Australia · TRAIN EXPERIENCES

The 15 Best Train Experiences in Australia

21 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.6 average  ·  from $29

From Cairns: Self-Guided Kuranda Trip with Train and Skyrail - Pickup in Cairns to the Kuranda rail station
Cairns Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

From Cairns: Self-Guided Kuranda Trip with Train and Skyrail

1.Self-Guided Kuranda Trip with Train and Skyrail

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

Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return by Skyrail, gliding over Barron Gorge rainforest, with hotel pickup from central Cairns.

“Pretty happy. Skyrail perfect, scenic train super impressive. Kuranda quite disappointing, especially Butterflies and Birdwatching places.”

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Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey - Belgrave vs Lakeside: Picking Your Start Point and Getting the Most Out of It
Historical Tours, Puffing Billy Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns - Pickup, timing, and the reality of heat and waiting
1-Day Tours, Cairns Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

3.Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

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

Ride Skyrail above the treetops and the Kuranda Scenic Railway through Barron Gorge, then spend time in Kuranda village with wildlife options.

“Try and have a forward facing seat as you’ll see the most spectacular views. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs at Barron Falls station too.”

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Cairns: Skyrail, Kuranda, and Rail Tour with Hotel Transfers - Gliding over the World Heritage Rainforest on Skyrail
Cairns Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Cairns: Skyrail, Kuranda, and Rail Tour with Hotel Transfers

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

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

Soar over Cairns rainforest on Skyrail, explore Kuranda village, then ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Rail with hotel transfers included.

“Being a solo traveller, I didn’t have many expectations before the trip, but I’m so glad I went. I truly enjoyed myself and even made new friends along the way. I would definitely recommend this experience — there was so much to do and so many beautiful things to see.”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour - Puffing Billy (Belgrave to Lakeside): the open-car feeling is the point
Melbourne Tours, Puffing Billy Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Melbourne

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

5.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

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

Ride the steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, then meet koalas and birds of prey at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, with guided transport.

“Its a must have experience!! Puffing Billy was an absolute delight—leaning out the open-sided carriages with the wind in my face felt like a step back in time. And watching Kangaroos and Koalas at Healsville sanctuary made and unforgettable day. Special thanks to our guide who was well informed about the tour. He made sure to share all information to keep us curious and engaged tthroughout the tour. Highly recommend this tour for any one. Going back with great memories”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour - The 12-hour schedule, from theatre pickup to evening return
Melbourne Tours, Puffing Billy Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Melbourne

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

Grand Kuranda including Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway - Kuranda Scenic Railway from Freshwater Station: the mountain-to-rainforest intro
Cairns Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Grand Kuranda including Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway

7.Grand Kuranda including Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway

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

One Cairns day with scenic train views, Kuranda markets, a butterfly sanctuary, Army Duck rainforest fun, and Skyrail back.

“Booking through this website was very convenient. The trip went smoothly; however, it is important to confirm that your hotel has pick-up and drop-off services arranged by the agency. Overall, we were very satisfied and enjoyed the trip.”

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Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - Kuranda Village Free Time: Markets Plus Optional Butterflies, Koalas, and Birds
Cairns Tours, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

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

From Port Douglas: Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train - Weather checks: when rain changes what you see
Port Douglas Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

From Port Douglas: Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train

9.Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train

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

Port Douglas to Kuranda by Skyrail and Scenic Train. Late pickup, rainforest views, arts markets, plus Palm Cove sunset stop.

“Fabulous.. Khris our guide for the day was great, looked after us, gave us enough time to see everything we wanted to see… an amazing day! Thank you 🙏🏻”

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Melbourne: Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience - On the road from Melbourne: making the Dandenongs feel close
Half-Day, Melbourne Tours, Puffing Billy Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour - The Optional Maru Koala and Animal Park Stop, How It Fits
Melbourne Tours, Phillip Island Tours, Phillip Island Tours in Melbourne, Puffing Billy Tours, Puffing Billy Tours in Phillip Island, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

12.Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

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

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges and see little penguins waddle in at sunset, with an optional koala park stop.

“The day was packed but very well organised. Our guide was very knowledgeable and knew when to point to see things and he also gave us a great tip on where to sit to see the Penguin Parade best and he was so right.”

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Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns - A One-Day Loop From Cairns: Skyrail Up, Kuranda Time, Gold Class Back
Cairns Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns

13.Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns

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

Ride Skyrail over the rainforest, explore Kuranda with a discount pass, then return in Gold Class on the historic scenic train.

“The gold class was definitely worth the money. The train ride was beautiful. The shops were closing around 2-2:30, so not much was open after we did our visit to the koalas, but we were able to get a late lunch.”

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Rottnest Island: Grand Bus and Train Tour with Lunch - Why quokkas and salt lakes work so well together
Lunch Experiences, Rottnest Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Rottnest Island: Grand Bus and Train Tour with Lunch

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

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

Grand bus and train tour of Rottnest Island with lunch. Quokkas, lookout views, and Oliver Hill tunnels in 4 hours.

“The best way to see the island in a day trip. Also saw dolphins, seals, lots of birds and the cute little quokkas. Great guides for all three tours plus lunch. I would recommend this especially if you only have a limited time on the island ... But plan your timing as some people on our tour scheduled their boat time for return at the same time as the tours return ( and there was not much time for them to catch their boat).”

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From Sydney: Blue Mountains, Scenic Railway, & Sydney Zoo - Sydney Zoo: your morning reset before the mountains
Blue Mountains Tours, Blue Mountains Tours in Sydney, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Zoos

From Sydney: Blue Mountains, Scenic Railway, & Sydney Zoo

15.Blue Mountains, Scenic Railway, & Sydney Zoo

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 59 reviews · 11 hours · from $117

Sydney to Blue Mountains, Scenic World rides, Sydney Zoo wildlife, and a First Nations culture talk, ending with a ferry connection.

“Loved Eploring the Blue Mountains. Trip was excellent. The best as Driver (Fiona) thorough on information on our ititinerary. Good lot of laughs. Made sure everyone new what was happening. Overall 100/ 100 for my experience.”

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