I think we've decided not to do the train or skyrail and just drive up. We'll probably take advantage of the combo pass and visit Birdworld, the buttterflies, and Koala Gardens. It appears there are several good walks from Kuranda, one to Barron Falls. This publication lists several http://www.footloosebooks.com.au/cairns_kuranda.htm - but apparently it is only available to AU residents. Has anyone done any of these walks?

Thanks for the tip about the tongs. I'll look for them when we're there.

Barbara, just be patient on the drive, it's quite wind-y, but doable. We did all of our touristy shopping in Kuranda, it was shady and pleasant, but touristy. I hope you have as awesome a time on the Spirit of Freedom that we did. We are snorkelers, but they were very nice to us anyway LOL. There was only one dive that wasn't appropriate for snorkelers. The accommodations were very comfortable and the food was good, too. Happy travelling!
Sally in Seattle

Sally - that's good to hear about the Spirit of Freedom. The main reason for our trip is to dive the GBR! Everyone talks about a winding road, which doesn't bother me, but does the road also have lots of cliffs?

No to the cliffs.

Thanks Saltuarius - that's good to hear!

Skyrail and Kuranda train total rip off for tourist dollar. People who live in cairns cannot pay for this day trip for a family.

You can get the bus one way or the other, just not very frequent service but only a few dollars. Worth investigating.

You can also probably buy hiking boots and have a real experience for cheaper.

Rainforest is best viewed by hikers, if you want a little glimpse without getting your feet dirty then go on the train and pay otherwise loads of forest experience that is free.

I also heard they made a canopy walk in the Wooroonooran National Park. Now that is seriously one fantastic national park.

Well I live in Cairns and can afford to take visiting family on Kuranda Train/Skyrail, and have done several times. A return Skyrail without transfers from accommodation costs $58, a return train is $59 which I don't think is exorbitant. Combo of the two is $80 as one way fares for either is $40.

Yes, you can catch the Trans North bus to Kuranda for far less, and I've already mentioned in an earlier post, but you won't see much scenery on the way.

I'm sure the new MaMu rainforest canopy walk near Innisfail will be more than worth visiting, and hopefully will eventually take a lot of tourist pressure off Kuranda and Daintree, early days yet. It will take some convincing for tourists to shift attention to the magnificent world heritage rainforest areas south of Cairns, which receives negligible publicity.