What's special?
Rugged mountain scenery, steep ravines, tumbling waterfalls, rich wildlife and tropical rainforest make Barron Gorge one of Queensland’s most popular and picturesque parks. The park has the most accessible rainforest close to Cairns. Open woodland, grassland and heath also grow in the park.Barron Gorge is the traditional home of the Djabaguy people who have many special connections to this place. The Douglas and Smiths tracks, traditional pathways for the Djabaguy for thousands of years, became the first pack routes linking the hinterland goldfields to the coast in 1876.
The 34km Kuranda Scenic Railway is considered a remarkable engineering feat. Built between 1882 and 1891, the railway has 15 hand-made tunnels and around 40 bridges. The park became part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area in 1988.
The once-powerful Barron Falls have been harnessed to supply hydro-electric power and only flow after heavy rain.
Exploring Barron Gorge
Experience tropical rainforest in a variety of unusual ways, from bushwalking to the cableway or scenic railway.Take the Skyrail cableway for a bird’s-eye view of the forest. Stop and enjoy displays in the rainforest interpretation centre or go for a guided walk. Follow the traditional pathways of the Djabaguy people or the routes taken by the early pioneers.
Have a picnic on the shores of Lake Placid. Canoe around the lake or join a white-water rafting tour along the Barron River.
Enjoy the view over the gorge and falls from Wright’s Lookout or the elevated boardwalk through the forest at Barron Falls lookouts.
Go birdwatching or wildlife watching. Join a free tour of Australia’s first hydro-electric power station.
Camp at Speewah. Group and individual campsites, toilets, gas barbecues, cold showers and picnic platforms are provided. Take drinking water. The Djina-Wu track links the camping area to the historic Douglas and Smiths tracks.