Please note upcoming maintenance closures for Kuranda Scenic Railway services:

• Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29, Friday 30 May 2025


• Wednesday 11, Thursday 12, Friday 13 June 2025


• Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Friday 21 November 2025

Kuranda Scenic Railway will not operate on Christmas Day.

Cairns Adventure Group is shouting out to all locals with a brand-new promo that’s too good to miss!

From 1 April to 30 June 2025, locals can enjoy 30% off a huge range of adrenaline-filled and laid-back experiences—just use the promo code LOCAL30 and show your local ID at check-in.

Craving whitewater thrills? Get wet and wild with Barron River Rafting or tackle the legendary Tully River – both offering grade 3–4 rapids, stunning rainforest backdrops, and expert guides. Prefer a gentler splash? Float through lush jungle streams with Rainforest River Tubing, perfect for families and first-timers.

For something a little drier (but just as fun), hop on a self-drive boat hire or take the wheel of a BBQ pontoon along Trinity Inlet – no license needed! Or blast off on the Bad Fishy Jet Boat for 35 minutes of spins, speed and sea spray.

Finish the day cruising with a Trinity Inlet Sunset or Daytime Cruise, soaking in the sights and sounds of mangroves, crocs, and Cairns’ natural beauty.

All tours run daily and spots fill fast – so locals, now’s your chance to explore your own backyard!

Due to the impact of continued heavy rainfall in the area, and the forecast of more to come over the next few days, advice has been received that the Kuranda Range will remain in RED status and now closed to and including Tuesday 11 February 2025. As a result, the following Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) services have been cancelled:

All services from Saturday 08 February up to and including Tuesday 11 February 2025 

• 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns


• 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns

The Kuranda Railway Station elevator is undergoing maintenance from the 22nd of October 2024 to the 10th of November 2024. Please note there is no alternative access to and from Kuranda Railway Station and for this period there will be stair access to the station only.

We recommend customers with accessibility requirements contact a member of our friendly reservations team to discuss your options 1800 577 245.

Get ready for an adventure like no other with Cairns Tandem Paragliding! Starting this June, thrill-seekers can soar through the skies at Wangetti Beach, Queensland. Available from June 3-23 and again from September 7-22, this experience promises breathtaking coastal views and a memorable flight.

Cairns Tandem Paragliding Features

• Flight Duration: 15 minutes


• Stunning Coastal Views: See the Coral Sea, beautiful beaches, and rainforest-clad mountains.


• Beach Take-off & Landing: Begin and end your adventure on the soft sands of Wangetti Beach.


• Optional Video Package: Capture your flight to relive the moment and share with friends.

Availability: Daily flights between 12 pm and 5 pm in June and September.

Location: Conveniently located near Port Douglas and Cairns.



 

Visitors can catch the Shuttle Bus service between the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Rainforestation Nature Park.

The travel time between the Butterfly Sanctuary and Rainforestation is less than 10 minutes, covering approximately 5 km. Walking isn’t advised, so the shuttle is a great option. It's designed to fit perfectly with Rainforestation activities. For example, the 1145 am shuttle from Kuranda arrives just in time for the 1200 pm activities like the Army Duck tour or Dance Performance.

Shuttle Rates

Adult Return $13.00

Child Return (4-14 yrs) $8.00

Family Return (2A, 2C) $34.00

Adult One Way $8.00

Child One Way (4-14 yrs) $5.00

Family One Way (2A, 2C) $21.00

Shuttle Timetable

To Rainforestation

10:45 am

11:15 am

11:45 am (aligns with the 950 am train arriving at 1130 am)

12:15 pm

01:45 pm

02:15 pm

From Rainforestation

11:00 am

11:30 am

12:00 pm

12:45 pm

01:30 pm

02:00 pm

03:00 pm (also drops off to Kuranda Rail/Skyrail)

Visitors planning to experience the breathtaking views from the Kuranda Scenic Railway will need to adjust their schedules. The iconic railway will be temporarily closed from May 13th to May 17th, 2024, to allow for scheduled track maintenance. This brief pause in operations is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of the service, promising even smoother journeys through the stunning rainforest landscapes in the future. 

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will be temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance.

Maintenance Dates: May 13 - May 19, 2024 (inclusive).

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is also closed from Monday 13 May - Friday 17 May 2024.

Kuranda Scenic Rail Services Notification 

Due to heavy rain Kuranda Scenic Rail will nort be operating until Sunday the 24th March 2024.

Kuranda Scenic Rail services resuming on the 24th March

• 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns 


• 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns 

Kuranda Scenic Railway resumes it's regular schedule from the 2nd of March 2024, with two return daily services. 



Morning:

Cairns via Freshwater to Kuranda Village

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

Freshwater Station | 8:50am, 9:50am

Afternoon:

Kuranda Station to Cairns via Freshwater

Kuranda Station | 2pm, 3:30pm

• Travel time between Cairns and Freshwater Stations is 15 minutes.


• Travel time between Cairns and Kuranda Stations is 2 Hours.


• Travel time between Freshwater and Kuranda Stations is 1 Hour and 30 minutes.

Kuranda Scenic Rail Services Notification 

Following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) had major track damage at 61 sites along the railway line.  Queensland Rail Network Asset teams have been working tirelessly to restore KSR services as quickly and safely as possible.

We are pleased to advise that KSR will be able to resume operations sooner than expected. KSR will initially resume operations with two weekend services:  

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February 2024

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February 2024

• 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda 


• 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns 


• 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns 

KSR will then return to normal operations from Saturday 2 March 2024 

• Weekend services will commence late Feb 2024


• Full weekly service expected to commence late April 2024

In the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper, the Kuranda Range rail line faced substantial damage, including major track washouts, significant landslips, uprooted trees, and debris blocking the tracks at 61 different locations along the range. Despite the challenges, Queensland Rail's dedicated crews have been working diligently, prioritizing safety and speed to restore services.

We are pleased to report significant progress in this restoration effort, with 39 out of the 61 damaged sites now cleared. 

Starting from late February, services will resume on weekends only. This strategic approach will provide our hardworking crews access to the rail track from Monday to Friday, enabling them to continue fortifying the rail corridor against future extreme weather events.

We anticipate completing our long-term restoration works by late April, which will allow us to return to our regular timetable. Rest assured that we will keep you informed of our progress, especially in the event that recovery efforts face setbacks due to heavy rain or other severe weather conditions.

Attention all travelers looking forward to the Kuranda experience! While the Kuranda Scenic Rail is temporarily unavailable due to essential maintenance work, we're excited to offer the Skyrail Return option as an alternative.



Maintainance on the Kuranda Scenic Rail line will halt all services until the 12th Feb 2024

Please consider this alternative for your visit to Kuranda while the train services are being upgraded. We assure you an unforgettable experience filled with stunning views and serene moments above the rainforest canopy.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway!

We wish to advise that due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions and localised flooding associated with the current severe weather warning, Skyrail operations will also be suspended for tomorrow (Tuesday 19th December). We will continue to monitor and provide further updates.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support and further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Due to the significant rainfall experienced and ongoing weather conditions associated with ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the following alterations for Kuranda Scenic Railway services are in place:

Monday 18 December 2023

• 3K30 – 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda – This service has been cancelled.


• 3K32 – 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda – This service has been cancelled.


• 3C61 – 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns – This service has been cancelled.


• 3C65 – 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns – This service has been cancelled.

All customers that are booked to travel on Kuranda Scenic Railway services for Tuesday 19th December are to be advised that their service may be impacted.  

With the passing of Tropical Cyclone Jasper we are pleased to confirm Skyrail will recommence operations from today (Saturday 16th December).

Again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused during this temporary closure and we thank you for your patience and understanding and look forward to welcoming back guests to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

We wish to advise that due to the continued adverse weather conditions in Cairns this morning, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has delayed the planned recommencement of operations.

Skyrail will remain closed today (Friday 15th December). Further updates will be provided in due course regarding our reopening plans.

Again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused during this temporary closure and we thank you for your patience and understanding and look forward to welcoming back guests to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the ancient rainforest soon!

Due to the significant rainfall experienced and ongoing weather conditions associated with ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the following alterations for Kuranda Scenic Railway services are in place:

Sunday 17 December 2023

• 3K30 – 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda – This service has been cancelled. 


• 3K32 – 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda – This service has been cancelled. 


• 3C61 – 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns – This service has been cancelled. 


• 3C65 – 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns – This service has been cancelled. 

All customers that are booked to travel on Kuranda Scenic Railway services for Monday 18 December 2023 are to be advised that their service may be impacted.  

 

Monday 18 December 2023 

• 3K30 – 0830hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 3K32 – 0930hrs ex Cairns to Kuranda


• 3C61 – 1400hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns


• 3C65 – 1530hrs ex Kuranda to Cairns

 

We will continue to monitor the situation and further advice will be sent regarding the status of Kuranda Scenic Railway Services for Monday 18 December 2023.

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

As always, the safety of our employees and guests is the number one priority of Queensland Rail.

Due to Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s current trajectory and predicted associated rainfall, this may impact all Kuranda Scenic Railway services for the following dates.

• Tuesday 12th December 2023


• Wednesday 13th December 2023


• Thursday 14th December 2023

A further notification will be issued, if necessary.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway have announced their closure dates for the coming year, allowing for scheduled maintenance and observance of key holidays. This announcement is part of their commitment to maintaining high safety and reliability standards for their services.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway:

• Closed on Christmas Day, Monday 25th December 2023.


• May 2024: 6th - 19th (inclusive)


• September 2024: 4th - 10th (inclusive)


• December 2024: 25th (Christmas Day)

Kuranda Scenic Railway:

• Cancelled on Monday 13, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, Thursday 16, Friday 17 May 2024.


• Cancelled on Monday 10, Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 June 2024.


• Cancelled on Wednesday 6, Thursday 7, Friday 8 November 2024.


• Does not operate on Christmas Day, services resume on Boxing Day​​.