Skyrail

Click on an image to see a larger version

I had been on the Kuranda Scenic Railway 40 years ago. While I think the carriages are more comfortable, the journey hasn't changed much. SO, I was looking forward to the return journey via the Skyrail cableway as it travels above the tropical rainforest for 7.5 km between Kuranda and Caravonica (coastal end).

After leaving the Butterfly Sanctuary, it was a quick walk through Kuranda to the Skyrail terminal, located adjacent to the Kuranda Railway Station (which is to the left in this photo).

And we're off - heading out of the Skyrail terminal. Each car can carry 6 people, although mostly they were not that full. I shared this one with 2 others; the other two legs I had a car to myself!

A typical tower supporting the cables. Also shows the distance between cars.

One of the tour boats operating on the Barron River upstream of the weir above Barron Falls. Note also the reflection on the car windows. Standing is not allowed during the journey, and there are no open windows to avoid reflections either.

The Barron Falls Railway Station is the gash along the middle of the image.

Barron Falls Station

Skyrail has two stations along the way. The first (heading to the coast) is at Barron Falls, where there is a CSIRO rain forest exhibit, and viewing platforms over Barron Falls, and some equipment from the construction of the first Barron Falls power station in the 1930s, whose construction base is now that of the Barron Falls Skyrail station.

The path to the viewing platforms and construction equipment display.

A view across the gorge of the Barron River to the Kuranda Scenic Railway station at Barron Falls. And there's even a train in there!

A view of Barron Falls from the north (Skyrail) side.

Looking upstream from Barron Falls, showing two weirs. I would guess that the lower weir near the edge was built for the original power station, while the larger one to the rear is for the new power station.

Barron Falls Power Station Construction

There is also an outdoor display showing some of the equipment used during the construction of the first power station in the 1930s.

This is the personnel carrier, a stepped carriage on which employees sat while they travelled down or up to the work site. The display board shown in this photo has details of the trolley, and photos of it in use.

One of the carriers used to transport equipment to/from the work site. There is a display board with details of this trolley, and photos of its use.


Butterfly Sanctuary
Onto Red Peak Station


Updated at 21:16 EST on Sat Jul 8, 2006
Copyright (C) 2005 - 2006, Lindsay Harris