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Day Trips

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

Passengers enjoying drinks on Gold Class, Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Guide explaining rainforest plants to family on Kuranda tour, Cairns.
Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over tropical rainforest in Cairns, Australia.
Couple enjoying the view from Kuranda Skyrail Cableway over lush rainforest and coastline.

Duration

7 hrs 10 mins

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

Experience Kuranda in Gold Class style with a luxury Scenic Railway ride, a Skyrail journey over the rainforest, and convenient hotel transfers from Cairns.

4.3/5(250)

Paul H

Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
Our transfer was late to collect us from the skyrail to the Freshwater train station; so when we got to Freshwater we had very limited time to enjoy our complimentary drink before train arrived. Was disappointed with the Gold class train ride but did enjoy the Skyrail back to the Carpark base. Thank you for a pleasant day

Jane W

Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
This is a wonderful trip to take while in the Cairns area. The Gold Class Service was great so we didn't need to waste time in Kuranda finding food. The Sky Rail back was spectacular! This is a must do!!

Dinah W

Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
We had an absolutely amazing day, the Scenic Kuranda Rail was fabulous Diamond Class is well worth it, I was a bit worried about return trip on Skyrail Cable Car but it was unbelievable, what a fabulous way to see the rain forest, my hisband & I had a fabulous day. Xx
    • Travel in Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, with lounge seating, dedicated host service, and premium refreshments.
    • Glide over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Cableway, with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls for boardwalk walks, scenic lookouts, and ranger-guided talks.
    • Enjoy free time in Kuranda Village, exploring markets, visiting wildlife sanctuaries, or relaxing at a café.
    • Hassle-free experience with round-trip hotel transfers included from Cairns accommodations.
    • Did you know? Kuranda’s Butterfly Sanctuary has Australia's largest butterfly aviary.
    • One-way Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ticket
    • One-way Gold Class Kuranda Scenic Railway ticket
    • Round-trip hotel transfers from Cairns
    • Expert local guide
    • Refreshments
    • Dedicated service
    • Kuranda Boarding Pass with attraction discounts
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 250 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

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    What our guests say

    Paul H

    Couple
    Verified booking
    4 days ago
    Our transfer was late to collect us from the skyrail to the Freshwater train station; so when we got to Freshwater we had very limited time to enjoy our complimentary drink before train arrived. Was disappointed with the Gold class train ride but did enjoy the Skyrail back to the Carpark base. Thank you for a pleasant day

    Jane W

    Couple
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    This is a wonderful trip to take while in the Cairns area. The Gold Class Service was great so we didn't need to waste time in Kuranda finding food. The Sky Rail back was spectacular! This is a must do!!

    Ragoso T

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Last week
    Enjoyed every bit of the experience.

    Dinah W

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    We had an absolutely amazing day, the Scenic Kuranda Rail was fabulous Diamond Class is well worth it, I was a bit worried about return trip on Skyrail Cable Car but it was unbelievable, what a fabulous way to see the rain forest, my hisband & I had a fabulous day. Xx

    John G

    Group
    Verified booking
    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!
  • Start your journey in Gold Class luxury

    Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class carriage for a premium rail experience. Relax in lounge-style seating, enjoy refreshments like sparkling wine, beer, tea, and snacks, and soak in the stunning views of waterfalls, tunnels, and rainforest canopies as you descend towards Kuranda.

    Explore Kuranda Village

    Once in Kuranda Village, you can take your time and explore local markets, wildlife sanctuaries like Birdworld and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, or relax in a café overlooking the rainforest. Your Kuranda Boarding Pass gives you discounts on select attractions.

    Travel back on Skyrail

    Glide above the World Heritage-listed rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Explore scenic boardwalks, enjoy lookouts over Barron Gorge, and learn about the rainforest from ranger-guided talks.

  • What to bring

    • Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a light jacket for the train journey and a refillable water bottle.

    What’s not allowed

    • Outside food and drinks are not allowed on the Scenic Railway or Skyrail. Smoking is prohibited in all transport vehicles and station areas.

    Accessibility

    • The experience is wheelchair accessible.
    • Guide dogs are allowed on this experience.

    Additional information

    • The Skyrail departs from Smithfield (Cairns) Terminal, whereas the Scenic Rail departs from Freshwater Railway Station. 
    • Children below 14 must be accompanied by an adult on the Skyrail and Scenic Rail.
    • The Scenic Train takes approximately 2 hours, while the Skyrail journey takes around 1.5 hours, including stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls.
    • This tour includes round-trip transfers from select hotels in Cairns. 
    • Entry to Kuranda attractions like the Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Kuranda Koala Gardens is not included but can be purchased separately on arrival.
    • The Gold Class in the Scenic Railway includes premium seating, drinks, and snacks, but additional food options are available for purchase in Kuranda Village.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
    • Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID during the pick-up.

    Hotel Transfers

    • This ticket includes hotel pick-ups and drop-offs.
    • While booking, please provide the name of your hotel.
    • If your hotel is not in the pick-up zone, you will be provided with the nearest pick-up location.
    • On the day of your tour, please arrive at your hotel lobby 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.
    • If your hotel does not have a lobby, please wait at the entrance of your hotel.

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