Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Kuranda is a charming mountain town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland. The area was home to the Djabugay people for more than 10,000 years before being settled by Europeans in 1885 and developing into an important timber town.
Things to do in Kuranda
Don’t miss the Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets, where you’ll find everything from artisan food to handicrafts, jewellery and clothing. In addition to its quirky stalls, there are food vendors selling cuisines from around the globe. You can experience a traditional tea ceremony at the Japanese Tea House or challenge your family and friends to a game on the 9-hole miniature golf course.
For magnificent views across Kuranda and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, ride the award-winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Its glass-walled gondolas soar above Barron Gorge National Park and its spectacular waterfall. After exploring Kuranda, you can return to Cairns onboard the heritage-listed Kuranda Scenic Railway, which traverses the rugged Macalister Range.
Kuranda is home to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, which is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest butterfly aviary in the country. It is home to around 1,500 butterflies representing a diversity of species, including the vibrantly coloured Cairns birdwing butterfly and the electric blue Ulysses butterfly. Guided tours include a visit to the breeding laboratory, where caterpillars can be seen in varying stages of development.
Getting around Kuranda
Kuranda is around 40 minutes’ drive from Cairns and 35 minutes from Cairns Airport, which has flights to destinations across Oceania and Asia. The Kuranda Scenic Railway travels from Cairns to Kuranda while a cable car ascends from Smithfield to the mountain town. Kuranda is small enough to explore on foot.