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Hidden among the lush rainforest of Far North Queensland, Kuranda has long attracted artists, makers and creative minds. Known as the Village in the Rainforest, this mountain community just outside Cairns is home to an eclectic collection of galleries, working studios, public artworks and handcrafted treasures.
Kuranda’s creative roots run deep. Artists and craftspeople have been drawn to the village for decades, inspired by the surrounding Wet Tropics rainforest, native wildlife and colourful character of the community. Today, visitors can wander from established galleries to intimate artist studios, meet local creatives and even follow an outdoor art trail through the village.
Whether you’re looking for an original piece of Australian art, a unique souvenir or simply another way to experience Kuranda, here are some of the village’s must-visit creative stops.
Step inside the colourful world of Didi La Baÿsse, a French-Australian artist who has called Kuranda home for more than 30 years.
From her working studio and gallery on Coondoo Street, Didi creates one-of-a-kind original paintings characterised by bold colour, texture and expressive storytelling. Her work explores themes including femininity, animals, belonging and the landscapes of Tropical North Queensland, from the rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef.
Unlike a conventional gallery experience, visitors have the opportunity to step into the space where the artworks are created and potentially meet the artist herself.
Find it: 20 Coondoo Street, Kuranda
Discover more: didi.au
Located on Therwine Street, Terra Nova Gallery brings together an extensive collection of paintings, prints and artworks from Australian and international artists.
The gallery showcases a broad variety of styles, making it a great stop for visitors interested in discovering different artistic interpretations of Australia, its wildlife, landscapes and culture. The collection includes original paintings alongside prints and other works from a diverse range of artists.
Its central location also makes Terra Nova an easy addition to a day exploring the Kuranda markets and village.
Find it: 15 Therwine Street, Kuranda
Discover more: terranovagallery.com.au
Art doesn’t stop at the gallery doors in Kuranda.
The Cassowary Art Trail brings creativity into the streets, with colourful cassowary sculptures creating a unique outdoor art experience around the village. Each piece provides a different artistic interpretation of one of Tropical North Queensland’s most iconic rainforest residents.
The trail combines public art, community creativity and conservation storytelling, making it an easy activity to incorporate into a self-guided walk through Kuranda. Look out for the distinctive cassowaries as you explore the village and discover how different artists have transformed the familiar silhouette of this extraordinary bird.
Explore the trail: Cassowary Art Trail
For an artistic experience created by nature itself, visit Emu Ridge Gallery.
Located near the Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets, Emu Ridge specialises in gemstones, minerals, fossils and jewellery. Visitors can browse precious and semi-precious stones including opals, quartz and amber, alongside handcrafted jewellery and individual collector pieces.
The gallery is also home to a Gemstone and Fossil Museum, including an impressive nine-metre-long Allosaurus skeleton. It makes Emu Ridge an especially interesting stop for families, collectors and anyone fascinated by the colours, textures and formations found in the natural world.
Find it: 7–11 Therwine Street, Kuranda
Discover more: Emu Ridge Gallery
For one of the best introductions to local Kuranda artists, make time for the Kuranda Arts Co-operative.
The not-for-profit cooperative began in the 1990s when a group of local artists and craftspeople joined forces to support one another and showcase their work. Today, its gallery features an ever-changing collection of locally created pieces across a wide range of mediums.
It is a wonderful place to discover artwork that has a genuine connection to Kuranda and the surrounding region while directly supporting the people who create it.
Find it: Corner of Coondoo and Thongon Streets, Kuranda
Discover more: kurandaartscoop.com
Tucked inside the Original Kuranda Rainforest Market, Akasha Mead Art Gallery & Studio is another opportunity to see art being created in the heart of the village.
Australian artist Akasha Mead creates colourful, expressive paintings inspired in part by her encounters with wildlife. Her gallery showcases original artworks and prints while doubling as her working studio, giving visitors a glimpse behind the scenes of the creative process.
The setting is particularly fitting. Kuranda’s Original Rainforest Market dates back to 1978 and grew from the village’s early community of artists and alternative makers, a creative legacy that remains part of its character today.
Find it: Shop 49, 13 Therwine Street, Original Kuranda Rainforest Market
Discover more: akashamead.com
Part of the appeal of exploring art in Kuranda is that it feels intrinsically connected to the destination.
Here, galleries sit beneath rainforest canopies, studios double as working creative spaces and artworks take inspiration from everything from cassowaries and tropical landscapes to human connection and the natural environment.
You don’t need to be an art collector to enjoy it. Spend a few hours wandering Coondoo Street and Therwine Street, explore the Original Rainforest Markets, follow the Cassowary Art Trail and step inside the galleries that catch your eye.
You may arrive in Kuranda for the rainforest, markets or famous journey aboard Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, but its creative community offers another reason to slow down and stay a little longer.
Most of these galleries and studios are within or close to central Kuranda, making them easy to explore on foot as part of a day in the village. Opening days and hours can vary, particularly for working studios, so check with individual operators before visiting.
From local artists and Australian-made artwork to gemstones, public sculptures and working studios, discovering the art of Kuranda is one of the most colourful ways to experience this unique rainforest village.
© Kuranda 2026
