Outdoor Activities in Cairns & the Tropical North

Journey from reef to rainforest on this action-packed full-day tour from Cairns. First cruise out to Green Island at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and marvel at the marine life as you swim, snorkel or glide around the reef on a glass-bottom boat. Then, embark on a thrilling 4WD adventure in the Barron Gorge National Park and admire dramatic views of the Barron Falls, Kuranda Mountains and the Coral Sea coast.

Venture into the rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands with an expert guide to observe Australian native animals in the wild. From Cairns, travel into the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland to observe kangaroos, lizards and possums by daylight, then continue after sundown to look for nocturnal critters like the elusive platypus and Lumholtz tree kangaroo. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant. This small-group tour is limited to 11 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your guide.

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. After working up an appetite, soak up the scenery as you tuck into lunch by the waterfront. Best of all: with full instruction and safety harnesses provided, anyone can give it a go.

Embark upon an adventure that goes beyond the usual city tours on this Cairns ATV and Skyrail tour. Journey over and through World Heritage-listed rainforest, gliding just above the canopy, in the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway's gondola before embarking on a ranger-guided walk. Next, aboard your quad bike for an adrenalin-pumping adventure through the rainforest on dirt tracks and over creek crossings.

See wildlife and go ziplining in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest with an experienced guide. Travel from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas to Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat where you get to meet cassowaries and other native Australian animals. Then head into Daintree Rainforest and take a cruise along the Daintree River. Stop for a picnic lunch, then soar over the tree canopy during a zipline tour that offers aerial views of Daintree Rainforest, the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. Includes lunch, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

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. Numbers are limited to 16 people on this small-group tour, with morning tea and a pub lunch included.

Explore two of the top attractions near Cairns on a full-day tour to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and the rainforest village of Kuranda. Ride aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, then have time to walk around the market in the village. Then take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway back down the mountain, and head to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an up-close look at the crocs and native Australian wildlife. Includes entrance fees, and all transportation round-trip from Cairns.

Get your adrenaline pumping on a skydiving adventure from Cairns. Enjoy incredible bird's-eye views of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef as you jump out of a plane on a tandem skydive with an experienced diver. Fall freely from 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) in the air before floating by parachute back down to the ground. First-timers are welcome.

Explore the Kuranda Rainforest at night on this 4-wheel-drive adventure from Cairns and the Northern Beaches. Experience outback traditions as you sip billy-tea by a campfire, and taste kangaroo and crocodile sausages before traversing World Heritage-listed landscapes in a sturdy 4WD Hummer. Cross the Atherton Tablelands to Granite Gorge, look for wild kangaroos and nocturnal birds, and gaze up at the stars, away from city lights. Tour is limited to 20 people.

Embark on a packed full-day adventure to Cape Tribulation, where the rain forest meets the reef. Spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise and take a 4WD ride through a World Heritage-listed rain forest on the rugged Bloomfield Track. Savor a traditional Aussie barbecue and break for afternoon billy tea in the company of wallabies. Group size is limited for a more personalized experience, and the tour includes round-trip transport from Cairns or Port Douglas hotels.

Get up close to Australia's native wildlife at the award-winning Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. Spot kangaroos and koalas as you wander through the Wetlands; tiptoe past crocodiles in the Savannah; then take in views of the Rainforest from the treetop canopy walk. For the ultimate experience, upgrade to include breakfast with the birds or lunch with the lorikeets.

Escape the tourist trail for an off-road adventure in Australia's tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Hop aboard a 4WD for a thrilling tour of the Barron Gorge National Park and Kuranda National Park, exploring hidden trails not normally accessible to the public and admiring natural wonders like Surprise Falls and Lake Morris. After free time to enjoy lunch (own expense) and browse the markets in Kuranda Village, enjoy aerial views over the Kuranda rainforest with a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Scenic Railway.

Take part in two popular activities in one day on this ATV adventure paired with a Great Barrier Reef excursion. Get picked up from your hotel and taken to your ATV, and then venture into the rainforest for about an hour and a half.  Afterward, head to Green Island - a Marine National Park - for a few hours of snorkeling or cruising on a glass-bottomed boat. All the equipment you need is provided.

Experience the beautiful Kuranda rainforest on this train and ATV adventure. After a convenient hotel pickup, climb aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway and marvel at picturesque views of waterfalls, ravines, and the spectacular Barron Gorge. Then, travel with a guide on a heart-thumping journey through the rainforest. Get outfitted with safety and rain gear, take a quick training session, and enjoy afternoon tea - all included in the tour price.

Explore Cairns on an all-day ATV and white-water rafting adventure. After a convenient hotel pickup, travel into a spectacular rainforest, receive a safety briefing, and get outfitted in necessary equipment. Then, race along trails, over jumps, and through creek crossings on a thrilling off-road ride. Enjoy morning tea and head to Barron Gorge National Park to spend the afternoon paddling rapids in a white-water raft - all on one combo tour.