The Daintree Ferry will remain closed until at least 5am Tuesday 14th March 2023. due to maintenance.

Douglas Shire Council has a team of staff and contractors working around the clock to ensure the vessel can return to the water as quickly as possible.

Due to the previous heavy localised rainfall and its impact on the Kuranda Range all Kuranda trains for Wednesday 08 March 2023 have been cancelled.

As such, the following KSR services have been cancelled with no alternate arrangements.

Tuesday 08 March 2023

• 8.30 am ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 9.30 am ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 2.00 pm ex Kuranda to Cairns


• 3.30 pm ex Kuranda to Cairns

ReefQuest Cairns is offering a discount for March 2023 on  snorkelling and diving options. The special is valid until 31st of March. Please see the prices below:

• $199 for day trip + snorkelling


• $269 for day trip + one intro dive


• $269 for day trip + two certified dives

ReefQuest is an 8 hour Great Barrie Reef experience from Cairns. The modern vessel 3 large sun decks, 2 air-conditioned indoor saloons, a spacious dive deck, and a sunken platform for easy access in and out of the water. 

ReefQuest Departs Cairns at 8:30 and returns at 4:30.

Due to heavy rainfall overnight, the Kuranda Range has now been closed for Thursday 16th February & Friday the 17th February 2023 and will remain closed to all traffic until further notice.

As such, the following KSR services have been cancelled with no alternate arrangements.

16th & 17th February 2023

• 8.30 am ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 9.30 am ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 2.00 pm ex Kuranda to Cairns


• 3.30 pm ex Kuranda to Cairns

Skyrail will be reducing operating hours over 4 days during the month of March 2023 for maintainance. The works will take place prior to opening to reduce disruption to existing itineraries however, a late start will occur on these days. 

Skyrail operations will commence from 10:00 am on the following dates:

• Wednesday 1st March 2023


• Tuesday 7th March 2023


• Friday 10th March 2023


• Monday 13th March 2023

The Daintree River Ferry will be out of the water Monday 6 March 2023 through to Friday 10 March 2023, with services resuming 5am Saturday 11 March 2023. A passenger vessel will be operating from sunrise to sunset for the five days the ferry is out of the water.  It will operate continuously back and forth across the river for the five-day closure.  On the northern side, parking will be available near the amenities block and along Cape Tribulation Road.  A security guard will be on the northern side of the river after hours to ensure vehicles are safe. The Forest Creek parking area will not be used.

Kuranda Scenic Railway is not operating on the following dates due to planned maintenance on the Kuranda Range

May 2023

Monday 15th | Tuesday 16th | Wednesday 17th | Thursday 18th | Friday 19th

June 2023

Sunday 4th | Monday 5th | Tuesday 6th

October 2023

Sunday 1st | Monday 2nd | Wednesday 3rd

Skyrail will be closed for programmed maintenance works on the following dates throughout 2023

• May 2023: Monday 8th - Sunday 21st (inclusive)


• August 2023: Monday 28th - Thursday 31st (inclusive)


• September 2023: Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd (inclusive)


• December 2023: Monday 25th (Christmas Day)

Kuranda is now home to several life-size, painted cassowaries that have been placed throughout the village to create a trail for visitors to follow.

These colorful statues not only add a touch of whimsy to the area, but they also serve to raise awareness about the endangered Southern Cassowary and its importance to both indigenous people and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest.

Each cassowary has been uniquely crafted by a local artist, who used their skills and personal connections to nature, culture, and the Southern Cassowary to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Keep an eye out for these eye-catching sculptures as you explore Kuranda, and be sure to appreciate the important role that the Southern Cassowary plays in this corner of Tropical North Queensland.

Big Cat Green Island is now back to 7 days a week operation from Boxing Day 2022!

The only semi-submersible boat on Green Island and a fresh buffet lunch (including prawns) served daily by award winning Ochre Restaurant.

The Big Cat Full Day Green Island Tour departs Cairns at 9am and returns at 5pm. You have the option to include Snorkeling Gear, Glass Bottom Boat,  Buffet Lunch & a Semi-Sub Tour.

Passengers with Great Adventures had a rare encounter while they were seated in the semi-submarine at Moore Reef.

The whale shark, estimated to be 4 - 5 metres in length swam up close and alongside the semi-sub window as excited passengers looked on in awe. 

More often associated with the northern waters of Western Australia, whale shark encounters on the Great Barrier Reef are quite rare.

“We wouldn’t normally expect to see them here at this time of year. As plankton feeders you would expect likelier sightings around seasonal plankton blooms and coral spawning.”

As the largest fish in the sea reaching lengths of over 12 metres, whale sharks are docile fish feeding mostly on plankton, crab larvae and jellyfish, which they scoop up with their colossal gaping mouths while swimming close to the water’s surface. They are listed as a vulnerable species and prior to the mid 1980s there were less than 350 confirmed reports of whale sharks world-wide. 

Kuranda Scenic Railway will resume these services from Wednesday 9th November 2022

• 8:30am train ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 2:00pm train ex Kuranda to Cairns 

Kuranda Scenic Rail Timetable

From Cairns Central Station: 8:30am, 9:30am

Cairns Railway station is situated in the heart of Cairns a short walk from most CBD hotels.  If you have a car it is possible to have free parking for the day at Cairns Central.  Please bring your parking ticket with you at boarding so that Queensland Rail can validate it. 

From Freshwater Station: 8:50am, 9:50am

Situated in the nearby suburb of Freshwater, visitors can enjoy a hearty breakfast in authentic antique railway carriages.  The Station also includes a railway museum, pioneer cottage, gift shop, and can be hired for a unique function venue.  Freshwater Station is the preferred departure point as it has character.  There is plenty of free parking here. 

From Kuranda Station: 2pm, 3:30pm

Kuranda Station is world renowned for its tropical gardens and historic significance. It is possibly one of the most photographed railway stations in the world.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will commence boardwalk maintenance improvement works at our Barron Falls station commencing on October 31, 2022, with a closure period of approximately 8 weeks.

During these works, the existing boardwalk and small lookout will be closed, however The Edge Lookout and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre will remain accessible at all times, minimising disruption to our customer experience.

Station platform access for arriving and departing guests will change slightly, however, wheelchair access and all other facilities at Barron Falls station, including restrooms, will not be impacted.

We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to delivering an enhanced visitor experience in the near future.

Early Train not in service from until the 9th November 2022

Kuranda Scenic Rail have cancelled the 8:30am Cairns to Kuranda & 2pm Kuranda to Cairns Scenic Railway services until the 9th November 2022

The 9.30am Cairns to Kuranda & 3:30pm Kuranda to Cairns will still operate daily.

Early Train not in service from 13th August to 31st August 2022

Kuranda Scenic Rail have cancelled the 8:30am Cairns to Kuranda & 2pm Kuranda to Cairns Scenic Railway services until the 31st August 2022.

The 9.30am Cairns to Kuranda & 2pm Kuranda to Cairns will still operate daily.

Kuranda Scenic Railway will resume these services from Saturday 6th August 2022

• 8:30am train ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 2:00pm train ex Kuranda to Cairns 

Kuranda Scenic Rail Timetable

From Cairns Central Station: 8:30am, 9:30am

Cairns Railway station is situated in the heart of Cairns a short walk from most CBD hotels.  If you have a car it is possible to have free parking for the day at Cairns Central.  Please bring your parking ticket with you at boarding so that Queensland Rail can validate it. 

From Freshwater Station: 8:50am, 9:50am

Situated in the nearby suburb of Freshwater, visitors can enjoy a hearty breakfast in authentic antique railway carriages.  The Station also includes a railway museum, pioneer cottage, gift shop, and can be hired for a unique function venue.  Freshwater Station is the preferred departure point as it has character.  There is plenty of free parking here. 

From Kuranda Station: 2pm, 3:30pm

Kuranda Station is world renowned for its tropical gardens and historic significance. It is possibly one of the most photographed railway stations in the world.

The following Kuranda Scenic Railway services are unavailable until further notice:

• 8:30am train ex Cairns to Kuranda.


• 2:00pm train ex Kuranda to Cairns.

Queensland Rail Travel sincerely apologises for any inconvenience and we do appreciate your understanding and continued support.

A group of very excited scuba divers with Great Adventures Cruises at Green Island were treated to a rare encounter with a young adult dugong.. Estimated to be around 2 metres in length, this was the first dugong sighting recorded by Great Adventures divers at Green Island in several years. It was also the first ever sighting for videographer Dan (DD) Liu and two very lucky introductory divers on holiday from Ballarat Victoria.

“It was so exciting to see! He was very curious swimming near us as the group were diving on a nearby coral bommie. He came close within about 4 metres, swimming away and then coming back for another look before swimming off over the seagrass beds,” said DD 

Dugongs, often called sea cows, as they graze shallow seagrass meadows (eating up to 40kg a day!) are found across the tropical belt in Australia. They reach a length of 3 metres, live up to 70 years of age and can weigh as much as 400kg.

“Dugongs are fascinating mammals, sharing a common ancestor with elephants, and early sailors are believed to have confused them for mythical mermaids,” said Quicksilver Group Environment Compliance Manager, Doug Baird.

“They are most closely related to the manatee, their northern hemisphere relative. They resemble a large dolphin but lack a dorsal fin and have an upper lip covered in thick bristles.  They are well designed for aquatic life, with nostrils situated on top of their heads so they can breathe, and have a large, strong tail that propels them through the water. Their eyes and ears are on the side of their heads. Although their eyesight is poor, they have an acute sense of hearing.”

Dugong are threatened on a worldwide scale and in Australia, are a protected species under various legislation including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

This important sighting will be reported to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef monitoring program contributing valuable information about these endangered creatures as well as the long-term protection and management of the reef.

After nearly two and a half years, we're excited to announce Ocean Spirit's Michaelmas Cay cruise is recommencing from 17 September. The beautiful 32 metre (105ft) sailing catamaran is undergoing refit to be ship shape and in top condition to welcome guests aboard.

Sail, snorkel, dive, relax. A day with Ocean Spirit can be as leisurely or active as you choose. Snorkel from the cay’s protected shallow waters, view the corals from a glass bottom boat or take some time to observe the island’s fascinating birds. Michaelmas Cay is a National Park and very important protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds, perfect for keen bird watchers. The reef surrounding the cay is renowned for an abundance of giant clams and sea turtles amongst a myriad of colourful marine life.

Throughout the day, the “beach buggy” transfers guests between Ocean Spirit and the beach. To protect this special bird sanctuary, access on the cay is limited to the roped beach area. Optional activites include introductory scuba diving and marine biologist guided snorkel tours to learn much more about the reef and the creatures that inhabit it.

Or if you prefer, just relax on the beach or onboard Ocean Spirit’s spacious decks. A perfect finishing touch to the day is a glass of complimentary sparkling wine on the way home. A Five Star day on the Reef!

The Gunggandji and Yidinji Traditional Owners have commenced Wunyami Cultural Walking Tours, providing an authentic indigenous experience for visitors to Green Island.

The Wunyami Cultural Walking Tour is 100% indigenous owned and operated. It’s a wonderful addition to the island experience bringing traditional stories to life and a whole new perspective to the cultural history. Wunyami, which means “Place of Spirits” is Green Island’s original name. 

Participants learn about traditional food and medicinal uses of the rainforest plants, participate in traditional fire lighting techniques and can learn about cultural importance of clay painting. 

Elders Gudju Gudju Fourmile and Garth Murgha (Muka) say,” Our guides explain how the island is connected to an ancient journey of two ancestorial story-time beings who fought and formed the island and who still protect it today. This story is shared by the GuruGulu Gunggandji people (Yarrabah) and the Gimuy Yidinji people (Cairns). Our guides tell of the relationship of these warriors and the connectivity of this iconic island to the ancient seascape.”

Guides have been given special permission from their elders to share the stories of the island and the Great Barrier Reef with all who come on this tour.

The new business venture also includes the Black Seahorse gift shop which has opened in Green Island Resort’s day visitor area, selling a range of authentic indigenous artworks and merchandise. The shop draws its name from the Black Seahorse, a known lucky charm for the saltwater women of the Great Barrier Reef in memory of Alma Fourmile (nee Patterson Katchewan).

The Wunyami Cultural Walking Tour are available daily and takes approximately 1 hour. Tours can be booked at the Black Seahorse gift shop on the island.