• The Kuranda Heritage Markets: aside from the huge array of local, hand-made goods for sale – from jewellery to pottery and Indigenous creations – there’s entertainment around every corner. 
• The thriving café scene in Kuranda means there are plenty of delicious options to choose from for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea. Sit on the verandah at Frogs, located at the Heritage Markets, and watch the water dragons scampering in the rainforest while you refuel. 
• With rainforest canopy underfoot and panoramic views of the Coral Sea and tropical landscape over your shoulder, a selfie aboard a Skyrail gondola is a must. 
• Save time and money on a self drive Kuranda tour with pre-allocated tickets and carriages on the Kuranda Train and Skyrail Gondola over the rainforest

Self Drive from Cairns or Port Douglas to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway terminal in Smithfield and leave your car in the carpark. Your day includes Kuranda Scenic Train, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Village.

What To Expect

Kuranda day tour self drive from Port Douglas or Cairns. Self Drive to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway terminal in Smithfield and Leave your car in the carpark. If you selected to catch the Kuranda Scenic Train first, then meet your driver/guide who will take you to the Freshwater Train Station to start your journey. If you selected to catch the Skyrail first, find your guide to receive your boarding pass which includes a 10% discount at Birdworld, Koala Gardens & Butterfly Sanctuary. Skip the queue and go to your pre-allocated seat. The amount of time you spend in Kuranda Village will depend on the option you chose. Again, your return journey will either be on the Kuranda Scenic Train or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway depending on the option you chose. It you are return on the train to Freshwater Station you will then be transferred back by coach to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway carpark where you left your car in the morning.

For all guests staying in Port Douglas we recommend this one day Kuranda tour and attraction is put on the top of your list as a thing to do because it offers so many differing sights, experiences and feelings through the day.

The destination is the quaint old hippie village known as Kuranda probably not really appropriate to call it a hippie village anymore as it is offers a lot of commercial aspects to it nowadays alongside all the more earthy and natural offerings. This little rainforest clad township is very eclectic and a great people watching destination as you have visitors from all over the world exploring the nooks and crannies of the village hunting for souvenirs and bargains. Trawl the popular Kuranda markets, cuddle a koala, pet a baby crocodile and drape a black headed python around your neck for a photo opportunity. Call into Birdworld and the ever popular butterfly sanctuary.

Features and Highlights   

Kuranda Scenic Train

• Touted as one of the most unique scenic railway journeys in Australia is the fully restored historical Kuranda Train and Scenic Railway in Cairns Queensland Australia. 
• As you arrive in the train station at Freshwater you will know you are in store for a treat as the station itself has been retained and restored to its former glory also with a few tourist attractions and commercial activities thrown in to cater for the number of guests that ride the rails year after year to the village of Kuranda.
• The Kuranda train is made up of old heritage carriages, guards carriages, first and second class carriages built in 1909 and locomotives that power her today were built here in Australia in 1966.
• She has been fully restored today in traditional heritage colours and all carriages carry around 42 passengers at a time along the winding trail thru 15 hand cut dark tunnels and trails that saw many a men lose their lives during the tracks construction phase.
• In each carriage there is a lot of space and every passenger can see the beautiful scenery thru the large open windows and listen to the commentary from the overhead speakers as you travel along the lines up to Kuranda village.

Kuranda Village

• Your destination for the day is Kuranda village on top of the McAlister Ranges. Once here you can spend your leisure time as you please, fossicking around the two markets that are open daily, visiting the animal attractions and maybe even cuddling a koala. Watch the street performers, people watch, or shops for unique, locally-crafted goods.
• Please note a lunch option is not provided during this tour, as many of our guests prefer to instead dine at one of the cafés and restaurants as chosen by themselves. 
• At different times of the year Kuranda puts on some of the biggest events Cairns and Tropical North Queensland has seen and most of these revolve around the school holidays which means it’s a great time to pack up the kids for the day and head to the mountain for some fun.   
• Whilst in Kuranda you can also take a boat ride up the Barron River to see things from a different perspective. Your river guide will tell you the history of Kuranda and how it came to being the extremely popular tourist attraction that it is today and they will also point out the wildlife that may be lurking beneath the boat or in an overhanging branch above you.
• For those that like to take a hike and get to see things off the beaten track and on two legs you can take a map and follow the trails around the region and escape into the rainforest for a few hours of blissfulness.  

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

• The Skyrail Cableway station is located near the bottom of the village centre, within easy walking distance.

• Once again, your pre-allocated boarding passes mean you do not need to join the line at the ticket booth; you can proceed directly to the boarding line and begin the beautiful journey across the river and rainforest canopy.

• The Skyrail cable way line is 7.5kms long, taking you up over the ranges from Kuranda, over the mighty Barron River Falls and down onto the coastal plain.

• It gives you amazing views and magnificent photography opportunities!

• Along the way you can look forward to two rainforest interpretation centre stops, to enhance your rainforest experience.

• The first is at Barron Falls, giving you a second opportunity to take photographs of these magnificent waterfalls from the opposite of travel from the view you had on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

• This is also the location of a CSIRO rainforest interpretive centre that aims to educate and entertain all who visit their centre of the sensitive environment we all need to protect for our own survival.  

• Your second gondola stop is at Red Peak Station, where a free guided rainforest interpretation walk is held every 20 minutes along the 175 metre boardwalk, to help further your understanding of this fragile ecosystem.

Kuranda Boarding Pass

• The Kuranda Boarding Pass is a helpful tool designed to provide guests with an easy-to-understand guide for their day in Kuranda, including a map, schedule, location guide and information about each of the attractions available in Kuranda.
• The Kuranda Boarding Pass is also available in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese or Chinese, making it much easier for foreign-language guests to know where they should be and at what time throughout the day, ensuring all guests reach the different attractions and buses on time. 

Why Book This Kuranda Tour?

• You'll be booking 100 per cent locally owned and operated tour provider that is highly regarded for its personalised, professional service, with the best touring and cruising options in the area.
• You'll be able to skip ticket queues with pre-allocated Kuranda Scenic Train Railway Cabins.
• Pre-allocated carriage and seat numbers on your Kuranda Boarding Pass means all you need to do is board the Kuranda Train and Scenic Railway at the appropriate time.
• Language options available on all Kuranda Tours.
• Self Drive from Port Douglas and Cairns.

See more Kuranda tours and Cairns combo package tour deals.

Read more about Cairns and Tropical North Queensland in our blog and see the attractions in the Whitsundays.

Tour Languages Offered

• Chinese
• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Spanish

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Instructions

Self Drive to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway terminal

Destinations

• Kuranda
• Kuranda Village

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Blackout Days: 2025: APRIL: Tuesday 01 & Saturday 05 | MAY: Monday 26 to Friday 30 | JUNE: Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 & Sunday 15 | NOVEMBER: Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 | DECEMBER: Thursday 25
May not operate due to severe weather conditions, and during planned, preventative maintenance

Duration

Varies depending on option selected

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

• Hat, Sunscreen, Camera, Comfortable Clothing & Footwear, insect repellant
• Cash for souvenirs, snacks and drinks

• Child price applies to children aged 4 to 14
• Children under 4 travel free
• Family price is based on 2 Adults & 2 Children