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Kuranda Range Road, Kuranda Range, Queensland
Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Queensland, Australia Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands and the Daintree

Kuranda Range Road

Kennedy Highway, Kuranda Range Road · Smithfield → Mareeba

Sweeping22 mi40 min3,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,600 ftOne way
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The drive

The Kennedy Highway starts its climb at Smithfield, north of Cairns, and rises 11.5 km up the Kuranda Range to Kuranda. This drive covers 36 km (22 mi) from Smithfield, past Kuranda, to the Mareeba end of the highway on the Tableland. The range section has one lane each way with overtaking lanes in places, and Henry Ross Lookout sits near the highest point at about 430 m.

Construction began in 1940, as an alternative to the Gillies Highway. Past Kuranda the road leaves the tight range bends for rolling Tableland country.

The range is prone to slips in heavy rain. Repairs after cyclones are done in stages, sometimes with night closures and short delays.

Along the way

  1. Smithfield
  2. Kuranda
  3. Mareeba (Kennedy Highway)
Elevation
3,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,600 ft
SmithfieldMareeba
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
SmithfieldMareeba
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Night closures for slope repairs can happen, so check TMR or QLDTraffic before you go.
  • The range section has one lane each way with overtaking lanes in places, and delays at roadworks are usually short.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TMR: Kuranda Range Road cyclone reconstruction works.

Questions about this drive

How long does Kuranda Range Road take to drive?

Smithfield to the Mareeba end of the Kennedy Highway is 36 km (22 mi) and takes about 40 minutes.

Does Kuranda Range Road close at night?

It can for repair works. Night closures have been used for slope repairs, so check TMR or QLDTraffic for the current schedule.

How long is the Kuranda Range section?

The range climb from Smithfield to Kuranda is 11.5 km, with one lane each way and overtaking lanes in places.

Is Kuranda Range Road repaired after storms?

Yes. Slope repairs after cyclones are done in stages, sometimes with night closures. Check TMR or QLDTraffic before you go.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Kuranda Range Road, from Smithfield to Mareeba