Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

We booked in advance. We got picked up from our hotel and taken right to the start of the Skyrail line. We downloaded the Skyrail app. But didn’t find it helpful. The staff should really give you a run down on what to expect and how to use it. Bought a couple of bottles of water from the kiosk at the start of Skyrail. They promote Reuse, Refill, Recycle-but there is no where to refill them along the journey. With the humidity in the area we through that was an excellent idea but we ending up carrying the bottles around all day waiting to find a place to refill them. Take a water bottle with you as it’s a very humid place. There is 2 stops on the way up to Kuranda which are really nice. Get out and stretch the legs and have a look at some waterfalls. The Skyrail gondola was clean and comfortable. The ride is very peaceful and picturesque. It should be on your list of things to do in Cairns.

Fantastic day out. The cable car rides were great, with 2 stops to view the rain forest and the Barron River Falls before arriving at Kurunda. It is well worth pp aying the extra for the diamond view (glass bottom gondola). The train journey down was very interesting and the scenery was breathtaking. The staff were brilliant. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful trip. We paid more for Diamond class which has a see through floor, well worth the extra! Beautiful to travel above the rainforest, very calm and quiet. Quite a long ride too which was lovely. Opportunities to get off along the way and walk through forest, although we didnt do this.

I’ve visited Skyrail Rainforest Cableway three times, once as a six year old, once with my nana on a family trip to Cairns before she passed away, and most recently when I was 26 around Christmas 2023. Because of those different visits, it’s become one of those places that’s tied to a lot of special memories for me. We drove out from our accommodation each time, as the cableway is a fair way from the Cairns CBD and having a car makes the trip much easier. There’s a large car park onsite and we had no trouble finding a spot. As you approach, you can sometimes see the gondolas moving across the rainforest canopy, although they blend into the greenery surprisingly well. The main terminal has a ticketing area, gift shop and cafe. On my most recent visit I grabbed a sausage roll and a milkshake before heading up. Food and drinks aren’t allowed on the gondolas, so we made sure to eat before joining the queue. The line was fairly short that day because the weather was a bit gloomy and it was close to Christmas, but I’ve definitely seen it much busier on previous trips. The ride itself is still as impressive as I remembered. Floating above the rainforest gives you views you can’t get from the road. We hopped off at a few stations along the way to explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms, including the stop near the famous waterfalls, which were absolutely roaring after recent rain. There are short bush walks, displays about the local flora and fauna, and toilets at most stations, so it’s easy to take your time rather than rushing straight to the top. One of my memories is from the trip with my nana. She was using a wheelchair at the time, and the staff were incredible. They helped her on and off the gondolas, made sure she was comfortable, and really went out of their way to give her the full experience. On every visit I’ve found the staff friendly, patient and super helpful. At the top, Kuranda is part of the experience. The village has markets, cafes, shops and plenty of places to wander around, and it’s easy to spend a few hours there before heading back down. On our last trip we explored the town before taking the scenic railway back to the bottom, which is another highlight in itself thanks to the incredible views through the mountains and rainforest. I won’t pretend it’s cheap. Like many major tourist attractions in Far North Queensland, the ticket prices can be a bit eye watering. But for me, the combination of the rainforest, the waterfalls, the views, Kuranda and the railway makes it worth doing at least once if you’re visiting Cairns. The Skyrail is one of those attractions that manages to feel exciting as a child and still impressive as an adult. Every time I’ve ridden it, I’ve come away with new memories, and I’m very grateful I’ve had the chance to experience it with both family and friends over the years.