Having heard tales from fellow travellers and read accounts online, we decided that experiencing the Kuranda Scenic Railway was a must-do while in the region.
We were, however, less enthusiastic about the Skyrail option. A previous experience on a Skyrail in China left us somewhat…unsettled. To put it mildly, Lisa hasn’t looked at a cable car the same way since. Therefore, the ground-based railway was our chosen mode of transport.
We made our way to Cairns. The plan? To board the train and meander back up the range to where we'd started, in effect. A slight detour, perhaps, but one we deemed well worth it.
The reality of the journey certainly lived up to expectations. Watching the train negotiate the winding mountain track was truly something to behold. The engineering involved in creating such a route, and the dedication to preserving it, is quite impressive. We passed by waterfalls, gorges, and dense rainforest, all from the comfort of our carriage.
The vantage points offered breathtaking views, and we found ourselves snapping photos at every turn.
It’s not every day you get to see a train snaking its way around such dramatic landscape.
The train itself is a piece of history, carefully maintained to evoke a bygone era.
The entire experience, from the chugging of the engine to the informative commentary, was a reminder of a simpler time. And while it did mean retracing our route somewhat, we both agreed that the memories forged on that railway will last far longer than any frustration we might have felt with the doubled-back kilometres.
