When we initially thought about Cairns as a destination, we wanted to try and do something different from our visit in 2017. But with Nicole’s new found courage with heights we thought it would be good to revisit Kuranda but this time take the Skyrail up one way instead of the train both ways and that is what we did. Our day started more leisurely as we didn’t arrive at Cairns until 9:00 and once again there was a delay getting ashore. We had booked tickets through Skyrail direct which included a bus transfer from Cairns to Smithfield to get on the cable car.
We had to be there for 10:45 and due to our late arrival the pick up time was a lot closer than it should have been. The bus journey took about 25 minutes and we were soon on off the bus and on the cable car after we arrived. The trip up to Kuranda is done in two cable car journeys, there is a stop about half way to change where you can take a 20 minute guided tour around a boardwalk in the rainforest which is what we did.
The second car goes directly to Kuranda with an option to get off to view Barron Falls but we decided to stay on and get to our destination.
Kuranda itself was much how we remembered it, a small town which basically is only there because of the train and Skyrail set up, there are loads of souvenir shops and places to eat and drink that all seem to close after the last train departs at 3:30. We enjoyed wandering around and stopped a couple of times for a drink before making our way back to the station for the return journey on the train.
Like our last visit, we had booked Gold Class tickets which provides a little more comfort and snacks for the journey as opposed to the standard fare which is just a ride on wooden benches.
The train took us directly back to Cairns via Freshwater station which is where we got on and off last time.
It is also where all the ships tours got off and carried their journey back to the ship via coaches. I am perplexed on how they can justify almost double priced tickets for the ship excursion. Using the we won’t leave without you doesn’t hold much water given the train is on a timetable and arrives back in Cairns at 5:45 and just a 20 minute walk back to the terminal. It was all aboard for 8:30 but we were tired and hungry so went straight back to the ship for food and drinks. It was a memorable day again in this part of the world and it’s a real favourite area for us to come to, I hope we can come back again some day for another visit.
Fitbit Steps 14,986
At last! A port. Looks like you had an awesome day.
I hate the way the the cruise lines up the prices of the shore excursions. At least they didn’t do what HAL did when we went to Prince George, British Columbia. There was a city tour we wanted to take but HAL had purchased all the tickets for that day.
Had we stopped at Exmouth, Princess had done precisely that!