Although it can be hard for me to get behind touristy things – ya know, the everyone here is a tourist and everything here caters to tourists kinds of places – all the touristy things in Tropical North Queensland are super unique and popular for good reason. Visiting Kuranda and the Kuranda markets is one such tourist attraction and an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only do you get to visit a true rainforest village that has been around for over 130 years but you get to take the Scenic Railway or Skyrail over the rainforest to get there – or both.
There are a few options when it comes to scheduling your day trip to Kuranda. You could always rent a car and drive up there but I highly recommend taking advantage of the Skyrail and the scenic railway. I say start with the train up and take the Skyrail down.
You can schedule these on your own or through a tour company. You will notice in Cairns there are tour companies lining the main drag, Shields Street. If you are interested in having them plan the whole thing, just walk into any of them – honestly, they are all the same.
The perk of tour companies is they schedule everything for you and you don’t have to worry about anything. A shuttle will pick you up wherever you are staying and a shuttle will get you home when the day is over. The downside, they can be a tiny bit more expensive than scheduling it yourself and you will have a more limited time in Kuranda.
That being said, Kuranda itself is mostly just walking around, checking out the markets and butterfly garden so a few hours is enough time. I am a slow traveler so I like to take my time plus I need extra time for photos and videos. Not to mention, I always like to stop for a little afternoon wine.
I should also mention, you can book specialty tours which can include the butterfly sanctuary, lunch, and a tour of Harltey’s Creek Crocodile Farm. I’m a self explorer so I opted out of these but if this is something you’re interested in, I have a few resources for booking below. If you wanna do it my way, just keep reading 😉
What are Kuranda and the Kuranda Markets?
Kuranda is a small mountain town in Queensland, Australia just over 30 minutes drive from Cairns. The Kuranda Village is situated among the oldest living rainforest in the world centered around a strong cultural and artistic community. Back in the 1960’s, Kuranda became know as a place for people seeking paradise and an alternative lifestyle where they would grow their own food, create art, and lived in handmade houses. A beautiful community blossomed here with the addition of access roads in the 70’s allowing more people to enjoy the laid back Kuranda life while working in Cairns.
Open air markets sparked in the 70’s as the place to get locally grown produce as well as handmade housewares and other goods. today, you will find locally made art, clothing and jewelry as well as Aboriginal artifacts, cafes, restaurants and more.
There are two official markets in Kuranda, the Heritage Markets and the Original Markets- plus the unofficial “Kuranda Markets” that line the main road when you arrive to town. The Heritage and Original Markets are about a 10 minute walk from the train station and Skyrail platform and each have their own vibe and unique offerings. I will go into more detail on the specific markets below and which one I think you should save the most time for 😉
Alright let’s go through what a day in Kuranda looks like- I have spelled everything out in the order that we experienced Kuranda and how I recommend it for you! Keep in mind you can always switch the order of the Skyrail and Scenic Railway.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
The railway is such an amazing way to start this experience! Starting in Cairns Central and traveling inland, you begin to wind through mountain towns and rainforest, making for an incredibly unique experience. On the way up you will hear some historical commentary on the railways construction as well, it’s really fascinating.
The train makes one scenic stop where you can get off and take in the view at the famous Barron Falls. The lookout looks over Barron Gorge with the beautiful falls off to the left. If you happen to go during rainy season, the falls RAGE. We were here in August so the falls were light but still a beautiful sight to see.
Tickets
If you do not use a tour company (which I recommend) tickets for the Scenic Railway must be purchased in person or over the phone. Call 1800 KSRAIL (577 245) once you are in Australia to book in advance or visit the Cairns Train Station -located in the heart of Cairns City – to book in person. A one-way ticket will run you around $50 AUD per adult and $25 AUD for children.
I will outline my suggestions for booking your trip to Kuranda below.
Kuranda Markets
Once you get off the train you will see all kinds of signs to guide you to the markets. There are three separate market areas in Kuranda- Kuranda Markets (unofficial), Heritage Markets and the Original Markets.
Walking up you run into the Kuranda Markets which line Therwine Street. You will find all kinds of locally made knick knacks, local fruits, coffee and ice cream here as well as some more touristy items.
You will eventually run in to the Heritage Markets on your left. Head down here for more artisan treats, the famous Frog’s Restaurant, Butterfly Sanctuary and Bird World. We simply walked around here but there are some awesome shows at Bird World and I hear the Butterfly Sanctuary is a real treat! So give yourself some time here if those are activities you are interested in. Personally I saved most of my time for the Original Markets.
My favorite markets were the Original Markets, hands down. You will find an entrance to these at the end of Therwine on your right. These were the first markets here in Kuranda, hence the name. These markets were created to draw visitors to the town of Kuranda and showcase the local artisans and their goods before Kuranda was a tourist attraction. This is where it all began, if you will.
The market turned in to a huge success, leading to the creation of the other markets. Narrow pathways lined with unique restaurants, the Original Markets retain their truly “hippie” vibe with eclectic locals and unique offerings. You immediately feel like part of a whole new world tucked away in the rainforest..
I recommend saving most of your time for this market. The others are a little more commercialized where the original gives off a more cultural vibe. There are also all kinds of eats and drinks here. Stop in the Japanese Tea House for a traditional tea ceremony or swing by The Petit Cafe for some afternoon wine and some insane savory crepes. I also hear the falafel next door is the best in Queensland.
Want to explore more of the region? Check out this delicious Atherton Tablelands food tour!
Kuranda Skyrail
Definitely my favorite part of the trip! Now I have been on these type of cable car rides before but none compare to the Skyrail. You are literally hanging above one of the oldest rainforests in the world and it’s AMAZING. The views are so breathtaking, you can see for miles and miles.
The ride is about 45 minutes with two optional stops to walk around the rainforest. If you have time I highly recommend taking a stop. Its a nice time to just wander and relax and take in the gorgeous scenery up close.
The Skyrail runs all day and if you scheduled with a tour company you probably have a time you need to be at the pickup location in Smithfield where the Skyrail drops you off.
How to Book your Trip
Alright, so as I mentioned above, there are many options for booking your trip. If you like to walk into a tour office and have them set it up, check out any along Shields Street, they all offer the same deals. The nice thing about booking with a tour company is they book all the individual tickets as well as a shuttle from your accommodation to the train in to morning as well as from the Skyrail home. It might be a tad more expensive this way but a good option if you don’t want to deal with the details. That said, it’s easy to book through a tour company online as well. Here are some resources for that:
Remember if you book a tour that does not include a shuttle after the Skyrail (most include this), you will need an Uber or car from Smithfield back to town. If you are on a budget, you can take the public bus too! (If you are staying in Cairns that is). The 123 line picks up at Brinsmead Kamurunga Rd (Skyrail base station) and takes you back to Cairns. This will cost $5 and you pay in cash upon entering the bus.
Staying in Cairns? Check out my guide to what to do around town!
Love ya,
Hannah
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