Top Cairns & the Tropical North Half-day Tours

Get a rounder perspective of the Great Barrier Reef by viewing it from the air on this scenic flight from Cairns. Soaring over the UNESCO-listed reef allows you to take in its colors and appreciate its vastness. Enjoy unobstructed photo opportunities from your window seat as you take in such sights as Green Island, Upolu Cay, Vlassof Cay, and Michaelmas Reef.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

See snapping crocs in action on this half-day tour to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Departing from Cairns or Palm Cove, explore the five different zones of this eco-park and working crocodile farm, including a narrated boat tour through a coastal lagoon. Stroll along elevated boardwalks to observe cassowaries, turtles, lizards, and koalas, and admire the mighty stars of the attraction at the thrilling Crocodile Attack Show.

Explore the tropical paradise of Green Island on a half day trip from Cairns. Enjoy around two hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef island with plenty of time to snorkel. You can even take an optional semi-submersible submarine tour to get close to the reef without getting wet.

Experience Australia’s natural beauty up close on a thrilling half-day 4WD adventure from Cairns. Venture off-road in the Barron Gorge National Park and Kuranda National Park, and witness the startling contrasts of tropical rainforest, savannah, and rugged mountains, as you drive along the Great Dividing Range. Stop along the way to snap photos of Surprise Falls; enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef from Lamb Range; and stand before the mighty Barron Falls.

Enjoy an unforgettable animal encounter with a visit to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures from Cairns. Brave a face-to-face meeting with menacing crocodiles or hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies with guidance and supervision from the friendly staff, then get up-close to other Aussie creatures like Koala's, cassowaries, quolls and snakes. Best of all, your self-guided tour includes entrance tickets, hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns.

First time in Cairns? Discover the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north on this 5.5-hour sightseeing tour. Visit city attractions like the Flecker Botanical Gardens and St Monica's Cathedral, and stroll along the scenic Cairns waterfront. Indulge in a delicious Devonshire afternoon tea (included) taking in the stunning views from the jetty at Palm Cove before taking a short walk through the Lower Barron Gorge National Park. For the full experience, upgrade to include a 2-hour morning cruise to Green Island in the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef marine park. This small-group tour is limited to 20 people.

Get a bird’s-eye perspective of Tropical North Queensland on an unforgettable hot air balloon flight at sunrise. Soar over the Atherton Tablelands as golden sunlight breaks across beautiful farmlands, rivers, and forests. Choose the duration of your flights and enjoy pickup and drop-off from your Cairns, Northern Beaches, or Palm Cove hotel. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful way to start your day!

Make the most of your time in port with this half-day city sightseeing tour of Cairns, including afternoon tea. Visit attractions like the St Monica's Cathedral, Flecker Botanical Gardens and Cairns waterfront and walk through the Barron Gorge National Park. This small-group shore excursion is limited to 20 people and is covered by Viator's worry-free policy, ensuring on-time return to your ship.

This pub and club tour makes partying in Cairns on weekend nights as easy as possible. Meet fellow travelers at the backpacker hotel starting point (dinner discounts available) and head out into the night to at least four different venues from dance clubs to Irish pubs. Enjoy live music, games, and dancing—and heavy discounts on drinks plus all venue cover charges. End your night with an optional visit to another dance club.

Discover the micro breweries and distilleries of Cairns on this guided afternoon tour. Experience the local craft breweries, taste the beers, and learn about the brewers. Then, visit one of the local distilleries and sample the spirits. The itinerary might include Macalister Brewing Company, Wolf Lane Distillery, Coral Sea Brewing Taproom, and others.

Begin your visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with breakfast in the company of a koala and its keeper. After morning hotel pickup in Cairns or Palm Cove, transfer to Hartley's in time for your hot Aussie breakfast and conversation with the keeper about the koalas. Then you can explore at your leisure: take a boat cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon to watch crocodiles feeding. Enjoy informative and entertaining wildlife presentations throughout the day, and see Australian wildlife up close, including kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, cassowaries, quolls and more.

Learn all about the aboriginal heritage of Cairns on this three hour group eco cultural tour. You’ll have a river cruise across the Trinity Inlet from the Cairns Marina, then a traditional Mandigalbay Yidinji welcome and smoking ceremony. You’ll also have a tour of the Indigenous Protected Area and a guided walk through the bush to hear about Indigenous customs and the critical connection between Aboriginal culture and Country.

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.

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.

Sunday is market day in Port Douglas, and the lively seafront markets draw shoppers from all along the coast. With this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Cairns, stopping along the way to take in the views from Flagstaff Hill and Rex Lookout, and browse Rusty’s Market in Cairns. At Port Douglas, enjoy plenty of time to shop for hand-made crafts, artisan goods, and unique souvenirs, then perhaps visit the Palm Cove Markets or Holloways Beach Markets on the way back.

Explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness of Australia’s tropical north on this half-day off-road adventure from Cairns. Marvel over the natural wonders of the Barron Gorge National Park, including the famous Barron Falls, and admire native flora like the Clohesy River Fig. Get off the beaten track in a 4WD as you wind along rain forest trails through outback savannah.

See the Atherton Tablelands from above on this unique hot air balloon tour. Experience the thrill of flying over untouched rainforest, savannah and wetlands, spotting wildlife and scenic views as well as waterfalls and shadowy mountains. Learn about the history and geology of this special place from your trained balloon pilot and guide. Explore the Australian bush without touching the ground.

Explore the city of Cairns and learn all about its history, from the First Nation custodians who lived in this region for more than 30,000 years to the settlers brought by Captain Cook to the colony that would become Cairns in the 1700s. Visit the city’s parks and gardens, and tour the museum and local architecture. Learn about Cairns’ customs and find out where the best places to eat and drink are from your guide.

The 25 minute scenic flight from Cairns takes you to Reef Magic Cruises Remorra reef activity platform located at Moore Reef. Enjoy stunning panoramic views extending from the tropical rainforest clad coastline, across the azure waters of the Coral Sea and into the very heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Your highly skilled pilot will share their local knowledge of the region while on the lookout for Turtles, Dolphins, Manta Rays, large schools of pelagic fish and even majestic Humpback whales (Jul – Sep).

Our tour allows you to see Day and Nighttime Paronella Park tours you could have. Guided by our local experienced guide and travel with our newest luxury car. Pick up Around 3:00 pm and return at 9 pm

A truly VIP experience, discover one of the great natural wonders of the world with a roundtrip helicopter scenic flight and a day at the Reef Cruises’ pontoon! Snorkel, Scuba Dive, visit the Underwater Observatory, witness the lively fish feeding demonstration, or learn more about this intricate ecosystem on an informative Glass Bottom Boat or Semi-Submersible tour. Pontoon facilities include ample undercover seating, fresh water rinse showers, changing rooms, and a spacious sundeck with lounges. This family-friendly day ticks all the boxes and also includes the only theme park-style waterslide at the reef – the popular Sunslide!