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Activity Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

4.3 (1,164 reviews) 7 hours Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

About this activity

Experience the rainforest beauty of Tropical North Queensland on a scenic day trip from Cairns. Enjoy a journey on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. You’ll have free time in the village of Kuranda to browse its markets, have lunch or visit wildlife attractions like Birdworld or Kuranda Koala Gardens or choose the option including Rainforestation Nature Park. (Food, drinks and activities in Kuranda are at your own expense)

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Rail Tours Trolley Tours Cable Car Tours

At a glance

Duration
7 hours
Confirmation
Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 80 people
People per booking
1–15
Written guide
German, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by
Down Under Tours

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Written itinerary available in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin
  • Included: One-way trip on Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Included: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Included: Rainforestation Nature Park (if option selected)
  • Included: Cairns pickup and drop-off
  • Included: Kuranda Boarding Pass

Not included

  • Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Not included: Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens & Butterfly Sanctuary (own expense)
  • Not included: Any other optional activities not mentioned

Itinerary

  1. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

    30 min Admission not included

    The largest butterfly flight aviary & exhibit in Australia. Situated next to the Kuranda Markets, it is home to over 1500 tropical butterflies. Wander through the aviary's lush tropical gardens and breeding laboratory to learn more about a butterfly's life cycle & behaviour.

  2. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

    1 h 30 min Admission included

    Glide over and through the canopy of the ancient rainforest and marvel at the spectacular views from Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. There are two stops along this gondola journey where you can alight and explore the rainforest from within.

  3. Rainforestation Nature Park

    2 hours Admission not included

    Choose the Rainforestation Package if you would like to visit this wonderful nature park. See Australian wildlife in their wildlife park, and take an amphibious Army Duck tour through the rainforest. PLEASE NOTE: NO free time in Kuranda if this option is selected

  4. Kuranda Scenic Railway

    1 h 30 min Admission included

    Take a historic journey on the Kuranda Scenic Rail, travelling through the rainforest and along the mountainside of Barron Gorge.

  5. Kuranda Koala Gardens

    30 min Admission not included

    Visit this wonderful Wildlife park to see iconic Australia wildlife. Feed and pat the tame wallabies and kangaroos. Discover wombats, freshwater crocodiles, lizards, snakes and much more! Koala photos are also available.

  6. Barron Gorge National Park

    10 min

    See the might Barron Falls from both the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Edge Lookout, and at a stop on your journey on the Kuranda Scenic Rail.

  7. Barron Falls

    10 min

    See the might Barron Falls from both the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Edge Lookout, and at a stop on your journey on the Kuranda Scenic Rail.

  8. Birdworld Kuranda

    30 min Admission not included

    Immerse yourself in this wonderful free flying bird exhibit. See and enjoy the company of hundreds of rare and beautiful exotic and Australia native species in the lush tropically landscaped setting.

  9. Down Under Tours - Day Tours

    Passing by

    Down Under Tours is Tropical North Queensland’s leading day tour operator with an extensive range of tour options to suit any taste. We love to share the beauty of Tropical North Queensland and the ancient rainforest with our passengers.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • 6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, Bus Zone at the front of Skyrail Terminal

End point

  • 6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, Bus Zone at the front of Skyrail Terminal

Pickup points

  • Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
  • Gilligan's Hotel & Resort
  • Palm Royale Cairns
  • Cairns Queenslander Hotel and Apartments
  • Motel Nomad
  • Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut
  • Edge Apartments
  • Cairns Reef Apartment & Motel
  • Cairns Sheridan Hotel
  • Grosvenor in Cairns

and 10 more pickup points

Pickup is available from selected locations in Cairns - please contact the operator after booking to confirm your pickup location and time.

Using your ticket

Please contact the operator at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm your pickup location and time.

The driver-guide will provide your Kuranda Boarding Pass tickets for the day upon pickup.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
  • The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Options

  • Rail-Sky

    Travel to Kuranda on the Scenic Railway and return on Skyrail; approx. 8 hours; departs at 8am and 7:45am

    Pickup included

  • Coach & Kuranda Scenic Rail

    Coach Tour + Scenic Rail: Operates on dates Skyrail is closed for planned works from 20 Jul to 25 Oct 2026.

    FREE Kuranda Wildlife Park : Includes BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld OR Koala Gardens!

    Pickup included

  • Sky-Rainforestation-Rail

    Rail-Rainforestation-Sky: Travel to Kuranda on Skyrail, visit Rainforestation Nature Park and return from Kuranda on Kuranda Scenic Rail.

    Pickup included

  • Sky-Rail

    Travel to Kuranda on Skyrail and return on the Scenic Railway; approx. 10 hours; departs at 8am and 8:45am

    Pickup included

  • Kuranda Scenic Rail and Coach

    Scenic Rail + Coach Tour: Operates on dates Skyrail is closed for planned works from 20 Jul to 25 Oct 2026.

    FREE Kuranda Wildlife Park : Includes BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld OR Koala Gardens!

    Pickup included

Traveller ratings

4.3 out of 5 · 1,164 reviews
5
60%
4
24%
3
10%
2
3%
1
3%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

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