Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Around
There are bus services to the main towns from Cairns (generally three services on week-
days, two on Saturday and one on Sunday), but not to the smaller towns or all the interest-
ing areas
around
the towns, so it's worth hiring your own wheels.
Trans North (
Click here
)
has regular bus services connecting Cairns with the Tableland,
departing from Cairns Central Rail Station and running to Kuranda ($8, 30 minutes),
Mareeba ($18, one hour), Atherton ($23.40, 1¾ hours) and Herberton/Ravenshoe ($31/36,
two/2½ hours, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays).
John's Kuranda Bus
( 0418 772 953)
runs a service between Cairns and Kuranda two to five
times daily ($5, 30 minutes).
Kuranda
POP 3000
Hidden in the rainforest, the artsy, alternative market town of Kuranda is the Tableland's
most popular day trip.
Sights & Activities
Walking trails wind around the village - the visitor centre has maps, or just get Kuranda-
zen with it all and go with the flow. During the Wet, the mighty, must-see
Barron Falls
are in
full thunder; they're just a quick tootle down Barron Falls Road (Skyrail and the railway
have lookouts too).
Markets
Follow the clouds of incense down to the
Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets
(
www.kurandaoriginalrainforestmarket.com.au
;
Therwine St; 9.30am-3pm)
. Operating since 1978,
they're still the best place to see artists at work and hippies at play. Pick up every- thing
from avocado ice cream to organic lingerie and sample local produce like honey and fruit
wines.
Across the way, the more touristy
Heritage Markets
(
www.kurandamarkets.com.au
; Rob Veivers Dr;
9.30am-3.30pm)
overflow with souvenirs and crafts, such as ceramics, emu oil, jewellery,
clothing and bottles of incredibly hot sauce.
MARKETS
Rainforestation
ZOO