If you’re keen to visit Australia’s rainforests and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience during the process, our excursion visiting Kuranda and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a must-visit during your time in Tropical North Queensland.
Starting from the city of Cairns, which enjoys beautiful beaches and coastline on one side and lush green rainforests on the other, your Kuranda Rainforest adventure includes not only amazing views and natural landscapes, but also the chance to immerse yourself in Aborigine culture.
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience
Departing from the outskirts of Cairns, you’ll take to the skies and glide through the canopies of the wonderful Kuranda Rainforest, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most diverse rainforests in Australia. During the experience, you’ll enjoy a return journey from Cairns to the rainforest village of Kuranda.
The Skyrail travels a few metres above the canopy along its spectacular 7.5km route, so you’ll be able to enjoy the rainforest views to their fullest. A truly unique feat of engineering, this scenic railway travels around bends, over bridges and through tunnels, all several metres above the ground.
Beneath you, you’ll be able to see the majestic and towering trees, as well as the diversity of wildlife and plants thriving beneath it. The Kuranda Skyrail doesn’t just offer close-up views; you’ll be able to see for miles across the rainforest, and beyond over Tropical North Queensland, with glimpses out to the Coral Sea. If you travel at the right time of day, you’ll be able to see some of the most stunning sunset views in all of Australia.
Along the way, you’ll also alight at two mid-stations, Red Peak and Barron Fall, both perfect locations to pause and really take in everything around you. Boardwalks leading to various viewpoints allow you to see the rainforest from all angles.
Arriving in Kuranda
Your outward journey from Cairns takes you to the delightful village of Kuranda, set in the heart of the rainforest. After you alight the Skyrail train, you’ll have a couple of hours to explore before the return journey.
This charming village, set amongst lush greenery, offers something for everyone with a host of cultural and outdoor activities. The more active can take a tour of the rainforest by ATV (all terrain vehicle), while the Kuranda Riverboat Tour offers a more relaxed sightseeing experience.
Wildlife lovers will be spoilt for choice in Kuranda, with a trio of animal attractions to check out: the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere; Birdworld, where you can see a variety of tropical birds in their natural habitat; and the Kuranda Koala Gardens, offering the chance to see these cuddly creatures up close.
Don’t miss the Heritage Markets and Original Rainforest Markets: the perfect opportunity to pick up a souvenir to take home. Choose from a range of handcrafted items, including everything from clothes to jewellery and artwork.
A bonus adventure at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
As if your experience aboard the Skyrail and in Kuranda wasn’t enough, as part of our excursion we also include a visit before we leave Cairns to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
The Park offers an insight into the culture of the native Tjapukai people, with your guide taking you through the park and the many demonstrations and shows that go on throughout the day. Among the performances you can see are traditional dances, didgeridoo playing and boomerang and spear throwing, while you can also learn how to craft fires or prepare traditional bush food.
The Park also has restaurants if you’re after a bite to eat, and a retail gallery perfect for even more souvenir shopping.
Combining a mesmerising treetop journey with an immersive rainforest adventure and incredible cultural experiences, our Skyrail Rainforest Cableway excursion to Kuranda is one of the highlights of any visit to Tropical North Queensland. Don’t miss it on your tour to Australia!
Images by David Clode via Unsplash and Neal Jennings and Neal Jennings via Flickr.
