Since the day we arrived here in Cairns, we were curious about Kuranda. Kuranda is best known as the Village in the Rainforest and in all the tourist flyers and online you see this colourful hippie kinda markets and of course the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Sky Rail surrounded by rainforest. Close to the main hub of Cairns, only located a short hour drive via a really nice scenic mountain route or the 1.5 hour train drive with the KSR, Kuranda has been attracting visitors for a long time. At first people came to check out the Barron Falls, but artists and hippies where attracted to the beautiful scenery and nature and decided to settle down here, where they created a colourful, vibrant arts and crafts scene.
As soon as you arrive in Kuranda, you feel like you are on holidays and you are in a total different scene then busy neighbour Cairns. The local markets are build out of tiny colourful wooden houses, located in the middle of the rainforest. There is this relaxed and no worries atmosphere and lots of beautiful gallery`s, artists, food stalls and shops where you can shop clothing, jewellery, local ( aboriginal ) arts and hand made articles.
The markets are open Daily and so is the Main Street, which is also packed with little boutiques and eatery`s.
If you like a bit of nature and wildlife, Kuranda also has lots to offer. The Barron Gorge National Park offers various rainforest walks in the area where you cannot only check out the amazing Barron Gorge Falls, but also a wide range of flora and fauna. Check out the visitors centre at the end of the Main Street as well for all the walks and information.
Kuranda even offers a wildlife exhibit in the heart of Kuranda opposite of the entrance of the Markets. Surround yourself with butterflies and birds, cuddle a koala, hang with a bat, try to spot a turtle and much more. Great fun for the whole family.
Where to find the best food in Kuranda
There is a time for exploring, and there is time for food. Well, in Kuranda there is much choice for everyone. We heard about the famous German Tucker, a must do when you are in Kuranda, and according to them they had the best German Wurst in the Universe. And of course beer, big massive German beers. Yep, lets check it out. So the German Tucker is accessible via the tiny shade covered market which you reach at the end of the Main Street ( if you walk from the station ) or if you turn around the Corner in the directions of the Kuranda Markets. You can`t miss this colourful, little business with the happiest and enthusiastic German on earth. Paddy J. This guy is hilarious, funny and knows how to please his guests. Real fun hospitality and great Food! We had the Wurst combo with Sauerkraut and salad, and of course, a Beer!
Check out their Facebook Page or their Website: www.germantucker.com where you can play this hilarious Wurst Game ( seriously this is not a joke )
Another really nice place ( and a bit healthier ) is the Jungle Juice, this place is located in the middle of the market surrounded by rainforest, and you can get fresh fruit juices, brekky, lunch and other great stuff and even play a game of Mini Golf.
How to get to Kuranda
There are different way`s to visit Kuranda. You can go by car which leads you through a very bendy mountain way with a few really nice look out points along the way. Or you can go by Sky Rail or the legendary Kuranda Scenic Railway ( or a combo of those 2 )
Read more about the Kuranda Scenic Railway here
Hey James!
Thanks for that! Yes Kuranda is definitely a great place to escape to. Get out of the city and skip the humanity for a moment 🙂
Enjoy your weekend.
Jo
Kuranda looks like the perfect place to escape the world for a few days, or weeks! The journey up there on the scenic railway looks perfect too. Great pics!
Hi Mozeci! You are more than welcome! Happy to inspire you to add another place on your ( probably also never ending ) bucket list 😉
Ok! Hippie tribe in the rainforest it is! Never heard of such a place we would love love love to visit it! Thanks for the story and the idea! It landed right to our bucket list! Cheers!
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Hi! Many years back, Kuranda must have been even more a hidden gem 😉 No we didn’t do the Kuranda rainforest tour, we went up and down with the Kuranda Scenic Railway, also a beautiful experience.
Jo
We had gone many years back to Kuranda. Did you do the Kuranda rainforest tour? The boardwalk trail is so wonderful…that was my favorite experience.
Hi Ana, Thats what I ve heard from many people, that they never heard of Kuranda before! It is such a beautiful little place! Well worth visiting 🙂
I’ve never heard of hippie village in the rainforest! Kuranda looks quite fascinating. I’d love to visit there!
Thank you for your lovely comment Stella 🙂 Kuranda is a really cool place to escape the humidity of Cairns and relax in the rainforest 🙂
Have a great Day!
Jo
Hey Karyna, Maybe a reason to come back and visit Kuranda? Have you been to the Far North Queensland area before?
Jo
No worries Archana! Nice to hear we inspired you to visit Kuranda. It really is a hidden gem in Far North Queensland 🙂
Hey Louiela, funny Kuranda reminds you of the Philippines! Have you travelled to the Philippines or are you from there?
Jo
Hi Melanie.
Yes, Kuranda is the perfect place to warm up a hippies heart.
Apparently they used the plane wreck in a movie and afterwards dumped it there, it looks pretty mysterious and a bit scary to i reckon 😉
I never heard of a hippie village in the rainforest. What a cool place and cool pictures! I hope to visit Kuranda some day myself!
I never made it out to Kuranda, but seeing your photos now, I sure wish I had! Looks like a super fun and beautiful place!
I had never heard about a Kuranda. Now I am intrigued to go there. Thanks for sharing this.
ooohh…wooow,,, my first time to know about Kuranda but it reminds me of our place in one of the province in Philippines esp the Merry Christmas decor… 🙂
A hippie village!? My hippie heart wants to go to a hippie village in the rainforest!! I would also be all about exploring that old plane wreck, though it did look pretty run over by foliage! Definitely looks like a great day in Kuranda!
Hi Isodora! Thats exactly right and what Kuranda is all about! Enjoy your day!
Jo
Thank you so much Marta 🙂
Hi Krista. Thanks so much for your lovely comment! Wauw Peru! That must be a great experience as well!! Where are you originally from?
Kuranda sounds like a good place to sit, have some contact with the nature and just chill and have some fun with the locals!! Everything seems in such a good vibe!
Kuranda Looks like a really fun and unique day! Loved all of the photos, too!!
What an interesting little place is Kuranda! I love rainforest, thats where I live now in Peru. How great is it to find someone who is sharing their culture and foods in a new place and just loves what they do! Looks like a fun trip
Hi Nicole, Thank you for your comment! We found out, many people never heard of Kuranda, but it is absolutely worth visiting. So close to Cairns by car. Or even better: With the Kuranda Scenic Railway! If you like to know more about this beautiful region, please have a look at our other articles about Australia.
Jo
Interesting i’ve never heard of Kuranda but now I have a reason to visit. I like that it is close to Cairns which is a city I already want to visit. Thanks for this article I am bookmarking it for some Australian inspiration.
Hi Clare,
Kuranda is definitely a great place to visit from Cairns! Indeed, the greatest way to go to Kuranda is with the Kuranda scenic railway or and the skyrail. But also by car it is only a short 30 minute drive with stunning views.
Have you been to Cairns before?
Jo
Thats exactly what Kuranda is all about! 🙂 And yes the plane wreck does look really scary!! Apparently they used it before for a movie.
Hi Liliane,
Thats what we hear from a lot of people, that they never heard of Kuranda before!
It such a great place to visit and really close to Cairns!
Do you still have plans to travel from Cairns to Sydney?
Jo
Hi Nicky!
Hahah and that in Australia instead of Germany 😉
Kuranda is a great little town, and only half an hour drive from Cairns, or via the great Kuranda Scenic Railway!
Maybe a good reason to come back to Cairns one day 😉
Jo
It definately is a lovely fun place! Lots of colours and hippie vibes dominate the streets of Kuranda
Hi Ellis,
Kuranda is really an amazing place! The perfect mix between tropical and rainforest with hippie vibes 🙂 Perfect place to spend a while 🙂
Jo
What a great little place to visit. I have heard of the Kuranda railway but never heard anything about the village before. Looks like a great place to visit from Cairns.
This looks like such a chill place to be and meet lot of cool variety of international travellers. And the plane wreck looks scary.
Great post! had looked into a Cairns/Sydney trip before and honestly hadn’t heard about this Kuranda
!
Anywhere that sells Currywürst and beer totally gets my vote! Wish I’d known about this place when I visited Cairns, it looks like a great, vibrant town!
I’d never heard of Kuranda. Sounds like fun.
this seems like a great place and was surprised to read this was in Australia. I was expecting some kind of tropical place.
Hi Justin! Thanks so much 🙂 Haha and yes that guy is a character! Great food and Vibe over there! Have you been to Kuranda or the Far North Queensland area yet?
Hi Xandra! We felt exactly the same! It does feel like Bali ( a destination we very much love ) Have you been to Far North Queensland yet?
Bhahahha that German bloke looks hilarious! And so is the wurst game 🙂 Thanks for giving us a laugh! Great blog!
OMG this is like the cutest town ever. Reminds me of Bali