The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cairns Tours

Explore the very best of Tropical North Queensland with these unforgettable Cairns tours.

Seen the Cairns Esplanade, sampled the city’s dining scene and dipped your toes in the lagoon? It’s time to venture further. From the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforest to Indigenous experiences and scenic flights, these are the best tours to book in and around Cairns.

In short

If you only book one tour from Cairns, make it a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise. There’s simply no better way to experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Great Barrier Reef tours

There are countless ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef, but these tours are among the very best, whether you want to snorkel, dive, cruise or see it from above.

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel: Dreamtime Cruise

Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Great Barrier Reef — Explore stunning dive sites off the coast of Cairns. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Exploring the Reef through an Indigenous lens

Deepen your appreciation of the Great Barrier Reef by experiencing it through the eyes of its Traditional Owners. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel combines spectacular reef snorkelling with powerful Indigenous storytelling, as Gunggandji sea rangers share creation stories, song and dance that reveal their enduring connection to Sea Country.

Between reef sites, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Nations people have cared for and lived alongside the reef for thousands of years. A buffet lunch is included, making it one of the most rewarding ways to combine reef exploration with First Nations culture.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $225 for adults, $160 for children and $670 for families

Passions of Paradise: Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Tour

Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef tour — Embark on a dreamy Great Barrier Reef tour with Passions of Paradise. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Learning more about the Reef

Walk down to Marlin Marina to meet the friendly crew onboard Passions of Paradise, for an award-winning full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef.

The 25-metre catamaran sails daily from Cairns to two unique reef locations where you can try an introductory dive, enjoy a fully guided snorkel tour to see turtles, colourful fish, and coral, and listen to a presentation from their eco-accredited marine naturalist about the Reef. A chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch is included.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $275 for adults or $175 for children

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

Big Cat Green Island Cruises fish viewing — See vibrant marine life. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Families and first-time reef visitors

If you’re looking for an easy introduction to the Great Barrier Reef, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises ticks all the boxes. Departing daily from Cairns, the full-day tour combines a fast ferry ride with plenty of free time to snorkel, swim, explore rainforest boardwalks or simply relax on the island’s white-sand beaches. It’s an easy, family-friendly way to experience both a tropical island and the Great Barrier Reef in a single day.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $122 for adults, $61 for children and $305 for families
Good to know: On the full day tour, choose between the free Glass Bottom Boat or snorkel hire.

Fitzroy Island Adventures

Fitzroy Island Resort from above — Fitzroy Island Adventures offers full-day ferry transfers. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Island adventures

Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island feels a world away. Fitzroy Island Adventures offers full-day ferry transfers, giving you plenty of time to snorkel straight from the beach, hike to the island’s lookouts, relax on award-winning Nudey Beach or explore the fringing reef. Optional extras, including snorkel hire and glass-bottom boat tours, make it easy to tailor the day to your travel style.

Duration: Full day or half day available
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $108 for adults, $62 for children and $278 for families
Good to know: Pack reef shoes if you plan to snorkel straight from the beach.

Nautilus Aviation: Reef Scenic Flight

Best for: Seeing the reef from above

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from above is an experience unlike any other. Nautilus Aviation’s 30-minute scenic helicopter flight reveals the reef’s incredible scale as you soar over Green Island, Arlington Reef and the dazzling white sands of Upolu Cay.

From above, the swirling coral formations and vibrant shades of blue are impossible to fully appreciate from a boat or beneath the surface, making this one of the most spectacular ways to experience the World Heritage-listed reef.

Duration: 30 minutes
Departs from: Pier Heliport, 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City
Price: $487pp including $32pp fuel surcharge
Good to know: Morning departures usually offer the calmest conditions and clearest visibility for photography.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Nature and culture tours

Meet local wildlife, connect with Traditional Owners and discover Tropical North Queensland’s incredible natural environments on these unforgettable tours.

Cruise the Daintree River in search of crocodiles

the Daintree River Cruise Centre tour — Glide along the Daintree River and spot native wildlife. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Wildlife encounters

One of the best ways to spot wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest is from the water. Head to the Daintree River Cruise Centre and leisurely glide along the river as a local guide shares their expert knowledge about the unique tropical ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll see native wildlife such as estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat. Complimentary morning or afternoon tea is included.

Just a three-minute drive away is Daintree Ecolodge, where you can pick up a deluxe picnic hamper or stop in for a spa treatment or cocktail class.

Duration: 60-90 minutes
Departs from: Daintree River Cruise Centre, 2914 Mossman – Daintree Road, Daintree
Price: From $40 for adults or $20 for children
Good to know: Morning cruises generally offer the best chance of spotting crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre: Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre Dreamtime Walk — Immerse yourself in the Daintree Rainforest on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Indigenous culture

Discover the Indigenous side of the Daintree Rainforest and make your way to the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre to join a Guided Dreamtime Walk. ‘Ngadiku’ means ‘stories and legends from a long time ago’ in the local Kuku Yalanji language, and the Dreamtime Walk provides a compelling narrative about the rainforest, including a demonstration on how to use traditional medicinal plants as well as how to identify native food. Traditional tea and damper follow.

After the tour, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of Mossman Gorge or tackle one of the rainforest walking trails at your own pace.

Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
Departs from: Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, 212 Mossman Gorge Road, Mossman Gorge
Price: From $105 for adults, $53 for children or $262.50 for families
Good to know: Wear enclosed shoes and swimmers if you’d like to take part in the traditional river ceremony.

Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

Best for: Cultural experiences

Discover a side of Cairns that many visitors never see with an immersive journey into Mandingalbay Yidinji Country. Beginning with a short boat ride across Trinity Inlet, this guided cultural tour explores ancient wetlands and rainforest while Traditional Owners share stories of Country, bush foods, traditional practices and the deep cultural significance of the landscape. It’s a fascinating opportunity to experience Indigenous culture just minutes from the city.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Departs from: Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: From $169 for adults, $89 for children and $427 for families
Good to know: The tour includes short guided walks over uneven ground, so comfortable enclosed shoes are recommended.

Kayak with turtles off Palm Cove

Best for: Marine life enthusiasts

One of the most memorable ways to experience Palm Cove’s coastline is from the water. Pacific Watersports’ Kayak Turtle Tour takes you on a steady 30-minute paddle from Palm Cove Beach across a glimmering stretch of the sea all the way to the reefs that fringe Double Island.

Regular marine sightings include green sea turtles, eagle rays, shovel-nose sharks, blue-spotted lagoon rays, colourful fish and white-bellied sea eagles. Once you’re back on land, enjoy lunch at one of Palm Cove’s tasty restaurants.

Duration: Half day
Departs from: Pacific Watersports Trailer, opposite Pete’s Place on Williams Esplanade
Price: $119 for adults and $95 for children

Adventure tours

Looking for a little more adrenaline? From white-water rafting and waterfall adventures to hot-air balloons and jet skis, these tours will get your heart racing.

White Water Rafting Cairns: Tully River Rafting

white water rafting down the Tully River — Conquer the Tully River rapids. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Thrill-seekers

One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Tropical North Queensland is on the world-renowned Tully River, conquering awesome grade 3 and 4 rapids. Not only is a Tully River Rafting Tour guaranteed to thrill, but this full-day outing cascades at high speed through one of the most pristine pockets of rainforest on the planet. The day tour includes a hearty pub dinner at a traditional Queensland country pub. Short on time? There’s also a half-day rafting tour available on the Barron River.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Transfer pick-up from Cairns or Mission Beach, or self-drive to Tully
Price: $280 per person
Good to know: No previous rafting experience is required.

Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon

Hot Air Balloon Cairns — Marvel at 360-degree views of Cairns on a classic hot-air balloon ride. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Sunrise views

Floating above the Atherton Tablelands at sunrise is one of Tropical North Queensland’s most unforgettable experiences. As the balloon drifts over ancient crater lakes, rainforest and patchwork farmland, you’ll enjoy spectacular 360-degree views before celebrating with a light breakfast and a glass of bubbles on landing.

Duration: Half day
Departs from: A transfer coach will pick up guests from any Cairns accommodation
Price: $420 per person
Good to know: Flights are weather dependent and can be rescheduled if conditions aren’t suitable.

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Back Country Bliss: River Drift Experience

Best for: A rainforest adventure

Just 20 minutes north of Port Douglas, escape into the Mossman Gorge rainforest on the River Drift Experience tour. Starting with a river walk, you’ll then be provided with a river sledge so you can float and experience the varied pace of the river’s flow. From calm sections under a green canopy to navigating faster currents, it’s a refreshing way to experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective.

Duration: 2 hours
Departs from: Transfers available from Port Douglas and Mossman
Price: $155 for adults, $115 for children and $495 for families
Good to know: The minimum age is 4

Barefoot Tours by Cairns Waterfalls

Best for: Waterfall chasing

Skip the planning and let the locals show you the Atherton Tablelands’ most spectacular swimming spots. Barefoot Tours takes you beyond the city to a handpicked collection of waterfalls, crater lakes and rainforest swimming holes, with plenty of time to cool off between stops.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the region, visit lesser-known locations and enjoy a relaxed day exploring one of Tropical North Queensland’s most beautiful landscapes. Expect plenty of swimming, short walks and a few hidden spots you probably wouldn’t find on your own.

Duration: Full day
Departs from: Accommodation pick-up from Cairns
Price: From $169 for adults and $144 for children

Good to know: Bring swimmers, a towel and comfortable walking shoes, as there are plenty of opportunities to swim throughout the day.

Terra Marine Adventure Co: Croc Spotting Jet Ski Tour

Best for: Adrenaline junkies

Swap sightseeing for speed on this one-hour jet ski adventure through the mangrove-lined waterways of Trinity Inlet. After a safety briefing, you’ll head out across the water in search of saltwater crocodiles basking on the mudflats, with plenty of opportunities to spot birds and other local wildlife along the way. No licence or previous experience is needed, making this an easy way to combine adrenaline with an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Duration: 1 hour
Departs from: B Finger, Marlin Marina, Cairns City
Price: $232 for a solo tour
Good to know: Drivers must be at least 16, while passengers must be at least 8

Food and drink tours

One of the best ways to get to know Tropical North Queensland is through its food. These tours introduce you to the region’s tropical produce, local breweries and hidden foodie gems.

Cairns Brewery Tours: Cairns Walking Brewery Tour

Hemingway's Brewery, Cairns — Hemingway’s Brewery pours first-class brews. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

Best for: Beer lovers

Sip your way around Cairns’ growing craft beer scene on a guided Cairns Walking Brewery Tour to discover two unique microbreweries and a local gin distillery. Located in the heart of the city, all businesses are independently owned and locally operated, with each venue offering its own amazing flavours and personal stories.

Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Departs from: Hemingway’s Brewery, Wharf Street, Cairns City
Price: $115 per person

Daintree Food Trail

Daintree chocolate ice cream — Discover Daintree’s most beloved ice cream haunts. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Independent wanderers

Prefer to explore at your own pace? Embark on a delicious journey from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation, following winding roads through farmlands and small communities to taste the best of the Daintree.

From gelato and chocolate to barramundi and chorizo, the Daintree is home to an eclectic range of small farms, orchards, and growers often hidden from view. Celebrate fresh flavours and meet producers telling their stories.

Duration: It’s self-guided, so a few hours, days, or weeks – it’s up to you!
Departs from: Starts in Port Douglas
Price: Purchase food items at your own cost

From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.

Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.

Catseye Pool Club

Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.

The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.

My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.

Sails Restaurant

A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.

The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.

Bommie

Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.

Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.

Pebble Beach

Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.

The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.

Beach Club Restaurant

A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.

I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.

Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.

Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher

There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.

We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.

The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.

coca chu

Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.

Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.

Marina Cafe

Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.

The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.

Discover your foodie getaway now at hamiltonisland.com.au.

The ultimate guide to the best Cairns tours

Explore the very best of Tropical North Queensland with these unforgettable Cairns tours.

In short

Great Barrier Reef tours

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel: Dreamtime Cruise