Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a scenic cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park from the Cairns suburb of Caravonica to Kuranda, Queensland. The development of Skyrail was controversial as some local residents believed that damage may be done to World Heritage listed rainforest.[1] Following seven years of planning and approvals, and 14 months of construction, Skyrail opened to the public in August 1995.

Skyrail offers packages where visitors can return from Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway or also visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal and Cultural Park, located next door to the Caravonica base station.

Contents

The Skyrail Experience

Spanning 7.5 km over Barron Gorge National Park, the Skyrail experience includes a scenic cableway ride and stops at two rainforest mid-stations. Here, guests alight from the cableway onto rainforest boardwalks, where interpretive information is provided through guided boardwalk tours, signage and an interpretive centre.

Skyrail may be experienced either as a one-way [in either direction] or return journey. A one-way experience takes approximately 1.5 hours, while a return experience takes approximately 2.5 hours.[2]

Skyrail offers packages with Kuranda Scenic Railway, in which guests travel one-way on Skyrail to Kuranda, and return via Kuranda Scenic Railway, or vice-versa.

Numerous packages are available with other popular attractions in the region, including:

Stations

There are four Skyrail stations:

Caravonica Terminal

Caravonica Terminal is located in the suburb of Caravonica, 15 minutes north of Cairns, and 50 minutes south of Port Douglas. Guests may begin or end their Skyrail experience here.

Red Peak Station

Skyrail’s Red Peak Station is the highest point of the cableway, at 545 m (1788 ft) above sea level. Here, Skyrail’s Rangers conduct guided boardwalk tours on a 175 m rainforest boardwalk.

Barron Falls Station

Skyrail’s Barron Falls Station is situated adjacent to the Barron Falls. Skyrail’s boardwalks here lead to three lookouts of the Falls. This station also features a rainforest interpretation centre, which was developed in conjunction with Australia’s national science organisation, the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).[3]

Kuranda Terminal

Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal is located in the rainforest village of Kuranda, adjacent to the Kuranda Scenic Railway Station.

Construction

The original Skyrail concept was conceived in 1987 and was followed by seven years of pre-construction feasibility studies, an Environmental Impact Study and numerous other reports and assessments, and consultation and approval processes with local, state and federal governments and local communities.

Skyrail’s construction required the development of world-first construction techniques to ensure minimal impact on the World Heritage listed rainforest in Barron Gorge National Park.

Construction commenced in June 1994, and Skyrail opened to the public on 31 August 1995.[4]

Awards

Skyrail has received numerous tourism and environmental awards, including:

Australian National Tourism Awards
Queensland Tourism Awards
Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards
International Tourism Awards

Accreditations

Skyrail holds a number of business and environmental accreditations and certifications, including:

Facts

See also

References

  1. ^ Go-ahead for Kuranda Skyrail
  2. ^ Skyrail Experience: Skyrail Website
  3. ^ Barron Falls Station: Skyrail Website
  4. ^ Skyrail's Construction: Skyrail Website
  5. ^ Planet Safe Partners
  6. ^ Skyrail Facts

External links