaking in the diversity of this ancient environment from its towering trees and climbing palms, to granite walls of the Barron Gorge and Barron Falls and the calm waters of the Barron River. The station stops let you explore more, as the cableway descends from the canopy to the forest floor for a closer look. This multi-award winning attraction ticks all the sustainability boxes too. When booking a Skyrail Cairns return trip, make sure you factor in time to explore Kuranda Village, with its restaurants and cafes, boutiques and galleries, vibrant markets and wildlife attractions. We suggest at least 2 hours in Kuranda.
Skyrail has built its reputation around being an iconic ‘must do’ rainforest experience. The 7.5km cableway takes people to and from its Cairns Smithfield Terminal to Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest. It glides over and through the Barron Gorge National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, providing an ever-changing vista of rainforest views. It’s accessibility features make it popular with people of all ages, from families with young children to older guests and those with wheelchairs.
As well as the views, Skyrail Cairns provides the opportunity to learn more about the Cairns Rainforest at every turn, with the option to opt in or out depending on your preferences. There’s an Audio Guide App, covering flora, fauna, history and stories from the Traditional Owners, Ranger guided boardwalk tours and interpretive signage. Please note there is no eating or drinking (other than water) on the cableway or at the station stops. Refreshments and meals are available for purchase (additional cost to the tour) at the Smithfield Terminal and in Kuranda Village.
Skyrail Cairns provides the best views of the Barron Falls waterfall, which is the centrepiece of the Barron Gorge National Park. Barron Falls is 125m tall and was carved out by the waters of the Barron River over thousands of years. The ‘face’ of the falls changed in 1935 when a small hydro-electric station was built in the gorge, which was replaced by a larger station in 1963, following the construction of Tinaroo Dam. The ‘flow’ of water on and over the Barron Falls is impacted by the activities of the station and at most times of the year, is a modest single flow fall.
This changes dramatically in the summer months, when monsoonal rainfall across the Tablelands and Cairns region supercharges the flow of the Barron Falls and it becomes a thunderous wall of water churning down the gorge.
Skyrail Cairns has boardwalks at both of its station stops. Red Peak Station is the highest point of the journey and is 545m above sea level. An elevated timber boardwalk takes you on a circuit through the rainforest undergrowth, highlights include a 500 year old Kauri Pine Tree and the opportunity to see climbing palms and orchids up close. Ranger guided tours operate throughout the day, with times provided on the rainforest ‘clock’.
Barron Falls Station has rainforest boardwalks, providing many lookouts over the Barron Gorge and Barron Falls. A highlight is The Edge Lookout, a cantilevered walk that provides views down the gorge and of the falls. There are interpretive signage and bathrooms at both stations.
Kuranda is widely known as the Village in the Rainforest. A small and delightful community on the banks of the Barron River, wrapped on all sides by tropical rainforest. Make sure you allow time to explore Kuranda during your return Skyrail Cairns trip. There’s markets, galleries, boutiques, cafes, candy stores, restaurants, pubs and wildlife attractions. Notable highlights include Kuranda Koala Gardens, where you can pat a koala and feed kangaroos and wallabies, Birdworld Kuranda with a Southern Cassowary, Lorikeets, Macaws and so much more, as well as the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
Skyrail Cairns operates in the Barron Gorge National Park. The Traditional Owners of this area are the Djabugay People, who have lived in this rainforest for thousands of years. The terrain over which you pass is criss-crossed by their traditional pathways and keeps safe their sacred sites. Their Dreamtime stories reveal harmony and resilience, including the traditional methods of hunting, bush tucker and rainforest life. You can learn more about this on the Skyrail Audio Guide App, which is told in their voices bringing you into step with their history and culture. Some of the Skyrail Rangers are Djabugay People, who provide guided tours on the Red Peak Station boardwalk.
The majority of people start and end their return Skyrail trip at its Smithfield Station, which is a 15 minute drive from the city. You can self-drive, with plenty of car parking, or book a transfer (which is additional cost to the tour price). The cableway operates from 8.30am and 5pm with the gondolas moving in a continuous circuit between Smithfield and Kuranda. Bookings are taken in 15-minute intervals, to avoid congestion. When you book a return Skyrail Cairns trip you can choose your departure and return times. To help with planning we have prepared the below suggested itinerary. The Skyrail trip and station stops are included in the tour price. You should take additional funds for food and beverage purchases, plus any souvenirs and/or additional attractions you want to visit at Kuranda.
Check in at Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal. Advance bookings are highly recommended to secure your preferred travel times.
Board Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Enjoy a scenic journey taking you from the coastal lowlands, up over the Rainforest and Kuranda Range Road, to Red Peak Station.
Alight from the cableway at Red Peak Station, which is the highest part of the journey at 545m above sea level. Here you can participate in Ranger guided tours and self-guided tours, with interpretive signage.
Back on the Skyrail Cableway to continue your rainforest adventure. Glide over the canopy and see rainforest trees with basket ferns and climbing palms. As you approach Barron Falls Station, enjoy views down into Barron Gorge.
Alight from the cableway at Barron Falls Station. Explore rainforest boardwalks with several lookouts, including The Edge Lookout, providing more views to the Barron Gorge and Barron Falls.
Back onto the Skyrail Cableway to continue to Kuranda. Along the way you will glide over the Barron River. Please note these are suggested times, you can spend as much or as little time at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations as you like.
Arrive at Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal. Alight from the cableway and take the short walk to Kuranda Village. You can spend as much or as little time as you like in Kuranda, but we suggest at least 2.5 hours. During this time explore the Village, browse the many shops and stores, visit the markets and check out the wildlife attractions. Lots to see and do for people of all ages and interests. Enjoy lunch at one of the stalls, cafes or restaurants.
Make your way back to Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal for the return journey. Please note actual travelling time on the cableway (one-way) is 1 hour, this does not include time at the stations. You can choose to stop in and enjoy the stations again, at your discretion. So return travel time is up to you.
Arrive back into Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal.
Skyrail is a 7.5km cableway operating in a circuit between its Smithfield and Kuranda Terminals. It takes you through and over the Barron Gorge National Park, which are the closest Cairns Rainforests.
The return Skyrail price includes a return journey on the cableway, with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. There’s Ranger guided tours, interpretive signage, The Edge Lookout and Skyrail Audio Guide App. These are all included.
There are no food or beverages included in the Skyrail price. These can be purchased at additional cost at the Smithfield or Kuranda Terminals, or in Kuranda Village.
Yes, Skyrail is family friendly and is suitable and accessible for all ages. Skyrail provides a safe and inclusive way for families to explore the ancient Cairns Rainforests.
Yes, Skyrail is suitable for kids. We have taken our son on Skyrail at various times throughout his life, as a baby, toddler, primary school and now high school aged child. He has always enjoyed it.
Yes, the Ranger guided tours on Skyrail are worth it. As much as the views are amazing, as is the interpretive signage and Audio Guide App, nothing beats being able to listen to stories and ask questions. Ranger tours operate throughout the day and are included in the Skyrail price.
The Skyrail gondolas take up to 6 guests. When it isn’t busy – and where possible – you will share a gondola with your family and friends.
The Diamond View upgrade means taking one-part of your return Skyrail journey on a gondola with a clear Perspex floor. This makes for epic photo opportunities and is definitely worth the upgrade and additional cost. Diamond View gondolas take a maximum of 5 guests.
Enjoy the ever-changing views. The Rainforest Canopy. Cairns Hinterland. Barron Gorge, Barron Falls and Barron River. Time at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. Ranger guided tours. Self-guided boardwalk tours.
Kuranda the Village in the Rainforest has wildlife attractions, markets, an eclectic range of shops, cafes, food stalls and restaurants, as well as rainforest walks. We recommend spending at least 2.5 hours in Kuranda. This time is in addition to the return Skyrail travel times.
If you have any question regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you find the perfect tour for you, we understand it can be overwhelming trying to decide. Our advice and booking service is free.
Imagine floating above the rainforest. Gazing down into its green heart, a sea of rustling leaves and climbing palms. A place where cassowaries roam and ancient trees reach for the sky. Well stop dreaming and start doing, because you can make that happen on Cairns’ Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. So easy. So beautiful. So worth it.
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