Kuranda: Rainforest Village or Tourist Trap – Is it worth it?

Is Kuranda worth it?

Short answer: no. The journey there offers beautiful views but the village itself has little activities to enjoy.

Why isn’t Kuranda Worth the Trip?

Before I went I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy Kuranda or not. Online a lot of people enjoyed it, so I decided to go. Honestly, I was disappointed. I went hoping to see really beautiful nature, and don’t get me wrong, there are beautiful views. However, if you already went to or have plans to go to the Daintree Rainforest then you won’t see anything particularly different in Kuranda.

It’s really the journey there via the skyrail that lets you take in the beautiful forest. The village itself is described as vibrant and quirky, but I’d say it was compact and touristy with limited activities and restaurants to enjoy. I had 3 hours left and I felt like I already saw everything I needed to see.

The market was filled with typical touristy souvenirs. Some unique, others mass-produced. I was hoping there would be more unique, handmade options. The animal experiences, such as the Koala Gardens, that look so nice online were sad to experience in person. I was concerned about animal welfare there after my visit. There were also limited activities to do there,

If you’re looking for something lively and exciting I don’t think Kuranda is worth the visit. Instead, I would spend more time in Daintree Rainforest or join another guided tour in the area. If you want sweeping views of the rainforest, however, then it’s worth the trip for the skyrail alone.

What did I enjoy?

Getting to Kuranda is a scenic journey: I took the railway up via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. But there is also the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The train travels through lush rainforest and past waterfalls, while the cableway offers stunning views of the canopy. I did enjoy the views and the ride up, you could see some wallaby running around on the grassfields. But since I didn’t take the train I can’t speak to that. I also enjoyed the two rest stops of the cableway along the way. They were both boardwalks through the rainforest and took about 10 minutes to walk.

Popular Tourist Activities in Kuranda

Take the Scenic Route:

Kuranda Scenic Railway: This historic train journey takes you through the lush rainforest and past waterfalls, offering breathtaking views of the Barron Gorge.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Glide above the rainforest canopy in a cablecar, enjoying panoramic views of the mountains, waterfalls, and valleys below. It’s a smooth ride and has 2 stops along the way.

My experience: A smooth ride up and nice to look across the lush forest below. I enjoyed the ride. Many people choose to take the cable way up and the railway back which I think offers the best of both worlds. It showcases beautiful views of the rainforest.

Nature and Wildlife:

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: Walk along colorful butterflies fluttering freely in a rainforest setting.

Koala Gardens: Encounter a variety of Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and more.

My experience: I had concerns about the koala’s welfare. They didn’t want to meet people. The other animals were inactive and confined.

Birdworld Kuranda: Discover a diverse array of Australian birds, from colorful parrots to majestic cassowaries. You can feed them and pet them as they perch nearby.

My experience: Small space with a lot of birds flying around. If you’re a bird lover it’s a special chance to interact with them, but it’s not worth a special trip up otherwise.

Culture and Shopping:

Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets: A colorful market filled with handmade crafts, souvenirs, Aboriginal art, and local produce.

My experience: A compact market with a few restaurants and shops. Moderate to highly priced items with some unique goods but others mass-produced. I wish there had been more options, Cairn’s marketplace had more unique goods in my opinion, such as hand-blown glassware, aboriginal art, etc. But there were a few stands near the Koala Gardens offering locally produced items.

Who would enjoy Kuranda?

Despite my personal opinion, I do think that you could have a great time in Kuranda. If you enjoy small towns and scenic journeys I think you’ll enjoy the trip.