Top Palm Cove Outdoor Activities

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.

Immerse yourself in Northern Queensland’s waterfalls, rainforests, and other natural wonders on this full-day tour from Cairns. Admire the untouched scenery and stop to swim in the famous Millaa Millaa, and Josephine Falls. In between, visit Babinda Boulders and Mount Hypipamee, watch for wildlife such as tree-kangaroos and platypus, and admire a tropical sunset at Lake Eacham. National Park admission, lunch, refreshments, and hotel pickup and drop-off included.

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!

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.

Embark on a full-day adventure to the pristine coral cay of Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Palm Cove. Travel aboard a luxury catamaran with marine biologist guides, and snorkel straight from the white sandy beach among famous coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles Experience the reef another way on a glass-bottom boat tour, and explore the island on a guided nature walk. Your full-day tour includes a delicious buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and round-trip hotel transport from Palm Cove.

Discover the colourful underwater world of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef on this full-day catamaran cruise to the Agincourt Reef. Accompanied by a marine biologist, you’ll learn all about the reef’s unique ecosystem and mind-boggling variety of marine life, and tuck into a delicious buffet lunch (included) on-board. Want to get closer? Choose from a guided snorkeling, scuba diving or Ocean Walker Helmet diving tour, or admire the magnificent corals on a semi-submersible submarine (extra costs apply).

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.

Hop in a kayak and paddle from Palm Cove to Double Island, where mangroves and coral reefs await. Along the way, you’ll meet turtles, fish, and small rays, and, if you’re lucky, even dolphins and whales. No previous kayaking experience is needed, and the tour is suitable for all; kids as young as seven can take part. Even better: Shuttle bus transfers are included from Cairns hotels for a convenient trip.

Start the day the Australian way, up close and personal with a national icon, as you savor breakfast with the koalas. Fill up with hearty Australian fare on the deck overlooking Hartley’s Lagoon as a wildlife keeper introduces a koala. Once you’re done, look for crocodiles as you cruise the wetland lagoon. Your package includes full access to all the animal attractions at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

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 rainforests in the world at Mossman Gorge, 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 stop for a refreshing snack att he Daintree Ice Cream Company. Port pickup and drop-off and transport in a luxury coach complete this memorable adventure through the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

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.

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.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is one of Queensland’s most popular wildlife sanctuaries, located on the edge of the Wet Tropics rainforest. With this pre-booked general entry ticket, skip the lines and enjoy all-day access to the park, where you can explore at your own pace. Cruise the lagoon, visit the free-flight aviaries and crocodile farm, and walk the Gondwana Gateway. Along the way, spot Tamarin monkeys, cassowaries, koalas, wombats, and more.

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.

Cruise to Green Island from Cairns and find a tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll spend either four or five hours at Green Island, with plenty of time to snorkel or tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or view coral from a semi-submersible submarine.

Spend a day immersed in the beauty and culture of Tropical North Queensland. Departing from Palm Cove, glide above the coastal canopy in a gondola during a ride on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. When you arrive in the mountain village of Kuranda, choose from a variety of activities including a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, wildlife encounters at Rainforestation Nature Park and hand-feeding feathered friends at Birdworld. You’ll also catch a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway that winds through waterfall gorges and World Heritage-listed rain forest.

Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in Queensland. This self-guided tour includes hotel pickup and round-trip transfers from Palm Cove, plus full-day all-access tickets to the wildlife park. During your visit, set sail on a cruise around Hartley's Lagoon, take a tour of the crocodile farm, and watch the crocodile, wallaby, and koala feedings.

This private tour is a fun and convenient way of visiting the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns, Palm Cove, or Port Douglas. You won’t have to worry about driving yourself as you’ll be transported via a private, air-conditioned minivan. Experience the natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site while learning all about the unique flora and fauna here from your guide. Stretch your legs on a guided walk, cruise on the Daintree River, and much more.

Voted the number 1 must-see attraction in Tropical Far North Queensland is Paronella Park. We invite you on a journey enriching your senses and opening your mind to another world and time. You will encounter the whole experience of Paronella Park, creating unforgettable memories and interactions, this tour, including dinner, begins in the afternoon and takes you into the evening. Our time offers a personalised interpretative tour departing Cairns at 10.45 am. The first destination is visiting the stunning Babinda Boulders, grabbing a bite to eat at the famous Babinda Bakery. Followed by the extraordinary opportunity to see a Cassowary face-to-face in the wild, we journey through the art deco township of Innisfail and arrive at Etty Bay. Home to the Southern Cassowary, you will likely see a Cassowary enjoying the afternoon on the beach. This is truly an experience that you will talk about for years to come.

Enjoy 4 amazing adventure activities around Cairns in just 3 days, allowing you to make the most of your time there. Go tubing and white water rafting on the Barron River, travel through the Atherton Tablelands in search of beautiful waterfalls and volcanic lakes, and finally explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

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.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the lush surroundings of the Cairns Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable mushroom guide and professional photographer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and shoot some of the most stunning and colorful mushrooms in the world.

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.