Enjoy a spectacular journey with the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns to the enchanting village of Kuranda in the heart of the rainforest.
You will pass waterfalls and be captivated by the beauty of Barron Gorge as you rise from sea level to 327 meters on this famous railway adventure.
The Kuranda Scenic Rail journey takes one and a half hours to complete from Freshwater Station and includes an commentary on the history of the region and the railway.
The Kuranda Scenic railway offers two return services daily. There are 3 Stations. Cairns Central, Freshwater and Kuranda.
First Morning Train from Cairns to Kuranda | Departs Cains 8:30am
The first morning train departs Cairns Central Station at 8.30am. It then travels fro 15 minutes to Freshwater Station to pick up more passengers.
The train then departs Freshwater Station at 8.55am and travels to Kuranda. The Journey from Freshwater to Kuranda takes 90 minutes and arrives in Kuranda at 10.25am
Second Morning Train from Cairns to Kuranda | Departs Cairns 9.30am
The second morning train departs Cairns Central Station at 9.30am. It then travels fro 15 minutes to Freshwater Station to pick up more passengers.
The train then departs Freshwater Station at 9.55am and travels to Kuranda. The Journey from Freshwater to Kuranda takes 90 minutes and arrives in Kuranda at 11.25am
First Afternoon Train from Kuranda to Cairns | Departs Kuranda 2.00pm
The first afternoon train departs Kuranda Station at 2.00pm. It then travels for 90 minutes to Freshwater Station.
The train departs Freshwater Station at 3.40pm and travels for 15 minutes before arriving at Cairns Central Station at 3.55pm
Second Afternoon Train from Kuranda to Cairns | Departs Kuranda 3.30pm
The second afternoon train departs Kuranda Station at 3.30pm. It then travels for 90 minutes to Freshwater Station.
The train departs Freshwater Station at 5.10pm and travels for 15 minutes before arriving at Cairns Central Station at 5.25pm
Kuranda Scenic Railway Travel times
Step back in time with the original Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class carriages. Experience the old-world charm of travelling in authentic timber carriages, some of which date back 100 years. Be captivated by the stunning World Heritage-listed rainforest scenery through large open windows as you relax in the refurbished original red-wooden heritage carriages.
Heritage Class Features
Experience the space and comfort of Gold Class. Step into special carriages adorned in handcrafted Victorian-inspired décor and indulge in club lounge-style seating. Enjoy the finest personal onboard service with a dedicated Gold Class Attendant at your service.
Gold Class offers a premium experience with personal service. Enjoy locally produced food and beverage selection, curated especially for Gold Class guests.
Gold Class Features
Morning & Afternoon Tea
Treat yourself to Morning or Afternoon Tea featuring a selection of Queensland and local Tablelands produce, including Gallo Dairyland Cheese, Skybury Coffee, Wondaree Macadamias, Tropical Sorbets, freshly baked muffins, quality Australian white and red wines, and Great Northern Brewing Company Super Crisp Lager
Welcome Drinks
Tropical mocktails are served in the pavilion area, 20 minutes prior to the morning departure from Freshwater Station
Welcome drinks served onboard the train, 20 minutes prior to the afternoon departure from Kuranda Station
Gold Class is offered on the following services
Kuranda Scenic Rail is dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible rail services for all customers. We aim to create a safe and enjoyable journey, offering support to those who may require assistance throughout their travel.
We understand that our customers have diverse accessibility requirements, and we welcome everyone, regardless of their level of independence. Whether you are blind, have a vision impairment, are deaf, have a hearing impairment, or have reduced mobility, we are here to ensure your journey is comfortable and hassle-free.
Every Kuranda Scenic Railway service includes a carriage with accessible facilities. However, as a heritage-style service, there are some important considerations when planning your journey. Platform heights and station facilities vary at each station. Please be aware that access to the Barron Falls stop is via stairs only. Customers using mobility devices will not have access to the boarding lift at this stop. Therefore, if you cannot use stairs, we recommend remaining onboard at Barron Falls. Additionally, please note that there is no wheelchair access to the viewing platform.
We are dedicated to providing assistance and ensuring a smooth travel experience for all our customers at our stations.
Joining or Leaving the Train
At Cairns railway station, we set up ramps to assist customers with boarding and disembarking. At Freshwater and Kuranda railway stations, our hydraulic lifts are operated to facilitate smooth access.
Guiding Customers
Our team members have received disability awareness training and are equipped to guide customers, especially those who are blind or have a vision impairment, to carriage entrances.
Assisting with Small Items
We are happy to assist with carrying small hand-held luggage or small mobility aids such as walking frames and canes, with a maximum weight limit of 7kg.
While we strive to provide assistance to the best of our abilities, we want to ensure everyone's safety. Therefore, if you require assistance with pushing your mobility device up and down the boarding ramp at Cairns railway station, we may not always have team members available to provide this service. If you anticipate needing assistance with any of the items listed above, we kindly request you arrange for someone to accompany you to provide the necessary support. If arranging assistance is not feasible for you, please let us know in advance so we can review your request and explore possibilities to accommodate your needs. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we are here to make your journey enjoyable and hassle-free.
Accessible Seating and Facilities
Most types of wheelchairs or mobility scooters can be accommodated aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway services; however, size restrictions do apply. In general, these dimension limits are 750mm wide by 1100mm long.
Storage options for mobility devices is limited to the carriage with accessible facilities only.
For your convenience, small collapsible prams and strollers can be easily stored under the Heritage Class seats, provided they collapse to no more than 25cm in height.
However, please note that there is limited capacity to accommodate non-collapsible or large collapsible prams and strollers on board the train.
To ensure a smooth journey, kindly inform us at the time of booking if you plan to travel with a large collapsible pram or stroller or any non-collapsible device.
If you find it challenging to travel with a small collapsible pram or stroller for your journey, please let our team know upon your arrival at the station.
They will be more than willing to assist you with your device. However, we must advise you that the carriage of larger prams and strollers on each Kuranda Scenic Railway service is subject to the available space on the day.
Preparing for your Kuranda Scenic Rail journey? Here's a handy checklist of what to bring along.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Explore the beauty of Kuranda Village in style and comfort with suitable walking shoes. There are plenty of sights to see, and you'll want to enjoy every step of the journey.
Hat and Sunglasses
Enjoy the breathtaking views at Barron Falls without the annoyance of glare. Don't forget to pack a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
Cashless Transactions
Please note that we operate with cashless transactions at our Travel Centre and railway stations. We accept credit and debit card payments only, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for all our customers.
