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Kuranda, the village in the rainforest, is about 25 kilometres northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland. It was first settled in 1885 and became a home for hippies seeking an alternative lifestyle during the 1960s. It is famous for its World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforest and has several attractions that attract thousands of tourists every week.

The rainforest has lush foliage at all times of year and includes around twelve hundred species of flowering plants, eight hundred of which are rainforest trees. The plant life is rich and diverse with orchids, ginger plants, strangler figs, palms and an immense variety of climbing plants. Six new walking tracks have recently been opened in and around the village for you to explore the rainforest environment. The Barron Gorge is only a short distance away with spectacular views of the Barron River Falls.

The village itself has a laid back atmosphere with shops and markets that sell handcrafted goods and locally grown produce, and a variety of cafes and restaurants. It is a major centre for opal jewellery and didgeridoos.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a popular way to reach Kuranda from Cairns. It was constructed between 1882 and 1891 and takes you through rainforest, past spectacular waterfalls and into the awesome Barron Gorge. The journey takes around 90 minutes.

You can also travel on Skyrail which is the world’s longest cable car ride. You glide metres above the rainforest canopy in a six-person gondola which gives you spectacular views of Cairns and the Coral Sea, as well as the rainforest.

Five minutes from Kuranda village is the Rainforestation Nature Park where you can ride through the rainforest aboard an amphibious World War II army duck which hold up to 30 passengers. There is also a koala and wildlife park here and you can enjoy a performance by the aboriginal Pamagirri Dancers, depicting a legend of the Rainbow Serpent.

Other Kuranda attractions include The Aviary, which is a must for bird lovers, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary where you can walk among hundreds of butterflies flying freely in a natural environment. These include the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly of North Queensland.

If you are visiting tropical North Queensland allow yourself a full day to visit Kuranda and its rainforest.

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