Top Cairns & the Tropical North Adventure Tours

Experience the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest on a full-day tour from Cairns. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda where you first visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, the largest flight aviary in Australia. Tour the Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle, then see koalas, dingoes and more at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Take a dreamtime walk with a Pamagirri guide for the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, then feast on an Australian barbecue buffet lunch. Finally, return to Cairns on the scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Discover the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef from all angles on this action-packed tour. Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef on board a high-speed catamaran and enjoy up to three introductory or certified scuba dives at two different dive sites. After marveling over the colorful corals and marine life from underwater, hop aboard for a 10-minute helicopter flight and see the islands and reefs from above.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

If visiting the ancient coral cay of Green Island for the day wasn’t great enough, add a seawalker helmet dive to your package. Take a super-fast catamaran from Cairns to the island and choose between the use of snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat ride (included). Add more fun to the day by donning a glass helmet and taking a guided walk on the seabed, surrounded by coral and tropical fish while keeping your head dry.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. The activity platform at the reef provides opportunities to snorkel, dive, and swim, and to view it from the comfort of a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. An ideal day trip for the whole family.

Sail on a 2-masted schooner from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Have a choice of options for exploring Green Island, spending time in the water around the magnificent coral reefs, or lazing on the white sandy beaches. Enjoy the expertise of the superb crew, in addition to buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and a glass of wine as you cruise back to Cairns.

Take a sailing trip off the beaten path and travel to some of the best remote reef sites around Cairns. This small-group, 2-night sailing trip is limited to 12 people and offers both certified and introductory diving, as well as certification courses, so that even beginner divers can experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef such as schools of iridescent fish, turtles, and colorful corals. Choose from private or shared accommodation on board.

Adventure in the vast Australian outback on a personalized 3-day tour. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a superyacht, and snorkel in the clear waters on your first day. On your second day, ride to the Chillagoe caves in a customized 4X4 vehicle made for the off-road terrain and learn about the Gimuy-walubarra yidi people, the traditional custodians of the land here. On your third day, explore the rainforest and learn about the wildlife and ecology of the region from your naturalist guide and driver.

Fly over the Great Barrier Reef on this 40 minute helicopter flight, where your pilot/guide will give you a commentary about the landscape and sea you’re flying over. You’ll get to the edge of the reef where the water is over 1000 feet deep. You’ll also pass Vlasoff Cay, Green Island, and Arlington Reef. Learn about what lives in the water below from your pilot while you take incredible photos.

Get an overview of the Atherton Tablelands region on a comprehensive day tour from Cairns. With a guide to show you the best spots, such as crater lakes, rain forest hikes, and waterfall swims, learn about the ecology and geology of the region. Highlights include Lake Eacham, Milla Milla Falls, Josephine Falls, and Babinda Boulders. A 2-course lunch, national park fees, and round-trip transportation from central Cairns accommodations included.

Enjoy the most scenic 30 minutes of your life on this private helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef. Fly over Green Island and see its unique forest canopy—it’s actually part of the reef, not an island—and see Mount Yarrabah and False Cape on your way. Spot marine life like rays and sharks from above as you travel to Arlington Reef, then enjoy unbeatable views of the Queensland coastline and the Great Dividing Range on your way back to Cairns.

Make the most of your time at the Great Barrier Reef by joining a two-day snorkeling tour. You’ll spend your days snorkeling among tropical fish, coral, and maybe even turtles. At night you’ll sleep on a boat in a shared cabin, and can enjoy the peace of the reef after other tourists have left. Participate in the included “sharks in the dark” experience if you like.

Experience the very best of Far North Queensland on this diverse 5-day adventure based out of Cairns. Scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef, visit Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, ride through the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, and marvel at some of the world's oldest living species in Daintree Rainforest. Includes round-trip airport transfers, all transportation, some meals, and overnight accommodation in a charming 3-star hotel with pool in Cairns.

Learn more about the incredible saltwater crocodile in a safe environment on this fun half-day excursion from Cairns. You’ll be picked up from your accommodation and taken with a small group to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures wildlife park. There you can experience a croc-feeding boat cruise, a farm tour, and live shows and presentations about tropical Queensland’s wildlife.

If you’d like to see what lies beyond the beaches of the Whitsunday Islands, this day tour to two magical waterfalls is what you’re looking for. Hidden within the rainforests and mountains of Eungella National Park, Aurelien Waterfall and Wheel of Fire Waterfall lead to refreshing water holes you can swim in. Spot tropical birds, plants, and fungi. Moderate fitness is advised and be prepared to cross a stream.

Go fishing in the smooth waters of Trinity Inlet during a half-day outing a professional guide. Met at the Marlin Marina in front of the Pier Shopping Centre on Finger D berth 2, board a 19-foot (6-meter) flat-bottom boat called the River Rocket. Explore mangroves and watch for wildlife—including saltwater crocodiles—as you search for Grunter, Fingermark, Blue Salmon, Queen Fish, Thread Fin, and other local species. Enjoy all necessary gear included in the tour price.

With its white sand beaches, tropical rainforest, and colorful coral reefs, Fitzroy Island is one of the best places for water sports in the Great Barrier Reef. This full-day tour from Cairns includes the chance to snorkel the UNESCO-listed reefs, admire the scenery on a stand-up paddleboarding tour, and explore the island’s natural wonders on a self-guided hike.

Get amazing views over the city of Cairns with this 10 minute scenic helicopter flight. Take in the Marlin Marina, Trinity Inlet, Admiralty Island and the cityscape itself, while also admiring the Great Dividing Range in the background, and the marvelous Coral Sea to the east. In-flight commentary will help you understand and appreciate this special part of Australia.

Our first stop of the day is the Daintree Rainforest River Cruise, we jump aboard ‘Solar Whisper’ the only zero emission boat on the Daintree River. This whisper quiet boat can glide quietly up to crocodiles and other wildlife without scaring them or hurting their habitat. This boat is fitted with the unique “Croc Cam” to help show well camouflaged crocodiles and wildlife, this beautiful experience practices true Eco Tourism. Our next stop is Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest ! A delicious healthy lunch is enjoyed at the Maya Cafe. After lunch we meet the local indigenous guides for a smoking ceremony and a demonstration of traditional plant use and a body paint. Following this your Sacred Owl Tour guide will lead you through the Daintree Rainforest, showcasing the unique plants, animals and features of the rainforest. Enjoy plenty of free time to swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mossman Gorge before heading back.

Check all of the boxes on must-see attractions in Far North Queensland on this 3-day tour from Cairns. With a small group and a naturalist guide, visit the Atherton Tablelands, Cooktown, and Daintree National Park in a 4WD vehicle. Two nights' accommodation, meals per itinerary, and all transportation included.

Get truly impressive views over the rainforests of North Queensland with this 30 minute scenic helicopter flight, departing Cairns. Take in amazing views of many of the unique sights of the area, including the Great Dividing Range, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Barron Gorge, Great Barrier Reef and much more. In-flight commentary allows you to deepen your appreciation of this beautiful corner of Australia.

Take in much of the beauty and excitement Northern Queensland has to offer with this action-packed four-day tour around Cairns. Explore the Great Barrier Reef (including free introductory dive), marvel at what is often called the world’s oldest rainforest at Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, get an adrenaline rush gliding over the rainforest on a cableway, enjoy Kuranda Village and Scenic Train, and much more.

'Solar Whisper’ is the only zero emission boat on the Daintree River. This whisper quiet boat can glide quietly up to crocodiles and other wildlife without scaring them or hurting their habitat. This boat is fitted with the unique “Croc Cam” to help show well camouflaged crocodiles and wildlife. Nestled in the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, is our next stop - Mossman Gorge. Enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mossman Gorge before sitting down to a delicious healthy lunch. After lunch we meet the local indigenous tribe. Your guide will lead you on a meandering stroll through stunning, lush rainforest, observing traditional huts or humpies along the way. Your experienced interpretive Indigenous guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identifies bush food sources, and provides an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Discover traditions like making bush soaps and ochre painting.