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Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Cairns’ oldest tourist attractions, commencing its operations in 1891. Its construction was a feat of engineering which has stood the test of time and is still impressive today. The 34km train journey operates between its Cairns and Kuranda Terminals, with the option to start and end your journey at Freshwater (more on this below). It’s a scenic experience taking you past waterfalls and through the Barron Gorge National Park, which is a part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Along the way enjoy views of Cairns city and suburbs, the hinterland and of course of the Barron Gorge and the Barron Falls. There is an upgrade option to Gold Class which has a dedicated food and beverage service featuring locally sourced produce, souvenir gift pack and individual seating in lounge-style, armchair seating.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway return price includes the train journey, audio commentary and 2 x 10 minute photo stops at Barron Falls lookout. There’s two departure and return times daily. Cairns Central departs at 8.30am and 9.30am [8.55am or 9.55am if you join the journey at Freshwater Train Station], with a 2pm or 3.30pm departure time from Kuranda. It is the same price if you choose your departure / return point to be Cairns Central or Freshwater Train Station. The Kuranda Scenic Railway trip takes 1.5 hours each way and make sure you leave time to explore Kuranda. For the purposes of this tour, we’ve prepared an itinerary on the later departure and location, so you have the option for the Gold Class Upgrade (which is not available on the early departure).
What We Love About Kuranda Scenic Railway (Return). Kuranda Scenic Railway is a railway lovers’ delight, with its interesting history and construction story. It provides a leisurely journey through the Barron Gorge National Park with many highlights including the beautiful Stoney Creek Falls, Robbs Monument and the Barron Falls. The pace is gentle with plenty of time for photos along the way, and the ride is smooth. Kuranda Scenic Railway carriages can accommodate prams and wheelchairs, making it accessible for all ages. There is historical and interpretive commentary along the way and spending time in Kuranda Village. A delightful day out.
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Kuranda Scenic Railway is a 34km rail journey taking you from Cairns [or Freshwater] to Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest. Along the way you travel over 55 bridges including Stoney Creek, which provides a stunning photo opportunity with the Stoney Creek Falls, through 15 hand carved tunnels and around 98 curves. Back in the day the construction of this railway, which took several years, was a feat of engineering and at one stage there were up to 1,500 people working on the project. The onboard commentary provides additional historical information, as well as acknowledging the Djabugay Bama people as the traditional custodians of the land and sharing some of their creation stories. It’s a 90 minute journey each way from Freshwater to Kuranda [or 1 hour 55 minutes each way from Cairns to Kuranda] including 2 x 10 minute stops at Barron Falls for photos. In between enjoy free time exploring Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest.
Kuranda Scenic Railways takes you on a scenic journey of discovery through the Barron Gorge National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Along the way you watch the landscape transition from city and suburbs to sugar cane fields and rainforest. The train ascends 327m above sea level, climbing the MacAlister Range and providing stunning views over the Cairns hinterland, into the Barron Gorge and its many landscape features along the way. The onboard commentary provides historical, environmental and cultural insight into the railway and the rainforest. Kuranda Scenic Railway has a 10 minute stop at Barron Falls, for both directions of travel, providing you with the opportunity to alight from the carriage and enjoy views of the falls and into the gorge. Trains are beloved by people of all ages and abilities and provide an accessible way to experience and explore Cairns’ rainforest. Each carriage has its own water cooler and bathroom, for your comfort.
Kuranda Scenic Railway provides you with a minimum of two waterfall views, sometimes more depending on the season and your time of travel. Stoney Creek Falls is a highlight of the Kuranda Scenic Railway journey, as is the bridge itself. The falls flows all year round, making for beautiful photos (which is why it’s most often the backdrop for the Kuranda Scenic Railway hero shots and marketing materials).
While the train stops for photos of the Barron Falls, which is the centrepiece of the Barron Gorge National Park. The stops here for 10 minutes (each direction of travel), allowing you to enjoy views from the lookout. The Barron Falls is 125m tall, with the Barron River tumbling down the granite walls, continuing through the Gorge to the Coral Sea. There is a hydro-electric facility operating in the Gorge which impacts the volume of water over the Falls. For most the year it’s a modest single flow, but during summer (and usually February and March) rainfall transforms Barron Falls into a thunderous and impressive display of churning water thundering its way down the gorge.
Kuranda is famously known as the Village in the Rainforest, because it’s surrounded by lush tropical greenery and located alongside the Barron River. The Kuranda Scenic Railway has been bringing visitors here for over 100 years and its Kuranda Terminal is beautifully landscaped to reflect the rainforest surrounds. While in Kuranda, you’ll have time to wander through markets filled with craft and souvenir items, discover art galleries and boutique shops, and/or relax in shaded cafes and restaurants. There are also wildlife attractions, including Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, all of which are open 7 days. Entry to attractions is an additional cost to your train ticket.
Kuranda Scenic Railway operates in the Barron Gorge National Park and acknowledges the Djabugay Bama people as the traditional custodians of the land through its onboard commentary and brochure information, which includes creation stories and the connection of the Djabugay people to the rainforest and its waterways. One such story focusses on the tale of Buda-dji the carpet snake who carved the Barron River, and is painted on the lead engine of Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Kuranda Scenic Railway has two departure times from Cairns [8.30am and 9.30am] and Freshwater [8.55am and 9.55am], and two return departure times from Kuranda [2pm and 3.30pm]. For the purposes of this itinerary, we’ve used the later departure times to give you the option of a Gold Class upgrade. [The Gold Class upgrade and carriages are not on the first train of the day.] You can depart and return to and from Cairns and Freshwater, but the price is the same for both. The train typically has between 12-15 carriages. Heritage Class carriages have bench seating facing each other, most benches take up to 4 guests, some are smaller. Gold Class carriages have individual lounge-style arm chairs and a food and beverage service. To help with planning we have prepared the below suggested itinerary. The Kuranda Scenic Railway return tickets 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.
Arrive at Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Cairns Central Station. This is located at the Cairns Central Shopping Centre. If you are self-driving and parking here, please advise station staff at the point of check in your vehicle registration number for parking validation for free parking (no fee). There is the option to commence your journey at the Freshwater Train Station if you prefer.
Kuranda Scenic Railway departs Cairns Central towards its first stop, the Freshwater Train Station. Along the way, pass through inner-city Cairns suburbs. If you have booked the Gold Class upgrade, then please note a welcome refreshment will be served in the pavilion area of the Freshwater Train Station from 9.35am.
Kuranda Scenic Railway departs Freshwater and commences its journey to Kuranda. Along the way you pass through sugar cane fields and commence your climb of the MacAlister Range, travelling over 55 bridges and through 15 hand carved tunnels on your way to Kuranda. Onboard commentary is provided, throughout the trip. There will be a 10 minute stop at Barron Falls Station for photos and views.
Arrive at Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest. You have around 3.5 hours to explore Kuranda Village, which is a 5 minute walk from the train station. There are market stalls, clothing boutiques, wildlife attractions, cafes and restaurants. If you want to pat a koala and feed kangaroos then Kuranda Koala Gardens is a must, and the nearby Birdworld Kuranda is the place to see a Southern Cassowary and many, many more birds. There are also short rainforest walks and trails you can explore around Kuranda, which are clearly sign-posted. Refreshments, snacks and meals can be purchased at cafes, restaurants and food stalls. Please note: Any and all activities and purchases in Kuranda, are an additional expense to the Kuranda Scenic Railway tickets.
Return to Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Kuranda Station. If you have booked the Gold Class upgrade, then please note that welcome drinks will be served onboard the train at the Kuranda Railway Station from 3.10pm.
Depart Kuranda Station and commence the return journey to Cairns. There will be a 10 minute stop at Barron Falls Station for photos and views.
Arrive at Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Freshwater Station. If you journey started here, then it ends here too. If you booked a Cairns return trip, please remain on the train for the final leg of your journey.
Arrive back to Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Cairns Central Station.
Kuranda Scenic Railway provides a 34km scenic journey from Cairns and Freshwater to Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest. It travel from the city, through the suburbs and cane fields into the World Heritage listed protected rainforests of the Barron Gorge National Park, which are the closest Cairns Rainforests.
The return Kuranda Scenic Railway price includes a return scenic journey on the train, with 2 x 10 minute photo stops at Barron Falls. Audio commentary is provided and included, as is a trip guide. Guest Services Attendants are available to answer questions during the journey. Water coolers are in each carriage.
There is no food included in the Kuranda Scenic Railway price, unless you book a Gold Class upgrade. Beverages, snacks and meals can be purchased at additional cost at the Freshwater and Kuranda Stations, as well as in Kuranda Village.
Yes, Kuranda Scenic Railway is family friendly. Kids of all ages love trains and small foldable prams can be brought on the train. This is a safe and inclusive way for families to explore the ancient Cairns Rainforests.
Yes, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a great experience for children. Our son has travelled on it many times over the years, as a baby and infant through to his teenage years, and has always enjoyed it. The scenery, tunnels and waterfalls keep kids entertained the entire way.
Kuranda Scenic Railway has between 12 and 15 carriages. The Heritage Class carriages have bench style seating with windows and views. Each Heritage Class carriage can accommodate a slightly different number of guests due to seating layout. The Gold Class carriages have individual lounge-style armchairs with windows and views, taking a maximum of 28 passengers per carriage. The train usually has capacity for 540 passengers each train service.
The Gold Class upgrade includes a dedicated food and beverage service, as well as travel in a handcrafted carriage with Victorian-inspired décor and individual lounge-style armchair seating. Beverage options include juice and softdrinks, tea and filtered coffee, local beer and a selection of red, white and sparkling wines. Snacks include local macadamia nuts and a locally made cheese platter and a mango sorbet. Gold Class guests also receive a souvenir gift pack and trip fan guide. Gold Class carriages take a maximum of 28 passengers per carriage.
Enjoy a scenic and historic train ride, showcasing engineering ingenuity and the beauty of the Wet Tropics World Heritage listed Cairns rainforests. Highlights include travelling over the 55 bridges and through the 15 hand-carved tunnels, seeing two waterfalls including Stoney Creek Falls, and a 10 minute stop at Barron Falls.
This itinerary provides you with 3.5 hours in Kuranda, which is more than sufficient for you to see all of the highlights, including the markets, art galleries, boutiques and rainforest walks.
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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