Gondolas slide across canyons and the glorious tops of the jungle
Skyrail: (T4038 1555, http://www.skyrail.com.au, daily 0815-1715, $39 one way ($56 return), child $19.50 ($26), price excludes Cairns transfers.) Kuranda Scenic Railway: T4036 9333, http://www.ksr.com.au, departs Cairns 0830 and 0930 (except Sat), departs Kuranda 1400 and 1530, $39 single ($56 return), child $19.50.
The award-winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, 15 mins north of Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway, is highly recommended in both fine or wet weather and is perhaps best combined with a day tour package to Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway . The once highly controversial Skyrail Gondola project was completed in 1995 and at 7.5 km is the longest cable-gondola ride in the world. It gives visitors the unique opportunity to glide quietly above the pristine rainforest canopy and through the heart of the World Heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park.
From the outset the mere prospect of such an intrusion into the ancient forest caused international uproar. Botanists and conservationists the world over were immediately up in arms and high profile local demonstrations took place. But for once, all the fears and protestations proved groundless and now Skyrail has proved a highly impressive project that encompasses environmental sensitivity and education, with a generous dash of fun thrown in for good measure.
The journey includes two stops: one to take in the views and guided rainforest boardwalk from Red Peak Station (545 m) and another at Barron Falls Station where you can look around the entertaining Rainforest Interpretive Centre before strolling down to the lookouts across the Barron River Gorge and Barron Falls. The interpretative centre offers a range of displays and some clever computer software depicting the sights and sounds of the forest both day and night, while the short walkway to the falls lookout passes some rather unremarkable remains of the 1930s Barron Falls hydroelectric scheme construction camp. A word of warning here: prepare to be disappointed. Ignore the postcards or promotional images you see of thunderous, Niagara-like falls. They only look like that after persistent heavy rain and/or during the wet season. Sadly for much of the year – from April to December – the falls are little more than a trickle. From the Barron Falls Station you then cross high above the Barron River before reaching civilization again at the pretty Kuranda Terminal. When crossing the rainforest you may be lucky enough to see the unmistakable Ulysses butterfly, which has now become a fitting mascot symbolic of the North Queensland rainforest.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway wriggles its way down the Barron Gorge to Cairns and provides an ideal way to reach the pretty village of Kuranda. To add to the whole experience, you are transported in a historic locomotive, stopping at viewpoints along the way (which provides respite from the rambling commentary). Skyrail can be combined with the Kuranda Scenic Railway for around $87.50, child $43.75. Tickets available on the web, from travel agents, tour desks, hotels, motels, caravan parks and at the VIC....
