In the late 1970s a group of Kuranda locals felt there was a need for a venue set amongst a public recreation area. A place where they could play music, have a dance, put on theatre, have workshops and other fun community stuff. The call went out and the Kuranda Recreation Society was formed.

An enthusiastic crew of volunteers began to expend time and passion in maintaining what has become an enduring ideal. In tropical bush close to Kuranda village a site was cleared, terraces, gardens and paths made, and a low wooden stage covered by a canvas sail was erected. A Plant Festival opened the site in November 1980 and over the next few years the Kuranda Spring Festival brought music and theatre to the Amphitheatre.

As national and international acts started to include this unusual venue on their tours, local legends like original Murri reggae band Mantaka and country folk pioneers the Rainbow House Band were entertaining appreciative audiences. They and others set off a musical tradition that still resounds loudly, with many great Kuranda bands and musicians playing at the Amphitheatre today.

Theatre began to be performed and a diverse range of original plays were produced. Community spectaculars like Odyssey You'll Ever See and Taming of the Shrew filled the main stage, and companies like Shed and Junction packed the Top Shed with revues and drama. Often plays had original songs and music and would feature the talents of our home-grown musicians. This tradition of theatre continues.

As the Amphitheatre's reputation grew -so did the venue. A gatehouse, bar, cold-rooms and kitchens, toilet blocks, sheds and paths were built over the years -by the members themselves. In 1997 the final stage with steel frame roof was completed. This structure also incorporates the Understage -a club style venue where local musicians often play on Members nights(which are open to the public too!) As well as live music, the Understage is also a venue for theatre, movies, quiz-nights, fund-raisers, school dances, work-shops and seminars.

Not only is the Kuranda Amphitheatre one of Australia's most unique venues -it also serves as community venue where locals can go to enjoy themselves and be creative. Everyone who works here is a volunteer -and all profits made are used to run, maintain and build the venue for future generations. And over the years many of the volunteer workers have been the very same musicians, actors and artists performing on the stage. With this creative energy at work the Kuranda Amphitheatre will continue being a great experience for us all.