Kuranda Scenic Railway
One of the most popular and scenic attractions in Cairns and Northern Queensland is the Kuranda Scenic Raliway.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of the most popular trips for visitors to Cairns and Tropical Northern Queensland. The railway played an important role in the development of Northern Queensland and is truly an amazing engineering feat.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway journey will take you from sea level to 328m, you will pass through dense tropical rainforest, over steep ravines and past tropical waterfalls. The journey is one of the very best train journeys anywhere in the world. The journey time is approx. 1 hr 45 min from Cairns to Kuranda. Morning trains depart Cairns at 8.30am and 9.30 am and pass the Freshwater station at 8.50am and 9.50am and afternoon trains depart Kuranda at 2.00pm and 3.30pm.
History of Kuranda Scenic Railway
In 1884 the Barron Valley train route between Cairns and Kuranda was
selected over proposed routes from Port Douglas and Geraldton to connect
the Tablelands to the Coast of Northern Queensland. This decision has
shaped and played a major role in the development of Northern Queensland
and Cairns.
Construction began in May 1886 of the 75km railway, which would be constructed in three separate contracts of 13.2km,24.5 km and 37.4km, with the second section being the most difficult due to steep inclines and dense rainforest. This section also included 15 tunnels, 93 curves and many bridges above ravines and waterfalls.
A journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway is truly a highlight of a visit to Cairns and Northern Queensland and should not be missed.
A great way to enjoy the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway is to take the "Kuranda Classic Experience" which includes a one way ticket for the Skyrail and a one way ticket for the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Both activities can also be taken both ways from Cairns to Kuranda and both activities offer transport packages from Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.