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A scenic 30 minute drive northwest of Cairns
is Kuranda. Kuranda is the aboriginal for 'village in the rainforest',
and over the years Kuranda has taken on a distinctive character as a popular
visitor destination in its own right.
There are three spectacular ways to visit Kuranda - the Kuranda Scenic
Railway which each year takes over half a million people to the village,
the multi-award winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the winding Kuranda
Range Road which is a photographer's delight with its scenic views.
No matter how you arrive at Kuranda each way takes advantage of the coastal
and Tableland panoramas. On arrival, visitors discover the village of
Kuranda's appeal with shady trees that shelter the tranquil main street,
old timber church and houses, pubs, shops and galleries.
Accommodation includes a rainforest resort, tourist park with cabins,
motel accommodation caravan and camping areas, just minutes from the town
centre, casual backpacker hostels and innovative historic and modern accommodation
houses. There are plenty of places for leisurely dining or a quick snack
with Kuranda offering exotic fruits, European influenced cuisine to the
wholesome foods of the region or a chilled ale at a traditional Queensland
pub.
Kuranda is famous for having the biggest and most frequent art and craft
markets in Tropical North Queensland. Four times a week country markets
delight visitors who pick their way through stalls terraced among the
trees - showcasing local products from didgeridoos and damper to art,
craft and local fashions.
A second covered market operates seven days a week and features a cultural
theatre with free entertainment by buskers. A walk through aviary is a
quiet retreat - where native birds share food, trees and often perch on
visitor's hats.
Kuranda also boasts Australia's biggest butterfly display which is home
to exotic species such as the brilliant blue Ulysses and the Red Lace
Wings butterfly that flash their presence as smaller and camouflaged species
feed on the tropical flowers and trees of their expansive sanctuary.
Indigenous culture, legends and lifestyle give the village an ancient
feel. Internationally recognised Aboriginal dance groups and members have
performed in Kuranda while another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
group has chosen a forest amphitheatre in which to perform, just minutes
from the Kuranda village.
A cruise boat and a guided forest walk leave from the banks of the Barron
River and rainforest walks surround the village. There is also a jungle
tour on board an amphibious army 'duck'. A short drive from the village
are the Barron Falls which cascade down through the Barron Gorge. The
falls are a spectacular sight during the summer wet season and are easily
viewed from generous sized platforms.
Distance From Brisbane: 1,850 kilometres
Distance From Cairns: 27 kilometres
Nearest Highway: Kennedy Highway
Nearest Airport: Cairns International and Cairns Domestic Airports
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