Similar to when we went to the Blue Mountains, I was convinced that we could visit Kuranda without an overpriced tour.
Needless to say, as always, might I add, I was right!
Kuranda is *incredibly* easy to get to from Cairns… here’s what we did!
Step 1 
We took a Taxi to the Kuranda Skyrail Station.
Step 2
I had prebooked us on the Diamond Skyrail Cart, so we had our tickets all paid for and pre-printed before we arrived. I highly recommend doing this for two reasons… the first is that it saves time. The second is that… if you book via the Skyrail’s website, you get discounted prices! I also definitely recommend the Diamond Gondola, because not only do you get the awesome opportunity to view the rainforest through the floor of the gondola… but NOT a lot of people opt for the upgrade (which, btw, is $9 USD per person) and since there are special Diamond-Only Gondolas… you essentially end up skipping the line since no one else is allowed in those carts! Score!
Step 3
Enjoy your day! We hopped off the gondolas at both rainforest stations and partook in the free tours at both. The guides were excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed them. After the rainforest stops, we finished the Skyrail at Kuranda Village, where of course, I also had a plan for us! Matt and I had checked out all of the activities in advance and we BEELINED for our choice of activity… the koala park! Nothing was going to stop us from cuddling a koala on our Australian tour, and we’d read great things about the park in Kuranda. We were not disappointed. I don’t know if it’s because it was low-season or what, but the park was peaceful and uncrowded. We got to actually spend a ton of time with our adorable Koala. Note: WEAR SLEEVES when going to cuddle koalas. I didn’t know it in advance, but apparently when the koala is resting in your arms, he thinks you’re a tree and digs those cute little talons right into your skin to hold on. I had scrapes for days… but it was worth it! Also don’t be fooled, the koala park also has an open zone where you can grab feed and bring it up to KANGAROOS! Just hanging out! For snacks and pets! So of course…. we did that too! And THEN after that we checked out all the other exhibits, including a pretty awesome reptile enclosure with some awesome lizards and snakes.
After the animals, we sanitized and had an awesome lunch, before meandering back through all of the shops and snack areas we’d bypassed in our one-track-minded trek to the koala sanctuary. Mom had some delicious ice cream, I had an amazing chocolate raspberry pie, and Matt tasted everything. 🙂
Step 4
Catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns Station!
The Scenic Railway is a really peaceful and pleasant way to get back to Cairns… and it actually can take you all the way back to the city center and you can walk back to your hotel — we were on the Esplanade and it’s even close enough for that!
Step 5
If you’re mom… get dinner and pass out!
If you’re me and Matt… shower and get ready for the Cairns Partybus Tour!
