An historic journey along the Cairns-Kuranda Railway

MARCH 1882
Search for a suitable route announced by the Minister for Works and Mines

MARCH 1884
Barron Valley route chosen

SEPTEMBER 1885     
Cabinet approved working plans

MAY 1886
Premier of Queensland begins construction

NOVEMBER 1886
P. C. Smith relinquished contract for Section One

JANUARY 1887
McBride and Co. relinquished contract for Section One

JANUARY 1887
John Robb’s tender for Section Two approved

APRIL 1888
Victorian Labour League formed

1888-89
The first large scale reclamation of swamps at Cairns

APRIL 1890
Inspection by the governor of Queensland

AUGUST 1890
The United Sons of Toil formed

APRIL 1891
The first ballast train reached Kuranda

MAY 1891
Rail was laid to the end of Section Two

JUNE 1891
The Cairns-Kuranda Railway line was opened

1915
Opening of Kuranda Station as it stands today