If you haven’t travelled to North Queensland before, you’ll be forgiven for not having heard of one of Australia’s most unique experiences, the Skyrail in Cairns. We recently had the pleasure of travelling on the Skyrail in Cairns, and if you’re looking for an experience with the kids you’ll want to hear all about seeing the rainforest from a whole new perspective.
What is the Cairns Skyrail?
The Cairns Skyrail is a family-owned travel experience that was first opened in 1995 by the Chapman family, champions of the local area in Cairns and the environment. The Skyrail in Cairns is a cableway travel experience that offers breathtaking views of the rainforest between Cairns and Kuranda. The Skyrail stretches 7.5 kilometres, leaving Cairns in Smithfield and arriving in Kuranda with a few pretty special stops along the way adding to the experience for the whole family.
With 32 towers stretching through the rainforest experience, the Skyrail in Cairns offers cinematic views of the rainforest canopy that simply won’t be experienced anywhere else in the world. At its peak, the Cairns Skyrail reaches a height of 545 metres above sea level, meaning you’ll see not only the rainforest but expanding views of the entire geography of Cairns.
Kicking off in 1997 with 47 gondolas, the Skyrail in Cairns now boasts over 114 gondolas offering visitors ample opportunity to enjoy the stops along the way, experiencing all the rainforest has to offer. If you’ve ever experienced the joy of a glass-bottom boat, then be sure to enquire about the diamond experience, a glass-bottom gondola showing everything the rainforest has to offer.
How long does the Skyrail in Cairns take?
There are so many ways to enjoy the Cairns Skyrail, whether you opt to take the gondola both up to Kuranda and back, or alternatively you can choose to purchase a ticket that takes Kuranda Scenic Railway up or down with the Cairns Skyrail taking you the opposite way.
The Skyrail in Cairns is truly an experience like no other, so whilst the trip will take you roughly 45 minutes one-way without getting off at the stops, you really want to allow at least an hour for a one-way experience or 2.5 hours for a round trip. The reason you want to allow more time for the Cairns Skyrail is so you can hop off at the stops along the way, experience all the rainforest has to offer and capture those family moments.
There are two stops along the journey to Kuranda on the Skyrail in Cairns, Red Peak and Baron Falls. Allow at least 10-15 minutes at each stop so you can soak up all of the rich history and tapestry of the areas. Our little one loved seeing all the trees and the amazing sounds of the incredible rushing water of the waterfall.
Planning for Cairns Skyrail
The Cairns Skyrail gondolas can hold up to six people, meaning the whole family can comfortably fit within the same gondola. If you are travelling, it’s best to plan a visit to the Skyrail in Cairns not on the day you’re departing, as luggage or heavy items can’t be taken on the Cairns Skyrail. Backpacks, water bottles and other small items are fine to come on the trip with you.
We experience the diamond gondola, allowing us to see through the floor and down into the rainforest. It was a truly remarkable experience, being amongst the trees, hearing the sounds of the wildlife and experiencing the spectacular views of Baron Falls and beyond. At the first top at Red Peak, we loved taking part in the Ranger guided tour where we learnt all about how the tree canopy grows and the incredible flora and fauna in the area. The stop has a simple-to-follow boardwalk loop, bringing you back to the gondola to continue onto Baron Falls.
As you approach Baron Falls on the Cairns Skyrail you’ll experience breathtaking views of this incredible landmark. The sound of the rushing water and the depth of the waterfall are simply an incredible sight to see up close. At the stop, you can get a great family shot at the Edge Lookout with plenty of other Skyrail passengers willing and able to take the photo for you, if you reciprocate of course. This stop also has the Rainforest Interpretation Centre for those budding ecologists in the family.
The Cairns Skyrail gondolas start their day at the Smithfield departure from 8:30 am, perfect for any little early risers. With gondolas then departing continuously throughout the day, and bookings in 15-minute intervals you’ll be sure to get on quickly once you arrive. The last one-way gondola departs Smithfield at 1:00 pm and from Kuranda at 3:15 pm so be sure to time your trip perfectly.
The Skyrail in Cairns was truly one of the most incredible experiences for our family, with our little one transfixed by the sounds and sights of the rainforest. If you’re travelling to Cairns and looking for a wonderful day out with the family, the Cairns Skyrail is a must-try.
Tickets are available for adults and kids separately or alternatively, a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is available for $170 one-way or $247.50 return. Children’s pricing is available for kids aged 4-14 years, and bookings are essential.
If you want the best seats possible to experience Cairns and the Kuranda rainforest, then taking a ride on the Kuranda Cairns Skyrail will be a highlight of your trip. You can also check out our full guide to Cairns for tips on what else to do, and where to stay.
