Visiting Cairns and looking for an all day adventure? Taking the Kuranda, Scenic Rail, Skyrail and Hartley’s Crocodiles Day Tour with Down Under Tours is a great way to explore the rainforest and get up close with some of Australia’s diverse wildlife! This tour is unique as you don’t have to stay with the group! They provide you with your itinerary that states where you need to be and when, other than that you get to explore and do what you wish! Just don’t miss your ride back to Cairns…or that might be one expensive ride back to your accommodation!
What to bring:
- Water bottle
- Snacks/lunch (there are opportunities to buy food if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Money for lunch/snacks and souveniers
- Sunglasses
What’s Included:
- Pick-up/Drop-off from your accommodation via coach bus
- Kuranda Scenic Rail boarding pass
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway pass
- Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures entrance fee
Stop 1: Kuranda Scenic Rail
After being picked up in the morning, your driver will drop you off at Freshwater Station where you will make your way to Kuranda by a very scenic train ride. The train winds its way through the dense rainforest as you pass waterfalls, sweeping valleys, and more! Have your camera ready!
Stop 2: Kuranda Village
Once you arrive in Kuranda you have limited time to explore so make it count! We chose to walk the path along the river along with exploring the village’s colorful and entertaining markets. This is the perfect place to buy something special for someone back home!
Stop 3: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
After visiting Kuranda, you make your way to the skyrail cable cars! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as your make your way over the rainforest. There are even two small stops (Red Peak and Barron Falls stations) you can get off at before your final destination. At these stops you can go on a nature walk (there are even complimentary guided walks throughout the day) and/or visit the look out point that overlooks a waterfall! Just be sure to keep an eye on your time as you need to make it to the Smithfield Skyrail Terminal on time to jump in your coach bus that will transfer you to Hartley’s.
Stop 4: Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
This was my favorite stop on the tour and you get up close and personal with some of Australia’s wildlife! I highly recommend going to as many of the animal shows as you can! At the snake show you get to see the most venomous snakes in the world! I give major credit to the snake handlers, because there is no way I would ever get that close to a snake, although I love learning about them and viewing them from a distance. The Wetlands Cruise and the Crocodile Attack show gives you a chance to see HUGE saltwater crocodiles in action. I felt like I was watching the Crocodile Hunter! It’s amazing how they can propel themselves out of the water for food and how quick they move in the water. Below is the current schedule at Hartley’s:
- 2:00pm Snake Show
- 2:30pm Wetlands Cruise
- 3:00pm Crocodile Attack Show
- 4:15pm Cassowary Feeding
- 4:30pm Koala Feeding
After your wildlife encounters you hop back on the bus and make your way back to your accommodation! It’s a busy, fast-paced, full day! If you have limited time in Cairns and don’t have a car, I highly recommend this tour as you get to see a lot in a short amount of time!
When in Cairns be sure to explore the land as well as the sea! The Great Barrier Reef is a once in a lifetime experience that you need to see! Take a tour with Tusa Dive and you will get to dive or snorkel this beautiful reef system. If you are traveling through more parts of Australia and want to come face to face with a great white shark then spend a day with Calypso Star Charters. Or go visit the famous Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles with Wildlife Tours. Australia is a beautiful country with so much to offer!
