Top Palm Cove On the Water

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.