Business
29 July, 2025
Sky-high $85m investment
ON the eve of its 30th anniversary, Cairns’ iconic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has announced an $85 million upgrade that will secure its status as Tropical North Queensland’s number one commercial tourist attraction for another three decades.
Owned and operated by the Chapman family, the pioneering, multi award-winning Cairns attraction will undergo one of the most significant private sector tourism infrastructure investments in Northern Australia’s history to modernise the experience and maintain its deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
Skyrail chairman Dr Ken Chapman today (July 29) announced a smartly staged redevelopment of the 7.5km gondola cableway through the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest to maximise the number of operating weeks and maintain Skyrail’s workforce of 160 people with cableway work starting in July 2026.
“Skyrail’s reputation as one of the world’s longest, most complex and impressive gondola cableways will be assured for another three decades when the $85m privately- funded redevelopment is completed in late 2027,” he said.
“Whisper-quiet componentry and floor-to-ceiling transparent walk-in gondolas will provide uninterrupted panoramic views and enjoyment of the world’s oldest rainforest.
“In addition, the tops of towers will be replaced along with all the cableway’s haul ropes whilst much of the budget will be spent on upgrading machinery to deliver the safest, highest-tech componentry available.
“Our sixth generation Far North Queensland family is very proud of the economic, social and environmental contribution Skyrail has made to the Cairns regional economy and with more than 100,000 operational hours over three decades of operations, it is time to make a significant reinvestment in our local business.
“Over the next 30 years, Skyrail will inject $1.5 billion into the Cairns regional economy, supporting 43,283 jobs and the retention of more than 470,000 visitor nights to Cairns, in addition to $92.5m in revenue for the Queensland Government and $556.3m for the Australian Government.
“The construction phase alone will add some $8m to the Cairns economy and around $15.8m to the broader Australian economy creating an additional 97 jobs.
“During two stages of construction over three to four months in 2026 and 2027, Skyrail will operate one section of the cableway at a time with buses available to take visitors on the remainder of the journey between Smithfield and Kuranda.
“There will be a complete closure for four weeks just after school holidays in July 2026 to allow helicopters to complete some tasks.
“True to Skyrail’s sustainability ethos, the upgrade has been meticulously planned to preserve the integrity of the ancient rainforest that the cableway showcases, mirroring the complexity of the original build more than three decades ago.
“All works will be focused on replacing and enhancing infrastructure above ground level, leaving existing footings and building pads untouched.”
Europe-based global cableway leader Doppelmayr Group, which has strong experience working in national parks and other sensitive environments, has been appointed to spearhead the project.
“To say we are thrilled to be working on this cableway is an understatement,” said Doppelmayr Australia general manager Shaun Turner.
“Our company has built almost 16,000 lifts worldwide, but becoming part of the Skyrail story in the Wet Tropics here in Tropical North Queensland stands out as a huge challenge and career defining highlight for me and my team,” he said.
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison, who was in Cairns to make the announcement, said Skyrail was much-loved by visitors from Australia and abroad and this commitment will ensure it remained for generations to come.
“Skyrail plays such an important role in connecting and educating visitors about the world’s oldest rainforest and we are thrilled this investment will allow the team here to continue their great work for another 30 years,” she said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said Skyrail Rainforest Cableway was Tropical North Queensland’s number one commercial tourist attraction and one of the most visited commercial attractions in Australia.
“Skyrail’s importance to our destination’s $1 billion international economy cannot be overstated, with more than half of Tropical North Queensland’s international holiday visitors experiencing Skyrail, adding half a day to the average length of stay,” he said.
“The efforts made by Skyrail in consumer and trade marketing activity underpins not only its success, but the success of the destination with images of Skyrail helping to put Tropical North Queensland on the map globally.
“Skyrail is also a critical part of the region’s reputation as Australia’s leading eco-tourism destination, educating millions of visitors about one of the world’s most biologically diverse environments.”
