The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cairns Tours

Explore the very best of Tropical North Queensland with these unforgettable Cairns tours.

Seen the Cairns Esplanade, sampled the city’s dining scene and dipped your toes in the lagoon? It’s time to venture further. From the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforest to Indigenous experiences and scenic flights, these are the best tours to book in and around Cairns.

In short

If you only book one tour from Cairns, make it a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise. There’s simply no better way to experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Great Barrier Reef tours

There are countless ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef, but these tours are among the very best, whether you want to snorkel, dive, cruise or see it from above.

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel: Dreamtime Cruise

Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Great Barrier Reef — Explore stunning dive sites off the coast of Cairns. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Exploring the Reef through an Indigenous lens

Deepen your appreciation of the Great Barrier Reef by experiencing it through the eyes of its Traditional Owners. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel combines spectacular reef snorkelling with powerful Indigenous storytelling, as Gunggandji sea rangers share creation stories, song and dance that reveal their enduring connection to Sea Country.

Between reef sites, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Nations people have cared for and lived alongside the reef for thousands of years. A buffet lunch is included, making it one of the most rewarding ways to combine reef exploration with First Nations culture.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $225 for adults, $160 for children and $670 for families

Passions of Paradise: Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Tour

Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef tour — Embark on a dreamy Great Barrier Reef tour with Passions of Paradise. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Learning more about the Reef

Walk down to Marlin Marina to meet the friendly crew onboard Passions of Paradise, for an award-winning full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef.

The 25-metre catamaran sails daily from Cairns to two unique reef locations where you can try an introductory dive, 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.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $275 for adults or $175 for children

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

Big Cat Green Island Cruises fish viewing — See vibrant marine life. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Families and first-time reef visitors

If you’re looking for an easy introduction to the Great Barrier Reef, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises ticks all the boxes. Departing daily from Cairns, the full-day tour combines a fast ferry ride with plenty of free time to snorkel, swim, explore rainforest boardwalks or simply relax on the island’s white-sand beaches. It’s an easy, family-friendly way to experience both a tropical island and the Great Barrier Reef in a single day.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $122 for adults, $61 for children and $305 for families
Good to know: On the full day tour, choose between the free Glass Bottom Boat or snorkel hire.

Fitzroy Island Adventures

Fitzroy Island Resort from above — Fitzroy Island Adventures offers full-day ferry transfers. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Island adventures

Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island feels a world away. Fitzroy Island Adventures offers full-day ferry transfers, giving you plenty of time to snorkel straight from the beach, hike to the island’s lookouts, relax on award-winning Nudey Beach or explore the fringing reef. Optional extras, including snorkel hire and glass-bottom boat tours, make it easy to tailor the day to your travel style.

Duration: Full day or half day available
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $108 for adults, $62 for children and $278 for families
Good to know: Pack reef shoes if you plan to snorkel straight from the beach.

Nautilus Aviation: Reef Scenic Flight

Best for: Seeing the reef from above

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from above is an experience unlike any other. Nautilus Aviation’s 30-minute scenic helicopter flight reveals the reef’s incredible scale as you soar over Green Island, Arlington Reef and the dazzling white sands of Upolu Cay.

From above, the swirling coral formations and vibrant shades of blue are impossible to fully appreciate from a boat or beneath the surface, making this one of the most spectacular ways to experience the World Heritage-listed reef.

Duration: 30 minutes
Departs from: Pier Heliport, 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City
Price: $487pp including $32pp fuel surcharge
Good to know: Morning departures usually offer the calmest conditions and clearest visibility for photography.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Nature and culture tours

Meet local wildlife, connect with Traditional Owners and discover Tropical North Queensland’s incredible natural environments on these unforgettable tours.

Cruise the Daintree River in search of crocodiles

the Daintree River Cruise Centre tour — Glide along the Daintree River and spot native wildlife. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Wildlife encounters

One of the best ways to spot wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest is from the water. Head to the Daintree River Cruise Centre and 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, where you can pick up a deluxe picnic hamper or stop in for a spa treatment or cocktail class.

Duration: 60-90 minutes
Departs from: Daintree River Cruise Centre, 2914 Mossman – Daintree Road, Daintree
Price: From $40 for adults or $20 for children
Good to know: Morning cruises generally offer the best chance of spotting crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre: Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre Dreamtime Walk — Immerse yourself in the Daintree Rainforest on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Indigenous culture

Discover the Indigenous side of the Daintree Rainforest and make your way to the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre to join a Guided 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.

After the tour, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of Mossman Gorge or tackle one of the rainforest walking trails at your own pace.

Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
Departs from: Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, 212 Mossman Gorge Road, Mossman Gorge
Price: From $105 for adults, $53 for children or $262.50 for families
Good to know: Wear enclosed shoes and swimmers if you’d like to take part in the traditional river ceremony.

Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

Best for: Cultural experiences

Discover a side of Cairns that many visitors never see with an immersive journey into Mandingalbay Yidinji Country. Beginning with a short boat ride across Trinity Inlet, this guided cultural tour explores ancient wetlands and rainforest while Traditional Owners share stories of Country, bush foods, traditional practices and the deep cultural significance of the landscape. It’s a fascinating opportunity to experience Indigenous culture just minutes from the city.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $169 for adults, $89 for children and $427 for families
Good to know: The tour includes short guided walks over uneven ground, so comfortable enclosed shoes are recommended.

Kayak with turtles off Palm Cove

Best for: Marine life enthusiasts

One of the most memorable ways to experience Palm Cove’s coastline is from the water. Pacific Watersports’ Kayak Turtle Tour takes you 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.

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

Duration: Half day
Departs from: Pacific Watersports Trailer, opposite Pete’s Place on Williams Esplanade
Price: $119 for adults and $95 for children

Adventure tours

Looking for a little more adrenaline? From white-water rafting and waterfall adventures to hot-air balloons and jet skis, these tours will get your heart racing.

White Water Rafting Cairns: Tully River Rafting

white water rafting down the Tully River — Conquer the Tully River rapids. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Thrill-seekers

One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Tropical North Queensland 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.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Transfer pick-up from Cairns or Mission Beach, or self-drive to Tully
Price: $280 per person
Good to know: No previous rafting experience is required.

Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon

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

Best for: Sunrise views

Floating above the Atherton Tablelands at sunrise is one of Tropical North Queensland’s most unforgettable experiences. As the balloon drifts over ancient crater lakes, rainforest and patchwork farmland, you’ll enjoy spectacular 360-degree views before celebrating with a light breakfast and a glass of bubbles on landing.

Duration: Half day
Departs from: A transfer coach will pick up guests from any Cairns accommodation
Price: $420 per person
Good to know: Flights are weather dependent and can be rescheduled if conditions aren’t suitable.

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Back Country Bliss: River Drift Experience

Best 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 sledge so you can float and experience the varied pace of the river’s flow. From calm sections under a green canopy to navigating faster currents, it’s a refreshing way to experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective.

Duration: 2 hours
Departs from: Transfers available from Port Douglas and Mossman
Price: $155 for adults, $115 for children and $495 for families
Good to know: The minimum age is 4

Barefoot Tours by Cairns Waterfalls

Best for: Waterfall chasing

Skip the planning and let the locals show you the Atherton Tablelands’ most spectacular swimming spots. Barefoot Tours takes you beyond the city to a handpicked collection of waterfalls, crater lakes and rainforest swimming holes, with plenty of time to cool off between stops.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the region, visit lesser-known locations and enjoy a relaxed day exploring one of Tropical North Queensland’s most beautiful landscapes. Expect plenty of swimming, short walks and a few hidden spots you probably wouldn’t find on your own.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Accommodation pick-up from Cairns
Price: From $169 for adults and $144 for children

Good to know: Bring swimmers, a towel and comfortable walking shoes, as there are plenty of opportunities to swim throughout the day.

Terra Marine Adventure Co: Croc Spotting Jet Ski Tour

Best for: Adrenaline junkies

Swap sightseeing for speed on this one-hour jet ski adventure through the mangrove-lined waterways of Trinity Inlet. After a safety briefing, you’ll head out across the water in search of saltwater crocodiles basking on the mudflats, with plenty of opportunities to spot birds and other local wildlife along the way. No licence or previous experience is needed, making this an easy way to combine adrenaline with an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Duration: 1 hour
Departs from: B Finger, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: $232 for a solo tour
Good to know: Drivers must be at least 16, while passengers must be at least 8

Food and drink tours

One of the best ways to get to know Tropical North Queensland is through its food. These tours introduce you to the region’s tropical produce, local breweries and hidden foodie gems.

Cairns Brewery Tours: Cairns Walking Brewery Tour

Hemingway's Brewery, Cairns — Hemingway’s Brewery pours first-class brews. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

Best for: Beer lovers

Sip your way around Cairns’ growing craft beer scene on 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.

Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Departs from: Hemingway’s Brewery, Wharf Street, Cairns City
Price: $115 per person

Daintree Food Trail

Daintree chocolate ice cream — Discover Daintree’s most beloved ice cream haunts. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Independent wanderers

Prefer to explore at your own pace? 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.

Duration: It’s self-guided, so a few hours, days, or weeks – it’s up to you!
Departs from: Starts in Port Douglas
Price: Purchase food items at your own cost

Cruise Whitsundays’ famous Reefworld has undergone a complete transformation – here’s why it has become one of Australia’s most extraordinary places to spend the night.

Imagine sleeping under the stars or beneath the sea, snorkelling vibrant coral gardens, and enjoying a dining experience that wouldn’t feel out of place at a top restaurant – all from a pontoon moored on the Great Barrier Reef. In a country that excels at extraordinary, immersive travel experiences, the reimagined Reefworld in Queensland’s Whitsundays has joined the upper echelons.

Cruise Whitsundays has unveiled an extensive transformation of Reefworld, its pontoon permanently moored at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

First opened in 2019, Reefworld is home to the famous underwater Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel – and was originally designed as a dual-purpose pontoon for both day visitors and overnight guests.

Now, it has been transformed into an overnight-only experience, giving guests exclusive access to the pontoon and the reef, with more space, greater comfort and a more immersive way to experience this unique environment.

The transformation forms part of Journey Beyond’s $40 million investment in responsible reef tourism in the region.

Read on for eight reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now.

1. A scenic cruise through the Whitsundays

cruise whitsundays boat on Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour — Start with a cruise of the gorgeous Whitsundays.

Your journey to Reefworld begins with a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays: dark-green islands daubed on an endless expanse of blue. Welcome to Ngaro Sea Country.

Departing Port of Airlie, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, a high-speed catamaran with priority boarding for Reefworld guests will whisk you across the Coral Sea to the outer reef.

From next year, a new 35-metre catamaran will join the Cruise Whitsundays fleet, featuring an exclusive-use lounge area reserved for Reefworld guests. Snacks and refreshments are available onboard.

Depending on the time of year, migrating humpback whales may pass you on your journey.

2. A sense of arrival

aerial view of new cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon — Watch as your home on the reef rolls into view.

Around two hours after leaving Hamilton Island, the Reefworld pontoon shimmers into view on the horizon.

As you sail closer towards Hardy Reef – where the pontoon is permanently moored – your home for the next 27 hours comes into focus, including the plush new beds where Reefsleep guests will spend the night. Anticipation builds for the unique experience to come.

The everyday world slips away as you alight the catamaran and step onto the pontoon. Now exclusively reserved for up to 36 overnight guests at a time, it has undergone an extensive transformation.

The sense of space, peace and quiet is palpable as you’re welcomed with a cold non-alcoholic drink. Dab your brow with a refreshing cold towel and take in the stillness – interrupted only by the sound of flying fish slapping the water’s surface.

From the moment you arrive in the late morning, the whole place is yours to enjoy. Reefworld has been redeveloped with considered spaces designed to help you make the most of your downtime.

On the lower deck, you’ll find a bar serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, alongside comfy lounge areas where you can sit back and take in mesmerising reef views.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxed in the knowledge that you don’t have to leave again until tomorrow afternoon.

3. Elevated food and beverage (including quality coffee!)

cruise whitsunday reefworld food offering — Indulge in an elevated food and beverage offering onboard.

Elevated food and drink is central to the new Reefworld experience. The all-inclusive offering focuses on high-quality regional dining.

A seafood buffet lunch might include Hervey Bay scallops grilled in shell with garlic and herb butter or line-caught reef fish baked with lemon thyme oil.

A signature three-course dinner paired with premium Australian wines might dish up an entrée of Whitsunday blue swimmer crab wontons with smoked salmon caviar in a butter sauce, a main of Queensland grass-fed beef-eye fillet, and a tropical coconut and pineapple confection for dessert. Dietary requirements are catered for (notify team at time of booking).

A hot breakfast buffet offers a selection of cooked favourites, smoked salmon, cheeses, and yoghurts, fresh fruit, toast and cereals.

All-inclusive beverages include bottled beer and cider, soft drinks and Australian wine including sparkling. Or choose from a range of premium spirits and cocktails such as the 74 Islands Limoncello Spritz, made with a liqueur crafted right here in the Whitsundays.

Perhaps the biggest boon of all? Barista-made coffee, available from 6.30 am. Only in Australia could you order an oat flat white in the middle of a coral reef.

4. Snorkel one of the GBR’s most diverse reefs

guests snorkelling the great barrier reef at cruise whitsunday reefworld — Dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

Reefworld sits above Hardy Reef, one of the most biologically diverse outer reef systems in the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring it is a simple matter of popping on a mask, snorkel and flippers and slipping into the water straight from the pontoon.

Being in the outer reef means the water is clear, and marine life is abundant: here you could spot giant trevally, Māori wrasse, clownfish, parrotfish, nudibranch and giant clams, as well as vibrant coral gardens.

Snorkel at your leisure over two days. Prefer to stay above the water level? Head to the underwater observatory or join an optional semi-submersible guided tour, and you might still spot the resident two-metre-long Queensland grouper, George, doing the rounds. Or Crush, one of 12 resident green sea turtles.

5. A luxurious sleep under the stars

cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon reefsleep beds — Spend the night in one of 16 spacious, four-poster beds.

At the heart of the reimagined Reefworld is its elevated Reefsleep experience. On the upper deck are 16 spacious, four-poster beds, replacing the earlier swag-inspired accommodation and giving up to 32 guests the chance to sleep under the stars with increased privacy and added comfort.

With names like Parrot Fish and Spotted Ray, each Reefbed is of its place and has everything you need: not least a queen-size bed with premium linens, decked out in coastal shades befitting the location. USB charging ports, reading lights and fans provide extra convenience and comfort. The beds are set up as daybeds in the afternoon, then turned down in time for sleep.

Double-layer canvas and mesh flaps allow you to customise your experience and exposure to the elements: zip up for maximum privacy and shelter or leave wide open to stargaze as you drift off to sleep.

Come morning, enjoy the luxury of watching the sun rise over the reef from the comfort of the covers (if facing east).

6. Refreshed underwater Reefsuites

Reefsuites room at reefworld — Let the locals form your bedroom view.

Reefsuites is Australia’s first underwater hotel and remains among the most unique stays in the country – if not the world. Its two suites have had a glow-up as part of Reefworld’s transformation, but the floor-to-ceiling underwater views of the Great Barrier Reef remain unchanged.

Choose between king double or twin single sleeping configurations, with premium bedding and a glass-walled en suite in each suite. This is your front-row seat to the marine life of the reef in all its nocturnal glory.

7. A sensational sunset and canapés session

cruise whitsunday reefworld guests enjooying sunset canapes — Wait for sunset at Australia’s best bar.

There’s even a designated new spot for sunset canapés. Could this be Australia’s best bar? That’s what you will be asking come evening, as you gather on the upper deck for a Sunset Canapés session.

Reefworld’s refreshed design includes a designated space for this very ritual. Grab a drink at the bar – bubbles, perhaps, or a G&T with locally produced gin – and pull up a stool to settle in for one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.

Nibble on a chef’s selection of light bites as the sun puddles into the molten Coral Sea, bathing the entire pontoon in a glorious glow. It doesn’t get more golden hour than this.

8. Extras: the adventure continues

tour leader preparing scua diving gear at cruise whitsunday reefworld — Choose from a range of extra activities to help you keep exploring.

And that’s not where the adventure ends. Your Reefworld stay also includes access to the underwater observatory and a guided semi-submarine tour, plus a complimentary guided snorkel safari led by expert reef guides. For those looking to do even more, add-ons include scuba diving and scenic flights over Heart Reef, available at an additional cost.

As part of Cruise Whitsundays’ investment in reef tourism, nearby permanent Heart Pontoon has also undergone a significant refurbishment, further enhancing the visitor experience.

The details

Reefworld is open now as an overnight‑only pontoon, exclusively for Reefsleep and Reefsuite guests. Stays start from $895 per person for Reefsleep and $1495 per person for a Reefsuite, based on double occupancy.

Book an unforgettable sleep out on the Great Barrier Reef at cruisewhitsundays.com.

The ultimate guide to the best Cairns tours

Explore the very best of Tropical North Queensland with these unforgettable Cairns tours.

In short

Great Barrier Reef tours

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel: Dreamtime Cruise