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Before you go
Your trip to Kuranda.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Kuranda – Queensland Destination Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef about 1720 km from Brisbane
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Cairns (CNS) Cairns · 25 km
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Estação de Kuranda (Kuranda Scenic Railway) 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
From Cairns, on the Kuranda Scenic Railway train, about 2 hours, or on the Skyrail cableway from Smithfield, about 1½ hours. By car it’s about 25 km via the Kennedy Highway, around half an hour.
How many days
One day, as a round trip from Cairns: ride up by train, spend a few hours in the village and at the falls, and descend by cableway, or do the reverse.
When to go
All year. After heavy rains, between December and April, the Barron Falls usually carry more water; in the dry season, from May to October, the weather is more stable for the cableway.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. Train and cableway connect Cairns to the village, and Kuranda’s center is explored on foot. The falls’ lookout is 3.5 km from the center; by car it’s a few minutes, and the train and Skyrail also stop in front of them.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Kuranda
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Morning
Train to Kuranda
Take the train at Cairns station or at Freshwater and climb the range through tunnels and bridges, with a stop at the Barron Falls lookout.
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Afternoon
Kuranda village
Have lunch in the village, browse the craft markets and walk the trails along the Barron River. Those who wish can visit one of the butterfly or bird sanctuaries.
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Late afternoon
Cableway descent
Descend on the Skyrail over the forest, with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak stations, down to Smithfield, near Cairns.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to go to Kuranda?
The most popular combination is to go up by train and down by Skyrail, or vice versa. The train takes about 2 hours and the cableway about 1½ hours.
Is it worth staying overnight in Kuranda?
Most people do a day trip from Cairns. Staying overnight lets you see the village without the day groups and walk early in the forest.
Do you need to book the Kuranda train and cableway?
Yes, it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during holidays. There are combined tickets for the train in one direction and the cableway in the other.
Do the Barron Falls have water all year?
The volume varies a lot. After heavy rains, in the wet season, the falls are full; in the dry season they flow with less water.