Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

A unique way to experience the Tropical Rainforest region in Cairns is to travel to Kuranda and enjoy the Tjapukai Aboriginal Theme Park with Skyrail.

Open since mid 1995, the new Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you between their two stations, one located at Smithfield, just a short distance north of Cairns on the coast, and the other in the quaint little market town of Kuranda, just opposite the famous Railway Station.

You can choose from either riding the Skyrail roundtrip to and from Kuranda, or just taking it one way and either using a coach transfer or the Scenic Commentary Train for the other half of your journey.

The Skyrail Experience

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is unique in the world. Not only is it the longest aerial cableway anywhere in the world, but it presents as an entirely new, convenient and environmentally friendly way of experiencing the amazing Wet Tropics Rainforest to be found north of Cairns.

There are three lengths of cableway stretching some 7.5 km (4.5 miles) going up the sides of the rainforest up to Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands. Six passenger gondolas glide silently, just above the rainforest. You can not only see the rainforest, you can hear it (and even smell it) too!

From start to finish, it takes 30 minutes to travel the entire length of the cableway. However, most people choose to stop at either or both of the two transfer stations. At these intermediate points, there are boardwalk paths taking you into the rainforest, allowing you to get up close and personal with this incredible natural resource.

The Barron Falls stop also offers both views out over the Barron Gorge to the famous Barron Falls (although there is seldom much water going over the top, most being diverted through the hydroelectric power station except in rainy weather) and also the Rainforest Interpretive Centre, developed in conjunction with Australia’s national science organisation, the CSIRO.

You should probably plan on allowing at least 90 minutes for a complete journey one way on Skyrail, including time at the two intermediate stops.

About the Rainforest

The World Heritage Rainforest north of Cairns is the second largest stand of rainforest in the world (after the Amazon basin). It is also the oldest rainforest in the world, having uniquely survived the last ice age. This gives it an incredible diversity of different types of vegetation, making it a veritable living museum as a result of its isolation from the rest of the world for millions of years. There are over 1100 higher plant species that can be found, of which only 5% are considered common.

Animals too are unique and special in this area - over twenty five different vertebrate animals on the rare, threatened or endangered list make this area truly very precious. There are birds galore and many other types of animals too, even snakes that you may see curled up in the tops of trees as you glide silently and safely past.

Best of all, Skyrail presents as a clean, quiet, and low impact way to allow visitors such as yourself to experience and enjoy the beauty of the rainforest.

Pricing

Although you can make your own way to the Skyrail station and buy a ticket for the Skyrail ride only, most people choose to purchase a tour - eg, from Downunder Tours that will include convenient transfers to and from your hotel, and possibly other things as well like admission to the new Tjapukai Theme Park situated next to the Skyrail station at Smithfield.

A view of the splendid Kuranda Scenic Commentary Train, which takes people on a ninety minute journey to or from Cairns and/or Kuranda. It is very popular for people to combine a Skyrail journey one way with the Train ride the other direction. Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal is right next to the Train Station.

A scene from the theatrical presentation that forms part of the new Tjapukai Aboriginal Theme Park, conveniently located immediately adjacent to Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal.

For people wishing to purchase only the Skyrail tickets, a one way ticket is A$40 for adults and A$20 for children (prices valid through March 31 2009). Your travel agency can assist you with choosing a combination tour with transfers from your accommodation that is best suited for you.