Description
The Kuranda scenic train adventure will have you departing your Cairns accommodation with your expert driver from VDown UnderTours, who will also check you in and provide you with a Kuranda boarding pass. This contains a complete schedule with times as well as your tickets for the Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail. You will be arriving at Freshwater Station to join the 9.50 a.m. scenic train.
Departures
- Departs Cairns from 8.20 am
- Return Cairns, approx. 6pm.
As the train winds itself to Kuranda, it will offer breathtaking views as you pass through Barron Gorge. Following your arrival in Kuranda, you are given free time to explore at your leisure. You can wander the markets or have lunch at one of the many cafes. There are several well-known Kuranda attractions, such as Australian Butterfly World and Koala Gardens, and you can benefit from cheap entry with your Boarding Pass. At the scheduled time of 3.45 pm, board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an unforgettable experience descending back down. You will have the chance to make two stops along the way for some fantastic views.
Once you return to the Skyrail Smithfield terminal, your driver will be waiting to return you to your Cairns accommodation.
Extra activities in Kuranda
Koala Gardens
The award-winning “boutique” wildlife experience at Koala Gardens offers guests a fantastic opportunity to interact with some of Australia’s most recognizable animals. Use the chance to “Cuddle a Koala” (extra cost includes a digital souvenir photo).
Koalas, quokkas, freshwater crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, snakes, monitors, and many other reptiles can all be found in Koala Gardens. Join our Wildlife Keeper for a short guided tour where you’ll learn about bilbies, possums, and gliders. See our newest exhibit, the ‘Aussie Bush Collection,’ which features a combination of marsupials and reptiles. All of this is available at Kuranda Village markets.
You can meet, pat, and hand-feed tame kangaroos, pademelons, and wallabies in our open layout. We also have a significant variety of lizards, dragons, and monitors. Camouflage is essential to their survival, so take your time and look for them amid the trees, leaves, and streams.
Freshwater crocodiles can be found relaxing around the lagoon, frequently soaking up the sun on the banks. Because of our elevated bridge walkway, you can see them from above. Many of the rainforest’s loveliest denizens, such as the Squirrel and Mahogany Gliders, are only active at night, but you can see what they get up to at our Nocturnal Wonders display, which also houses the first Bilbies in North Queensland, as well as some Bettongs and Bandicoots.
The museum is open all day, with a guided tour at 2 p.m. Meet our Wildlife Keeper for an educational presentation about Australian marsupials such as wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, and quokkas.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
The top tourist destination in Kuranda is the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary The second attraction is Australia’s largest butterfly aviary and exhibit. Thirdly, it is an outdoor activity in the centre of the picturesque Kuranda village.
Most notably,at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, approximately 1500 gorgeous tropical butterflies will astound you as you stroll through the aviary’s rain forest gardens. We have butterflies from the nearby rainforest. including the spectacular green & yellow Cairns Birdwing and the electric blue Ulysses.
Important info before travel
- The laws of Queensland govern the tour.
- Down Under Tours (‘DUT’) accepts no responsibility for passengers or their property failing to be at designated points at designated times or for any loss or damage arising out of such failure.
- Allow a 15 minute window from advised pick-up time.
- DUT reserves the right to change the tour route according to road conditions and may alter or omit advised stopping places.
- Tour picks up from select locations.
- Children’s ages 4-14 inclusive. Children under the age of 4 travel free of charge unless specified and must be booked as infants.
- Tours do not operate on Christmas Day.
- A 25% fee applies for any cancellations on day of travel, or for passengers who fail to appear on day of departure.
- If you cancel your reservation more than 24 hours prior to departure, a refund may be due. If you are eligible for a refund, it will be processed within 3 business days of cancellation. Merchant fees are non-refundable.
- The Kuranda Scenic Rail (KSR) is subject to extreme weather conditions resulting in non-operation. In this instance, alternative arrangements will be offered to you.
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is subject to extreme weather conditions resulting in non-operation. You will be advised on the day of alternative arrangements that will be available to you.
- Cancellation fee applies on all Gold Class bookings amended or cancelled on day of departure.
- Merchant fees apply on all credit card payments. Payment is to be made prior to travel and we accept Visa, Master Card & Amex.
- All prices are subject to change. Price changes may occur because of matters outside our control which increase the cost of the product or service. Such factors include, but are not limited to, supplier costs, fuel increases, taxes, and levies. In the case of a price increase, we will provide a minimum of 14 days’ notice.
