Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Rainforest Tour from Palm Cove

Two ways through the rainforest in one morning and afternoon

A day trip from Palm Cove combines the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, two heritage transport routes through Barron Gorge National Park and the rainforest village of Kuranda. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You choose the order — rail first then cableway, or cableway first then rail — and the free time in Kuranda varies by option, letting you add wildlife parks and the butterfly sanctuary on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rainforest scenic railway and village visit

• Ride Kuranda Scenic Railway
• Explore Kuranda village and markets
• Visit Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (optional)
• Visit Kuranda Koala Gardens (optional)
• Visit Birdworld Kuranda (optional)
• Ride Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• View Barron Falls from Skyrail and railway

The Experience

You start from your Palm Cove hotel and ride into the rainforest on one of two routes: either the heritage Kuranda Scenic Railway, a mountain railway that winds through the forest between Kuranda and Freshwater Station, or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where you glide over and through the canopy in a gondola. Both pass Barron Falls, the landmark that frames the gorge. The two transport modes are the core of the day — one gets you there, the other gets you back — so the route you pick shapes the rhythm.

Once in Kuranda, you have free time to explore the rainforest village and its heritage markets. Depending on which option you book, that window is longer or shorter. Three wildlife attractions sit within reach: Kuranda Koala Gardens, where you can feed and pat wallabies and kangaroos and get a photo with a koala; Birdworld Kuranda, a free-flying bird aviary with hundreds of native and exotic species; and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, the largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia, home to over 1500 tropical butterflies. You pick which ones to visit during your free time, or skip them and spend the afternoon in the village itself.

The whole day runs about seven hours from pickup to drop-off. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and the trip suits all fitness levels — you're riding and gliding, not hiking. Hotel pickup and return are included, so the logistics are settled before you leave.

What’s included

• Kuranda Scenic Railway ride.
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ride.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Palm Cove.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Down Under Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the option with longer free time in Kuranda if you want to visit the wildlife parks and butterfly sanctuary; pick the shorter option if you prefer the village and markets without the extra stops. The order you select — rail first or cableway first — doesn't change what you see, only the direction you travel through the rainforest.

Traveler reviews

4.14★★★★★★★★★★

51 verified traveler reviews

5 ★25

4 ★15

3 ★7

2 ★1

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I choose whether to ride the Scenic Railway first or take Skyrail first?

Yes. The tour offers two main options: Sky/Rail (Skyrail first, then the Scenic Railway back) and Rail/Sky (Scenic Railway first, then Skyrail). Both pass Barron Falls and end in Kuranda; the order changes which direction you travel through the rainforest.

What is Barron Falls and will I see it from both the train and the cableway?

Barron Falls is the major waterfall in Barron Gorge National Park that frames the landscape. Yes, both the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway pass it, so you see it from two different vantage points — once from the train and once from the gondola above the canopy.

Do I have to visit the wildlife parks, or is there time to just explore Kuranda village?

The wildlife attractions — Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary — are optional and you visit them during your free time in Kuranda if you choose. You can spend the whole afternoon in the village and markets instead, or mix both depending on how much time your option allows.

Is food included, or do I need to bring money for lunch?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Kuranda village has cafes, restaurants and market food stalls, so you can buy lunch there during your free time.

How does the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway work — do I stay in the gondola the whole time?

Skyrail is a gondola system that glides over and through the rainforest canopy. There are two stops along the journey where you can get out and explore the rainforest from ground level before boarding again to continue to Kuranda.

What should I know about traveling with young children or babies?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller for the day. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the train and cableway rides themselves. The tour suits all fitness levels since it's transport-based rather than walking-intensive.