Kuranda’s unique history will be shared with the world in an upcoming documentary produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The village will feature on the BBC’s documentary series ‘Great Continental Railway Journeys’ which is scheduled to air next year and will be will be one of the first locations in Australia to feature in the six-part documentary.
The programme sees presenter Michael Portillo follow a travel guidebook from 1913 to explore various countries and continents by rail.
After many conversations with the BBC, Tourism Kuranda Executive Officer, Kahlia Pepper convinced the producers that Kuranda had to be part of the informative documentary due to its vibrant and unique history. “We are so excited to put Kuranda on the international stage and showcase our rich heritage and tourist village,” Ms Pepper said.
“Putting pieces of the past together showing how Kuranda came to be and where we are today, I think is really important. There is so much more to Kuranda than meets the eye.”
Ms Pepper said Kuranda fitted the programme’s brief and the producers were intrigued. “When researching places to visit as a part of the program, the producer said that Kuranda was a “must see destination” in the 1920’s,” Ms Pepper explained.
“Kuranda was a romantic tourist destination popular with honeymoon couples eager to experience the beauty of the Australian tropical rainforest during that time. Kuranda has some fascinating and significant history including the construction of the railway, European settlement, traditional owners the Djabugay people, 1920’s Paradise Walk, coffee plantations, the “Butterfly Man of Kuranda” and we even had a golf course.”
The BBC will film part of the documentary on the Kuranda Scenic Railway heritage train. While in Kuranda, the crew will be following the rich history of the 1920s. They will then jump on the Skyrail and head back down to Cairns, narrating a story about conservation and preserving the rainforest on the way.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore said it was a real coup to draw the BBC to the area. “It’s wonderful news for Kuranda and the Shire. The travel documentary will no doubt encourage people from across the globe to come and visit Kuranda, boosting the tourism industry,” Cr Gilmore said.
“We look forward to welcoming journalist Michael Portillo and the BBC crew to our unique and special part of the world later this month,” he concluded.