The Barron Falls with the water turned off

Kuranda
A major tourist attraction in the Cairns region.
If Cairns gives the impression that it is dedicated to tourism then it is nothing in comparison to Kuranda. 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. Tourists to Cairns (in the days before the boom) 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.

Now Kuranda is awash with shops and activities designed to entice the tourist dollar out of the tourist pocket. There are the inevitable arts and craft shops, there are seemingly endless eateries from pie shops to coffee lounges and restaurants, there's a market - a kind of place where candles, jewellery, leather goods, T–shirts, tropical fruits and woodwork are sold.

The town and the surrounding area boast a number of outstanding tourist attractions - the Scenic Railway, a Butterfly Sanctuary where some of the rainforests most beautiful creatures are on display and the superb skyrail which offers a unique perspective on the rainforest.

Things to see:  

Scenic Railway
Although it is easy to get to by road the perfect journey is still by the 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. 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 which is worth watching if you happen to travel to Kuranda by car.

Skyrail rising up the escarpment to Kuranda

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
This is a rare opportunity to see some of the tropical rainforest's most beautiful creatures in their natural environment.

	Tourist Information
	Kuranda Visitor Information Centre Centenary Park Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 9311
	Hotels
	Kuranda Hotel/Motel Arara St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7206
	Resorts
	Cedar Park Rainforest Resort 1 Cedar Park Rd Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7892 Facsimile: (07) 4093 7892 Rating: ***
	Kuranda Resort & Spa Kennedy Hwy Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7556 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Kuranda Rainforest Accommodation Park Myola Rd Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7316 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Fitzpatrick Tavern Coondoo St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7203
	Frogs Restaurant Coondoo St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7405
	Kuranda Hote/Motel Arara St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7206
	Kuranda Rainforest View Restaurant 28 Coondoo St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 9939
	Kuranda Trading Post Restaurant 15 Coondoo St Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 7166 Facsimile: (07) 4093 8999
	Rainforestation Restaurant Kennedy Hwy Kuranda QLD 4881 Telephone: (07) 4093 9033