Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Gondola lift in Smithfield, Queensland, Australia
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a 7.5-kilometre gondola lift running from Smithfield, north of Cairns, to Kuranda. Its six-person cabins travel over the Macalister Range, with dark-gray steel towers and cables visible along the route. Two intermediate stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls, let passengers leave the cabin and walk on boardwalks.
Construction of this aerial tramway began in 1994, with helicopters bringing materials to hard-to-reach locations to protect the environment. The project represented a new approach to allowing visitor access while keeping damage to the natural space minimal.
At Red Peak Station, rangers share knowledge about the Djabugay people, the original inhabitants who maintain deep ties to this forest today. The station areas allow you to observe how the forest functions as a living space for countless plant and animal species.
You can choose between standard cabins and Diamond View gondolas with glass floors, with stops at multiple stations to explore the surroundings. The ride offers chances to pause at different viewpoints and take in the forest from various angles.
The cableway's 32 towers were built in 10×10 m clearings, and workers sterilised equipment and footwear before entering sites. Russian Kamov helicopters carried 900 tonnes of steel, cement and building materials into Barron Falls Station alone, and no roads were built during construction.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,727 contributors worldwide.
