Tolin's 2024 World Cruise blog posts, Day 45 Feb 23, 2024, Cairns, AU, Jungle Train, Wildlife, and Skyrail

Cairns is a city in Queensland, Australia, on the tropical north east coast of Far North Queensland. The population as of the 2021 census was 169,312, having grown on average 1.02% annually over the preceding five years. The city is the 5th-most-populous in Queensland, and 15th in Australia.

The city was founded in 1876 and named after Sir William Wellington Cairns, following the discovery of gold in the Hodgkinson river. Throughout the late 19th century, Cairns prospered from the settlement of Chinese immigrants who helped develop the region's agriculture. Cairns also served as a port for blackbirding ships, which crews transported slaves and indentured laborers to the sugar plantations of Innisfail. During World War II, the city became a staging ground for the Allied Forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. By the late 20th century the city had become a center of international tourism. In the early 21st century it has developed into a major metropolitan city.

The economy of Cairns is based primarily on tourism, healthcare and education, along with a major capacity in aviation, marine and defense industries. The city has a gross regional product at about $15 billion. The city is served by Cairns International Airport, the seventh busiest airport in Australia. Cairns also has a major cruise ship industry servicing both domestic and international markets, with terminals at Cairns Seaport and Cairns Wharf Complex.

Cairns is a major tourist destination, with access to two UNESCO world heritage sites; the Daintree Rainforest as part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairns

Kuranda Train

The Kuranda train takes 90 minutes to reach Kuranda and you will stop along the way to view the Baron Falls.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journey is a minimum of 45 minutes but most people stop at the stations along the way to take in the views and explore the rainforest on the boardwalks. Allow for 90 minutes to get back down to the Skyrail Smithfield Station.

Kuranda Scenic Rail
Kuranda Scenic Rail is one of the most unique rail journeys in Australia steeped firmly in Australian Pioneer history.

Barron Falls Station

Barron Falls is the most visited place in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. At 853 feet tall, the majestic Barron Falls can be enjoyed from three lookouts with easy access walkways leading you there. You can also visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, which Skyrail developed in conjunction with CSIRO. The center houses touch screen computers and interactive audio-visual presentations providing an informative and fun learning experience to enhance your appreciation of the rainforest.

The Kuranda Scenic Rail journey takes one and a half hours to complete and includes an English commentary on the history of the region and the railway.

Each carriage is fitted with three media screens to provide passengers with detailed information of the history of the Kuranda railway.

There are also two gold class carriages where refreshments and finger food are served on the journey. Gold class carriages are available on the 9.50am and 3.30pm trains.

Rising from sea level to 1,000 feet, the journey to Kuranda winds its way through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, past beautiful and spectacular waterfalls and into the awesome Barron Gorge. Only minutes away from Barron Falls the train journey comes to an end at beautiful Kuranda Station.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is considered one of the best and most beautiful rainforest eco experiences in Australia and the world. spanning 5 miles over pristine rainforest, this multi award winning eco tour will take you on an unforgettable journey gliding just yards above World Heritage listed tropical rainforest.

Comprising of comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey will allow you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest, and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. Operating from the Cairns suburb of Smithfield to Kuranda Village, this 1.5 hour experience will allow you to see, hear, smell and immerse yourself in the tropical rainforest environment.

Smithfield Terminal

Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal is located just 15 minutes from Cairns and 50 minutes from Port Douglas. Features include reservations, souvenir shop, the Canopy Cafe and entry/exit to the rainforest cableway. Coach transfers can easily be arranged from your hotel to the Skyrail terminal. The terminal also has ample car parking space (including oversize spaces for RVs, caravans and campers) should you prefer to self drive.

The Skyrail rainforest journey begins as your gondola glides over sclerophyll woodlands before revealing the splendor of the World Heritage listed tropical rainforest with its dense canopy and magnificent array of flora and fauna. As you ascend the McAlister Range you’ll enjoy spectacular views of tropical Cairns and the Coral Sea (you can even see Green Island and the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef) before gently descending to the first stop at Red Peak Station.

Barron Falls

Comprising of comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey will allow you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest, and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. Operating from the Cairns suburb of Smithfield to Kuranda Village, this 1.5 hour experience will allow you to see, hear, smell and immerse yourself in the tropical rainforest environment.

As great as this blog post paints the excursion, there were two missing items.  The first being the Jungle Train has been down due to last December's cyclone that damaged the train tracks and surrounding terrain.  The second item was the heavy rains the day we were in port; Diane and I chose to cancel the excursion.  We thought it would be better and more economical to do that rather than risk colds, bronchitis, doctor bills, and missing many other excursions "down the road."

Tomorrow is another sea day; we will cruise our way to Thursday Island, our final Australian port call.