Kuranda Day Tour with Skyrail and Scenic Railway from Port Douglas

The coastal drive from Port Douglas

The day starts gently with a pickup from about 10:45, which gives you a relaxed morning in Port Douglas. The route south follows one of Australia's most beautiful coastal highways, winding between rainforest-covered hills and the Coral Sea, with views over empty beaches and small headlands. Guests staying at Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach and Trinity Beach are collected along the way.

Your guide uses the drive to introduce the region: the Wet Tropics rainforest that covers the ranges, the reef that lies offshore and the history of the small mountain town you are about to visit. The vehicle is air-conditioned and comfortable, and the transfer to the cableway takes about an hour. It is the easiest way to reach Kuranda from Port Douglas without having to drive or juggle separate tickets.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Barron Falls

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway carries six-seat gondolas just above the canopy of Barron Gorge National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. From the cabin you look down on palms, strangler figs and tree ferns, with the mountain ranges stretching away to the horizon. At Barron Falls Station you step out onto boardwalks leading to lookouts over the deep gorge and the falls, where a ranger can explain the forest around you.

Barron Falls are at their most powerful in the wet season, roughly December to March, when the river thunders down the cliffs; in the dry months the rock face is still impressive. Please note that the cableway sometimes runs a shorter loop from Kuranda to Barron Falls Station during upgrade works; in that case the tour adds free entry to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda.

Kuranda Village, the village in the rainforest

Kuranda is a small mountain village surrounded by rainforest, known for its relaxed atmosphere and its colourful markets. Covered market lanes are filled with stalls selling handmade crafts, Aboriginal art, leather goods, local honey and tropical fruit, and there are plenty of cafes and casual eateries where you can buy lunch. You have about two hours here to wander at your own pace.

Popular extras in Kuranda include the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, with its brilliant blue rainforest butterflies, and the village's wildlife parks, which are not included in the tour. Is Kuranda worth visiting? For most travellers it is the perfect mix of rainforest, culture and shopping, and with the cableway and train it is one of the best day trips in the Port Douglas and Cairns region.

Kuranda Scenic Railway down the range

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Australia's great train journeys. The line was cut by hand through the mountains in the late nineteenth century, a remarkable feat of engineering through steep rainforest, and its heritage carriages still wind down the range on the original route. The ride from Kuranda's pretty station, with its tropical garden platforms, takes about an hour and a half.

On the way down the train curves around cliff edges, crosses tall bridges and passes through hand-carved tunnels. The highlights are the views over Barron Gorge, the close pass of the Stoney Creek Falls bridge and a short photo stop at Barron Falls lookout. Sit back by the window with your camera ready, as the scenery changes at every bend until the train reaches Freshwater Station, where your guide is waiting.

Palm Cove, a beachside village on the Coral Sea

The last stop of the day is Palm Cove, a small and elegant beachside village on the northern beaches of Cairns. Its esplanade is lined with tall paperbark trees and palms, and a long sandy beach faces the calm waters of the Coral Sea. A short jetty at the northern end is a lovely spot for photographs as the afternoon light softens.

You have about half an hour here for a walk on the beach or along the esplanade, or to sit in a cafe with an ice cream or a juice. It is a peaceful end to a busy day before the drive back. Guests staying in Palm Cove or the other northern beaches are dropped off along the way, and the rest of the group continues to Port Douglas.