Top Activities on the Ground in Cairns & the Tropical North

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife, and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rainforest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to Birdworld and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets, and more. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Discover the natural wonders of Tropical North Queensland on a full-day tour to Chillagoe Caves and Granite Gorge. Travel from Cairns by rugged 4WD vehicle with a naturalist guide, passing over the McAllister Ranges and the Great Dividing Range as you explore the Australian Outback. Visit Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, drive near the wetlands to spot Australian native wildlife, and stop by historic mining towns. This small-group tour also included morning tea and a pub lunch.

Get set for a wet and wild adventure as you hurtle down the Mulgrave River on a giant tube! Hang on tight as you navigate small rapids and then soak up the scenery as you drift through the rainforest. This fun-filled morning tour includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns, plus around 2 hours of tubing. Best of all: there’s no experience necessary, so everyone can give it a go!

**Please note: Due to Cyclone Jasper, this tour is currently offering a revised itinerary as there is currently no access to Cape Tribulation or Kuranda/Barron Falls.**   Head out on a rainforest adventure on the original Daintree Rainforest Tour. Take a guided walk along Cape Tribulation to see flawless white beaches and ride a 4 wheel drive into dense tropical rainforest on the Bloomfield Track. Cruise on the river Daintree and listen to your expert and experienced guides explain all of the local wildlife and biodiversity of the area. Explore Daintree on a boardwalk in the mid-canopy.

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.

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.

Escape the tropical heat for a day of splashing, sliding, and swimming through the Behana Gorge waterfalls on this eco-tour from Cairns. Get set for an adventure as you rappel down the gorge, leap over rocks and walk along rain forest trails, then cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Best of all: with full instruction and safety harnesses provided, anyone can give it a go.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: with gentle rapids and full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Take in the wonders of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, as well as the magic of the Great Barrier Reef, on this two day tour. On day one, roam through Daintree on custom-built 4WD vehicles while your local guide offers up his extensive knowledge of flora and fauna. Then on day 2, sail to the outer Great Barrier Reef and enjoy approximately 5 hours of snorkeling.

Sitting almost 460 ft. above sea level, test your bravery at the AJ Hackett Skypark viewing platform. Once you’re up, you’ve got to come down, so choose from one of 16 ways to descend. Bungee jump or try out the swing, and reach speeds of up to 60 mph among the tree tops! Swoop alongside the hillside, or if you’d rather, observe from the spectating areas.

Experience the fun and thrills of a half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Barron River, located just 20 minutes north of Cairns. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics as you raft through stunning terrain, including highlights such as Barron Falls. Your expert guide provides all necessary rafting equipment and paddling instruction for the 2-hour rafting trip, you simply bring clothes that can get wet. No experience needed for this fun and safe rafting excursion. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairns and the Northern Beaches.

Discover the tranquility of the Atherton Tablelands on this full-day tour from Cairns. Including everything you need for a fun adventure—from transport to coffee, cake, a cold brew and an award-winning lunch—this fun small-group tour is a great way to squeeze in visits to some of the highlights and hotspots of the Atherton Tablelands into one day. You’ll even get the chance to see some amazing wildlife along the way.

Find some of Cairns’ gnarliest bike parks, and then hit the big one—Smithfield. This trail is legendary among serious cyclists and if you’re a keen mountain biker, you have to try this out for size. Race through the rainforest on over 35 miles of green, blue and blak-rated trails. See wildlife as you speed past, and experience the thrill of riding fast through one of the world’s oldest jungles.

Experience two Australian landscapes when you’re visiting Cairns, Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation. This is where the rainforest meets the reef. You’ll see the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and more. Learn stories of aboriginal culture as you explore this land in a 4WD vehicle with a naturalist guide. This is a small group tour, with just 17 max.

Where the rainforest meets the reef, Walk the Plank offers the best immersive view of not one but two World Heritage Listed sites. Cairns must do attraction.