The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns

Cairns is home to many of Australia’s most beautiful places and best–known tourist attractions. It is the gateway to Australia’s two spectacular World heritage areas – the Tropical Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. Both of these two spectacular World heritage areas offer a diverse range of leisure and adventure activities that suit all ages, thus making Cairns truly a top holiday destination.

One of the must–do adventure activities in Cairns is to embark the world–renowned Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This iconic Cableway provides a unique experience of discovery over the deep and natural surroundings of the enchanting centuries–old rainforest. Everyone boarding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway will surely enjoy this opportunity to become completely immersed in the sounds, smells, sights and tranquillity of the world’s oldest and most beautiful tropical rainforest.

If you require group transportation, we highly recommend booking a reliable coach charter service in Cairns. It will give your group the benefits of having more time and convenience to visit other famous places.

Coach Hire Coach Hire are experts for servicing in and the surrounding areas of Cairns with having many years of experience. Book with Coach Hire and your group will receive all these benefits.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway History

Here’s a brief history of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

In 1987, the original Skyrail concept was proposed. It underwent a meticulous planning of construction and processing of all the legal licenses that took 7 years.

• The pre–construction preparation of the tower sites were done by collecting and stockpiling leaf litters, plant seedlings and topsoil. It will later on, be reintroduction and re–planted in their original locations after the construction was completed.

In June 1994, the first tower site construction started.

• There were no roads built during the construction, so the tower footings were built largely by hand using picks and shovels. The workers dug down about five metres or more and had to walk everyday carrying their equipment into the remote tower sites, which takes an hour each way.

In 31st August 1995, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway had officially opened its gates to the public.

• The cableway originally has 47 gondolas with a carrying capacity of 300 people per hour. It didn’t even reach a year until the cableway needed a major upgrade just to cater for the huge amount of people coming.

In April 1996, Skyrail announced a multi–million dollar upgrade in which an additional of 67 more gondolas will be installed to cater more number of people each day.

In May 1997, the multi–million dollar upgrade was completed. It now has 114 total number of gondolas and increased its carrying capacity to 700 people per hour. Not only additional gondolas were upgraded but also major line extensions that includes the famous Skyrail Kuranda Terminal.

In December 2013, 11 Diamond view glass floor gondolas were introduced which seats 5 people. These offer another unique opportunity to view the enchanting tropical rainforest. With these all gondolas combined, Skyrail have an approximate carrying capacity of 650 people per hour in each direction.

Since Skyrail Rainforest Cableway opened, it has been receiving numerous multiple awards each year. And, it is also recognised as one of the most environmentally sensitive cableway constructions in the world.

 

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Facts

Here are more interesting information and facts about the cableway.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has a total distance of 7.5 kilometres long or equivalent to 4.7 miles.

The cableway can move at a speed of 18 kilometres per hour or equivalent to 11 miles per hour. But in order for guests to enjoy their rainforest experience, its standard operating speed is much slower.

The total number of towers constructed is 32. The tallest tower built measures 40.5 metres high or 133 feet.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has a total of 15 kilometres 40.5mm galvanised steel rope to connect all towers, with an estimated weight of more than 100 sedan cars in total.

To secure communication in each gondolas, there is a multi–core communications cable running in the middle of each tower. This carries all voice communications and safety circuits on board.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is equipped with a D.C Electric Motor of 500hp or 383kW at each main station, the Smithfield Station and Kuranda Station. It also has a backup diesel motor and auxiliary Hydrostatic drive if the primary motor fails.

If your group gets hungry after leaving the cableway, here are some of the finest restaurants in Cairns that your group can choose from.

 

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Schedules and Pricing

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is open every day from 9am until 3.45pm. Here are various ticket prices to choose from:

One way Skyrail Experience:

• Adult – $53.00
• Child – $26.50
• Family – $132.50

Round Trip Skyrail Experience:

• Adult – $79.00
• Child – $39.50
• Family – $197.50

Round Trip Transfers From Cairns & Beaches

• Adult – $102.00
• Child – $51.00
• Family – $255.00

Round Trip Transfers From Port Douglas

• Adult – $129.00
• Child – $64.50
• Family – $322.50

There are more other tour package options available for your group, click here for their current packages.

If your group have more time to go around and explore, here are more of the famous places to visit in Cairns.

And, If your group needs a much bigger transportation, Coach Hire Coach Hire can also provide a low–cost bus hire in Cairns ideal for your group transport needs. Contact CoachHire today to book your transportation requirements or for a FREE quotation.