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Kuranda Scenic Railway celebrates 120 years

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

© The Cairns Post

 

This year on June 25th, the original Kuranda Scenic Railway celebrates 120 years since the first passenger service from Cairns to Kuranda; village in the rainforest.

This North Queensland Icon has been delighting tourists from around the globe on its spectacular journey through the now World Heritage Barron Gorge National Park.

Construction commenced in 1886 on one of the most ambitious railway projects ever undertaken.  Up to 1500 men at a time endured terrible hardships and an unforgiving landscape.  Armed only with picks, shovels and dynamite, these men moved almost three million cubic metres of earth.  Impassable swamps, mysterious diseases, deadly creatures, deep ravines, raging waterfalls and sheer cliffs were to prove no obstacle.

The 37 kilometres of track from Cairns to Kuranda ascends 327 metres and includes 15 tunnels, 55 bridges and 98 curves.

The original Kuranda Scenic Railway today stands as tribute to the courage, ingenuity and fortitude of the pioneers of this once formidable landscape.  In recognition of this feat, Kuranda Scenic Railway is Heritage Listed and is also National Engineering Landmark.

The scenic journey takes approx. 2 hours offering two classes of service.

Heritage class is seated in authentic timber carriages with audio visual commentary with complimentary trip guide in 10 different languages.

KSR Gold Class is a premium class of service seated in exclusive vintage green carriages including comfortable lounge style seating, dedicated hostess & a selection of beverages and appetisers.

For bookings call (07) 4036 9333 Information available at www.ksr.com.au

 

 


The Kuranda Scenic Railway is unique experience for visitors to the Cairns region

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is unique experience for visitors to the Cairns region

 

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is unique experience for visitors to the Cairns region

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is unique experience for visitors to the Cairns region





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