by Norman A. Rubin

Created on: June 27, 2010

Visiting Australia is a wonder in itself as there is plenty to see, explore and interest one on the natural and man made sites. Off course one must make a choice or two, otherwise cramming in a sightseeing tour you will see flashes of scenery, but nothing memorable. One recommendation would be to tour on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a famous railway experience, when touring Tropical North Queensland. Outside of the spectacular scenery you will see along the route you will be astounded by the engineering feat in the construction of this railway as related by your guide.

Note: The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a name for the railway line that runs from Cairns, Queensland, Australia to the nearby town of rainforest village of Kuranda. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuranda_Scenic_Railway  

Now for a bit of history – The original Kuranda Scenic Railway is truly a legendary demonstration of man’s ingenuity and nature’s wonder and surely one of the great engineering feats of the 19th Century.  Hundreds of workers lived and worked under extraordinary conditions to open up the Tablelands to development. After removing 2.3 million meters of earthworks, creating 15 tunnels, 93 curves, dozens of bridges and 75 kilometers of track, a banquet high up on the bridge with General Sir Henry Wiley Norman, Governor of Queensland marked the completion of Stoney Creek Bridge, the final link. Shortly after in June of 1891 the line was open for everyone to enjoy.  http://www.ksr.com.au/the_history/overview/  

Now for a guided tour with the Kuranda Scenic Railway, an unforgettable 1 hour and 45 minute journey up the tropical mountainous range from Cairns City to the Rainforest Village of Kuranda - http://www.ksr.com.au/the_tour/options/

1)  Kuranda Classic Experience - You will be picked up from your hotel by coach and transferred to Skyrail. The cableway will take you above the forest canopy to enjoy our Unesco World Heritage listed Rainforest. Then you will spend and exciting time exploring Kuranda ‘the village in the rainforest’ before departing on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The journey will stop at Barron Gorge and cross the impressive Stoney Creek Bridge on its way to Freshwater Station and then on to Cairns Station.  

2)  Kuranda Rainforest Experience - You will be picked by luxurious coach from your lodging and brought to the railway's Caravonica Terminal. From there you will to taken the Skyrail

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