Kuranda, Queensland © Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Guide to Kuranda

Welcome
Getting to Kuranda
When to visit

A picturesque mountain retreat surrounded by rainforest, Kuranda makes a great day trip from Cairns.

Only 25km (16mi) from Cairns, Kuranda is a charming village with an off-the-beaten-track feel. It’s the perfect place to interact with Queensland’s wildlife, feel the spray of thundering waterfalls and glide above the rainforest canopy in a cable car. Plus, local Indigenous culture and eclectic markets make Kuranda a place where surprises lie around every corner.

Kuranda is easy to reach, especially from Cairns. If you have a car, it's just a 35-minute drive. Or, for a super unique experience, take a one-way trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway train journey, and return to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (or vice-versa!).

Cairns Airport (CNS) is 28km (17mi) from Kuranda and services international and domestic arrivals
Car hire, taxis, rideshares and transfers are available to book prior to your arrival, or on the day

Kuranda’s climate is marked by a wet season (November to March) and a dry season (April to October), though the temperature remains consistently warm year-round. Summer is one of the best times to visit Kuranda, as the rainforests around Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are at their peak with gushing waterfalls and rivers.

High season: Winter (June to August)
Low season: Summer (December to February)
Don’t miss: The beautiful Barron Falls at its most dramatic in autumn (March to May)