Tours for cruise ship passengers
Cairns & Yorkeys Knob Ports
Explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef with Cairns shore excursions designed especially for cruise passengers. Choose from small-group or private tours, all carefully timed to suit your ship’s schedule — so you can relax and enjoy your day ashore.
As a locally owned and operated Cairns business, we’re based right here on the ground. We understand cruise arrival times, tender processes and local conditions, and we’re available if you need assistance before or during your visit.
Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal – located in the heart of Cairns city, just a 7 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal for Great Barrier Reef and Island tour departures.
- Yorkeys Knob – is a tender port 25 minutes north of Cairns, with shuttle transfers provided by the cruise ship to Cairns city for easy access to Great Barrier Reef and Island tours.
Adult $120|Child 4-14yrs $60
Family 2A+2C $300
Departs daily 9.00am – 1.00pm
Green Island is a beautiful island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef only 45 minutes ferry ride from Cairns. It is a Marine National Park uniquely rainforested and surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life.
Adult $120.00 | Child 4-14yrs $60.00 | Family 2A+2C $300.00
From Adult $97| Child $57 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $251
Please note seasonal prices apply
Departs daily at 10.45am – Returns at 2.45pm
Escape to Fitzroy Island for a half day adventure. A quick 45-minute ferry to the beautiful coral Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel equipment, glass-bottom boat tour, go swimming, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaking. providing the perfect mix of natural beauty and marine experiences.
From Adult $97.00 | Child $57.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $251.00
Cruise ship shore excursion for Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Travel along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive on board your luxury coach. Hear the fascinating stories of the region from an experienced local driver-guide. See massive Saltwater Crocodiles & meet native Aussie wildlife!
Adult $122| Child $66 4-14yrs
Family2A+2C $316
Half Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 3.20pm
Full Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 5.20pm
Green Island is an idyllic coral cay located only 15 nautical miles offshore from Cairns, snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the white sand beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Includes choice of snorkelling equipment OR glass bottom boat.
Adult $122.00 | Child $66.00 4-14yrs | Family2A+2C $316.00
This half-day tour offers the magic of the reef in a timeframe that works perfectly for cruise ship visitors with 3 departures from Cairns Marina daily at 8am, 10am or 1pm.
The tour takes place in open water, confident swimming is recommended to get the most enjoyment and comfort.
Tour runs for 4 hours duration with 1.5 hours of snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef
Adult $179.00 | 6-14yrs $119.00 | 2AD+2CH $535.00 | Prescription Masks $15.00
We’re passionate locals who know Cairns inside out, and we’re here to make your shore excursion stress-free and unforgettable. Whether you prefer a small-group tour or a private experience, we’ll help plan the perfect day to fit your cruise schedule.
The Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal is conveniently located in the heart of the city, just a 7–10 minute walk from the Cairns Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, where most Great Barrier Reef and island tours depart. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops within easy reach.
If your ship anchors at Yorkeys Knob, tour options are more limited since many operators don’t collect from this location (about 25 minutes north of Cairns). However, we can arrange a Kuranda Tour on select dates, and most cruise lines provide shuttle transfers into Cairns to connect with reef and island tours.
Popular shore excursions include Great Barrier Reef cruises, scenic helicopter flights, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Paronella Park, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway with Skyrail.
For cruise-aligned tour times and personalised advice, our local team is ready to help.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers loveCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Discovery Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. We make exploring Cairns stress-free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Secure your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option. Lock in your adventure today and pay in easy installments — perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
