A large crocodile leaps from the water towards a Kuranda tour boat window as passengers watch and take photos.
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Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail with Hartleys Crocodile Adventures Cairns

from A$285
11 hours 25 mins
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)
Skyrail 2026 Update: Skyrail is fully closed 20 July to 18 August. From 19 August to 25 October it runs a modified loop between Kuranda and Barron Falls only, Wednesday to Sunday. Full service resumes from late October with new upgraded gondolas. If your travel falls in this window, check with us before booking as itineraries may vary.

Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway up through Barron Gorge, spend an hour in Kuranda village, then glide back down on Skyrail with stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. The afternoon is at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for the shows and a lagoon cruise, with coach transfers from Cairns linking every leg.

  • A large crocodile leaps from the water towards a Kuranda tour boat window as passengers watch and take photos.
  • A zookeeper wearing sunglasses shows a yellow and brown snake to an audience seated in an outdoor amphitheatre surrounded by lush Kuranda greenery.
  • A red and white Kuranda train passes in front of a large waterfall cascading down a forested mountainside.
  • A colourful Kuranda train travels through dense green forest, curving around a rocky outcrop and steep cliff on a hillside.
  • A smiling woman in a brown dress and straw hat walks beside a man in light clothes in front of the colourful blue and yellow Kuranda train, surrounded by lush greenery. | Aussie Loop
  • A train travels through dense green forested hills alongside a winding river under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, reminiscent of the breathtaking journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • People browse colorful stalls at the Kuranda Heritage Markets, surrounded by trees and vibrant goods, including hats and clothing, on a sunny day. | Aussie Loop
  • Two people walk through an outdoor market, looking at colourful hats, clothing, and fabric displayed on racks and shelves. After exploring the vibrant stalls, they’re excited to continue their day with a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Rail or perhaps glide above the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail.
  • A green cable car travels above dense green forest with fields, mountains, and a blue sky in the background, offering breathtaking views along the famous Skyrail route near Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • Two people sit and smile at each other inside a green cable car on the Skyrail, with a scenic view of green hills and blue sky visible through the window.
  • Two people stand on a glass balcony overlooking a forested gorge and a rocky waterfall under a clear blue sky, reminiscent of the breathtaking views experienced along the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • A family stands on a glass observation platform overlooking a lush green gorge with a river flowing below and distant mountains, reminiscent of the breathtaking views found along the Kuranda Scenic Rail.
  • Three people, including one in a wheelchair, listen to a guide on a wooden walkway surrounded by dense green forest, reminiscent of the lush landscapes experienced along the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • Two people on a safari bus at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures observe a crocodile in the water through a window; the younger person waves at the animal.
  • Four people on a tour boat observe a crocodile in murky water near the shore, separated by a protective barrier—just one of the thrilling experiences you can have at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A crocodile with its mouth wide open rests near the edge of a muddy riverbank, displaying sharp teeth and textured skin—a scene reminiscent of the wildlife encounters at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A family of four walk together on a wooden bridge in a forested area near Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, dressed in casual summer clothes, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
  • Four people stand behind a wooden fence, observing a large crocodile resting on the ground near some water and plants at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A boy kneels on the ground and feeds a kangaroo by hand in a wooded outdoor enclosure during the day, capturing the unique wildlife encounters you might experience at places like Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A family observes a zookeeper holding a koala under a canopy at a zoo exhibit, with trees and foliage in the background, reminiscent of experiences found at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • Three people stand on a walkway at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, with one feeding a cassowary below through a fence in the lush, forested area.
  • A large crocodile leaps from the water towards a Kuranda tour boat window as passengers watch and take photos.
  • A zookeeper wearing sunglasses shows a yellow and brown snake to an audience seated in an outdoor amphitheatre surrounded by lush Kuranda greenery.
  • A red and white Kuranda train passes in front of a large waterfall cascading down a forested mountainside.
  • A colourful Kuranda train travels through dense green forest, curving around a rocky outcrop and steep cliff on a hillside.
  • A smiling woman in a brown dress and straw hat walks beside a man in light clothes in front of the colourful blue and yellow Kuranda train, surrounded by lush greenery. | Aussie Loop
  • A train travels through dense green forested hills alongside a winding river under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, reminiscent of the breathtaking journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • People browse colorful stalls at the Kuranda Heritage Markets, surrounded by trees and vibrant goods, including hats and clothing, on a sunny day. | Aussie Loop
  • Two people walk through an outdoor market, looking at colourful hats, clothing, and fabric displayed on racks and shelves. After exploring the vibrant stalls, they’re excited to continue their day with a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Rail or perhaps glide above the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail.
  • A green cable car travels above dense green forest with fields, mountains, and a blue sky in the background, offering breathtaking views along the famous Skyrail route near Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • Two people sit and smile at each other inside a green cable car on the Skyrail, with a scenic view of green hills and blue sky visible through the window.
  • Two people stand on a glass balcony overlooking a forested gorge and a rocky waterfall under a clear blue sky, reminiscent of the breathtaking views experienced along the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • A family stands on a glass observation platform overlooking a lush green gorge with a river flowing below and distant mountains, reminiscent of the breathtaking views found along the Kuranda Scenic Rail.
  • Three people, including one in a wheelchair, listen to a guide on a wooden walkway surrounded by dense green forest, reminiscent of the lush landscapes experienced along the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
  • Two people on a safari bus at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures observe a crocodile in the water through a window; the younger person waves at the animal.
  • Four people on a tour boat observe a crocodile in murky water near the shore, separated by a protective barrier—just one of the thrilling experiences you can have at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A crocodile with its mouth wide open rests near the edge of a muddy riverbank, displaying sharp teeth and textured skin—a scene reminiscent of the wildlife encounters at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A family of four walk together on a wooden bridge in a forested area near Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, dressed in casual summer clothes, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
  • Four people stand behind a wooden fence, observing a large crocodile resting on the ground near some water and plants at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A boy kneels on the ground and feeds a kangaroo by hand in a wooded outdoor enclosure during the day, capturing the unique wildlife encounters you might experience at places like Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • A family observes a zookeeper holding a koala under a canopy at a zoo exhibit, with trees and foliage in the background, reminiscent of experiences found at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
  • Three people stand on a walkway at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, with one feeding a cassowary below through a fence in the lush, forested area.

Quick read before you book.

  • No queueing at Freshwater: your train seats are already on your Boarding Pass
  • Waterfalls and sheer gorge walls from the heritage train
  • The Edge Lookout over Barron Falls
  • Free guided boardwalk tours at Red Peak Station
  • Rail up, cableway down: two angles on the same rainforest

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.1 Stars|260 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Double check your pickup time the night before so your day starts stress free.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Return coach transfers from Cairns accommodation or the Skyrail Smithfield Terminal
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway from Freshwater Station to Kuranda
  • Free time in Kuranda village
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from Kuranda to Smithfield, with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak
  • Coach transfer from Smithfield to Hartley's
  • Entry to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, including the Wetlands cruise, Snake Show and Crocodile Attack Show
  • Kuranda trip guide with village information and discounts

Commonly asked questions.

Pickup from Cairns accommodation is between 7am and 8am, the train leaves Freshwater at 8.50am and the coach leaves Hartley's for Cairns at 4.45pm. Call 07 4047 9097 the day before to reconfirm, and see our guide to getting around Cairns without a car for the rest of your stay.

You can change or cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before travel. Cancelling on the day or missing your pickup incurs a 25% fee.

Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway may not run in extreme weather, and if that happens alternative arrangements are offered on the day. If the tour is cancelled because of a weather event, you receive a full refund.

Skyrail is upgrading its cableway in stages through 2026 and 2027, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway pauses for planned range maintenance on set dates, including 2 to 6 November 2026. Check availability for your date before you plan the rest of your trip around it.

Yes, children aged 4 to 14 travel at the child rate and children under 4 travel free. Let reservations know about any child under 4 so a seat can be reserved.

Lunch isn't included. You can eat in Kuranda village during your free time or at Lilies Bistro at Hartley's, which serves hot and cold meals until 2.30pm.

Kuranda and Hartley's day tours are among Down Under Tours' most accessible, and a wheelchair friendly coach is available. Contact the team on 07 4047 9097 before booking to talk through mobility, vision, hearing or cognitive needs.

An hour is enough for a wander through the markets and a coffee, or one quick attraction. Kuranda Koala Gardens sits right inside the Heritage Markets if you'd like to squeeze in the koalas.

More about this tour.

This day packs three of the region's big names into one loop: up the range on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, down over the canopy on Skyrail, then an afternoon with the crocodiles at Hartley's. Down Under Tours handles every connection from Cairns, and your train seats are already on your Boarding Pass, so there's no ticket queue at the station.After a morning pickup, the coach drops you at Freshwater Station for the 8.50am train, which climbs through Barron Gorge past waterfalls into Kuranda. You get about an hour in the village for the markets and a coffee before boarding Skyrail at 11.30am.The cableway carries you over World Heritage rainforest with stops at Red Peak, where free guided boardwalk tours run through the day, and Barron Falls, home to The Edge Lookout and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre. At Smithfield your coach is waiting to take you up the coast to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, arriving around 1.20pm.Afternoons at Hartley's line up neatly with the Snake Show, the Crocodile Attack Show and the Wetlands cruise on the lagoon, before the coach leaves at 4.45pm for Cairns. Not sure which ride you'll enjoy more? Our Skyrail vs Kuranda Railway guide breaks it down, and if you'd rather drive, there's a self drive Skyrail and Scenic Rail option. Explore the day, check availability, then book.

Additional info.

  • Pickup between 7am and 8am from Cairns accommodation; not available from the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas
  • About one hour of free time in Kuranda
  • Bring walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle