Places and Drives - Cairns / Kuranda - Barron Gorge National Park

Cairns and Kuranda locals who live near the Barron Gorge consider themselves highly fortunate to have such a beautiful, wild rainforest valley on their doorstep. Barron Gorge National Park extends from the mid-altitude Atherton Tableland uplands near Kuranda down the steeply sloping range to the low-altitude coastal area northwest of Cairns. The Gorge is one of the most visited sites in the World Heritage Area, with visitors choosing between several modes of transport through the park, including the historic Kuranda train and the Skyrail cableway. They provide spectacular views of the Gorge and the Barron River far below. At the top of the Gorge near Kuranda are the Barron Falls. Down the range, a municipal park beside the river (known as Lake Placid) is the perfect place for a peaceful family picnic or a snack at the restaurant. A winding road follows the Barron River for 4.5km (2.8 miles) to a hydro power station which offers free daily tours.
On the other side of the river, the 5km (3 mile) Douglas Track climbs up the gorge to Granite Rock and eventually onto the Tablelands. There are plans to develop more tracks and information signs in the park, with consultation and assistance from Djabugay rangers. Contact the Parks and Wildlife information desk on (07) 4052-3096 for more information about walks in Barron Gorge National Park.

How to get there
The Gorge is hidden behind the suburban neighborhood at Lake Placid about 15km (9 miles) northwest of Cairns. The turnoff is from Caravonica Road. The top of the Gorge begins 5km (3 miles) outside Kuranda, at the Barron Falls. Ask for directions when you're in the Kuranda Village.

Kuranda Range Road

This is one of the easiest routes to the Tablelands, beginning at Smithfield (10km north of Cairns City) and quickly climbing the foothills of the coastal range to reach Kuranda in about 20 minutes. This is a major transport route and is heavily used by transport trucks and rushing commuters - so make sure you use the pull-out lanes and allow faster vehicles to pass by. Take your time and enjoy the green tunnel of rainforest enclosing the road, and take a break at the viewing area near the top of the range and look out over the coast. On a clear day visitors will be treated to views of Green Island, one of the jewels of the Coral Sea.

Kuranda Village is a ten-minute drive from the lookout. This mountain town has been a popular stop for day trippers since the Cairns-Kuranda railway was completed in 1891. It is no longer a sleepy village in the rainforest - the Kuranda markets turn the town into a hive of activity and there are plenty of other attractions, including butterfly and bird sanctuaries. The rainforests around Kuranda are another cassowary 'hot spot' so drive carefully in this area.