Day Trips & Excursions in Cairns & the Tropical North

Venture off-the-beaten-track and explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness of Australia's tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Journey along the Captain Cook Highway; take a guided hike through the Mossman Gorge and cool off with a dip in the Mossman River. After lunch (included), look out for crocodiles on a scenic cruise down the Daintree River, then continue to Cape Tribulation to trek through the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy magnificent views over the Great Barrier Reef. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.

Experience the natural wonders of Queensland's Atherton Tablelands to visit different parts of the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest on this outdoorsy day trip from Cairns. With a guide, you'll take easy walks to three waterfalls - Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Dinner Falls - and take a refreshing swim in Lake Eacham. See the Cathedral Fig Tree, take in views of the volcanic crater in Mt Hypipamee National Park, and enjoy lots of time for swimming and photo ops. Morning and afternoon snacks are picnic lunch provided

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest and observe native Australian wildlife on a full-day tour from Cairns. View the rainforest as you ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda. Tour the Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle that offers another vantage point on the forest, visit the koalas, kangaroos and other critters at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Learn about Aboriginal culture at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. After a classic Aussie barbecue lunch, return to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Escape the city for the day to explore the sublime nature and beautiful waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands on a flexible-length, small-group trip. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is known for its stunning rainforests, waterfalls and rolling dairy pastures. Visit several falls, including Malanda Falls, Milaa Millaa Falls, Ellinjaa Falls and Zilliee Falls, along with a historic dairy farm and numerous panoramic overlooks. This small-group trip, limited to no more than 10 guests, also includes a guide, morning tea, lunch, all entrance fees and round-trip coach transport from your hotel.

Explore Green Island and use an innovative new diving system to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a luxury catamaran ride to Green Island and a delicious buffet lunch while aboard (with optional upgrade). Choose from a variety of activities, including a glass-bottomed boat trip, a rainforest walk, or a dive in the amazing Great Barrier reef using the SNUBA Doo® Power Snorkel.

Enjoy a spectacular journey that is just as pleasurable as the destination: the historic township of Cooktown, home of Australia's first European settlement. Travel by 4WD through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park and the Bloomfield Track, two highlights of northern Queensland. Venture into the rainforest and cross the Daintree River before reaching Cooktown, where you have free time to visit the James Cook Museum (optional). Includes round-trip transport by 4WD and an optional flight for hotels in Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.

Explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns. Take a guided nature walk through some of the oldest rainforest in the world, spot crocs on a cruise down the Daintree River and stroll on the famous Cape Tribulation Beach. Enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue at a private rainforest retreat, and learn about indigenous culture with a Kuku Yalanji heritage presentation at the Mossman Gorge Centre. Hotel pickup and drop-off and transport in a luxury coach complete this memorable adventure through the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Experience Australia's rich Aboriginal culture and the Daintree Rainforest on a full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Meet your local indigenous guide at Cooya Beach to learn traditions of hunting and gathering food supplies, then explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. This small-group tour that has a maximum of 18 participants, ensuring a hands-on experience with your guide. Choose from two afternoon options: a guided hike to a water hole; or upgrade to tour the forest with an Aboriginal guide who shares Dreamtime stories.

Enjoy a full-day tour to two of the top attractions near Cairns: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and Tjapukai Cultural Park. The toothy star attraction of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures leaps out of the water during the Crocodile Attack Show, and can be viewed up close during the included boat tour. Explore the living history of the Aboriginal Tjapukai people during your visit to Tjapukai Cultural Park, learning about traditions like making fire, boomerang and spear throwing, and didgeridoo music and more. Includes admission and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns.

Experience the wildlife, mountains, sea and rainforest that define the Wet Tropics of Queensland on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Hand-feed kangaroos and observe other native creatures at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and explore the World Heritage-listed biodiversity of Daintree National Park. Take a guided nature walk through the rain forest of Mossman Gorge, savor a delicious lunch at Cape Tribulation, swim in the Coral Sea and cruise down the beautiful Daintree River.

Marvel over two UNESCO-listed natural wonders with this great-value combo deal from Cairns. On the first day, set sail for a thrilling cruise around the Great Barrier Reef, spot exotic fish on a glass-bottomed boat tour and marvel at the colorful corals on an introductory scuba dive. On the second day, venture inland to explore the ancient Daintree rainforest, hike through the Mossman Gorge and admire views over the reef from Cape Tribulation. Best of all: the small-group tours both include lunch, hotel pick-up and all activities.

Experience the beautiful Great Barrier Reef with a catamaran cruise to Green Island. Board your luxury vessel at Reef Fleet Terminal and set sail for this picturesque coral cay. Watch for stingrays, Hawksbill sea turtles, and giant clams from a glass bottom boat. Then, strap on snorkeling gear to explore the cay's crystal clear waters. Enjoy tea, coffee, and a delicious optional lunch.

This tour allows you to combine visits to the Heberton Historic Village, Kuranda Village, and a ride on the Skyrail Ranforest Cableway in a single 9-hour day trip from Cairns. Learn about the history, culture, and environment of the region through guided tours and exploring each site independently. Round-trip transportation from Cairns hotels and a light lunch are provided.

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.

This 10-hour tour from Cairns allows you to visit Paronella Park, Herberton Village, and Granite Gorge in a single day. Round-trip transportation from central Cairns, as well as a light lunch, are included.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia's tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy a close encounter with native wildlife on the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk and visit Cape Tribulation, the meeting point of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. After lunch at Cape Trib Beach House, embark on a scenic cruise along the Daintree River (optional).

Experience the unique history and gorgeous scenery of North Queensland during this 10-hour day trip. Enjoy beautiful views at Barron Falls, the most famous waterfall in North Queensland and explore the pioneer village of Herberton, where you can check out the park's collection of vintage cars, steam-operated machines and old-time blacksmith shops, plus have an old-fashioned country meal. Spend the afternoon discovering the scenic Crater Valley along the highway to Mount Hypipamee, returning to Cairns through the Kuranda Range. A guide, morning tea, lunch, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport are covered.

Escape to the jungle on this action-packed full-day adventure from Cairns or Port Douglas. Spot exotic birds, flying foxes and crocodiles as you cruise along the Daintree River, then look out over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Daintree rainforest from the Alexander Range Lookout. After a delicious Aussie-style lunch, journey to remote Cape Tribulation, where you can hike through the ancient rainforest, stroll along the beach and enjoy spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef.

Experience Australia's natural beauty up-close on a thrilling 5-hour 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 Lake Morris, Copperlode Dam and Surprise Falls; enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef from Lamb Range; and stand before the mighty Barron Falls. This small-group tour is limited to 13 people for a personalized experience.

Explore the Kuranda Rainforest - a UNESCO World Heritage site - on a full-day tour from Cairns. Travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda, getting views of the rainforest and Barron Gorge along the way. Visit the Rainforestation Nature Park and see the wildlife during a tour in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle. Then step on board the 6-person gondola at the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for the return journey to Cairns, with time to stop at Barron Falls and Red Peak Station en route.