Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail from Cairns
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
June 2026
2. Select participants
Highlighted reviews
Bird's eye view
I loved flying over the rainforest like a bird. The app provides interesting location-based information along the way, and cool AI visuals in the 3 stations.
Great Experience
Have been to Kuranda a couple of times by train and thoroughly enjoyed it both up and back but hadn’t experienced the Skyrail. Decided to try up and back and was truly impressed by the efficiency of the process and particularly the staff. They were all very friendly and helpful with any queries. The operation ran smoothly and noted a lot of overseas visitors and was proud to see an Australian Tourist Venue operating at a very high standard. Well done!
What you can expect
Start your adventure with a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, through dense rainforest, across the Stoney Creek trestle bridge, and past waterfalls. With 15 tunnels and countless photo-worthy views, this is one of Australia’s most iconic train journeys. On arrival in Kuranda Village, you’ll have free time to explore, whether you want to wander the colourful markets, browse local boutiques, or simply enjoy the charm of this rainforest town.
In the afternoon, you will return to Cairns aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Make stops along the way, including the Rainforest Discovery Zone and Barron Falls’ "The Edge Lookout" for incredible views of the gorge and cascading waterfall. With return transfers from Cairns hotels and pre-allocated seating included, this full-day experience gives you plenty of time to enjoy both the journey and the destination.
Location
What you need to know
- Skyrail Upgrade Notice (July-October 2026): In July 2026, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will commence works on an upgrade project. With plans to replace the existing cableway infrastructure and all gondolas, improving the accessibility of Skyrail, as well as providing a quieter, smoother, and enhanced rainforest experience for visitors. During this time, there will be changes to how the tour operates.
- 20th July – 25 October 2026
- Skyrail Smithfield to Barron Falls Station Closure: The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will be closed between the Smithfield Terminal and the Barron Falls Station.
- 20th July 2026 – 18th August 2026
- Skyrail Full Closure: Kuranda & Scenic Rail Tours operate with a Kuranda Coach Transfer.
- Scenic Rail & Kuranda Coach Transfer Tours include BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld or Koala Gardens.
- 19th August 2026 – 25th October 2026
- Skyrail Modified Loop Operations: Skyrail will operate between Kuranda and Barron Falls Station as a Loop experience.
- Guests will board at Kuranda, travel to Barron Falls Station, and return to Kuranda (approx. 1 hour).
- Guests will not travel down to Smithfield by cableway during this phase, as this section of the cableway line will remain closed.
- Scenic Rail & Kuranda Coach Transfer Tours include BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld or Koala Gardens
- Operate on Mondays & Tuesdays
- Cairns hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Kuranda Scenic Rail journey
- Free time in Kuranda Village
- E-boarding pass to skip the lines with pre-allocated seating
- Skyrail rainforest cableway
- Please be outside your accommodation 15 minutes prior to pick up time.
- This experience is approximately seven hours in duration.
- This experience includes return transfers from your Cairns accommodation. Please advise your address at the time of booking.
- Children under the age of four travel free of charge unless specified.
- Skyrail Upgrade Notice (July-October 2026): In July 2026, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will commence works on an upgrade project. With plans to replace the existing cableway infrastructure and all gondolas, improving the accessibility of Skyrail, as well as providing a quieter, smoother, and enhanced rainforest experience for visitors. During this time, there will be changes to how the tour operates.
- 20th July – 25 October 2026
- Skyrail Smithfield to Barron Falls Station Closure: The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will be closed between the Smithfield Terminal and the Barron Falls Station.
- 20th July 2026 – 18th August 2026
- Skyrail Full Closure: Kuranda & Scenic Rail Tours operate with a Kuranda Coach Transfer.
- Scenic Rail & Kuranda Coach Transfer Tours include BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld or Koala Gardens.
- 19th August 2026 – 25th October 2026
- Skyrail Modified Loop Operations: Skyrail will operate between Kuranda and Barron Falls Station as a Loop experience.
- Guests will board at Kuranda, travel to Barron Falls Station, and return to Kuranda (approx. 1 hour).
- Guests will not travel down to Smithfield by cableway during this phase, as this section of the cableway line will remain closed.
- Scenic Rail & Kuranda Coach Transfer Tours include BONUS entry voucher to either Birdworld or Koala Gardens
- Operate on Mondays & Tuesdays
- Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
Recent reviews
Amazing experience
Amazing experience!!! Highly recommend. Would go again, and will for sure. If you around Cairns don't miss this opportunity!!
Solo traveller
Amazing views of the rain forest. I suffer from vertigo but felt safe on the cable car. Very informative bus transfer. The driver told us interesting things on route. The train ride was spectacular, again with lots of history about its origin.
Wow - Amazing
It was a fabulous ride. Very well organised. Very safe. Suited people with lesser abilities. Nice and slow embark and disembark. We wish we were more at the ready with our cameras as we saw two bright blue Ulysses butterflies flying just above the canopy. The stops at the stations were well worth the little walk and look. The guides were very informative. The ride was smooth and full of wow moments. Virtually no queues. We would have loved to have gone back down and up again. We took the train back which was excellent too. However, another ride on the cable car would have been good. Well worth the money considering the huge investment to make it happen. Thoroughly recommend it