Grand Kuranda – Train, Skyrail, Rainforestation, Butterflies and lunch

This is the ultimate Kuranda tour! Our Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Kuranda tour also includes fantastic Kuranda attractions.

Do you want to see it all? This Kuranda Rainforest Experience is a must-do for everyone visiting Cairns. Not only will you get to travel on the Skyrail Cableway but also the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Spend some time exploring Indigenous Culture and Native Australian Wildlife at Rainforestation. You will also play with the Butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Your Kuranda Rainforest Experience begins

Kuranda Train passing over a bridge next to a waterfall
Travel to Kuranda via the iconic Kuranda Scenic Train

So, sit back and relax on the Kuranda Scenic Train. The building of the Kuranda Railway began in the 1880s. Tin miners in Herberton, west of Cairns, wanted an easier route to get supplies. The roads leading to the coast became muddy. And hard to travel due to the rain. Without a doubt, the construction of this railway was a huge deal at the time. Many railway workers were lost during the construction of this railway. This railway included fifteen hand-built tunnels and 37 bridges.

When you arrive in Kuranda village, head through the town to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Enjoy one hour of exploring the aviary and watch as these beautiful creatures flutter around. The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit. Home to about 1500 butterflies, the sanctuary is located in the heart of the village. This is only a short walk from the Skyrail and Train station in Kuranda so you will be there in no time!

Rainforestation

Soon enough, you will meet your bus outside of the Butterfly Sanctuary. Join the 100% Electric Bus for your transfer to the Rainforestation Nature Park. During your Kuranda Rainforest Experience, learn to throw a boomerang and cuddle a koala! Take part in an Aboriginal dance show and enjoy a ride on the Army Duck. Enjoy lunch while looking out over the beautiful lagoon.

The Army Duck

Army Duck cruising in water
The Army Duck seamlessly moves into the water for a Boat Cruise.

The DUKW (also known as Duck) is a six-wheel-drive amphibious version of the 2-ton CCKW vehicles used during WWII. Around the world, DUKWs and amphibious tour buses are used for tourist travel.

Join a 45-minute rainforest tour before dipping into the lake for a cruise to see even more wildlife.

After your tour, you are welcome to explore the tropical fruit orchard. Here you may learn about over 60 tropical fruit trees.

Koala and Wildlife Park

Koalas at Rainforestation
Visit iconic Australian Animals like Koalas.

The Koala and Wildlife Park allows guests to learn more about Australian native species. Also, get right up close to them! You can spend as much time as you like roaming the Wildlife Park. Many raised boardwalks offer a great view of the area. Discover Australian creatures, reptiles, and the Kuranda Rainforest.

Look for the highly endangered cassowary and Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Meet Juliet, our clever wombat, and the rest of the native animals. Ricky, the playful Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, may also be seen. The Reptile House is home to a wide range of pythons and lizards. Most importantly, don’t forget to visit the Koalas!

Crocodile Feeding, Dingo Enrichment, and Macropod Feeding are just a few of the daily Wildlife Shows. Remember that your Wildlife Park admission includes unlimited re-entry on the day of your visit, so return as often as you like.

Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

Guests learning how to throw a Boomerang
Your Pamagirri Guide will show you how to throw a Boomerang on the Dreamtime Walk.

Rainforestation Nature Park conserves Indigenous Australian Culture. You can learn about the Dreamtime and traditional customs in the Kuranda Rainforest. Learn how to throw a boomerang and even a spear!

The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience includes a dance exhibit and a Dreamtime walk. The Pamagirri Dance Performance in a rainforest arena. Let them share a story about animals, food gathering, and hunting. They will tell the story with the didgeridoo and clapsticks. They will also show how didgeridoos are made and used in ceremonies. Please note how they play this by creating animal noises, such as kangaroos and kookaburras!

Make sure to keep an eye on the show because there is a surprise in store for the audience!

Skyrail Kuranda soar over the Rainforest

Sooner or later, it will be time to start the trip home. After getting on your gondola, the Skyrail will take you back to Cairns.

The Skyrail links Cairns and Kuranda. As you head down the mountain, be blown away by stunning ocean views—especially those you see when you look out over the UNESCO-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy.

Skyrail gondola coming down the mountain towards Cairns
Travel across the treetops with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The Skyrail spans 7.5 kilometres across Kuranda mountain. During your trip, you will come across two mid-stations: Red Peak and Barron Falls. These stations give you a lot of facts about this Rainforest. So, take a walk through this untouched Rainforest. Above all, you can learn about the local Flora and Fauna from the Guide leading the walks. After that, stop by the CSIRO Interpretation Station for more information!

Visiting the ‘The Edge’ lookout is undoubtedly one of the best parts of this trip. The views from above Barron Falls are amazing. These sacred falls are also known as Din Din. In fact, for many years, they have played a prominent role in Djabuganydji stories.

We suggest allowing for 1.5 hours of travel time. With this in mind, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the rail. Not to mention spending time at the two stations. There is no better way to wrap up your Kuranda Rainforest Experience!

Want more options?

While this tour covers everything, you might like to explore the village more. This tour is possible without the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Take a look at the Classic Kuranda Rainforestation with Train and Skyrail. Then you will have more time to go into the markets and village.

On the other hand, do you want more? What if you could visit the Great Barrier Reef as well as Kuranda? Check out our Great Barrier Reef Experience and Kuranda Package.

Highlights

This is the Ultimate Kuranda tour!

Itinerary

  • 7.30 am – Pickup from your Cairns City Hotel
  • 8:50 am – Travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • 10:25 am – Arrive at Kuranda.
  • 11:00 am – Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
  • 11:45 am Meet outside the Butterfly Sanctuary for transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park.
    • Lunch.
    • Army Duck Rainforest Tour.
    • Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.
    • Koala and Wildlife Park.
  • 3:00 pm – Transfer to Skyrail Rainforest Kuranda Terminal.
  • 3:15 pm – Skyrail Journey from Kuranda to Cairns.
  • 4:30 pm – Return transfer to your Cairns Hotel.

Included

  • One-Way Ticket on Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Admission to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
  • Entry to Rainforestation Nature Park with the following:
    • Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
    • Army Duck Rainforest Tour
    • Koala and Wildlife Park
    • Tropical Fruit Orchard
  • Lunch at Rainforestation
  • One-Way Ticket on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Return Transfers to and from your Cairns City Hotel

Optional Extras

  • Upgrade to Diamond Class on Skyrail – upon request only
  • Upgrade to Gold Class on Kuranda Scenic Railway – upon request only

What to bring

We suggest to bring the following:

  • Hat, Sunscreen and Sunglasses
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Water bottle
  • Cash/credit cards
  • Camera

How to get there

Hotel Pickup and Dropoff are included.

Important Information

The Skyrail unfortunately does not operate every day. If the package is not available on your preferred day of travel, you can join a package that includes a Coach Transfer from Kuranda to Cairns in place of the Skyrail ticket.

While both the Skyrail and Train are Wheelchair accessible, please let us know at the time of booking if any mobility assistance is required.

While the Kuranda Village is quite small, there is a lot of walking involved. The main street is slightly inclined, but a low-moderate level of fitness will be able to move around with ease.

Tour Features

Read policies

Grand Kuranda – Train, Skyrail, Rainforestation, Butterflies and Lunch Tours

Grand Kuranda - Ex Cairns (CKBB)

Combining the Scenic Train journey with the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Rainforestation including lunch is a great way to experience this World Heritage listed tropical rainforest and Kuranda.

Departs

The whole family can learn how to throw a Boomerang with the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

Grand Kuranda - Ex Northern Beaches (BKBB)

Combining the Scenic Train journey with the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Rainforestation including lunch is a great way to experience this World Heritage listed tropical rainforest and Kuranda. *Exclude pickups from Yorkeys Knob, Machans beach and Holloways Beach

Departs

Travel home on the Skyrail Cableway and skim across the treetops

Grand Kuranda - Ex Port Douglas (PKBB)

Combining the Scenic Train journey with the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Rainforestation including lunch is a great way to experience this World Heritage listed tropical rainforest and Kuranda.

Departs