North Queensland's most popular park with over 1,500 000 visitors each year, Barron Gorge National Park has fantastic scenery, waterfalls, lush rainforests, volcanic craters, native wildlife, massive trees, aboriginal heritage, varied pioneer history and several unusual ways to explore this 2,820 ha park situated between Cairns and Kuranda.
The Kuranda Skyrail is a must see starting just 11km from the Cairns CBD is Caravonica Lakes where you start the ride and soar over and above the forest canopy to view the Coral Sea on one side and mountain ranges on the other. There are several stops on the way to Kuranda where you can view amazingly rich rainforest from eco friendly boardwalks, rangers are available to answer questions and can give guided tours of the local eco systems. Your gondola will glide over the Barron Gorge Waterfall where you can disembark again and look at the gorgeous views and massive waterfall.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway also passes through the park and provides views over the Barron Gorge and waterfalls along the way to Kuranda a trip not be missed.
Smith’s and Douglas Tracks — These historic overland routes between Speewah and Kamerunga are being upgraded for walkers.
Stony Creek Weir track — At the end of Stony Creek Road through the Cairns Rainforest Estate, this track passes through lowland vine forest to cascades on Stony Creek.
Barron Falls Lookout — A short walk (150m one-way) leads to two lookouts over the falls and gorge. The first part of the track is suitable for wheelchairs. A colourful mural shows some of the park's wildlife and tells the Djabugay story of Barron Falls.
• Skyrail has received numerous awards and accolades since opening, including being voted Australia’s best major tourist attraction at the 1997 Australian Tourism Awards, and for three consecutive years (1997-99) at the Queensland Tourism Awards.
• For one and a half fabulous hours, you’ll travel on board historical carriages through some of the lushest rainforest, pass deep gorges, rugged mountains and the spectacular waterfalls. It’s a view that was originally captured 100 years ago by teams of railway men armed only with picks and shovels. Today, that 34km track still winds its way through 15 hand made tunnels up to Kuranda Station - a Station which looks more like a beautiful botanical garden.