Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

Yes! Ensure you get the most out of your experience by downloading Skyrail’s free multi-lingual Audio Guide App to enjoy in-gondola commentary and more.

• Enjoy the world’s oldest rainforest story during your ride with in-gondola commentary
• See tropical rainforest animals come to life through augmented reality, right before your eyes
• Sit back and relax as the story is shared automatically using GPS location functionality Don’t miss out on this immersive experience—download the Skyrail Audio Guide App today!

6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield

Skyrail is located 15 minutes north of Cairns city and 50 minutes south of Port Douglas in the World Heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park. Start your journey at Smithfield (Cairns) or Kuranda.

The Skyrail Smithfield Terminal is located just 15 minutes north of Cairns. It is easily accessible by car, taxi, or bus. There are also various tour packages that include transportation.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience includes a scenic gondola ride over the pristine rainforest canopy, stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls Rainforest Mid Stations, and access to the CSIRO Rainforest Interpretation Centre. You will enjoy breathtaking views of Barron Gorge, Barron Falls, and the World Heritage-listed rainforest.

Here’s the itinerary from start to finish for your railway adventure: Smithfield Terminal: Just a short 15-minute drive from Cairns or 50 minutes from Port Douglas, this terminal offers a convenient starting or ending point for your Skyrail adventure. Red Peak Station: The initial rainforest mid-station located deep within the forest. Skyrail's Rangers conduct informative guided boardwalk tours here, sharing insights into the ancient tropical ecosystems. Barron Falls Station: This station features easy-to-access walkways leading to three distinct lookouts showcasing stunning views of Barron Gorge and Barron Falls. For more insights on the ecosystem, you can also explore the Rainforest Interpretation Center. Kuranda: Continuing from Barron Falls, your Skyrail journey takes you on a scenic route through the mountains, overlooking the Barron River, before reaching Skyrail's Kuranda Terminal for a perfect end to your adventure.

Allow 1 ½ hours to complete a standard one-way Skyrail experience or up to 2 hours for a one-way Diamond View experience. For a return (round-trip) standard experience, allow 2 ½ hours plus time to spend in Kuranda Village. These timings include two stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. You can however choose to spend as much time as you like at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Please note that timings are dependent on cableway operational constraints and may be longer than these recommended times.

Skyrail’s hours of operation are 8:30am to 5:00pm.

During peak holiday periods, Skyrail may open earlier than 8:30am and additional booking times will be added to the website.

*The last departure time from Smithfield Terminal is 1:00pm.

*The last departure time from Kuranda Terminal is 3:30pm.

For our schedule of closure dates please see Special Notices.

Skyrail’s Canopy Cafe at Smithfield Terminal is open from 8:00am until 5:00pm on our opening days.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway can be enjoyed as a one-way or return (round trip) experience on its own OR; Skyrail Rainforest Cableway can be combined with Kuranda Scenic Railway to create half or full-day itineraries. You can start with either Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Kuranda Scenic Railway. There is a 7km gap between Skyrail Smithfield Terminal and Freshwater Railway Station. All guests booking self drive packages that include both Skyrail Rainforest Cablway and Kuranda Scenic Railway will have the transfer between the stations automatically included in the booking.

The one-way trip lasts approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes, starting from Cairns Railway Station. This includes a brief 5-minute halt at Freshwater Station for passenger pick-ups and a 10-minute stop at Barron Falls Lookout for captivating views.

Yes, the Skyrail journey includes stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls Rainforest Mid Stations, where you can disembark, explore walking trails, visit lookout points, and learn more about the rainforest at the interpretive centers.

You can spend as long as you like at the two stops. Our Ranger Guides are located at Red Peak offering Guided Tours throughout the day, whilst you explore the boardwalk and at Barron Falls you can explore independently.

If you wish to explore Kuranda Village there are numerous acitvities, including markets, art galleries, cafes and wildlife parks. Depending on your schedule, we recommend allowing 2 – 3 hours in Kuranda ‘Village in the rainforest’.

A friendly cableway operator will assist you on and off the cableway. The gondolas slow down as they approach each platform to allow for easy access. The gondola doors open and close/lock automatically.

Skyrail gondolas leave continuously; Skyrail bookings are taken in 15 minute intervals. Diamond View gondolas depart every 7 minutes approximately.

Each standard Skyrail gondola seats* a maximum of 6 people (including infants) or a maximum of 480kg (1058 lbs) whichever is first. The Diamond View gondola upgrade seats* a maximum of 5 people (including infants) or a maximum of 400kg (880 lbs) whichever is first. We will endeavour to offer guests their own gondola, however in peak travel times sharing of gondolas with other guests may be required.

• Bookings are taken on a per seat basis and the gondola is not offered exclusively. Note: sharing of gondolas with other guests may be required.

Yes. You are encouraged to leave the gondola to explore the rainforest at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Where you can explore the ancient rainforest on boardwalks and easy access walkways. We recommend all guests explore both Red Peak and Barron Falls in order to experience all aspects of the ancient rainforest.

Allow 1 ½ hours to complete a Kuranda Scenic Railway Journey. Morning departures leave from Cairns Central Railway Station at 8:30am and 9:30am and from Freshwater Railway Station at 8:55am and 9:55am to Kuranda Railway Station. Afternoon departures leave from Kuranda Railway Station at 2:00pm and 3:30pm to Freshwater Railway Station and continue on to Cairns Central Railway Station.

The Skyrail experience is the same, regardless of whether you chose to travel up to Kuranda from Smithfield, or down to Smithfield from Kuranda. You can choose to start with either Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Kuranda Scenic Railway when you book directly online.

If you have a vehicle you can drive yourself to Skyrail’s Smithfield (Cairns) Terminal where there is free parking, dedicated RV and caravan parking and two electric vehicle charging stations. You can also drive to Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal (free street parking).

Skyrail is currently operating a restricted bus transfer service from selected locations only. Bookings for this service are essential and can be made at the time of booking by selecting your location from the available list. If your location is not available, it is likely there is currently no service offered to that location.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is 7.5km long. When it was first built, it was the longest cableway in the world.

Bookings are made in 15 minute time allocations and once you have checked in you must travel at your pre-allocated times.

Day packs and fold up strollers can be taken on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Luggage is not permitted on the cableway or bus transfers.

Yes, Skyrail family rates are available on all packages, excluding Diamond View and Kuranda Scenic Railway’s Gold Class upgrades. A family is classified as 2 adults and 2 children of the same family. A child is a person aged between 4 and 14 years inclusive and infants (0-3 years) are free but must still hold an infant ticket to travel.

Your booking confirmation is your digital ticket. You can keep this on your mobile device. There will be a QR code to scan on entry to our terminals and when boarding the gondola.

Skyrail is perfect as either a wet or dry weather experience. In wet weather, the mountain ranges become shrouded in mist giving the rainforest a somewhat mysterious Jurassic Park feel. The gondolas are fully enclosed and complimentary umbrellas are also provided at Red Peak and Barron Falls to ensure everyone can enjoy the Skyrail experience in maximum comfort.

No. Children (14 years and younger) must be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the Skyrail experience.

Skyrail is fully accessible and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. ⓘ Learn about Skyrail’s easy accessibility

No smoking is permitted. This includes the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The entire Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience is a smoke-free experience.

Yes, the entire Skyrail experience is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate most standard wheelchairs. Due to size restrictions and loading requirements, some types of wheelchairs cannot be carried on the cableway. Skyrail also provides complimentary use of wheelchairs (subject to availability) during your Skyrail experience. Please note wheelchairs cannot be carried on bus transfers. Please advise us if you require this service so that the operator can make alternative arrangements for you at the time of booking.

Yes. You can travel on Skyrail or one of its transfer coaches with an animal which satisfies the definitions of ‘assistance animal’ under the provisions of the DDA. Skyrail is located within the Barron Gorge National Park, which is a World Heritage Area, and operates in accordance with strict environmental laws and obligations as prescribed by the Queensland Government, including Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). As such, we operate in accordance with QPWS’s operational policy for Certified Assistance Animals and Assistance Dogs in QPWS managed areas and also prioritise satisfying the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 (Cth) and the Anti-Discrimination Act (ADA) 1991 (Qld).