Your go-to guide for the best tours in Cairns by interest

Add these Cairns tours to your travel itinerary.

Don’t let all those laid-back tropical vibes distract you from your travel goal: to see as much of Tropical North Queensland as possible. Cairns tours and day trips are a wonderful way to explore more, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone else show you the way, sharing interesting information along the way.

From voyages out to the Great Barrier Reef and tasting adventures on the Tableland to a jet-ski excursion with crocs, here are the top tours to book in and around Cairns.

Day tours and trips near Cairns

Whether you want to meet the local wildlife, learn something new or raise your adrenaline on the rapids, let go of the reins and jump into one of these epic day tours.

Daintree River Cruise Centre: Ultimate Wildlife Experience Cruise

a boat cruising through the Daintree River — Join a wildlife cruise in the Daintree to see the unique tropical ecosystem. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: Nature fanatics

Take a journey on an acclaimed wildlife adventure cruise to fully immerse yourself in the Daintree Rainforest. Leisurely glide along the river as a local guide shares their expert knowledge about the unique tropical ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll see native wildlife such as Estuarine Crocodiles in their natural habitat. Complimentary morning or afternoon tea is included.

Just a three-minute drive away is Daintree Ecolodge if you wish to pick up a deluxe picnic hamper or stop in for a spa treatment or cocktail class.

Price: $40 (adults), $20 (children), or $110 (family)
Location: 2914 Mossman – Daintree Road, Daintree
Tour duration: 60-90 minutes

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre: Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk

an Indigenous guide on Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk — Immerse yourself in the Indigenous side of the Daintree Rainforest on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: Learning from the Traditional Owners

Discover the Indigenous side of the Daintree Rainforest and make your way to Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre to join a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk . ‘Ngadiku’ means ‘stories and legends from a long time ago’ in the local Kuku Yalanji language, and the Dreamtime Walk provides a compelling narrative about the rainforest, including a demonstration on how to use traditional medicinal plants as well as how to identify native food. Traditional tea and damper follow.

Afterwards, wander the national park at your own pace, navigating the different walking tracks and trails, including the popular Gorge Circuit.

Price: $100 (adults), $50 (children), or $250 (family)
Location: Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, 212r Mossman Gorge Road, Mossman Gorge
Tour duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

Pacific Watersports: Kayak Turtle Tour

a sea turtle swimming underwater — Spot hawksbill turtles while exploring. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: Marine life enthusiasts

On a Kayak Turtle Tour , embark on a steady 30-minute paddle from Palm Cove Beach across a glimmering stretch of the sea all the way to the reefs that fringe Double Island.

This is where the real exploration begins. Regular marine sightings include green sea turtles, eagle rays, shovel-nose sharks, blue-spotted lagoon rays, colourful fish and white belly sea eagles. Once you’re back on land, enjoy lunch at one of Palm Cove’s tasty restaurants.

Price: $119 (adults), $95 (children), or from $360 (family)
Location: 73a Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Tour duration: 3.5-4 hours

White Water Rafting Cairns: Tully River Rafting

White Water Rafting in Tully River, Cairns tours — Conquer the Tully River rapids with Raging Thunder Adventures. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: Thrill-seekers

One of the more creative ways to see some of Tropical North Queensland’s most stunning landscapes is on the world-renowned Tully River, conquering awesome grade 3 and 4 rapids.

Not only is a Tully River Rafting Tour guaranteed to thrill, but this full-day outing cascades at high speed through one of the most pristine pockets of rainforest on the planet. The day tour includes a hearty pub dinner at a traditional Queensland country pub. Short on time? There’s also a half-day rafting tour available on the Barron River.

Price: $265pp
Location: Transfer pick-up from Cairns or Mission Beach, or self-drive to Tully
Tour duration: From 10am – 10pm if departing from Cairns

Hot Air Balloon Cairns: Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride

a hot-air balloon ride over Cairns — Marvel at 360-degree views of Cairns on a Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: Couple romance

Only taking half a day, a Classic Cairns Hot Air Balloon Ride with Return Transfers lets you experience something phenomenal, yet you’ve got the rest of the afternoon to enjoy at leisure.

Offering 360-degree views of what looks like a little miniature world, a hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands will change your perspective on the highland plateau. See ancient crater lakes that appear like murky potholes, tiny broccoli trees and fertile farmland that looks like a rumpled fleece blanket balled up with little lint sheep. Receive a commemorative certificate and a glass of bubbles or juice with a breakfast snack on landing.

Price: $495pp
Location: A transfer coach will pick up guests from any Cairns accommodation
Tour duration: Including transfer time, the day runs from around 5.30am – 11 am

Cairns Aquarium tours

a couple looking at an aquarium with fish and corals at Cairns Aquarium — See vibrant marine life up close at Cairns Aquarium. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: Family fun

Short on time but want to see the incredible marine life of Tropical North Queensland? Head to Cairns Aquarium and view it up close without getting wet.

Choose between the Turtle Hospital Tour (meet rescued turtles and learn all about the threats they face), the Aquariam by Twilight Tour (see the marine life as day slips into sunset) or Night at the Aquarium (a glimpse into nocturnal behaviour). They’re a great way to learn more without going too far.

Price: From $78 per adult and $47 per child
Location: 5 Florence St, Cairns City
Tour duration: From 30 minutes

Back Country Bliss: River Drift Experience

a group of people in river sleds in Mossman Gorge rainforest on the River Drift Experience tour, Back Country Bliss — Float through Mossman Gorge rainforest on a river sled. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: A rainforest adventure

Just 20 minutes north of Port Douglas, escape into the Mossman Gorge rainforest on the River Drift Experience tour. Starting with a river walk, you’ll then be provided with a river sled so you can float and experience the varied pace of the river’s flow. From calm sections under green canopy to navigating faster currents, it feels exhilarating being this connected to the great outdoors.

Price: $145 (adults), $110 (children) and $465 (family)
Location: Departs twice a day from Port Douglas
Tour duration: 2 hours

Food tours from Cairns

Taste your way around the fresh produce and flavours of Cairns’ local food scene on these delectable food tours.

Cairns Brewery Tours: Cairns Walking Brewery Tour

beers at Hemingway's Brewery, Cairns tours — Hemingway’s Brewery pours first-class brews. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)

Perfect for: Beer lovers

If you want to stretch your legs and sip on award-winning craft beers and spirits along the way, join a guided Cairns Walking Brewery Tour to discover two unique microbreweries and a local gin distillery. Located in the heart of the city, all businesses are independently owned and locally operated, with each venue offering its own amazing flavours and personal stories.

Price: $115pp
Location: Starts from Hemingway’s Brewery, Wharf St, Cairns City
Tour duration: Available by request, Wednesday to Sunday, and takes approximately 3.5 hours

No Limit Adventures: Cairns Tablelands Tasting Tour

a group exploring the Atherton Tablelands with No Limit Adventures, Cairns tours — Tour the Atherton Tablelands with No Limit Adventures. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: A day of indulgence

Take your tastebuds on a tour of the Atherton Tablelands with No Limit Adventures to sample everything from native tropical fruits to organic tea and small-batch spirits produced in the vibrant, highland plateau.

Start the day at Crater Mountain Coffee (the highest-altitude coffee plantation in Australia), followed by lunch at a dairy farm and drinks at a brewery. Tours run on request, on a private basis only.

Price: From $260pp
Location: Transfer pick up from your Cairns accommodation
Tour duration: Departs Cairns at 8am and returns at 5pm

Daintree Food Trail

scooping chocolate ice cream, Daintree Ice Cream Company — Discover Daintree’s most beloved ice cream haunts. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: Independent wanderers

Got a few days up your sleeve for a self-guided tour? Embark on a delicious journey from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation, following winding roads through farmlands and small communities to taste the best of the Daintree.

From gelato and chocolate to barramundi and chorizo, the Daintree is home to an eclectic range of small farms, orchards, and growers often hidden from view. Celebrate fresh flavours and meet producers telling their stories.

Price: Purchase food items at your own cost
Location: Map starts in Port Douglas
Tour duration: A few hours, days, or weeks — it’s up to you! 

Jet ski tours near Cairns

Add a splash of excitement to your sightseeing of Cairns on a heart-racing jet ski tour.

NQ Water Sports: Guided Cairns Jet Ski Tour

boats cruising the Trinity Inlet, Cairns tours — Travel through Trinity Inlet on a guided jet ski tour of Cairns. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: A different view of Cairns

Suitable for every age, have the ride of your life while enjoying unique views of the Cairns Lagoon on a guided jet ski tour of Cairns . Travel through Trinity Inlet and see an original Sydney Harbour ferry, and pass multi-million dollar boats as you cruise up and around Admiralty Island. There’s also the opportunity to pick up speed and see what these machines can really do.

NQ Water Sports operates its guided Cairns jet ski tours daily at: 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and no experience is necessary.

Price: $100 for a solo tour or $160 for a tandem tour
Location: B Finger Marlin Marina, Cairns
Tour duration: 30 minutes

NQ Water Sports: Croc Spotting Jet Ski Tour

an aerial view of boats on Trinity Inlet, Cairns tours — Observe crocs on the mud flats of Trinity Inlet. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Perfect for: Adrenaline junkies

How fast can a crocodile swim? Not as fast as a jet ski, says NQ Water Sports owner Steve Singleton. After a safety briefing, participants on the Croc Spotting Tour hit the throttle of their jet ski and follow Steve’s lead toward Admiralty Island in Trinity Inlet, where, after hopping a few waves, they kill the engine and observe giant crocodiles sunbaking on the mud flats.

Price: $190 for a solo tour or $260 for a tandem tour
Location: B Finger Marlin Marina, Cairns
Tour duration: 1 hour

NQ Water Sports: Jet Ski Reef Snorkelling Tour

diving the Milln Reef, Cairns tours — Milln Reef is a popular dive and snorkel site on the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Nigel Marsh)

Perfect for: Anyone short on time

Combine the fun and adventure of a guided jet ski tour with exploring the Great Barrier Reef. After departing Cairns Marina, bypass the crowds and head straight to the Reef for a morning of discovery .

On arrival, open your glove box for a quick breakfast snack while bobbing on your jet ski right above the reef itself. Don your snorkel gear and dive right in to take in the colourful sights.

Price: $250 for a solo tour or $320 for a tandem tour
Location: B Finger Marlin Marina, Cairns
Tour duration: 2 hours

Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef tours

If you’d rather tour the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef on a boat than on a jet ski, there are plenty of tours to choose from. Here are a couple of our favourites that let you thoroughly sit back and enjoy.

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel: Dreamtime Cruise

snorkelling at Flynn Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel, Cairns tours — Explore stunning dive sites off the coast of Cairns. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: Exploring the Reef through an Indigenous lens

Join local Indigenous sea rangers on a Dreamtime Cruise day tour that cruises through the blindingly blue tropical waters to two reef sites off the coast of Cairns.

In addition to a guided diving and snorkelling tour, this experience is all about cultural immersion as the Gunggandji First Nations’ people share Great Barrier Reef creation stories, song and dance about their connection to country. The tour focuses on how traditional owners lived off the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A buffet lunch is included.

Price: $225 (adults), $145 (children), or $595 (family)
Location: Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns City
Tour duration: From 8.15am – 5pm

Passions of Paradise: Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Tour

a Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Tour with Passions of Paradise — Embark on a dreamy Great Barrier Reef tour with Passions of Paradise. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perfect for: Learning more about the Reef

Walk down to Marlin Marina to meet the friendly crew onboard Passions of Paradise ready to whisk you away on an award-winning full-day Great Barrier Reef Tour .

The 25-metre catamaran sails daily from Cairns to two unique reef locations where passengers can try diving for the first time, enjoy a fully guided snorkel tour to see turtles, colourful fish and coral, and listen to a presentation from their eco-accredited marine naturalist about the Reef. A chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch is included.

Price: $269 (adults) or $169 (children)
Location: Marlin Marina, 1 Spence Street, Cairns City
Tour duration: From 8am – 5pm.

For great accommodation ideas, check out our Cairns accommodation guide

Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

aerial view of bribie island — Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast — Refuel at Park & Cove.

Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary — Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland — Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.

Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland — Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove , where the pool has its very own beach.

two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool — Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

Day 8: To Port Douglas

No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple — Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

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