If you have visited or even heard of Kuranda on the Atherton Tablelands, in North Queensland, chances are you know about the famous Kuranda Markets, but do you know about Kuranda walks?
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The markets were started by some locals in 1978 to try and attract tourists to the area, and have been uber successful. Following the success of the original markets that showcased the arts and crafts of the vibrant hippie community, the heritage markets were opened.
Then the whole street got in on the act. The village atmosphere ranges from relaxed to frantic, as tourists on various timetables, weave their way through buskers, portrait artists, cafe tables, clothes, boomerangs and opals for sale.
On previous visits to Kuranda we have visited the markets and shopped up a storm, but on our recent visit we discovered a delightfully different approach to the village.
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Where to find Kuranda Walks
Leaving the delightful old train station with it’s tropical plants and ferns via the timber overpass we walked toward the Barron River – away from the village and shops.
Marty has an aversion to shopping so I was sensing a plot.
Kuranda Walks – The Barron River Walk
A path led both ways beside the river.
Take the path to the right.
At this stage I thought we were just going to walk beside the river and then retrace our steps and walk up the main street.
Close up of the bark on a paperbark tree. Crows Nest ferns flourish in the tree tops.
I was just thinking what a delightful Australian Bush Walk this was when right on cue a Kookaburra started laughing!
Obligingly he posed while we took shots from different angles.
Kookaburras are carnivores. No doubt this one was looking for frogs near the river.
Skyrail runs directly overhead and we would be returning to Cairns on it that afternoon.
The track passes the train tracks the Kuranda Scenic Train used to bring us here.
Kuranda Walks – The Jungle Walk
The Jungle Walk connects the Barron River walk with the Jum Rum walk, which in turn leads up to the top of the village.
This tranquil creek meanders through the rainforest to join the Barron River near the train bridge.
I became obsessed with reflections before realising the submerged rock ledges and tree roots were perfect PLATYPUS habitat.
Can you spell their real name?
Ornithorhynchus.
Platypus hardly ever surface when people are around so after a while we moved on.
A few large trees had fallen over the track and been cut to clear the path.
This funghi looks remarkably like a coral formation.
Kuranda Walks – Jum Rum Creek Walk
Cross a bitumen road before finding the entrance to the boardwalk on the final leg, through the Jum Rum Creek Conservation Park.
A rustling from the undergrowth sounded larger than a bush turkey would make, possibly a cassowary or wild pig?
I wasn’t waiting to meet either of those face to face, although I am sure they would not actually come up on to the board walk. The beautiful male cassowary hatches and looks after the chicks and will attack to protect his young, and wild pigs are just that WILD.
Maybe it was the allure of the shops, or the thought of protective cassowaries or wild pigs, but it seems I did not take any photos from this point on.
You can read about the Kuranda Scenic Railway trip from Cairns to Kuranda HERE.
Read about our trip on Skyrail from Kuranda to Cairns HERE.
After visiting Kuranda and Cairns, continue on to Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.
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Kuranda is a village set in a World Heritage Listed Rainforest 25 km north-west of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Although Kuranda itself has many attractions and activities, it is also the gateway to a host of other attractions on the Atherton Tablelands.
Split Walking Tour with Gelato and Splitska Torta
Beautiful place 🙂
I’ve never been in northern Australia, neither in NT nor in northern Queensland. The whole area sounds so fascinating and deliciously thrilling with crocs and snakes and all kinds of unique wildlife. Would love to see a platypus in the wild, such an odd and interesting creature, isn’t it?(proof that nature has a sense of humour, maybe…). Kuranda is on my list, of course. Is the atmosphere similar to Byron Bay?
Sophie, I have not been to Byron for many years, but I believe that it would have many more visitors than Kuranda, and is possibly more upmarket. I open the floor to other readers who may know for sure 🙂
I think nature certainly had a sense of humour.
What a gorgeous walk, Jan. We didn’t have enough time to do very much and I did want to look at the markets. Next time, we’ll definitely wander a little further. Your pics are lovely too.
Yes Jo, we only did the walk because we have been to the markets quite a few times before.
We are heading to Australia this fall and these photos are helping to build the excitement! Thanks much. xx J.
Exciting Jackie. We will be away for three months from September but if you are here any other time look me up.
what a beautiful hike and forest, I enjoyed my visit, thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Noel, It was in such contrast to the activity of the village 🙂
Such a verdant setting for a relaxing walk. Nice fungi formation on that tree stump.
I agree Marcia, and the cut is fairly recent so it has not taken long to grow at all.
Beautiful walk and such a peaceful setting too. I have never seen a Kookaburra and I would have taken dozens of pictures too. And now I can’t get that Kookaburra song out of my head 🙂
Kookaburras are such stately looking birds, it is strange that they laugh so long and loud 🙂
now that is one gorgeous walk….I so could see my boys exploring the wildlife there!! And yep they would be happy to see a wild pig…which probably would end up chasing me as I run off screaming 🙂
Love the Water reflection pic you have, it almost looks like there is someone/something there!! Almost like there is a “Spirit” there watching…or maybe its just my wishful thinking….it sure looks like it would be a place where platypus would be playing!
I know what you mean about spirits in the rainforest. There is a kids book called “Where the forest meets the Sea” by Jeannie Baker. It is a book with a message (conservation) and is different. It is quite old now because I bought a second hand book for my kids twenty years ago but a library may have it. It is set in the Daintree Rainforest of N.Q. If you can’t find it I could post my copy to you 🙂
I have yet to see a Kookaburra in the wild, and to head as far north as Cairns.
I’m sure you will get up here sooner or later Denise. Kookaburras are awesome birds. I don’t see them that often, but I saw some in Townsville before we left for Cairns when we were walking one afternoon. There were a whole family of them in a very tall kauri tree, and then in the same week we saw the one in Cairns. Another good place to see them is inland from the Sunshine Coast at Kondalilla National Park near Maleny.
We just wandered along the main road in Kuranda with all the shops, so I never got to see this part of the village. It looks very scenic and peaceful (and with far less candyshops) compared to where we went.
We have been to the Markets and Shops several times before Michele, so this was a nice change.
Hi Jan,
What a beautiful walk. I enjoyed everything along the way – the paperbark trees, the Kookaburras, the river and the reflection, the tranquil creek, etc. Thanks for taking me along;)
What a gorgeous walk! Sometimes nature can be just as good as shopping (well almost!) 🙂
Ha Ha Nancie 🙂
Looking at the photos, I’m sure there are a lot of ways to enjoy and explore the place. I like to cross the river and try different activities!
We did the jungle walk when we were last here. I’ve been up to Kuranda twice and really enjoyed both the train trip up and skyrail back down. It is a funky little village and I love the markets. It really is a lovely green patch of paradise.