Cairns Tours

Your afternoon Cairns tour begins with complimentary Cairns CBD hotel pick up as we embark on an unforgettable journey through this tropical paradise and it's stunning surroundings.

St. Monica’s Cathedral - This Heritage Listed cathedral, dedicated as a memorial to the Battle of the Coral Sea, houses 24 amazing stained-glass windows, depicting the creation story. They are reputably the largest themed stained-glass windows in the world.
Cairns Museum - A local guide will take you on an exclusive tour to discover the story of Cairns and living in the tropics. Learn about the city's fascinating heritage and its transformation into the vibrant, modern metropolis it is today. The museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits that vividly showcase the unique history and the diverse communities that have called Cairns home.
Delicious Afternoon Tea – Take a break and enjoy a delicious Devonshire Afternoon Tea in the leafy suburb of Edge Hill.
Cairns Botanic Gardens –Venture out of the city to explore the enchanting Cairns Botanic Gardens, a haven of tropical flora. Renown as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia.  Your tour guide will lead you through this vibrant ecosystem, where you'll discover the unique and exotic plants that thrive in the tropical climate.
Scenic Lookout  and Lower Barron Gorge National Park Have your camera ready as we visit a spectacular lookout with stunning views over the city of Cairns and the Coral Sea, before continuing to Lower Barron River Gorge National Park and Surprise Creek Falls. Here  you'll be surrounded by the serene beauty of the rainforest and Barron River.
Palm Cove – Stroll along the jetty or on the sand on this picture-perfect beach, fringed with coconut trees. Nestled behind the beach is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove, with its’ magnificent paperbark trees. Sit back and relax on the return drive to Cairns arriving at your accommodation approximately 6.00pm

Paddle through the World Heritage-listed Rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park and float past giant granite boulders as you take on the thrilling Grade Three rapids of the Barron River as it winds its way towards the Coral Sea.

Perfect for beginners: The Barron River is ideal for first-time rafters or anyone seeking a fun adventure on the water. There is the opportunity to leave the raft and do some river floating on the calmer sections.

Exciting Rapids: Experience the thrill of grade 2-3 rapids that will get your adrenaline pumping.

Beautiful Scenery: Enjoy peaceful moments of calm water floating amidst spectacular natural scenery and the amazing backdrop of the Barron Gorge National Park.

Fun and Safe: Our experienced guides ensure a fun and safe experience for everyone with full instruction and safety equipment included

The Barron River – is 20 minutes from Cairns but a world away. This Cairns rafting tour has action and adventure, combining calm water floating with a series of rapids. Half-Day Cairns Rafting Tours. It's fun, exciting, and suitable for all the family (aged 12 and over). Paddle through the World Heritage-listed Rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park and take on the thrilling Grade Three rapids of the Barron River as it winds its way towards the Coral Sea. This tour includes up to 2 hours of White Water Rafting, a professional guide and all safety equipment.

Cruise ship passengers - Meet at Bus Stop 7 at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, at 2.00 pm, a short walk from the Cruise Terminal

Great Barrier Reef 'Highlights' Tour. This tour is perfect for those with limited time and who still want to experience the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. Check in at 11.50am - Departing Cairns at 12.40pm, enjoy a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef to meet the luxury yacht, Evolution. Enjoy a late lunch with 1.5 hours at Hastings Reef snorkelling before returning to Cairns at 4.30pm

Walk amongst boulders, slide into cool pools, soak in the spray of waterfalls and dive into crater lakes, and that’s just the ‘wet’ stuff! On this full day tour you'll also visit and learn about culturally important places, visit the biggest tree you’ll ever see (the Curtain Fig Tree which is believed to be 500 years old!), and have the chance to spy a diverse array of rainforest creatures - if you're lucky you'll even spot an elusive platypus!

Travel south and discover the majesty and beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls, a MUST-see for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands.

Waterfall Wanderers will provide morning and afternoon tea, lunch, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fruit throughout the day, as well as heaps of games and puzzles to keep you entertained as we explore the Atherton Tablelands by luxury air-conditioned coach.

Pack your swimmers. Australia’s most famous rainforest waterfalls await. Our Cairns waterfalls and rainforest tour is an epic road trip, which will have you in and out of the water all day. It takes you from Cairns, up, over and through the beautiful rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands.

Babinda Boulders – Stunning scenery and refreshing swimming. Culturally significant to the Yidinji Traditional Owners, learn the tragic love story that still ‘haunts’ this beautiful place.

Josephine Falls – Ready to slide and take a wild ride down the rocks, into a cool rainforest pool? This is it, and it doesn’t get any better, bring the Go Pros.

Millaa Millaa Waterfall – World famous hair flick waterfall which tumbles 18m down into a natural amphitheatre. Strike a pose, swim and explore.

Volcanic Crater Lake – Dive right into Lake Eacham, a 65m former volcanic crater, now filled with crystal clear rainwater.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the 40-minute scenic coastal drive aboard your comfortable coach to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with interesting commentary from our driver along the way. Once you arrive, you will have plenty of time to explore this fantastic wildlife park.

Stroll along the boardwalks and pathways through the woodlands and rainforest at your own leisure to see and learn about the unique Australian wildlife.

Make sure to catch the entertaining wildlife presentations including the Crocodile Farm Tour 9am & 1pm, Snake Show 10am & 2pm, Cassowary Feeding 9am & 4pm, Wallaby Feeding, Wetlands Cruise and the must-see Crocodile Attack Show at 3pm.
Meet your driver after a wonderful afternoon for your return transfer back to your hotel.

Download Daily Activities and times

Departing Cairns at approx 11.15am , we journey south to the Cassowary Coast our first stop at the township of Babinda and to explore the beautiful Babinda Boulders with time for a swim or nature walk.

We then travel further south through the Art Deco township of Innisfail and onto the Cassowary Coast featuring an interpretive overview of the rich history of agriculture in the Banana and Sugar Cane Industries. Taking the scenic coastal road over the Moresby Range, we stop at Etty Bay. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and photograph a Southern Cassowary on a rainforest beach. At Etty Bay, we enjoy afternoon tea, with time to walk along the beach to experience this unique environment where the rainforest meets the reef.

Upon arrival to Paronella Park, begin your experience with a fully guided tour including Queensland’s first privately owned hydroelectricity plant. Or, if you prefer, explore the grounds at your leisure & discover why the park was voted the number 1 must-do attraction in Queensland. Meet your guide at the museum and take a look at the many interesting pieces of history, before taking a leisurely stroll across the suspension bridge and over the beautiful Mena Creek Falls to capture an amazing photo opportunity.

After the epic photos, we’ll make our way to Mena Creek Hotel, voted the best country pub in Queensland, where an authentic "Pub Style" dinner will be served.

Taste some of the local beers or challenge your skills on the game tables. After dinner, we return to Paronella Park for the ‘Darkness Falls Tour’ allowing for more spectacular photo opportunities of the waterfalls and structures of the castles by night.

Sitting under the stars surrounded by the dense rainforest, the grand finale and highlight of the tour set the scene of a captivating, extraordinary, magical moment, witnessing the Spanish Castle come to life through the orchestral light show, elevating your senses for an experience you will never forget.

Depart Paronella Park for one last stop – to gaze at the beautiful stars in the clear, picturesque North Queensland sky before being dropped off at your chosen accommodation at around 9pm.

Enjoy a relaxing evening cruising on a luxury 26-metre sailing catamaran gliding the calm waters of Trinity Inlet and Cairns Harbour.

Luxury Catamaran: The two-level Spirit of Cairns has exterior decks and an air-conditioned interior ensuring a comfortable experience.

Scenic Transition: Witness the sights and sounds of Cairns' tropical port city  as it transitions from day to night, offering a unique perspective.

Pre-Dinner Drink: Begin the evening with a refreshing pre-dinner drink. The water is calm, the weather mild, and the night is yours to enjoy.

Sumptuous Buffet: Sit down to a sumptuous buffet meal with a wide range of hot and cold dishes, fresh seafood, and delicious local produce.

Fully Licensed: Spirit of Cairns sailing catamaran is fully licensed, selling a wide range of beverages to complement your meal and enhance your evening. This is Cairns' only dinner cruise and is a popular experience.

This is the only place on earth where two World Heritage Listed icons exist side by side. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropical Rainforest. The sheer scale and beauty of these incredible natural assets must be seen from the air! You will be amazed by the stunning blue and green hues of these pristine coral sea waters and their thriving coral gardens. This flight includes incredible photo opportunities of picturesque Green Island, Arlington Reef and Upolu Sand Cay. Many of the larger marine species can be most easily spotted from the air. Inflight sightings have included Sea Turtles, Sharks, Manta Rays, Dolphins, Dugong and even majestic Humpback Whales (Jul-Sep) during their annual migration from Antarctica, stopping by briefly to give birth and raise their calves in our warm tropical waters.

Please note flights operate with a minimum of 2 people - Solo traveller bookings are accepted and will be confirmed once minimum numbers are reached. Please note the tour is subject to availability at the time of booking. Please make your way to The Cairns Pier Heliport -30 minutes before your flight.

Green Island. Make your way to the Cairns Marina and check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Big Cat Cruise Desk for your boarding passes. Boarding commences at 8.15 am and Cruise departs at 9.00am.  Green Island is a beautiful coral Cay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and is a Marine National Park uniquely rainforested and surrounded by white sandy beaches, coral reefs and abundant marine life. Your visit allows you 2 hours at Green Island and included is the choice of snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat tour. “Reef Rocket” is a modern comfortable air-conditioned highspeed catamaran with a relaxed atmosphere. Travel time to Green Island is 45 minutes from Cairns. Passengers can take part in the many activities available or simply relax on the beach. Staff will help you to organise your activities to make the most of your time on Green Island. Depart Green Island at 12 noon arrive Cairns 12.45pm and Cairns Discovery Tours will collect you in front of the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1.00pm.

Lunch is not included and we recommend an early lunch on the Island

Cairns City Sights & Surrounds Tour. This afternoon you will discover Cairns' history and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage that is unique to the Far North. One of the highlights is the St. Monica's Cathedral featuring the World's largest themed stained glass windows. Cairns Botanic Gardens which contains an amazing collection of tropical plants, including exotic herbs, spices, valuable timber trees, orchids, fruits, bromeliads, giant bamboo and many other spectacular flowering plants. Everything about this tour experience is designed to delight discerning travellers of all ages and interests.

Explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other highlights of Tropical North Queensland on this full-day tour from Cairns.

Stop 1: Skybury Coffee Plantation for Morning Tea - enjoy a coffee or tea and a morning snack (such as scones, jam and cream, and tropical fruit) while enjoying the balcony views.

Stop 2: Private local ranger-guided Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Tour - take a step back in time and be inspired by the knowledge of your guide as he explains about the fossilized remains of the ancient coral reefs some 400 - 420 million years old, with hidden limestone labyrinths give a portal to a lost world just like our own Great Barrier Reef. This was once the inland sea. Millions of years in the making, the limestone formations and Chillagoe-Munagana Caves are nothing short of spectacular.

Stop 3: Chillagoe Smelter Ruins - here we delve into the history of the Chillagoe copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizon. We visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters to ponder what it was like working there.

Stop 4: Aussie lunch at Chillagoe's 100-year-old pub - a true Australian Outback Pub built at the turn of the century! There is time to visit the unique gift shop in Chillagoe, which specialises in Chillagoe marble and local Aboriginal art.

Stop 5: Visit Balancing Rock for an iconic photo opportunity!

Stop 6: See Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about some Dreamtime stories.

Stop 7: Visit Granite Gorge to see the wallabies - get up close and personal with these local rock wallabies at Granite Gorge National Park and have time to explore this National Park before making your way home.

There are also stairs to climb to get into the caves. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour. It is not suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchairs
Please advise of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions in the wet season. Tour is only available from Cairns. Tour Operator will provide Baby Seats or Booster Seats. Please advise upon booking; all children up to 7 years.

Please note: Itineraries may be changed or operated in a different order, or some destinations may not be reached at the discretion of Billy Tea Safaris' guide during the day due to weather and possible road closures, and for the safety of all passengers.

Discover the natural beauty and history of the Atherton Tablelands on this full-day tour, covering over 300km packed with pristine rainforest waterfalls, ancient tropical rainforests and the intriguing history of heritage-listed Paronella Park. Amongst a small group in our air-conditioned bus, our expert guides reveal the secrets of the rolling landscapes and charming townships of the Tablelands, taking time to pause for unforgettable scenic views, rainforest encounters and of course, a dip in the cool rainforest waters of Milla Milla Falls and Babinda Boulders.

Highlights

Spectacular views: Witness the breathtaking transition of the sky from day to night as the sun sets over the mountains and reflects on the water
Wildlife Sightings: Keep an eye out for native wildlife, including birds and other creatures that come alive at dusk.
Relaxing Atmosphere : With a maximum of 16 passengers this a personalised tour with comfortable lounge- style seating and a knowledgable guide. Float along the Cairns Waterfront and into the rivers and channels go the Trinity Inlet.

What to expect
Duration - 90 minutes
Departure Time - 5.15pm
Departure Point - Cairns Maina - A Finger
Inclusions - Complimentary drink, light snack

Looking to relax during the day, maybe by the hotel pool and then enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening learning about the wide variety of ecosystems from across the local region of Tropical North Queensland, Australia

As the sun sets on North Queensland's mountain ranges, steamy rainforests and shallow reef lagoons begin to stir with life. Nocturnal reptiles, amphibians, insects and fish sense the onset of dusk and emerge from their daytime lairs.

Aquarium by Twilight gives you an insight into the unique changes of the region's night-time creatures as they move about in the shadows. Witness the predators in the Oceanarium with appetisers and drinks in hand before completing your evening at Dundee's Restaurant with a perfectly matched dining experience while enjoying a stunning marine life backdrop.

Overview

Cairns River Cruises tours the sublime calm waters of the Trinity Inlet in Cairns on a spacious and modern boat designed for comfort and taking in uninterrupted views. Enjoy the mountain-lined Inlet and her wildlife and the tropical foreshore of Cairns at different times of day.

Make sure you bring along your camera to capture Cairns and the Inlet and stunning sights on your tour. Your local skipper/guide will share some great information and stories about the region as well as some local anecdotes. The vessel has comfortable lounge-style seating, an onboard toilet, and hosts a maximum of 14 guests, so your tour is bespoke and relaxed.
A Fun Cruising Experience 

Experience the best of Cairns with our combined City Sights Tour and River Cruise. Start your adventure with a leisurely 75-minute cruise on the tranquil waters of Trinity Inlet, guided by a knowledgeable local who will share insights into the region's rich history and stunning natural beauty.

After your cruise, enjoy some free time to explore before indulging in a delicious lunch at the award-winning Dundee's on the Waterfront.

Your afternoon is filled with discovery as you visit iconic Cairns highlights, including the lush Cairns Botanical Gardens, the picturesque Palm Cove, and much more. This tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and culinary delight—ideal for those looking to fully experience the charm of Cairns.