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Kuranda, QLD
This sleepy little settlement, which is located only 27 km north west from Cairns, was for years nothing more than a railway station, a pub and a few shops. A world renowned train ride brings passengers from Cairns up the side of the escarpment to this village in the rainforest. Trains wind past the edge of Barron Falls, in flood a thundering, foam tossed torrent which plunges 240m into a rocky gorge hidden in a cloud of rainbow flecked spray. The village is a haven of arts and crafts and excellent eateries.
Tourists to Cairns used to travel on the Scenic Railway, stop and take photographs of Barron Falls, admire the gardens on the railway station and then return to Cairns.
The town and the surrounding area boast three outstanding tourist attractions - the Scenic Railway, the Skyway, a Butterfly Sanctuary and a noctarium.
Scenic Railway .
| It is probably the most scenically beautiful railway line in Australia with one section actually running across the face of the Stony Creek Falls and other sections winding around the hillside and through no fewer than 15 tunnels |  |
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At various points there are views back across the Coral Sea. It was built by John Robb between 1886 and 1891 and is recognised as a masterpiece of railway engineering. |
In 1915 the Railway Station at Kuranda was completed. It has since become something of a tourist attraction with its extraordinary floral displays. Ticket information from (07) 4052 6249
Perhaps the perfect symbol of Kuranda's unswerving commitment to tourism is the way the Barron Falls are used. In the dry season the water over the falls reduces to a trickle. However, to provide the tourists with good photos, just before the tourist train arrives at Barron Falls Station someone opens one of the floodgates and, quite miraculously, the falls begin to fall. This is a phenomenon worth watching if you happen to travel to Kuranda by car.
Skyrail
| Skyrail is one of the technological and scenic wonders of Australia. It stretches 7.5 klm across the rainforest canopy and is the world's longest gondola cableway. Passengers begin their journey at Caravonica Lakes (15 minutes north of Cairns) or Kuranda. |  |
There are two stops. The Red Peak Station and the Barron Falls Station. The Red Peak Station is located in the middle of the rainforest and offers an opportunity to explore the forest floor on a series of boardwalks. The Barron Falls Station has a Rainforest Interpretative Centre which was developed in conjunction with the CSIRO. A short walk through the trees takes visitors to the edge of the Barron Gorge for spectacular views of the Gorge and the Falls.
Butterfly Sanctuary
See some of the tropical rainforest's most beautiful creatures in their natural environment.
Noctarium
See some nocturnal Australian native animals in a darkened environment. This is a fascinating cross-section of the rainforest's nocturnal inhabitants.
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