From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Trenton wallace
AU

Trenton

Australia
Jan 2026

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Such a wonderful experience. Begins with friendly staff who explain the journey and tips about saving information about the animals. Inside the aquarium i was surprised to how many different animals there was. I was not expecting such a large variety. I seen fish and reptiles i have never seen before. Definitely going back in the future.
Rachel Grabowski
AU

Rachel

Australia
Jan 2026

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+1 more

Aquarium was clean, tidy & has been well maintained. Our two year olds were in and out quickly some more interactive activities for kids would've great
Mehdi Toumari
AU

Mehdi

Australia
Dec 2025

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+2 more

Loved it. Stunning views the whole way and Kuranda is a beautiful little village with a nice, relaxed vibe. The scenic train and Skyrail were both amazing and well organised. Definitely worth doing.
Petronio Caiga
AU

Petronio

Australia
Sep 2025

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+1 more

The Kuranda Skyrail & Scenic Train tour was unforgettable! Stunning rainforest views, smooth transfers, and a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. A must-do Cairns experience—highly recommended!
Jeanne Valette
FR

Jeanne

France
Dec 2025

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+1 more

It was magical, thanks to the driver and the team for offering us this exceptional moment! We had a wonderful time
Tanya Du Preez
AU

Tanya

Australia
Jan 2026
Train and Skyrail. One thing that can be improved- please add the bus service to the itinerary who will be picking customers up first the Army duck as we thought it was down under tours so we missed the activity and had to go later. If we had known who we were travelling with we would have been on time as we were waiting for an hour.
John Goodwin
US

John

United States
Dec 2025
A very nice day. Driver was on time and very personable. Gold class morning tea on the train was lovely. Views were amazing! Enjoyed the village of kuranda. The bird sanctuary was amazing!!! Skyrail down was breathtaking!
david mathews
AU

David

Australia
Dec 2025
A great day, with smooth well planned transfers. But be sure to check pickup time with local pick up partner, as time supplied by headout was nearly an hour TOO LATE! BEWARE

Top things to do in Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets: Where history meets natural wonder

Winding through the lush rainforests of Queensland’s Wet Tropics, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a journey back in time. From Cairns to Kuranda Village, this historic train climbs over 1,076 feet above sea level, traversing 37 bridges and 15 tunnels. Along the way, you’ll see panoramic views of steep ravines, vibrant fig trees, and the mighty Barron Falls, making it one of Australia’s most iconic rail adventures.

On this page, discover everything you need to know about the Kuranda Scenic Railway—from tickets to the best ways to experience this iconic journey!

Navigate Kuranda Scenic Railway tickets guide

  1. 6 reasons to tick the Kuranda Scenic Railway off your bucket list
  2. Key tips for booking your Kuranda Scenic Railway ticket
  3. Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets: A complete breakdown
  4. Top sights along the Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail
  5. Your checklist for Kuranda Railway Scenic tickets
  6. Kuranda Scenic Railway FAQs

Top 6 reasons to take the Kuranda Scenic Railway

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Heritage carriages

Ride in vintage wooden carriages with timber interiors and polished brass. With premium onboard service and multilingual commentary, this journey is perfect for families and travelers of all ages.

Gold class upgrade

Choose the gold class ticket for the Kuranda Scenic Rail and enjoy luxury seating, morning tea, locally sourced snacks, and a welcome drink.

Spectacular rainforest & waterfall views

Enjoy close-up views of Stoney Creek Falls and Barron Falls, set against the backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Wet Tropics.

Guided boardwalk tours

Step out at Red Peak Station to take a guided boardwalk tour with expert rangers who share insights into this ecosystem and the history of the Djabugay people.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Hop aboard a glass gondola for uninterrupted views of the ancient Wet Tropics and Barron Falls. Upgrade to a Diamond View gondola with a glass floor to see the rainforest stretch out below.

Explore Kuranda Village

Shop for handmade crafts and locally roasted coffee and see the electric-blue Ulysses butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Things to know before booking Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

  • Duration: All the tours include 1.5 to 2 hours of free time in Kuranda Village. But if you want more time, the From Cairns: Scenic Train & Skyrail Self-Guided Kuranda Tour priced at AU$55 lets you choose a one-way Skyrail or train ticket, so you can extend your stay and explore at your own pace.
  • Traveler type: The From Cairns: Scenic Train, Skyrail, & Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, priced at AU$262 is a great option for families with kids or wildlife lovers who enjoy nature and animals. The ****From Cairns: Scenic Train & Skyrail Self-Guided Kuranda Tour, priced at AU$55, is perfect for older and solo travelers who want a relaxed, flexible experience with scenic train and Skyrail rides along with free time to explore Kuranda Village at their own pace.
  • If you want to explore more: The From Cairns: Scenic Train, Skyrail, & Kuranda Rainforest Tour is great for culture and nature enthusiasts who want to deep dive into ancient indigenous traditions and encounter Australian wildlife during the rainforestation tour. Although the ticket is priced slightly higher at AU$273, you get round-trip hotel transfers, Army Duck Tour and Dreamtime Walk & Pamagirri dance performances which make it worth the price.
  • Scenic railway gold class vs regular seats: Luxury travelers looking for a premium experience can opt for the From Cairns: Scenic Train with Gold Class & Skyrail Kuranda Tour with Transfers, priced at AU$264. The lounge-style reserved seating, premium table service, locally sourced snacks, wines, and beverages, and the quieter atmosphere make it perfect for families or couples celebrating a special occasion as compared to the regular class tickets with its standard seating and snacks drinks available for purchase.

Kuranda Scenic Railway ticket breakdown

Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail tickets

Duration: 1 hour 30 mins - 5 hour 55 mins

Price: Starting from AU$55

Explore Kuranda by train and Skyrail, and take some time to explore the village. Get round-trip hotel transfers from Port Douglas or one-way ticket upgrades.

Recommended experiences:

  • From Cairns: Scenic Train & Skyrail Self-Guided Kuranda Tour
  • From Port Douglas: Scenic Train & Skyrail Kuranda Tour with Transfersr

Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class tickets

Duration: 5 hours 45 mins - 8 hours 40 mins

Price: Starting from AU$199

Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class, enjoying premium service, drinks, and snacks. Explore with an expert guide, take in stunning views from the Skyrail, and get round-trip hotel transfers from Cairns.

Recommended experience:

  • From Cairns: Scenic Train with Gold Class & Skyrail Kuranda Tour with Transfers

Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail with attractions

Duration: 11 hours - 11.24 hours

Price: Starting from AU$123

Experience a full-day Kuranda adventure with hotel transfers from Cairns and an expert driver host. Journey on the Scenic Railway and Skyrail, explore the charming village, and choose between an Army Duck tour or a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

Recommended experiences:

  • From Cairns: Scenic Train, Skyrail, & Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
  • From Cairns: Scenic Train, Skyrail, & Kuranda Rainforest Tour

Must-see stops on the Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

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Barron Falls

A 125-meter waterfall in Barron Gorge National Park, known for its powerful flow during the wet season.

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Plan your visit

  • The Kuranda Scenic Railway operates daily except for Christmas Day and planned maintenance closures.
  • The train departs Cairns at 8:30am and 9:30am and Freshwater at 8:55am and 9:55am. It arrives at Kuranda at 10:25am and 11:25am.
  • The train departs from Kuranda at 2pm and 3:30pm and Freshwater from 3:32pm and 5:02pm. It arrives at Cairns at 3:55pm and 5:25pm.
  • The journey takes 1 hour and 55 minutes from Cairns Railway Station with a 5-minute stop at Freshwater Station to pick up more passengers and a 10-minute stop at Barron Falls Lookout.

Cairns Railway Station

  • Address: 142 Bunda St, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia.
  • By bus: Take bus lines 110, 111, 120, 121, 123, 142, or 143W to Cairns City Station, which is a 6-minute walk from the railway station.
  • By car: You can take a car or taxi down to Cairns Railway Station where you can park for free at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. 

Freshwater Railway Station

  • Address: Barron QLD 4878, Australia. Find on maps
  • By bus: Take bus line 121 to Lavis Rd at Valley Street,which is a 3-minute walk to the station.
  • By car: You can take a car or taxi down to Freshwater Railway Station where you can park for free at the station.
  • Most of the Kuranda Scenic tours offer round-trip transfers from your hotel in Cairns or Port Douglas. Choose your hotel name in the dropdown while making the booking. 
  • Popular hotel pickup points in Cairns include Gilligan’s Hotel & Resort and Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, while in Port Douglas, common pickup locations are Oaks Resort Port Douglas and Shantara Resort Port Douglas.
  • Limited luggage allowed: The train’s limited storage capacity only allows for luggage less than 20kg in weight and 25cm in height. 
  • Pay attention to safety instructions: The train staff will provide important safety instructions during the journey. Pay attention and follow them.
  • Accompanied minors: Children aged 14 years and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 years or over. 
  • Identification: Passengers may be required to provide proof of identity and, if applicable, entitlement to concessional tickets.
  • Smoking: Any form of smoking, including vapes and e-cigarettes, is prohibited on the train and the stations.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: There are wheelchair-accessible carriages with varying platform heights, lifts, or ramps to help get into the train at different stations. There are also four accessible spaces in the accessible coaches with seats nearby for carers. 
  • Guests with low vision and hearing disabilities: The carriage has high-visibility handrails and contrasting surface colors for guests with low vision. The train staff can provide a written copy of the audio commentary for guests with hearing disabilities.
  • Carer eligibility: With a valid companion card, the carer can get free tickets along with the guests with disability in Heritage Class. 
  • Assistance animal: Accredited guide, hearing, and assistance animals are allowed on the train. However, inform the railways when booking to ensure they can arrange suitable seating for your animal.
  • Combine Scenic Rail & Skyrail: Book a tour with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to experience the Wet Tropics and Kuranda from different perspectives. 
  • Choose the right seats: Get the seats on the train’s right-hand side to get the best views of the coast and valleys on your journey up to Kuranda.
  • Bring insect repellent: Carry insect repellants to protect yourself from insects during the guided boardwalk tour at Red Peaks and Barron Falls stops. 
  • Avail of the free shuttle: Use the free shuttle between the Kuranda Railway Station and the Skyrail.
  • Great Barrier Reef: Just a 45-minute drive away, explore the vibrant coral reef by snorkeling, diving, and taking boat tours to explore marine life.
  • Barron Gorge National Park: Located just 32 minutes, this rainforest park is home to Barron Falls and the Douglas Track and has deep cultural significance for the Djabugay people.
  • Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures: A short 49-minute drive will get you to this top wildlife park near Cairns known for crocodile boat cruises and its snake and crocodile shows.
  • Frogs Kuranda: Located in Kuranda Heritage Markets, this rainforest restaurant is famous for its local barramundi, kangaroo burgers, green mango curry, and vegan options. 
  • The Petit Café: A cozy cafe known for its cheese crepes and Kuranda honey and cream crepes made from locally sourced ingredients. 
  • La Fonda Latina: A lively Latin American eatery offering authentic arepas, empanadas, and delicious Colombian coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

The train runs between Cairns Railway Station to Kuranda Railway Station, with a 5 to 10-minute stop at Freshwater Railway Station.