Queensland

Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Badge of ExcellenceQueensland, Australia
Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

From $178.54

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 8 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.
  • Ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Have plenty of free time to explore Kuranda and its attrations
  • Browse the famous Heritage Markets in Kuranda Village at your leisure
  • Take an optional exclusive tour of the World Heritage-listed Signal Cabin at Kuranda station

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Skip-the-line and on-board refreshments with this Gold Class ticket for the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

What's Included

  • One way Kuranda Scenic Railway ride in Gold Class
  • One way by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
    6 Skyrail Dr, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia

    6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield, Bus Zone at the front of Skyrail Terminal

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pickup available from selected locations in Cairns, Northern Beaches (Palm Cove, Trinity Beach) and Port Douglas. IMPORTANT: Please choose carefully your departure location. Contact the operator after booking to confirm your pickup location and time.

What To Expect

Nestled high up in the tropical mountains at 1076 feet (328 meters) above sea level, the rainforest village of Kuranda is a must-see destination on any trip to Cairns. Travel to the historic outpost in style, beginning with pickup at your Cairns, Northern Beaches, or Port Douglas hotel. Choose the order of your transit options at booking to customize the day. 

On one leg of the journey, skip the line for a ride aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Enjoy Gold Class service in a well-appointed cedar train car featuring comfortable lounge chairs, timber flooring, and historic memorabilia. Enjoy magnificent views of mountains and valleys and waterfall-studded Barron Gorge.

On the opposite leg, get an aerial perspective of Tropical North Queensland as you soar over the treetops on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Settle into an enclosed 6-passenger gondola and take in panoramic views of the highlands, forest and Coral Sea on the 4.5-mile (7.5-km) ride. Stop at two lookout stations along the way, where you can chat with rangers, stroll along forest boardwalks and snap photos.

In Kuranda, enjoy several hours of leisure time to explore the historic village and surrounds. Browse heritage markets, have lunch at a local café (own expense), learn about indigenous history at the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park or encounter native wildlife like kangaroos, butterflies and koalas at the Rainforestation Nature Park (not included).  

Your full-day rainforest adventure concludes with drop-off back at your hotel.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Kuranda Scenic Railway

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kuranda Koala Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Barron Gorge National Park (Pass By)

Barron Falls (Pass By)

Birdworld Kuranda

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Down Under Tours - Day Tours (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Please advise if you are using a Wheelchair. Both Skyrail & Scenic Rail have maximum dimensions they can take.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Susan_T
The Gold Car experience on the train was outstanding. Yummy food, lovely server. Scenery superb, both on the train and Skyrail. I highly recommend this excursion.

Reviews

4.5
453 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 453 reviews
Unique experience
Edward_C, May 2024
Stopping at the falls on way up and back. Different views and experience. Going up by train and coming back down on the gondola gave us a great overview of the area. The gold class service on the train was worth the extra cost.
Dream come true.
Linda_D, Apr 2024
Holding a Koala Bear was a long life desire that finally came. Skyrail (Gondola) ride was fabulous and getting off twice to see sites and learn about the oldest rainforest was especially enlightening. The rail train back was fantastic and recommend it in the afternoon. Enjoyed the zoo and the Butterfly Sanctuary. The shops and their items reminded me of Woodstock.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Linda, thank you for the review
Great sightseeing
Rose_P, Apr 2024
The Gold class car was comfortable and service was excellent. They served plenty of food and drinks, so lunch in Kuranda was not needed. Views from the right side of the rail were great. It’s open air and was comfortable in April. Plenty of shops and galleries to browse in Kuranda. The return Skyrail was scenic and good to do in the afternoon as the sun was at our back . The overlook of Baron’s gorge was even more stunning than from the rail stop, so worth getting out at each stop.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks for sharing your Kuranda experience with everyone. April is a lovely time of year to visit Kuranda and travel on the Scenic Rail and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Best tourist experience.
Joy_H, Apr 2024
We were delighted with our experience on this wonderful excursion. Apart from the natural wonders of the rainforest and the Barron Falls the people/ staff who work for the Company were the best ambassadors. We found them to be welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Joy, thanks for the glowing review. I will be sure to pass this on to our team at Down Under Tours.
Gold pass skip the line kuranda rail
Amanda_P, Apr 2024
Excellent day very well organised from pick up to drop off. The skip the line gold pass was a lovely experience and the mocktail before we boarded was most welcome in the 32 degree temperature. The arrival of treats, cheese, nuts and drinks was lovely but we were quite full from our hotel breakfast! Worth not eating too much pre morning train! Good opportunities to photograph some stunning views and chug along on the train. Kuranda was hot and had some interesting market stalls but also quite a few shops were empty/ closed down. The Skyrail trip back was fun and again several photo opportunities were available. Good coffee/tea in the gift shop before we boarded our return bus. All round a fun day.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello. Thanks you for the in-depth review of your experience.
Excellent day trip
Joanne_M, Apr 2024
Well worth booking this trip. Amazing views from Skyrail and Train. Staff were amazing from Paul our driver on collection to all staff on Skyrail and Kuranda rail services. We had a lovely few hours in Kuranda and enjoyed visiting the butterfly sanctuary and the markets. Gold class was lovely end to our return journey, a few drinks and snacks in wonderful relaxing surroundings.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Joanne, thanks for the review. We are so pleased you had an amazing day! We will pass this on to our driver Paul.
Great train ride, awesome views, bit too long
Karen_L, Apr 2024
Train ride was great with the Gold service a nice touch. Kuranda was worth a look and the Butterfly World was lovely but staying until the 3.45 cable car was about 90 mins too long so two of us took an Uber back to Port Douglas rather than wait
Amazing vistas
Kevin_A, Apr 2024
Skyrail over the rainforest and seeing kangaroos, Barron Falls was amazing. Kuranda was a fun town and we went back for a 2nd day to see more sights
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks Kevin for the review.
Must do this!
Susan_T, Apr 2024
The Gold Car experience on the train was outstanding. Yummy food, lovely server. Scenery superb, both on the train and Skyrail. I highly recommend this excursion.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you Susan for the review.
Average experience
Christian_B, Apr 2024
Train trip and cable car were nice with stunning views. If you want to save money, don‘t buy Gold Class tickets - the benefits dont outweigh the cost. Kuranda was disappointing: super touristic (actually the most „toury“ spot seen in Australia on our short travel). Big time commercialisation of caging animals. Not for us. Our kids liked the train and scenic waterfalls. Bottom line OK, but not more
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for the review. Sorry to hear that the overall experience wasn't what you expected.
Our introduction to Cairns
Elisabeth_T, Mar 2024
We loved travelling in the old train and hearing all about its history and how it was built. We enjoyed being in Gold Class and the snacks and drinks we had on the way. Throughout the trip, we had beautiful scenery over Cairns, the rain forest, Glacier Rock, Stony Creek and the Bridal Veil Waterfall, and past the Barron Gorge & river. We stopped briefly by the pounding waterfalls. In Kuranda itself, we visited the Kuranda Koala Gardens and saw a number of Australian animals, freshwater crocodiles, koala bears, wombats, kangaroos. We returned by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a 40 minute journey travelling 7.5 km in three cable cars taking us high up above the extensive and magnificent australian rainforest with some trees that grow very high. This cable car journey gave us great views over the Barron Gorge & river and waterfalls and over into Cairns and islands such as Green Island. A great introduction to being in Cairns and Australia.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
WOW! What a great in-depth review. Guests researching such experiences for themselves will enjoy reading it. Thank you.
Wonderful Kuranda
Sandra_E, Mar 2024
This trip was so well organised, we were collected at exactly the correct time our driver was very friendly and informative. The views from the skyrail are fabulous and we thoroughly enjoyed our train journey back in Gold Class where we were very well looked after, we did a little shopping and had a lovely lunch at the Kuranda Hotel. Of course our day was made complete with our photo holding Rocco the Koala. One of my best birthdays ever!!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
What a wonderful way to spend your birthday! happy birthday and thank you for the review.
Excellent service and...
Laura_H, Dec 2023
Excellent service and staff. Amazing scenery. Just fantastic and definitely worth it. Would recommend this to everyone
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you for recommending your experience and travelling with us.
Excellent views and...
Dan_S, Dec 2023
Excellent views and experience within rainforest, be sure to take skyrail stops for additional exposure. Tourist shops in town where a downside of tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you for the review and that you enjoyed the rainforest experience.
Spectacular View Tour
Deanna_H, Dec 2023
Absolutely stunning views that you would see if not on this tour. Supplied drinks and local foods for us to try. Very friendly and helpful staff I wound recommend this tour highly.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
thank you for your recommendation and review
Very beautiful and interactive experience
Paul_K, Nov 2023
Loved the mix - we really loved being able to choose experiences in Kuranda- loved the bird sanctuary
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you for your review Paul. It's great to hear you enjoyed the variety of activities in your day.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Huw_D, Nov 2023
Fantastic experience of winding up through the Barron valley and crossing the amazing bridges. Recommended.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review!
Top Cairns attraction
Rudy_K, Nov 2023
Both the train and ski-rail were memorable trips to Kuranda. Even a bit of rain didn't detract from the beautiful scenery.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thanks Rudy for the review.
Easy way to get to Kuranda without a car
Dominique_M, Nov 2023
This was such an easy way for us to explore Kuranda. We were picked up at our hotel and able to jump straight in line for the Skyrail up with no wait. At the end of the day we were pampered in the Gold Class car on the scenic railroad. Then taken back to our hotel.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for your review. Gold Class is the ultimate pamper session!
A great excursion.
Anna_V, Nov 2023
We traveled to Kuranda by train and then returned to Cairns by Skyrail. The Gold Class package was nice. We enjoyed the snacks and beverages. The seats were comfortable and the views were beautiful. The attendants were friendly and helpful.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
HI Anna, glad you enjoyed your day and Gold Class experience.
...

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