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Today Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway launched their new cabins and re-commenced their full rainforest experience, between Smithfield and Kuranda. We were there to check it out and are loving the new floor to ceiling windows, which provide even more amazing views of the rainforest. In addition to the larger windows, the new gondola cabins have enhanced accessibility features with step-free, floor-level boarding and wider entry doors. Perfect for families with prams and guests with mobility concerns. The return of the full cableway experience also brings one of our region’s top rainforest tourist attractions back online, which is fantastic news for visitors to Cairns. Skyrail Cairns provides a completely unique way to experience and explore our vibrant rainforests. The gondola cabins glide just metres over the canopy, providing panoramic views of the Barron Gorge National Park and Barron Falls. From above, the scale, diversity and abundance of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforests is on full display. Trees reach into the sky to create a vast green canopy, with climbing vines and basket ferns in abundance. The soundtrack is birdsong and the call of cockatoos. There’s two station stops along the 7.5km cableway, providing the chance to explore the forest floor and learn more on Ranger guided tours and at the Rainforest Interpretation Centre. If you’re planning a Cairns holiday, Skyrail is a must do inclusion on your itinerary.
The new Skyrail gondola cabins are now operating between Smithfield and Red Peak Station. The panoramic views provided by the larger windows are fabulous! If you haven’t done it, do it now. If you have done it, time to go again for the new cabins.
Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway opened on 31 August 1995. It was the first cableway of its kind, constructed with a small footprint and minimal impact to the surrounding rainforest. Locally owned and family operated, the vision behind Skyrail was to create a sustainable way for people to experience and explore the rainforest, taking memories without even leaving a footprint. During their more than 30 years in operation they have successfully achieved this and won countless tourism and environmental awards, for their vision, commitment and operations. In July 2026, Skyrail Cairns commenced an $85 million upgrade project, with the focus of introducing new custom-built gondola cabins across the cableway. To do this, existing tower and station infrastructure also needed to be upgraded. A big job. Phase 1 focussed on upgrading the Smithfield to Red Peak component of the cableway. This meant closing that part of the experience to the public, while operating a Loop Experience between Kuranda and Barron Falls. Phase 2 commenced today, with the re-opening of the Smithfield to Red Peak line, featuring the new gondola cabins. The original cabins still operate between Kuranda and Red Peak and will be upgraded as a part of Phase 3 of the project, which will commence in July 2027. Until then you can witness the evolution of this iconic Cairns attraction, as it moves into a new era of operations.
“Today 4 November 2026, Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway re-commenced its ‘usual operations’, showcasing its new custom-built cabins between Smithfield and Red Peak. The new gondola cabins have bench-style seating and natural ventilation. Their biggest point of difference to the original cabins, are the larger windows and accessibility features. We’re loving the new look and were thrilled to be some of the first people to experience it.” – Julie Johnston
We enjoyed a return experience on Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway today, taking us from Smithfield to Kuranda and back again. Departing Smithfield in the new gondola cabins, we were immediately impressed with the enhanced viewing opportunities. Highlights of the 2.7km journey between Smithfield and Red Peak included watching the scenery change from woodlands to rainforest, while gliding just meters over the canopy, and taking in stunning views of the Cairns hinterland and out to the Coral Sea. At Red Peak Station we alighted from the cableway and joined a Ranger guided tour. The tour is included in the ticket price and operates throughout the day. The Skyrail Rangers will point out key plants of interest, including the Strangler Figs, Climbing Palms, 500 year old Kauri Pine and Basket Ferns, whilst also explaining more of the rainforest’s evolution.
The next section of the cableway, between Red Peak and Kuranda, is running with Skyrail’s original gondola cabins allowing you to see the difference the upgrade works are making. It’s around 3.1km from Red Peak to Barron Falls Station, and in our opinion this section of the cableway provides some of the most spectacular rainforest scenery. Get the phone / camera ready for views into Barron Gorge and of Barron Falls. Today was a glorious big blue sky day, and it was breathtaking. Barron Falls Station provides another opportunity to explore the forest floor. Highlights here include The Edge Lookout, which is cantilevered over the side of the gorge providing more amazing views, the Rainforest Interpretation Centre and Historical Precinct.
From here it’s another 1.7km to the Kuranda Terminal, keep your phone and camera handy for when you cross over the Barron River and keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles. We enjoyed lunch in Kuranda and visited the markets, before returning to Cairns on Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway. You should allow 1.5 hours for a one-way Skyrail experience, which includes time at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Actual travelling time on the cableway is around 1 hour, so allow 2.5 hours for a return Skyrail experience, plus free time in Kuranda.
Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway will be running with the original and the new gondola cabins from November 2026 until July 2027. They are currently operating 7 days a week, between 8.30am and 5pm, with bookings made in 15 minute time allocations. In July 2027 they will close the Kuranda to Red Peak component of the cableway, to allow upgrade works and introduce the new gondola cabins. During this time, they will operate a Loop Experience between Smithfield and Red Peak Station, with a shuttle bus service to Kuranda. It is anticipated all works will be completed in November 2027.
As of 4 November 2026, a return Skyrail experience costs $111 for Adults and $55.50 for Children. You may choose to combine Skyrail with the Kuranda Scenic Railway, for different views and experiences in the Barron Gorge National Park. A one-way Skyrail experience costs $74 for Adults and $37 for Children. Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway is an accessible tour, opening the wonders of the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests to people of all ages and abilities. Skyrail is also an all-weather experience, beautiful on a big blue sky day, magical on a rainy day.
Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway launched its new gondola cabins on 4 November 2026, as part of an $85 million upgrade project. The custom-built cabins feature larger, floor-to-ceiling windows, improved accessibility, wider entry doors and step-free boarding. The new cabins are currently operating between Smithfield and Red Peak Station.
We think so! Having experienced Skyrail many times over the years, we were really impressed with the new gondola cabins. The larger, floor-to-ceiling windows provide noticeably better views of the rainforest and surrounding scenery, making the experience feel even amazing. If you’ve experienced Skyrail before, we’d definitely recommend returning to check out the new cabins. We loved them.
Not yet. From November 2026 until mid-2027, Skyrail is operating a combination of new and original gondola cabins. The new cabins operate between Smithfield and Red Peak, while the original cabins continue between Red Peak and Kuranda. This provides a unique opportunity to experience both generations of Skyrail cabins on the same journey.
Yes. As of 4 November 2026, Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway has resumed its full 7.5km journey between Smithfield and Kuranda, including stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. The full experience is scheduled to operate until mid-2027, subject to planned maintenance and closures.
Allow 1.5 hours for a one-way Skyrail experience, including time to explore Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations. A return Skyrail experience takes approximately 2.5 hours, plus additional time to explore Kuranda. We recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours in Kuranda for lunch, markets and sightseeing.
Absolutely. Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway is a wonderful experience for families, with children of all ages. Enjoy panoramic views from the gondola cabins, rainforest boardwalks, Ranger guided tours and spectacular lookouts. Skyrail’s new gondola cabins also have wider entry doors and step-free boarding, improving accessibility for families with young children and prams.
Yes. There are two rainforest stations along the 7.5km Skyrail journey, at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Both stations provide opportunities to explore rainforest boardwalks and scenic lookouts. Red Peak also offers complimentary Ranger guided tours, while Barron Falls features The Edge Lookout, Rainforest Interpretation Centre and Historical Precinct. We recommend stopping at both stations.
Yes. Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway accommodates most standard wheelchairs and offers accessible facilities throughout the experience. The new gondola cabins feature step-free, floor-level boarding and wider entry doors. Some wheelchair size and loading restrictions apply, so guests with specific mobility requirements should confirm arrangements with Skyrail before booking.
Yes. Combining Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway with the Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of the most popular ways to explore Kuranda. Travel one way on Skyrail, enjoying views over the rainforest canopy, and the other way on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, which winds through the mountains, past waterfalls and through tunnels. Both experiences offer different perspectives of the Barron Gorge National Park.
Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway is undergoing an $85 million upgrade throughout 2026 and 2027, introducing new gondola cabins and improved infrastructure. Phase 1 is now complete. Phase 2 commenced on 4 November 2026, which is the full Skyrail experience showcasing the old and the new gondola cabins, presenting a unique opportunity to see a tourism icon in its evolutionary stage. As of today, Skyrail Cairns Rainforest Cableway is back to operating 7 days a week, taking bookings in 15-minute departure intervals. Phase 3 of the upgrade commences in July 2027. This is an all-weather tour, providing a unique perspective of Cairns’ tropical rainforests.
© I Love Cairns 2026
