We are wondering if it is worth an overnight in Kuranda? We kept our last day in the region free to visit Kuranda and need a place to stay that night before.

Any thoughts?

Kuranda is a small upland town that is interesting to get to (via SkyRail or Train), but can be thoroughly seen in less than one day. If you need to stay somewhere in the Cairns region, I suppose that you could stay in Kuranda, but lodging seems to be pretty limited, compared to Cairns.

Certainly visit Kuranda but why not stay somewhere more interesting with more natural features like Yungaburra. see www.yungaburra.com
This raises your chance for platypus and you can go on a nocturnal tour to see tree-kangaroos and possums.

We considered staying in Kuranda merely to stay at this place: Cassowary House. Read about it at http://www.cassowary-house.com.au/

Sally in Seattle

We've stayed at Cassowary House. We had a room over the garage. Nothing fancy, but quite servicable and you could step out on a small balcony at tree level.

If you wish to have dinner there (and I highly recommend it) you need to arrange with Sue in advance. We didn't know our first night there and went in to find something in Kuranda....lots of things closed in the evening so the pickings were slim.

Dinner is outside on their veranda, and later the night critters come out below. We watched a python stalk and ultimately miss its prey.

Sue was a very warm and welcoming hostess.

Sue's cooking is legendary and this is a good spot for bird watchers or to just veg out. Don't expect to see much night life in or around Kuranda of the natural or human varieties. It is good for entemologists though.

We stayed at Trinity Beach and then just drove to the Sky Train and went up ad back in the day. Nicer places to stay than Kuranda

What time of the year are you planning your visit? Kuranda is a very small quiet town in the evenings and quite commercial in the main shopping area during the day. There are lovely walking tracks, national parks, artists galleries and interesting wildlife exhibits inthe area. Many worth visiting depending on your interests i.e venom zoo, butterfly sanctuary. Kuranda is very accessible from Cairns by car and sky rail. I feel the rail is a little slow and boring but relaxing if you have lots of free time. I can recommend Lillybank Bed and Breakfast for good, friendly Cairns accomodation close to the airport -10 mins and easy access to Kuranda.

We will be there in May of 2008. I know it is planning in advance but I can hardly help myself. I get too excited when I know I am going somewhere so special.

Karen246, is Trinity Beach just north of Cairns? I've read quite a bit from posters that elected to stay there over Cairns. I believe overnighting in Port Douglas the night before a quick visit to Kuranda might make for a hectic morning. We plan to be on one of the first cablecars up to the Village. I considered overnighting in Kuranda as we have a mid-afternoon flight out of Cairns (domestic) the day we plan to visit Kuranda.

Thanks to everyone for their input.