Top Cairns & the Tropical North Half-day Tours

Take a break from the beach and explore Queensland's lush tropical interior inland from Cairns. This small-group tour provides an intimate and personalized experience. Ride the cableway through the UNESCO-listed rainforest, check out amazing Barron Gorge and Barron Falls, explore Kuranda village, and ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway over its many bridges and through its tunnels. This is a fun tour for the whole family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 rain forest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets and opt to include a delicious buffet lunch. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

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.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this full-day catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef!

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.

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.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest and observe native Australian wildlife on a full-day tour from Cairns. View the rain forest as you ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in a gondola. 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, take the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns.

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.

Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites on this luxury catamaran cruise from Cairns. Travel in style aboard a fast, comfortable catamaran to the outer edge Upolu Reef. Take an Adventure Snorkel & Glass Bottom Boat Tour through the highly protected no-fishing zone sites in the Marine Park. Refuel with a buffet lunch on board the catamaran before heading to your next destination, Upolu Cay reef. Enjoy the shallow azure blue waters surrounding this natural Coral Cay with both snorkeling or diving on offer. Be mesmerised by coral teeming with colourful fish.

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

Get a taste of the Atherton Tablelands during this 10-hour food tour and tasting experience from Cairns. Learn about how the volcanic soil allows cultivation of diverse range of produce and taste the spoils of this region. All tastings and meals are provided, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

See the natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef from various angles on this combined helicopter and cruise package deal. Fly to the outer reef on a helicopter, enjoying the sea views from above and seeing the reef from a unique perspective. After landing, spend more than two hours at the reef platform, where you can snorkel, view the reef from a semi-submersible, and learn about the reef’s biodiversity.

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.

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.

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.