KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY

All Aboard Kuranda Scenic Railway

All aboard Kuranda Scenic Railway for an unforgettable journey through tropical paradise!

Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Australia’s most acclaimed short rail journeys. Climbing a picturesque path from the thriving tourist mecca of Cairns to the quaint rainforest village of Kuranda, this vintage rail experience is a must-do when visiting the Tropical North. Steeped in history and traversing some of the most ancient and pristine rainforest on earth, the Kuranda Scenic Railway has firmly established itself as a regional icon, capturing the hearts of visitors for generations.

The historic Cairns-Kuranda rail line along which you’ll journey is a truly magnificent engineering feat, comprising 15 hand-dug tunnels, 55 bridges and 98 curves. The track meanders its way through a landscape of deep ravines, dramatic gorges and thundering waterfalls, set amidst the dense rainforest vegetation of the Wet Tropics. Informative audio commentary is available in all carriages, offering valuable narration and intriguing insights into the history of the area and the track’s development.

Experience the old-world charm of travelling aboard the vintage wooden carriages pulled by the sturdy strength of the diesel electric locomotive. All carriages feature audio commentary, large viewing windows, toilets and access to water coolers. The red Heritage Class carriages feature bench-style seating with a corridor running down one side of the carriage, while the Gold Class carriages feature Victorian-inspired décor, lounge seating and a morning or afternoon tea featuring locally sourced delicacies. Accessible carriages are available in either Heritage or Gold Class.

Experience the rhythmic rattle and thrum as the train passes over bridges suspended high above forested ravines. Listen for the echo as the train enters a series of hand-carved tunnels blasted through solid rock, and inevitable squeals of glee from nearby children as the carriage is momentarily shrouded in darkness. Delight in the thunderous glory of water cascading down magnificent Barron Falls. Or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the ageless charm of train travel. This fascinating journey takes approximately two hours one-way, including a ten-minute stop for photos and panoramic views overlooking magnificent Barron Falls.

Kuranda Scenic Railway offers services daily between Cairns and Kuranda via Freshwater Station in either direction, with one-way, return and package options available. One of the most popular tour options combines a one-way Kuranda Scenic Rail journey with return travel via Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for the ultimate tropical rainforest adventure.

History

Kuranda Scenic Railway ascends some 327m from the coastal plains of Cairns to the rainforest village of Kuranda. It travels through the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, a globally significant landscape rich in biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural significance. Believed to be over 130 million years old, this living museum is home to the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest, as well as the world’s oldest culture. It provides a refuge for plethora of plant and animal life, including many species that are unique to the region. While its abundant and dramatic natural features such as raging rivers, carved gorges, dense vegetation, and mountainous terrain are awe-inspiring, they certainly provided many challenges to the brave pioneers who built the track over a century ago.

Construction began on the first section of the Cairns-Kuranda Railway on May 10, 1886. While the first and final stages of the rail line were comparatively easy to construct, the middle section which includes the ascent you’ll travel on proved extremely arduous, costing many men their lives throughout its construction. Armed with courage, fortitude and determine, these pioneering men forged ahead, carving tunnels and building bridges with hand tools, dynamite, buckets and bare hands. The Cairns-Kuranda Railway was first opened for goods traffic only on June 15, 1891, with passenger travel commencing just ten days later. The red timber Heritage Class carriages used today provide an authentic travel experience of the line’s early days, with some carriages up to one hundred years old.

Accessibility

Kuranda Scenic Railway is operated by Queensland Rail, a government body that is committed to providing rail services that are accessible to all customers. Please let them know if you or someone you are travelling with requires additional assistance when booking. When booking, please also advise if you are travelling with an approved guide dog or assistance animal so that suitable seating can be arranged. On the day of travel, please make yourself known to the team at the Station to flag your arrival and discuss your support needs. Train staff have received disability awareness training and are willing and able to assist customers with no or low vision. This includes guiding customers to carriage entrances, guiding to or from their allocated seat, accessible space or toilet facility entrances. Please note that due to the heritage nature of this experience, the ease of access to stations and carriages may vary. For example, Barron Falls Station is only accessible via steps. Passengers who are unable to navigate steps will need to remain onboard during this 10-minute stop.

Kuranda Scenic Rail also accepts Companion Cards, allowing free of charge travel for carers accompanying people with disabilities who require assistance.