The iconic Kuranda Scenic Railway will reopen this morning, after adverse weather conditions caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasi forced a six-day closure of the tourist line.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said Queensland Rail made the decision to cancel Kuranda Scenic Railway services from Wednesday 2nd February in response to cyclone warnings.
“Queensland Rail experts were monitoring the cyclone warnings, and it became increasingly apparent that trains in this region could not continue to operate safely past Tuesday,” Ms Nolan said.
“The precautions and arrangements that Queensland Rail took at that time have now enabled them to reopen the historic Kuranda route within less than a week.
Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the reopening is good news for tourism and local businesses.
“Local tourism operators have told us these resumed services will help the local business community, as it provides a fantastic experience to tourists, and to local residents,” he said.
“Hopefully this will help bring in some much needed tourist spending at a time when the local economy needs it the most.”
This famous railway winds its way on a journey of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Cairns to Kuranda, the village in the World Heritage protected tropical rainforest.
Rising from sea level to 328m, the journey to Kuranda passes through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, past beautiful and spectacular waterfalls and into the awesome Barron Gorge.
“The Kuranda Scenic Railway journey is an unforgettable tourist experience not to be missed,” Mr Wettenhall said.
