Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and leaves Kuranda at 2pm Sunday through Friday and 3:30pm every day. The
fare is A$31 (US$20) one-way for adults and A$15 (US$9.75) for children 4 to
14. A pass for a family is A$77 (US$50) one-way.
SKYRAIL/TRAIN COMBINATION TICKETS In most cases, these packages
represent convenience rather than savings. A package combining one-way travel
on the Skyrail and a trip back on the Scenic Railway is A$63 (US$41) for adults
and A$31 (US$20) for children; A$78 (US$51) for adults and A$39 (US$25) for
kids with round-trip transfers from Cairns or the northern beaches. A shuttle bus
operates between the Skyrail terminal and the nearest train station at Freshwater,
7km (4 1 2 miles) away, for A$5 (US$3.25) adults, A$2.50 (US$1.60) kids one-way.
A three-way package including the Skyrail, the Scenic Railway, and entry to the
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (see above) is A$91 (US$59) for adults and
A$45 (US$29) for kids, or A$106 (US$69) for adults and A$53 (US$34) for kids
including transfers from Cairns/northern beaches. A Skyrail/Scenic Railway/Rain-
forestation option is A$103 (US$67) for adults, A$51 (US$33) kids. Book pack-
ages through Skyrail, Queensland Rail, or Tjapukai.
BY BUS Whitecar Coaches ( & 07/4091 1855 ) operates several daily bus
services to Kuranda departing from 46 Spence St., Cairns. The fare is A$1
(US65¢) per person.
EXPLORING KURANDA
Kuranda is known for its markets that sell locally made arts and crafts, fresh pro-
duce, boomerangs, T-shirts, and jewelry. There are two markets—the small
“original” markets at 7 Therwine St., behind Kuranda Market Arcade (open
Wed-Fri and Sun), which mainly sell cheap imports; and the 90-stall Heritage
markets (open daily 9am-3pm), which offer better quality and a wider variety
of goods. Try to visit Kuranda when both markets are open.
Even the Heritage markets have been invaded by commercial imported prod-
ucts, and in response, a group of about 50 local artisans sell their work in the
Kuranda Arts Co-Operative ( & 07/4093 9026 ) at Shop 6, “The Settle-
ment,” Rob Veivers Drive, next to the Butterfly Sanctuary. It's open from 10am
to 4pm daily. You will find quality furniture crafted from recycled Australian
hardwoods, jewelry, handicrafts, and all kinds of stuff here.
You can explore the rainforest, the river esplanade, or Barron Falls along a
number of easy walking trails. If you want to learn about the rainforest, explore
it with Brian Clarke of Kuranda Riverboat & Rainforest Tours ( & 07/4093
7476 or 0412/159212), who runs informative 45-minute river cruises. The
cruises depart from 10:15am to 2:30pm from the riverside landing across the rail-
way footbridge near the train station. He also runs a daily 400m (1,312-ft.) walk
through the rainforest, leaving at 11:45am and returning at 12:45pm. Brian is a
former crocodile hunter and has lived in the rainforest for more than 30 years.
The cruise or the walk costs A$12 (US$7.80) for adults, A$6 (US$3.90) for chil-
dren 5 to 15, and A$30 (US$20) for families. Buy your tickets on board.
KURANDA'S NATURE PARKS
Of Kuranda's two walk-through aviaries, Birdworld ( & 07/4093 9188 ), behind
the Heritage markets off Rob Veivers Drive, is probably the most interesting, as
it has eye-catching macaws and a cassowary. The Aviary, 8 Thongon St. ( & 07/
4093 7411 ), is good if you want to see a bigger range of Australian species. Bird-
world is open daily from 9am to 4pm; admission is A$11 (US$7.15) for adults,
A$4 (US$2.60) for children 4 to 14, A$28 (US$18) for families. The Aviary is
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