A day trip to Kuranda is a must do while in Cairns. Two tour options are available depending on budget. A return trip via Skyrail cable car is $85.00 AUD. Or the scenic train trip up with return via the sky rail cable car is $117.00 AUD.
Kuranda Railway
Kuranda railway, built in 1891, and once used to bring supplies to the tin mines from Cairns. The journey to Kuranda station is under two hours. Each, restored railway car is 100 years old. The train passes through 18 tunnels, over 37 bridges. All while looking out toward the horizon over the rainforest toward Cairns and the Coral Sea. Waterfalls cascade down the mountainside opposite the view.
The train stops at Barron Gorge, the site of the first underground power station in Australia. While at Barron Gorge a lookout platform takes in the whole height of Barron Falls. During wet season Barron Falls becomes a violent, churning wall of water. Normally there are distinct cascades into the gorge below.
Disembark at the terminus, Kuranda station and walk a few minutes up hill to Kuranda village. There are three markets, riverboat tours, wildlife sanctuaries, eco walks and all varieties of food options in Kuranda village. Everything is within walking distance and easily accessible.
Kuranda Markets
I am a sucker for markets, there are three in Kuranda. The Heritage market has many vendors, and, accesses a number of activities. Such as, the butterfly sanctuary. The butterfly sanctuary boasts all the butterflies native to Queensland. Wear bright colours or white to attract butterflies. Because butterflies sight relies more on the UV spectrum of visible light bright colours are more attractive to them. Think anything that would glow under a black light. If luck is on your side you might spot the bright blue Ulysses butterfly. I spotted one in the rainforest canopy outside the sanctuary.
A collection of tight alleyways lined with bright, colourful huts are the Kuranda Original Rainforest Market. Vendors sell anything from food to jewellery, clothes and crafts. Next to the market are the Botanic Gardens. Another great opportunity to try to spot a Ulysses butterfly, or take in some tropical plants. A nine meter Allosaurus greets people at the Emu Ridge Gallery. Because every fossil museum and shop needs a greeter, who better than a dinosaur?
La Fonda Latina, a Colombian restaurant in the Rainforest Market is a MUST stop for lunch. The food in unreal, in large portions and authentic. Because the chef is Colombian. I recommend the arepas and the patacones.
The SkyRail
The Skyrail provides the return trip from Kuranda to Cairns. A 7.5 km gondola cable way above the rainforest canop. With two stops to get off and learn about the rainforest ecosystems. The Skyrail crosses the Baron River, feeding Baron Waterfall. Running opposite the Kuranda railway. So the view into Baron Gorge is to the right rather than the left.
The following stop is Red Peak. Guided rainforest tours along the boardwalk happen every 15 minutes. At 130 million years old, the tropical rainforest is full of history where orchids and other plants cling to trees, reaching for sunlight. The view from the Skyrail toward Cairns and the Coral Sea are as beautiful as the train ride up. Offering a different angle from above the rainforest.
For wildlife, markets, fantastic food and a relaxed adventure, a Kuranda day trip is a must on any far North Queensland itinerary. Even just for the panoramic Instagram perfect moments.