Train Experiences in Australia: 15 Ranked on What Lands in the Price

1.Self-Guided Kuranda Trip with Train and Skyrail

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,392 reviews · 7 hours · from $127Our pick

Travel from central Cairns to Kuranda by historic railway, enjoy free time for markets, cafés, walks, and wildlife parks, then return over the rainforest canopy on the 7.5-kilometre Skyrail. English-speaking drivers such as Victor and Dean add useful local context. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for most central Cairns hotels.

“Very well communicated picked up from port on time well organised and easy to follow printed instructions”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Best value

Ride Puffing Billy, a preserved steam railway built in 1900, through the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. Choose a journey from Belgrave or Lakeside, enjoy the famous sill-side seating between Belgrave and Lakeside, and allow 2 to 4 hours for the train and Emerald Lake Park area.

“The journey was just as eventful as I had hoped for and I do it again”

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3.Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,075 reviews · from $150

Travel from Cairns into the rainforest by historic railway and Skyrail cableway, with time in Kuranda for markets, food, and optional wildlife stops. Choose extras such as Rainforestation, Birdworld, the Butterfly Sanctuary, or Koala Gardens. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but this is mainly a transport-and-admission package, not a guided walking tour.

“Lovely experience visiting Kuranda. The touring service provided prompt service with the pick up and drop off from the designated stop. It smoothened the process to book the Skyrail and Scenic Railway. Everything was managed within a single booking.”

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4.Skyrail, Kuranda, and Rail Tour with Hotel Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,038 reviews · 510 minutes - 1 day · from $147

Travel from Cairns to Kuranda by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping at rainforest lookouts and Barron Falls before free time in the village. Return by Kuranda Scenic Railway through tunnels, across bridges, and beside gorges. Hotel transfers, tickets, and an English-speaking host are included, with lunch and optional Kuranda attractions paid separately.

“it was a great experience of going by skyway rail n coming back by kuranda rail. one can do the opposite aswell. but one must try both sky rail n historic rail tour”

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5.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Leave Melbourne by minibus for a one-hour Puffing Billy ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, with open-sided carriages, rainforest views, and the classic leg-dangling tradition. Then spend about two hours at Healesville Sanctuary, home to koalas, kangaroos, and birds of prey. Guides such as Gary, Stuart, Anthony, and Gina add local context along the way.

“Loved the entire trip. The Puffing Billy was a great experience... Something different and such lovely views along the way. The wildlife tour was so good also, had loads of time to go around it and a bit of souvenir shopping time also LeeLee our tour guide was great...her bubbly personality from the moment of pick up to drop off made the day trip a memorable one. Would definitely recommend”

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6.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Spend about 12 hours beyond Melbourne with a guide such as Alan, Gina, Jose, or Stuart. Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, stop at The Nobbies, then watch little penguins come ashore at Phillip Island. General Penguin Parade entry, transport, guide services, train fare, and park fees are included. Bring warm layers and expect a long day.

“The transport arrived on time, and we could all hop on the bus alright. Stuart, the driver, was witty and spoke only when required, giving us rest during the long drive. Puffing Billy was great; there were some delays, but nothing major. The penguin parade was fabulous—recommend everyone to get the Penguin Plus. As the seating is where the penguins will walk up to, and all along the boardwalk when you finish. Great trip, even if you were to drive yourself; it will probably take around the same time as you.”

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7.Grand Kuranda including Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 598 reviews · from $230

Start with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, then see butterflies, koalas, and rainforest wildlife at Rainforestation Nature Park. You’ll ride a WWII Army Duck, join a Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, eat a BBQ buffet lunch, and return over the canopy by Skyrail. Hotel pickup may be available, and guides such as Steve, Dom, or Nick may assist during the day.

“So much packed in one day, you defn get your money's worth. Overall very well organized and the tour guides throughout were great. It was a little confusing when you first get off the train in Kuranda as they didnt really explain that you were essentially on your own until the bus arrives to the butterfly exhibit. That said, I skipped the butterfly exhibit and went to bird world instead (extra fees). Just have to be sure to be back at the butterfly entrance in time to catch the bus up to the rainforeststation, but seeing and hand feeding the birds was so much better. Also you need to make…”

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8.Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 574 reviews · from $199

Travel from Cairns or Port Douglas to Kuranda by two classic routes: the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. You get several hours in the mountain village for markets, lunch, butterflies, birds, koalas, or Aboriginal culture. Pickup and drop-off are offered, but confirm your meeting point and departure times carefully.

“It’s a very special way to see the magnificent rainforest & waterfalls; and it provides an appreciation for the engineering wonder that resulted in the construction of the Sky Rail and the train track between Cairns & Kurrumba”

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9.Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 365 reviews · 8 hours · from $148

Travel from Port Douglas or the Northern Beaches by air-conditioned coach, ride Skyrail with two rainforest stops, explore Kuranda Village, and return on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Guides such as Chris, Brett, Glen, Andrea, and Bridget keep the day organized and entertaining. A Palm Cove stop rounds out this eight-hour outing.

“Our driver Chris was amazing, he kept everyone entertained all day. From his first cheery welcome to the perfect sing song on the way home. The day ran smoothly, with his clear instructions and his jaunty hat so he could always be seen in a crowd! 😂 A great day was had by all. The Skyrail was exhilarating and the 40 minute ride gave lots of time to see the scenery and the views were spectacular. This trip in my opinion was well worth the money.”

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10.Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 6 hours - 1 day · from $126

Ride the historic Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside in an open-sided carriage, with your legs dangling above fern-filled gullies and the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge below. A local guide such as Robbo, Lisa, Jono, or Jools handles the timing and adds stories on the drive. The tour returns to Melbourne around 1:15 PM.

“Big thank you to our guide Jono! Jono was very friendly, attentive, and shared with us lots of interesting stories. Thanks for capturing precious moment for us on the train. Puffing Billy was such a big fun! Beautiful scenes on the way. Great for those who don’t drive. Back at the city at around 1:30pm so still lots of time to explore the city in the afternoon. Worth going!”

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11.Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 239 reviews · 6 hours · from $107

Ride the historic Puffing Billy Railway for one hour in its famous open carriages, with your legs hanging over the side as rainforest slips past. Your English-speaking guide, such as Gina, Mark, or Michael, handles the day from Melbourne pickup to Lakeside. You will also visit Grants Picnic Ground and have free time for coffee, lunch, and railway displays.

“We had a great time, thanks to Margaret for making it even more memorable.”

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12.Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Spend about 12 hours linking Melbourne’s Puffing Billy Railway with The Nobbies and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. You’ll ride a historic steam train, explore coastal boardwalks, and watch little penguins return at sunset. Guides such as Daniel, William, and Jeremy have been praised for clear timing and helpful viewing tips. Maru Koala & Animal Park is optional and costs AUD $33.

“Recommend this tour a 100%, Daniel our guide was very good he was guiding us and giving us interesting facts about each fact and about Melbourne. Definitely should book through them.”

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13.Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 177 reviews · 510 minutes - 1 day · from $195

Travel from Cairns to Kuranda by Skyrail, stopping twice above the rainforest before exploring the village with a Kuranda Boarding Pass. Return by the historic scenic railway in Gold Class, with preferential seating, drinks, refreshments, a dedicated hostess, and views of Barron Gorge. Pickup is available from selected Palm Cove and Northern Beaches locations.

“Great day. Loved the Gold Class section of the train.”

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14.Cairns Small-Group Kuranda Tour: Skyrail & Scenic Railway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · from $186Top rated

Travel from Cairns to Kuranda in a group of no more than 10, with hotel, port, or airport pickup, a one-way Skyrail ride, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Guide Man or Chris handles the timing, local stories, and transfers. You get rainforest views, Barron Falls, Kuranda markets, and free time for lunch or optional activities.

“We had a great day. The journey to Kuranda was lovely. We opted to go Gold class on the train and were served lite breakfast bites with drinks on our journey in the 100 year old track through the rainforest to Kuranda. After a spot of shopping we had a bite to eat and took the Skyrail over the top of the rainforest back to Cairns. The views were spectacular. Highly recommend the trip. Man collected us from our hotel on time and explained what the day entailed. He met us from the train and gave us a bit of some local knowledge, then took us to Kuranda picking us…”

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15.Rottnest Island: Grand Bus and Train Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 106 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

Spend four hours circling Rottnest Island by air-conditioned bus, then take the old railway to Oliver Hill for a guided look at its gun batteries and tunnels. You will stop at Jeannies Lookout, Mabel Cove, Wadjemup Lighthouse, beaches, woodlands, salt lakes, and quokka habitats. Lunch is a wrap and cookie, with ferry tickets extra.

“I would recommend anyone doing Rottnest Island for the first time do this tour. If a once only, you get a great view and understanding of the island. If local, then it lets you target places you might want to specifically return to at a later date. thoroughly enjoyed it. Peter our guide was really good too.”

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