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Important: Hours or services may differ. To get the most accurate information please refer to the supplier's official website. This destination you intend to travel to may have COVID-19 travel restrictions in place. Please check any national, local and health advisories for this destination before you book.
We recommend booking a tour with free cancellation* in case your plans change. *There is always a timeline associated with the free cancellation policy. Please check the terms and conditions of the cancellation policy before you book.

  •  Activities
  •  Cairns
  •  Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Return Experience

Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Return Experience

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

  • Cairns
  • English, iPod Multi-language
  • 2.5 hours (approx.)
  • Free Cancellation prior to 7 days of travel date
  • 24 Working Hours Confirmation

Standard Inclusions

  • 1. Return Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience including the Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations
  • 2. Red Peak: Rainforest Discovery Zone, Ranger Guided Boardwalk Tours, rainforest boardwalk loop, scenic lookout
  • 3. Barron Falls: The Edge Lookout, CSIRO Rainforest Interpretation Centre, rainforest boardwalk loop, Historical Precinct, panoramic gorge and waterfall views
  • 4. Free Wi-Fi at all Skyrail stations
  • 5. Multi-lingual Interpretive App and Audio Guide
  • • Vaccination documentation required upon check-in
From AUD
$99.00

1 Key Facts

Included

  • 1. Return Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience including the Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations
  • 2. Red Peak: Rainforest Discovery Zone, Ranger Guided Boardwalk Tours, rainforest boardwalk loop, scenic lookout
  • 3. Barron Falls: The Edge Lookout, CSIRO Rainforest Interpretation Centre, rainforest boardwalk loop, Historical Precinct, panoramic gorge and waterfall views
  • 4. Free Wi-Fi at all Skyrail stations
  • 5. Multi-lingual Interpretive App and Audio Guide
  • • Vaccination documentation required upon check-in

Not included

  • 1. Transport from/to hotels
  • 2. Food & beverages not listed as Inclusions
  • 3. Souvenirs
  • 4. Travel Insurance
Destination Cairns
Depature point ● Departs: daily, all year round
   Tour does not run on Christmas Day (25 December), and Maintenance Closures Days  
● Skyrail Departure Time:
 - First departure from Smithfield is at 08:30 and the last one way or round trip experience from Smithfield departs at 13:00.
 - The last one way experience from Kuranda departs at 15:15 and the latest departure from Kuranda for a round trip experience is at 12:00.
   Departure times are reference only and subject to availability.
Address 6 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield QLD 4878
How to get there 【Smithfield Termial (Address: 6 Skyrail Dr, Smithfield QLD 4878)】
● By Car
Located approximately 14km north of Cairns, takes about 20 minutes; approximately 15km south of Palm Cove, takes about 20 minutes; approximately 55km south of Port Douglas, takes about 50 minutes.

- Free Onsite parking available

● By Public Transport
Unfortunately there is no direct public transport available. Most visitors drive or arrive on a coach tour. If you do not drive, please book one of the day tours that includes hotel transfers.


【Kuranda Terminal (Address: Arara St, Kuranda QLD 4881)】
● By Car
Located approximately 31km north of Cairns, takes about 45 minutes; approximately 29km south of Palm Cove, takes about 45 minutes; approximately 70km south of Port Douglas, takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.

- Street parkings available

● By Public Transport
Unfortunately there is no direct public transport available. Most visitors drive or arrive on a coach tour. If you do not drive, please book one of the day tours that includes hotel transfers.
Operating hours
Daily 08:30 - 16:45 Last departure from Kuranda at 15:15
Christmas Day (25 December) Closed
Pre-planned Maintenance Closed Please check with Skyrail website for detailed dates
Check-in requirements Please arrive at the ticket office 15 minutes prior to the departure time to exchange for boarding pass before proceeding to the boarding terminal. Regrettably, failure to arrive before this time will most likely be classified as no-show and result in forfeiting the booking and it cannot be refunded or transferred.

If you are not familiar with the area or travelling on a weekend or local public holidays / school holidays, please make sure you've checked your timetable or driving route beforehand, and allow extra travelling time for unexpected delays to ensure you do not miss your check in
What to bring/wear ● Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions, eg. jacket for cooler months.
● Comfortable enclosed walking shoes
● Protective clothing, hat, sunscreen lotion, and sunglasses
● Water bottle, Snacks
● Umbrella / raincoat if rains
● Insect repellent
● Camera
● Money/credit card for optional purchases
Other info 【Important Post-Covid Service Information】
- Guests aged 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from 17 December 2021. Upon entry all guests must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination or medical exemption documentation. Guests aged 16 years and older, unable to provide the vaccination or medical exemption documentation will be refused entry and no refund will be offered as the consequence.
- Please wear face masks.
- Not to attend Skyrail if you feel unwell in particular if you have any of the common COVID-19 symptoms.
- To provide personal contact details as requested for contact tracing if required.
- Complete pre-screening questions and declaration.
- Use hand sanitisation products provided upon entry and during your visit.
- Practice good hygiene at all times during your visit.
- Advise Skyrail staff immediately if you feel unwell during your visit.
- Maintain minimum social distancing requirements.
- Adhere to any requirements as prescribed by package partners and bus transfer service provider.
- Arrive at Skyrail no earlier than 15 minutes prior to allocated boarding time.
- In off peak periods, exclusive gondola use may be offered.
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● For a return (round-trip) standard experience, allow 2 ½ hours plus time to spend in Kuranda Village. These timings include two stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. You can however choose to spend as much time as you like at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Please note that timings are dependent on cableway operational constraints and may be longer than these recommended times.
● Children (14 years and younger) must be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the Skyrail experience.
● Each standard gondola seats a maximum of 6 people (including infants) or a maximum of 480kg (1058 lbs) whichever is first. Non-shared use of gondolas is subject to availability.
● You can spend as much time at you like at Skyrail's rainforest mid-stations enjoying the facilities and rainforest atmosphere.
● For the protection of the environment, smoking and the consumption of food and drink is prohibited in all gondolas. Eating and drinking is allowed at all of Skyrail's Terminals and Stations.
● Day packs and fold up strollers can be taken on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Luggage is not permitted on the cableway or bus transfers. Small coin operated lockers are available at Smithfield (Cairns) Terminal (subject to availability and at own risk).
● Operating hours may change due to maintenance, improvements or safety reasons. Please always check with the Service Provider visit their official website for updated information regarding scheduled maintenance and closures before purchasing, and when closer to travel date to plan your visit.
● Skyrail endeavours to limit any delay or disruption in service. However, where the service is delayed or disrupted for safety reasons or due to circumstances outside Skyrail's control (for example, due to inclement weather) Skyrail will not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from or incidental to any such delay or disruption.

2 Overview

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you on an amazing experience over Australia's World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. Your Return Skyrail experience should take approximately 2 ½ hours. This includes time to explore the two rainforest stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls.

Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Return Experience

 

Embark on a fascinating journey of discovery with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over and deep into Australia's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that has survived against all odds to become the home of the world's oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest.

Enjoy a truly unique perspective of this ancient landscape; glide metres above the pristine jungle canopy before descending to explore the rainforest close up.

Traversing the ancient rainforest between Smithfield and Kuranda, a one-way Skyrail Experience will take approximately 90 minutes to complete including time spent exploring Red Peak and Barron Falls. For a return (round-trip) experience, you should allow 2½ hours.

 

Return Skyrail Experience

Allow 20 minutes for each station, to enjoy Ranger guided boardwalk tours and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical precinct. Enhance your experience and unlock the secrets of the ancient rainforest at the new Rainforest Discovery Zone at Red Peak, put the story of the rainforest in your hands with the Skyrail Interpretive App & Audio Guide and experience the beautiful Barron Falls and Gorge like never before from The Edge Lookout.

 

  • Smithfield (Cairns) Terminal

    Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is located just 15 minutes north of Cairns city and 50 minutes south of Port Douglas. Traverse the spectacular landscape between Smithfield (Cairns) and Kuranda, on your return experience. A glimpse into an ancient world nestled in the fascinating Barron Gorge.

     

  • Discover Red Peak – it's a jungle down there!

    Descend through the canopy to explore one of the most ancient pockets of rainforest on Earth, where unique plants and animals have survived the forces of nature and time. This is the home of lush fern gardens, climbing palms, rare butterflies, birds and imposing rainforest giants, all of which are in constant competition for life-giving light. Exploring the rainforest at Red Peak is an experience not to be missed, so allow yourself approximately 20 minutes to encounter, discover and immerse yourself in this fascinating living museum.


    Explore Red Peak

    • Ranger Guided Tours
    • Rainforest Discovery Zone
    • Rainforest Boardwalk Loop
    • Scenic Lookout

     

  • Discover Barron Falls – a prehistoric landscape

    Known as Din Din to the Djabuganydji people – Barron Falls is a sacred place that has been an important part of their storytelling for thousands of years. While it is a spectacular sight at any time of the year, it really comes into its own during the wet season (December to March), when tropical rains bring the waterfall to life. Exploring the spectacular, rugged beauty and pioneering history is an experience not to be missed. Plan to spend around 20 minutes discovering the rainforest stories of Barron Falls.


    Explore Barron Falls

    • The Edge Lookout
    • Historical Precinct
    • CSIRO Rainforest Interpretation Centre
    • Panoramic gorge & waterfall views

     

  • Kuranda - Village in the rainforest

    Kuranda offers an amazing rainforest experience with spectacular scenic walks and some amazing wildlife attractions and activities. The famous Kuranda markets and village shopping has something for everyone and a wide range of restaurants and cafes offers relaxed outdoor dining and a taste sensation to suit most discerning taste buds.
    Depending on your itinerary and interests, allowing 2-3 hours exploring the world famous Kuranda Village.

 

Skyrail Interpretive App & Audio Guide

Ensure you get the most out of your experience by downloading Skyrail's multi-lingual Interpretive App & Audio Guide that places the story of Australia's ancient tropical rainforest directly in your hands.

  • Enhance your experience with in gondola commentary
  • See augmented reality rainforest animals appear right before your eyes
  • Track your journey
  • Learn more about your experience
  • Capture and share photos to your social networks

 

Trip Timing

Stations: Smithfield Terminal - Red Peak Station - Barron Falls Station - Kuranda Terminal

  • Smithfield Terminal - Red Peak Station
    • Gondola Travelling Time: approximately 10 minutes
    • Distance: 2.7 kms
    • At Red Peak Station: Rainforest boardwalk including complimentary Ranger Guided Tour. Plan to spend approximately 20-30 minutes
  • Red Peak Station - Barron Falls Station
    • Gondola Travelling Time: approximately 12-14 minutes
    • Distance: 3.1 kms
    • At Barron Falls Station: Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts, historical display. Plan to spend approximately 20-30 minutes.
  • Barron Falls Station - Kuranda Terminal
    • Gondola Travelling Time: approximately 7-8 minutes
    • Distance: 1.7 kms

If commencing journey from Kuranda Terminal, the stops will be in reverse.

 

Planning Your Trip
  • A one-way journey takes approximately 1 ½ hours including time spent exploring Red Peak and Barron Falls. Allow 2 ½ hours for a round trip experience.
  • First departure is at 9:30am, the last round trip experience departs at 14:15 from Smithfield or Kuranda.
  • Gondolas depart continuously throughout the day and bookings are made in 15 minute intervals.
  • Gondolas carry a maximum of 6 people in a standard gondola (including infants).

 

Cableway Facts

  • The cableway is 7.5 kilometres (4.7 miles) long.
  • It has a total of 103 regular gondola cabins, each capable of seating 6 passengers and 11 Diamond View gondolas, each capable of seating 5 passengers. This combined provides a carrying capacity of approximately 650 passengers per hour in each direction.
  • The cableway can operate at a speed of five metres per second (18 kilometres per hour, or 11 miles per hour); however its normal operating speed is much slower to provide guests with the maximum time to enjoy their rainforest experience.
  • There are 32 towers in total. The highest tower is 40.5 metres (133 feet) high.
  • Red Peak is Skyrail's highest station at 545 metres above sea level (1,788 feet). The Kuranda Station sits at 336 metres (1,100 feet) and Smithfield Terminal is only 5 metres above sea level (16 feet).
  • Barron Falls houses an impressive steel and glass cantilever structure known as The Edge Lookout. Providing unimpeded panoramic views of the ancient landscape spanning across the waterfall, down along the Barron Gorge. It also features a transparent section of boardwalk suspended some 160 metres above the Gorge.
  • The steepest section of the cableway has a slope of 19 degrees.
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has 15 kilometres of 40.5mm galvanised steel rope weighing more than the equivalent of 100 sedan cars.

 

 

How to choose the right experience?

Skyrail Only

One way Return
Upgrade to Diamond View Gondola? Need hotel transfer?
No Yes No Yes
One Way Skyrail Experience One Way Experience with Diamond View Gondola Return Skyrail Experience Return Experience Depart From Cairns and Northern Beaches Return Experience Depart From Port Douglas

 

3 Policy

Cancellation Policy

● If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
● If you cancel between 0 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
● If no show, no refund.

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