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QROTI > Long Distance > Kuranda Scenic Railway

Kuranda Scenic Railway Operated by QR Traveltrain Link to official page See the operator's home page for this service. QROTI recommends you check the operator's page as this summary may sometimes fall out of date. Picture yourself on a 34km long postcard There's not a postcard around that can capture the beauty you'll witness onboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. This popular service is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest day trip adventures, and is an essential experience for any visitor to Cairns. You'll travel the 90 minute journey from Cairns in classic timber carriages. There's an easy run until Redlynch, where the real work starts. From there you'll climb more than 300 metres in lush tropical rainforest up the valley of the Barron River, encompassing deep river gorges, rugged mountain ranges and spectacular waterfalls. A highlight of the journey is the Stoney Creek Falls - the train traverses a bridge just in front of the falls offering a wide-screen experience on your left. Near the Kuranda end of the journey, you'll also pass by the Barron Falls on your right. At Kuranda, "The Village in the Rainforest", you can visit the Rainforestation, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Bird World, a variety of aviaries, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda Wildlife Noctarium, Kuranda Oar and Paddle Hire, as well as the Army Duck tours, plus the markets and many unique shops, cafes and restaurants. Or just take a walk in the rainforest. Services also stop at the Freshwater heritage station for the Freshwater Connection Restaurant - perfect for breakfast and a visit to the museum. Or, why not try the ground rail one way and the Kuranda Skyrail the other? Where your journey begins can only be imagined in the dreamtime. When you journey along the track of the Kuranda Scenic Railway, you don't have to look far to see where it all began. Local aboriginal artist, George Riley, tells the story of Buda-Dji the Carpet Snake and how he carved out the Barron River. It is part of the storywater dreaming, a legend which is symbolised on locomotive 1771D, the "Spirit of Buda-Dji". Fortitude, sweat and bare hands. Your journey didn't come easy. The year was 1882 and the miners of Herberton were on the brink of total starvation. A route to civilisation was desparately needed. In 1886, the Premier of Queensland, Sir Samuel Griffths turned the first sod for construction of the line. The view you experience today was therefore captured all those years ago by teams of railway men armed only with fortitude, dynamite, bare hands, picks and shovels. You'll see the awesome ravines and gorges that enthralled the rail workers who first walked the line. Today, the 34km track still winds its way through 15 hand made tunnels up to Kuranda station - a station which looks more like a beautiful botanical garden. Timetables effective from 1st April, 2004 until 31st March, 2005: Cairns to Kuranda     Daily     Sunday to Friday Cairns dep 8:30 am 9:30 am Freshwater dep 8:53 am 9:53 am Redlynch dep 8:57 am 9:57 am Stoney Creek dep 9:27 am 10:27 am Barron Falls arr 9:55 am 10:55 am dep 10:10 am 11:10 am Kuranda arr 10:15 am 11:15 am       Kuranda to Cairns     Daily     Sunday to Friday Kuranda dep 2:00 pm 3:30 pm Barron Falls arr 2:05 pm 3:35 pm dep 2:20 pm 3:50 pm Stoney Creek dep 2:48 pm 4:18 pm Redlynch dep 3:18 pm 4:48 pm Freshwater dep 3:27 pm 4:59 pm Cairns arr 3:45 pm 5:15 pm Timetable Notes All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time. Due to the rugged nature of the route and in the interests of safety, services may be cancelled. This typically occurs in when unusually heavy rain results in landslips. Fares effective from 1st April, 2004 until 31st March, 2005: All journeys on a service, regardless of distance, attract the same fare. - Adult - - Concession - - Child - - Family - 2 Ad/2 Ch Single Return Single Return Single Return Single Return Cairns to: $A $A $A $A $A $A $A $A Kuranda    35.00    50.00    27.00    45.00    17.50    25.00    87.50    125.00 Fare Notes Concessional fares are applicable to Students in possession of a Secondary or Tertiary ID Card (including International Student's ID Card). Australian resident Pensioners and Senior Citizens in possession of their respective Concession Cards. Child fares are applicable to Children four years and under sixteen years of age. Children under four occupying a seat must pay the child's fare. Cancellation or rebooking fees may apply if travel is cancelled or amended. Fares do not include meals or drinks. Fares include GST (Goods and Services Tax) Travel Facilities and Services Sleeping Berths Not applicable on this service. Showers Not provided on this service. Toilets Not provided on this service. Sitting Cars Are of classic wooden construction and are not air conditioned. Passenger's Luggage Not applicable on this service. Break of Journey Not applicable on this service. Cancellation or Rebooking Fees may apply if travel is cancelled or amended. Reservations May be made up to 325 days in advance. Restrictions do apply for short journeys. Smoking Is not permitted on any QR service. Conditions are subject to change without notice, and other conditions may apply. General reservations for this service on 1800 620 324 or see HOW TO BOOK AND TRAVELTRAIN CONTACT DETAILS