Cairns & the Daintree Rainforest - Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef - page 557

The Kuranda visitor centre (

10am-4pm) is centrally 07-4093 9311; www.kuranda.org ; Centenary Park;

located in Centenary Park.

Getting There & Away

Those who believe in the journey as much as the destination are in luck here.
Winding 34km from Cairns to Kuranda through picturesque mountains and 15 tunnels,
the Kuranda Scenic Railway ( 07-4036 9333; www.ksr.com.au ) line was built between 1886-91:
workers dug tunnels by hand, and battled sickness, steep terrain and hostile Aboriginals.
Today, the 1¾-hour pleasure trip costs $49/25 per adult/child one way, and $79/37 return.
Trains depart from Cairns at 8.30am and 9.30am daily, returning from the pretty Kuranda
station at 2pm and 3.30pm.
At 7.5km, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ( 07-4038 5555; www.skyrail.com.au ; Cnr Cook Hwy & Cairns
Western Arterial Rd; adult/child one way $47/23.50, return $71/35.50; 9am-5.15pm) is one of the world's
longest gondola cableways, skimming the jungle canopy for a true bird's-eye view of the
rainforest. There are two stops on the 90-minute ride; both offer spectacular views and in-
terpretive panels.
Combination Scenic Railway and Skyrail deals are available.
You can also get to Kuranda with Trans North (

07-4095 8644; www.transnorthbus.com ; one way

$8) and John's Kuranda Bus ( 0418 772 953; one way $5) .

Mareeba
POP 10,181
This town revels in a 'wild west' atmosphere, with local merchants selling leather saddles,
handcrafted bush hats and the oversized belt buckle of your bronco-bustin' dreams. July's
Mareeba Rodeo ( www.mareebarodeo.com.au ) is one of Australia's biggest and best, with bull riding,
a 'beaut ute' muster and boot scootin' country music.
Once the heart of Australia's largest tobacco growing region, Mareeba now turns its soil
to more wholesome produce, with organic coffee plantations, distilleries, a mango winery,
and abundant fruit and nut crops. Food Trail Tours ( www.foodtrailtours.com.au ; adult/child $159/80 from
Cairns) visits food and wine producers in and around Mareeba; alternatively, self-drive to
Mt Uncle Distillery ( 07-4086 8008; www.mtuncle.com ; 1819 Chewko Rd, Walkamin; 10am-4.30pm daily)

to wet your whistle with local liqueurs.