Spectacular bird’s eye view of the tropical forests
Get a unique and fascinating perspective on this serene journey over the Northern Queensland rainforest as you depart on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. From this elevated viewpoint, you can scan across the canopy for the abundant animal life that call this rainforest – among the oldest on earth – their home. As you ascend in your gondola, marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views that stretch from ocean to forest over Cairns.
Escape the midday heat of this tropical destination and hop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway to begin your adventure. You’ll leave the city behind as you leisurely weave your way up 329 metres, starting in Cairn’s cane fields and finishing at the entrance of Kuranda’s tropical rainforest. Soak up the changing landscapes as you embark on your 90-minute journey along this historical railway.
The rainforest beckons, so pick up your boarding pass – avoiding the queues – and start your trip on the spectacular Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The Skyrail is a world-first in environmental tourism, allowing you to witness the abundant beauty of the vegetation and wildlife beneath you while leaving it untouched. This amazing experience takes you over Australia’s World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest, canopy and deep into the trees.
The Skyrail has been a big hit with Instagrammers, with users making excellent use of the glass bottom carriages to post stunning bird’s eye views of the rainforest canopy. One Trip Advisor reviewer commented, “As you glide meters above the rainforests you can hear the birds and feel like you’re almost in the canopy of the trees. It’s got big glass windows so nothing can be missed. It’s a beautiful and relaxing way to discover the beauty and vastness of the Reef and Rainforest of Cairns, and the scenery is breathtaking”
This unparalleled proximity to the rainforest allows you to hear the sounds of the birds and spot other wonderful tropical creatures from the gondolas without disturbing them. The keenest of eyes may even see the Kuranda Tree Frog, or Litoria myola, an endangered species that’s only native to Far North Queensland. More than 100 creatures live in these lush rainforests and waterways, so keep your eyes peeled for the natural bounty that surrounds you.
This 7.5-kilometre scenic cableway that runs above the Barron Gorge National Park between Kuranda and Smithfield offers unforgettable views. Queensland – famed for its tropical climate, year-round sunshine, and spectacular nature – offers clear skies and uninterrupted views as far as the eye can see from the Skyrail. Many Instagram users captured pictures that appeared as though they were deep among some of the 800 tree species in this area.
Many customers described how they made use of the stops along the Skyrail to marvel at the forest from epic lookouts and complimentary guided boardwalk tours at Baron Falls and Red Peak. One TripAdvisor user commented it was an “Excellent way of returning from Kuranda to Cairns. The gondola trip is comfortable and offers wonderful aerial views of the lush rainforest and the Barron river and gorge. The trip takes over an hour, with opportunities for two stops with walking tracks through the forest. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.”
Many customers commented about the tranquillity of the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the unique opportunity to view Tropical North Queensland’s wonderful natural forms. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, “The Kuranda to Cairns Skyrail is totally awesome: if you’re in the area it’s an absolute must. The feeling of floating over the rainforest with a bird’s eye view is incredible. The fact that it’s so amazing takes away any fear factor and you just feel so lucky to be having the experience of a lifetime. Being able to break the journey up at different stations lets you see more of the forest and the waterfall and just helps make it a longer euphoric state.”
End your trip in the charming village town of Kuranda, which is famed for its colourful markets. Kuranda’s vibrant Heritage Markets are the toast of Northern Queensland, selling local arts and crafts seven days a week There are optional visits, at a reasonable additional cost, to see more of the area’s iconic animal life at Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
