Kuranda

The picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village is just 25km northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia and is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Visitors can travel to Kuranda on Kuranda’s Historic Scenic Railway or by car or bus, via the spectacular Kuranda Range Road or over the rainforest on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Kuranda has come a long way from its initial origins as a centre for those choosing an alternative lifestyle in the late 60’s. Historic Buildings from the villages past now house a variety of upmarket restaurants, cafes and bars. It is still laid back, but with a style and sophistication that sets it apart from other Cairns Highlands Venues and Attractions.

Kuranda’s shops and markets with their exotically handcrafted goods, Aboriginal artifacts, restaurants and coffee shops make Kuranda a well known day destination.

For the wheelchair traveller the best method of reaching Kuranda is via the Skyrail, subject to the size and weight limitations listed below. Kuranda village will pose some difficulties due to the gradients of some of the streets. The Skyrail however is higher the scenic railway. From the railway station to the main street there is a long arduous climb to the village proper that is best not attempted without assistance. From the skyrail the path is relatively to flat the hotel on the corner of the main street with a short steeper section to the main shopping complex. For those not wishing to visit the main street of Kuranda the Skyrail is still well worth the round trip for the views over the rainforest canopy and the Baron Gorge. The intermediate stations allow for good views within the rainforest and the boardwalks allow easy wheelchair access. To complete the day visit the Tjkapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

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The Skyrail Experience

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience spans 7.5kms over Australia’s pristine tropical rainforests.

You’ll glide just metres above the rainforest canopy before descending through the canopy layers and deep into the heart of the forest at Skyrail’s two rainforest mid-stations for the ultimate tropical rainforest experience.

A Skyrail Experience will take approximately 1½ hours one way, or 2-2½ hours return.

Your Skyrail experience will commence or conclude at either the Caravonica or Kuranda, depending on your direction of travel.

Caravonica Terminal: Skyrail’s Caravonica Terminal is located just 15 minutes from Cairns and 50 minutes from Port Douglas and provides a convenient embarkation or disembarkation point.

Red Peak Station: As you approach your first rainforest mid-station, Red Peak, your gondola will descend through the canopy layers and take you deep in the forest.

Barron Falls Station: On approach to Barron Falls Station you will enjoy spectacular views of the Barron Gorge, a deep chasm lined with dense rainforest vegetation.

Kuranda: From Barron Falls, your Skyrail experience continues through the mountains before gliding over the mighty Barron River and arriving at Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal.

Wheelchair Access on Skyrail

Skyrail caters for wheelchair passengers with the following:

  • Optional use of ramp, to assist with loading and unloading from gondola cabins on the cableway.
  • Ramp access to all boardwalks at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations.
  • Access to the CSIRO Interpretation Centre at Barron Falls Station.
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities at all stations.

The following information details wheelchair guidelines for guests traveling on Skyrail.

  • The width of the wheelchair can not exceed 610mm.
  • The length of the wheelchair can not exceed 950mm.
  • Wheelchairs must be capable of being tilted backwards to enable loading into the gondola. To load a wheelchair, the wheelchair will need to be tipped backwards raising the front wheels and then gently pushed into the gondola.
  • The combined weight of the wheelchair occupant and the wheelchair must be of a manageable weight to allow cableway operators to load the wheelchair.
  • Wheelchairs must have handles to ensure easy lifting into the gondola cabins.

Use of Skyrail Wheelchairs

Skyrail provides the complimentary use of wheelchairs (subject to availability) during a Skyrail experience. We recommend you contact us or Skyrail's reservations team at the time of booking to confirm with wheelchair availability.

Wheelchair Access on Skyrail's Coach Transfers

Please note that wheelchairs cannot be carried on Skyrail's coach transfer service. .