Rainforestation Nature Park is a wildlife and cultural attraction set within World Heritage tropical rainforest in, Kuranda, Far North Queensland. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the detail and secure entry, book your Rainforestation Nature Park tickets online.
Updated April 2026. The park’s current closing time is 4pm (last entry 3:30pm). Some third-party guides still show an earlier closing time of 3pm or 3:30pm, which is no longer accurate.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily, 9am – 4pm (last entry 3:30pm) |
| Big Nature Package – adult | A$71 |
| Big Nature Package – child (4–14) | A$43 |
| Infants (0–3) | Free |
| Address | 1030 Kennedy Hwy, Kuranda, Queensland 4881 |
| Nearest public transport | Shuttle bus from Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda; Trans North bus from Cairns (stops at the park) |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Typical visit duration | 2.5 to 3 hours for the Big Nature Package |
Rainforestation Nature Park opening hours
The park is open seven days a week, from 9am to 4pm, with last entry at 3:30pm. These hours apply year-round; there are no seasonal variations listed on the official website. The café is open from 9am to 3pm, with lunch served from 10am to 2pm. The on-site car park is locked overnight.
Five great things to do in Cairns
- 🐠 See marine wonders at two Outer Reef hotspots – on a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise.
- 🌿 On a day trip – explore Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
- 🚞 Combine the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – on a day trip to Kuranda.
- 🚣 On a full day rafting adventure – tackle the white water of the Tully River.
- 🌄 See giant trees, rainforest waterfalls and crater lakes – on an Atherton Tablelands day tour.
Rainforestation Nature Park ticket prices
Visitors can book individual experiences or combine all three in the Big Nature Package:
| Ticket | Adult | Child (4–14) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Nature Package (Army Duck + Pamagirri Experience + Koala & Wildlife Park) | A$71 | A$43 |
| Army Duck Rainforest Tour only | A$34 | A$21 |
| Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience only | A$34 | A$21 |
| Koala & Wildlife Park only | A$23 | A$14 |
| Infants (0–3) | Free | – |
Seniors with an Australian Seniors Card receive a 20% discount on park entry. Companion Card holders receive one free entry plus one entry at the local or standard rate.
Prices are reviewed annually and are valid to 31 March each calendar year; new-season prices apply from 1 April. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
Multi-park pass: Rainforestation is included in the CaPTA Group Annual Pass, which also covers the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (Kuranda), Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and Cairns Koalas & Creatures. The annual pass gives unlimited entry to all four parks for 12 months.
How to get to Rainforestation Nature Park
By car: Rainforestation is approximately 35 minutes north-west of Cairns city centre. From Cairns, head north on Sheridan Street, which becomes the Captain Cook Highway. At the Smithfield roundabout, turn left onto the Kennedy Highway and follow it up the Kuranda Range for approximately 5km past the Henry Ross Lookout. The park entrance is signed on the right.
By public bus: Trans North operates a regular bus service from Cairns to Kuranda that stops directly at Rainforestation Nature Park. Check the Trans North website for current timetables.
By shuttle from Kuranda: A paid shuttle bus connects the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda Village to Rainforestation and back. Departures from the Butterfly Sanctuary run from 10:45am to 2:15pm. Return departures from Rainforestation run from 11am to 3pm (the 3pm service also drops off at Kuranda Rail and Skyrail stations).
Parking at Rainforestation Nature Park
Free on-site parking is available. Visitors with accessibility requirements should drive to the upper car park, which has accessible parking spaces and a ramp entrance. Do not use the main front-of-house entrance with a wheelchair or pram, as there is no ramp at that point. The car park is locked overnight.
Shuttle bus fares
| Ticket | Adult | Child (4–14) | Family (2A + 2C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return | A$16 | A$10 | A$42 |
| One way | A$10 | A$6 | A$26 |
Note your preferred shuttle times in the booking comments when reserving your park entry. Shuttle times are subject to change and will be confirmed with your booking.
How long to spend at Rainforestation Nature Park
Allow a minimum of 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the Big Nature Package (Army Duck tour, Pamagirri Dance Show, Dreamtime Walk, and Wildlife Park). Add at least 30 minutes if you book the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. The park operates to a show timetable, so some activities run at set times rather than continuously.
Accessibility at Rainforestation Nature Park
Rainforestation is fully accessible. The upper car park has dedicated accessible bays and ramp access to the entire site, including all areas of the Pamagirri Experience and Wildlife Park. Army Duck vehicles can be boarded at the Army Duck Platform by sliding from a wheelchair onto the rear seat, which is at the same height. In the event of a breakdown on tour, wheelchair users would need to remain on the vehicle until it is repaired rather than transferring to another duck. Shuttle buses between Rainforestation and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary have low-floor entry, a ramp, and a dedicated space for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Inside Rainforestation Nature Park: what to see
Army Duck Rainforest Tour: Visitors board a restored World War II amphibious DUKW vehicle for a 45-minute guided tour on both land and water through the rainforest. The driver identifies plants and wildlife along the route. The tour operates to a fixed timetable; check the daily show schedule on arrival or in advance at rainforest.com.au/tours-presentations.
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience: This has two components. The Dance Show is a half-hour performance in an open-air rainforest amphitheatre, featuring traditional Pamagirri dances. The Dreamtime Walk is an interactive 30-minute session covering boomerang throwing, spear throwing, and didgeridoo playing. Both are included in the Big Nature Package. An additional Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout is available separately and takes visitors into the rainforest for a more in-depth cultural experience.
Koala & Wildlife Park: A walk-through wildlife park where visitors can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies. The park also houses saltwater crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, cassowaries, wombats, dingoes, snakes, and lizards. Wildlife presentations take place throughout the day. Paid koala photo sessions are available as an add-on.
Tropical Fruit Orchard: Located near the Army Duck staging area, the orchard contains more than 40 species of tropical fruit trees. Entry is included with the Army Duck tour.
Café and dining: The Treehouse Café and Outback Restaurant are open on site. Visitors may not bring their own food. Lunch is served from 10am to 2pm.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive by 10:30am | This allows time to check the show timetable and join the first available Army Duck tour and Pamagirri sessions, which can fill up as the day progresses. |
| Check the show timetable on arrival | The Army Duck tour and Pamagirri performances operate at set times. Pick up a schedule at reception or view it at rainforest.com.au/tours-presentations before you visit. |
| The park is all-weather | Army Ducks have tarpaulin covers for wet weather, and most other areas are undercover. The Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout is the only activity held entirely outdoors. |
| Wear sturdy shoes if doing the Walkabout | Most park areas are paved and no special footwear is needed, but sturdy shoes are recommended for the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout terrain. |
| Book in advance | Online booking guarantees your place and allows you to note your preferred shuttle bus times. Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about Rainforestation Nature Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Rainforestation Nature Park suitable for children? | Yes. The park is designed for all ages. Children aged 3 and under enter free. Child pricing applies to ages 4 to 14. Most activities are interactive and accessible for children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Rainforestation Nature Park? | Advance booking is recommended, particularly for busy periods, to secure a place and confirm shuttle bus seats. Tickets can also be purchased on arrival, subject to availability. |
| Is Rainforestation Nature Park open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is open seven days a week, including Sundays, from 9am to 4pm. |
| Can you visit Rainforestation Nature Park in the rain? | Yes. The Army Duck tours operate in rain with tarpaulin covers fitted. The Dance Show, Dreamtime Walk, and Wildlife Park are all undercover. Only the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout is outdoors. |
| Is there parking at Rainforestation Nature Park? | Yes. Free on-site parking is available. Accessible parking is in the upper car park, reached via a dedicated ramp entrance. |
Things to do near Rainforestation Nature Park
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda – The largest butterfly enclosure in Australia, located in Kuranda Village, about 5km from the park. A shuttle bus connects the two attractions.
Kuranda Scenic Railway – A heritage train service that runs between Cairns and Kuranda, passing through Barron Gorge National Park. The Kuranda station is approximately 5km from Rainforestation.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – A gondola cableway running 7.5km from Smithfield (near Cairns) to Kuranda, with stops above the rainforest canopy. The Kuranda terminal is a short drive or shuttle ride from the park.
Barron Falls Lookout – A free viewpoint within Barron Gorge National Park, accessible from Kuranda. Best visited after rain when the falls are running at full volume.
Kuranda Village markets – The original Kuranda Markets and Heritage Markets operate in Kuranda Village on most days of the week. The village is approximately 5km from Rainforestation.
What to visit tomorrow: similar nature attractions within two hours of Kuranda
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – A wildlife sanctuary approximately one hour north of Kuranda on the Captain Cook Highway, set within tropical gardens. Also included in the CaPTA Group Annual Pass.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Wangetti – A crocodile and wildlife park around 45 minutes south of Kuranda on the Captain Cook Highway, with crocodile shows, boat cruises, and native animal encounters.
Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre, Cow Bay – An interpretive centre within the Daintree National Park, approximately 90 minutes north of Kuranda, with a canopy tower and boardwalk trails through ancient lowland rainforest.
Mossman Gorge Centre – A guided Aboriginal cultural experience and swimming area in Daintree National Park, around 75 minutes north of Kuranda. The Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walk departs from the gorge centre.
Cairns Botanic Gardens, Edge Hill – Free public botanical gardens approximately 40 minutes south-east of Kuranda, featuring rainforest walks and the Flecker Garden of tropical plants. The adjoining Rainforest Boardwalk connects to Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.
More Far North Queensland travel
- A guide to Cairns for first-time visitors – including the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium and Cairns Night Markets.
- Kuranda attraction guides: Birdworld Kuranda, Kuranda Koala Gardens, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
- Exploring the Great Barrier Reef: Best islands and tours.
- What to expect at Millaa Millaa Falls in the Atherton Tablelands.
- Admire the magnificent Curtain Tree Fig in Yungaburra.
