Where to go
Kuranda is an arts and crafts hub tucked away in the cool of the mountains just outside of Cairns.
As a traditional Djabugay owner and a ranger at Skyrail, I share stories of our ancient rainforest with our guests and introduce them to Barron Falls and the cassowary, both of which are sacred to the Djabugay people
Ranger Jeremy – Kuranda Skyrail
There are two outdoor markets – the Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets open Thursday to Monday and the Heritage Markets open Thursday to Sunday. You can find locally made clothing and jewellery, wood carvings, leatherwork, ceramics, gemstones and Indigenous art. There’s lots of fresh local produce like macadamias, coffee and fruit, as well as organic juices, snacks and international cuisine.
See some of Tropical North Queensland’s most iconic wildlife at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, the Koala Gardens and Rainforestation Nature Park. Get up close and personal with the animals – cuddle a koala or feed a wallaby.
The most famous waterfall lookout in Queensland is just outside Kuranda. Barron Falls (Din Din) is a steep, 125m tiered waterfall that plunges out of the rainforest. It’s at its most spectacular after summer or autumn rains. Explore the national park on foot through a series of interlinked walkways like the Jumrum Creek Walk, Kuranda Village Circuit Walk or the River Walk. For a more strenuous hike, there are trails connecting Cairns with the Barron River.
See the park from above with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which runs for 7.5km above the rainforest canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. Or take a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, dating back to the 1890s. The train runs on the edge of the rainforest from Cairns to Kuranda, through 15 hand-cut tunnels and across 37 bridges.
These days, Kuranda has a fun and festive atmosphere with welcoming locals and lots to do. The town became popular with the hippie crowd in the 1960s and ’70s, and they have left an artistic and musical legacy that can still be enjoyed today. Look out for the amazing street art and talented buskers performing on street corners.
Because of its altitude, Kuranda has a much cooler and less humid climate than Cairns. Average daytime temperatures are between 26 and 29.5 degrees in the dry season (June-October) and 28 to 31.5 degrees in the wet season (November-May), with humidity in the wet season around 70 per cent.
Make sure you have a meal at Frogs Restaurant which opened in 1980 and is still one of the best restaurants in town. Or try the much-talked-about crepes at Petit Cafe.
Learn about the local Indigenous culture with the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation. It includes traditional dance performance and a Dreamtime walk with displays of spear and boomerang throwing.
Explore more of this charming mountain town – from its vibrant artistic community to a huge array of outdoor adventures.
The bumper sticker catchphrase ‘Magic Happens’ was surely created after a visit to the picturesque village of Kuranda, a rainforest township where the outside world seemingly does not exist.
Known as the colourful village in the rainforest, Kuranda has a much deeper history that stretches way beyond its famous quirky markets. Learn more about the Indigenous people who have called Kuranda home for at least 10,000 years.
Experience the famous village in the rainforest along a network of easy trails that introduce you to the surrounding Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Accommodating all types of walkers, discover the amazing scenery that exists a stone’s throw from Kuranda’s shopping experience.
Just as the Na’vi in Avatar have Pandora, Tropical North Queensland has Kuranda, a rainforest village worthy of its own feature film. If you don’t know much about it, discover why you need Kuranda’s leafy greens in your life with this 48 hour guide.
Rocky, wild, and undeniably dramatic, Barron Falls has a regal presence that is suitably fitting to its moniker. Whether you witness it as a scenic trickle in winter or as a mist-filled force in summer, Barron Falls deserves a spot in your tropical travel itinerary. Get ready to chase the ultimate waterfall with this guide to Barron Falls near Cairns.
Kuranda, the picturesque village on the Atherton Tablelands, is home to many of our tropical wild friends, so where better to go animal-spotting than at one of Kuranda’s many wildlife gardens and sanctuaries.
In addition to the bounty of scenery nature has provided, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in the village courtesy of a vibrant arts-and-crafts community and strong Indigenous heritage.
Welcome to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, an aerial experience through Australia’s most famous rainforest, the Wet Tropics.
Hiding in the hills of Myola, a short six-minute drive from the rainforest village of Kuranda, you’ll find a farm-experience you didn’t know existed, Kur Cow Barnwell Farm.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a unique experience that glides over the canopy of Australia’s World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.
Kuranda Village is situated high in the rainforest and mountains of Tropical North Queensland and travelling there is a wonderful scenic experience in itself. Hire a car to give yourself the freedom to move at your own pace.
Tours to Kuranda Village depart Cairns and Port Douglas, daily. Bundling popular tourist attractions is a cost-effective way to experience what Tropical North Queensland has to offer.
Discover the natural beauty and unique characteristics of a Wold Heritage-listed rainforest as you hop aboard one of the most picturesque railways in Australia.
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