Kuranda Skyrail – Canopy Glider and Rainforest Dreaming

Aug 15

I have a confession to make. Rainforests are not my most favourite place to hang out.

I would rather be enjoying the underwater realm, hiking along mountaintops or exploring open bushland to hanging out in the dark and shady world of the rainforest floor. When the opportunity to explore the World Heritage Rainforest that sits right on my doorstep presented itself I was a little dubious as to how impressed I would be. How wrong could I be……

The Kuranda Skyrail Cableway appeals to me on a number of levels. The main drawcard is that you’re up high, drifting across the top of the rainforest canopy where all the action is.

**From This…..To This!! 360 Degree Views**

The Canopy Glider (Skyrail’s newest attraction) is extra exciting because you no longer have to peer through glass to get a glimpse of what’s down below. Standing out in the open in an uncovered carriage, with 360 degree views and subject to all the natural elements, you start to get a real sense for how a tropical bird might feel skimming across the treetops

One of the Canopy Glider’s advantages is that you have a Ranger riding shotgun with you on the open gondola. The blur of green that you pass over becomes transformed into fascinating facts and stories thanks to their knowledge of the route. It also helps that they know all the vantage points for the best photos and of course, the obligatory selfie, with a view that you can truly boast about.

**Ranger Mike pointed out all the good stuff**

The other advantage of having a Ranger accompany you on the Canopy Glider is that you have a private guide each time you alight at each of the Skyrail’s Stations. My son always likes to rate people on how well their talking can send him to sleep (10 is a coma-induced state). You’ll be pleased to note that Ranger Mike got a very low rating on the sleep-inducing scale.

**Josh loved learning about the World Heritage Rainforest**

And it always amazes me at how much information my 10 year old can retain from a tour like this one. On an average school day he’ll return home with a noncommittal ‘learnt nothing’ summary of his day. Compare this to his ability to recite ‘verbatim’ every single fact that Ranger Mike shared with us on our Canopy Glider journey. Thankfully it was extremely interesting and I won’t mind being reminded weeks, or even months onwards.

But it wasn’t all about talking. Thankfully, our Ranger (and my son) knew when to stay quiet. There are moments when you are skimming across the treetops onboard Skyrail’s Canopy Glider when you just want to immerse yourself in the moment.

Being out in the open with no noisy engine propelling you along (thanks to the cableway) it’s easy to soak in the surrounding sounds and smells. The noisy screech of a cockatoo, a rainforest stream below, the echo of a rifle bird in the valley, all this and more drifted up and assailed our senses as we glided onwards.

**Canopy Glider views get a Big Thumbs up!**

It’s hard to describe just how awesome the Canopy Glider experience is. Take a sneak preview of my video to get a better feel for the new ride that Kuranda Skyrail offers, or even better – BOOK yourself on NOW!!

BREAKING NEWS: Kuranda Skyrail have put in a NEW lookout at Barron Falls - The Edge Lookout. Partially made of glass it gives a NO FEAR factor as you step out from the security of the boardwalk onto seemingly infinite space.

**The Edge Lookout makes you feel like you’re teetering on the edge of Barron Falls**

Rainforest Dreaming

Hop off at Skyrail’s Barron Falls Station, and hosts Perry and Nathaly can meet you and walk you over to where their family friendly ATV tour starts, as they are officially ‘neighbours’. Their property is made up of 165-acres of dense tropical rainforest set at the top of the mountain range near Kuranda and teetering on the edge of the iconic Barron Falls.

As you venture deeper into the rainforest you glimpse some of the pioneering past of the region. There are remnants of logging equipment, evidence of old ‘settlement’ camps and Perry will keep you informed about what trees were targeted by the loggers and why.

**‘WiWi’ decided it would be cool to tag along on our ATV tour**

The BIG bonus is that you might have the opportunity (60-70%) to see a cassowary in the wild......we were lucky to have a chick (abandoned by his parents) 'tag' along with us on our rainforest tour. To read & see more click HERE >> Kuranda Rainforest and Orchard Tour – Family Friendly ATV Fun <<

Good Things to Know:

The Canopy Glider comes with a short induction prior to boarding and you’ll need to sign a waiver form before the ride.
Your weight, waist measurement and height are taken prior to the Canopy Glider experience (Check out terms & conditions HERE).
Children must be 10 years or older and over a certain height to qualify for the ride.
Anything that can fall off needs to be attached via a lanyard OR placed inside the Ranger’s backpack.
The Canopy Glider is open to the elements so if it’s raining you WILL get wet.
Red Peak station is the highest point and the temperatures can drop significantly up here. It may be worth taking a jumper.
The Canopy Glider supplies its own ranger/guide.
There is a maximum of 4 guests allowed on the Canopy Glider.
There is an additional cost per head for the Canopy Glider and bookings are essential as it only goes twice a day.