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Discover insider tips, local stories, and expert travel advice on our Cairns Discovery Tours blog. From exploring the Great Barrier Reef and hidden rainforest walks to uncovering the best day trips and cultural experiences, our blogs are written to inspire your next adventure. Whether you’re planning your first visit to Cairns or returning to explore more, you’ll find helpful guides, travel ideas, and authentic local insights to make the most of your journey.

Best Time to Travel to Cairns

When is the Best Time to Travel to Cairns

Choosing the right moment to touch down in the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef is less about avoiding "bad" weather and more about matching the city’s tropical rhythm to your personal holiday style. Cairns doesn’t follow the traditional four-season calendar; instead, it dances between two distinct moods: the Dry…

Daintree Rainforest Walks

5 Best Daintree Rainforest Walks

Just north of Cairns lies one of the most extraordinary natural environments on the planet. The Daintree Rainforest is ancient, immersive, and alive in a way few places are. For visitors who want to slow down, connect with nature, and truly understand Tropical North Queensland, Daintree rainforest walks offer an…

Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for Visiting Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island, just a short boat ride from Cairns, is a true tropical paradise with pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests. It’s a top destination for travellers looking to immerse themselves in nature, but as with all beautiful places, it’s important to leave only footprints behind. By choosing sustainable…

Cruise Ships Near an Island

What To Pack For A Fitzroy Island Day Tour: Essentials & Tips

A Fitzroy Island Day Tour is the perfect getaway from Cairns, offering stunning beaches, lush hiking trails, and world-class snorkelling opportunities. To make the most of your trip, packing smart is important. Whether you plan to explore the island’s scenic tracks, dive into the Great Barrier Reef, or simply relax…

Tropical Paradise

When Is The Best Time To Visit Fitzroy Island For A Perfect Day Tour?

Fitzroy Island is one of the most breathtaking destinations near Cairns, offering crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, and incredible marine life. Whether you’re looking for snorkelling adventures, hiking trails, or simply a relaxing beach escape, planning your Fitzroy Island day tour at the right time can make all the difference.

A Frankland Islands

Discover The Magic Of Frankland Islands With A Day Cruise

Looking for an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experience away from the crowds? The Frankland Islands are a hidden gem, offering pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and exclusive access to one of the most breathtaking destinations in Tropical North Queensland. With a special deal available until 28th February 2025, now is…

Things To Do In Cairns For Cruise Ship Visitors

Are you docking in Cairns and wondering how to make the most of your time? Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the lush rainforests of Queensland, offers an incredible array of activities and sights perfect for cruise ship visitors. With limited time, it’s essential to choose experiences…

Green Island In Great Barrier Reef

3 Best Islands To Visit At The Great Barrier Reef

Imagine setting foot on an island where every view captivates and the sea's colours change with the light. The Great Barrier Reef is home to many such islands, each offering adventure and relaxation. Let’s explore the top islands that will make your visit to the reef a truly unforgettable experience.

spirit of Cairns boat

Commonly Asked Questions about the Cairns Dinner Cruise

This journey is an immersive experience that blends exquisite cuisine with panoramic views of Cairns' picturesque waterfront. In this blog, we'll explore what makes the Cairns dinner cruise a must-do activity and reveal how it can transform your visit.

Day Trip In Tropical North Queensland

The Best Day Trips from Cairns: A Guide for First Timers

Cairns, a gem nestled in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, serves as the perfect gateway for those eager to immerse themselves in Australia's spectacular natural beauty. From the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef to the vast rainforests, Cairns is a hub of adventure that promises unforgettable experiences. If you're a…

Explore Cairns & surrounds with our curated tours.

4.9 stars, 350 reviews
Google Reviews
30 Jan → 31 Jan
Cairns Port
Fri, 2:00 PM
Sat, 7:00 PM
Silver Nova
9 Feb 2026, Mon
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
5:00 PM
Zaandam
9 Feb → 10 Feb
Cairns Port
Mon, 9:00 AM
Tue, 6:00 PM
Odyssey of the Seas
9 Feb 2026, Mon
Yorkeys Knob Port
10:00 AM
7:00 PM
Voyager of the Seas
Carnival Luminosa
11 Feb 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
10:00 AM
7:00 PM
Carnival Luminosa
11 Feb → 12 Feb
Cairns Port
Wed, 1:00 PM
Thu, 11:00 PM
Viking Sky
13 Feb 2026, Fri
Cairns Port
10:00 AM
9:00 PM
Riviera
16 Feb → 17 Feb
Last Shuttle bus back from Cairns is 4.30pm 17th Feb
Mon, 9:00 AM
Tue, 6:00 PM
Celebrity Edge
1 Mar 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Viking Venus
4 Mar 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
9:00 AM
6:00 PM
Carnival Adventure
Viking Orion
5 Mar 2026, Thu
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Viking Orion
Crown Princess
6 Mar 2026, Fri
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Crown Princess
9 Mar 2026, Mon
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
5:00 PM
MSC Magnifica
10 Mar 2026, Tue
Yorkeys Knob Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Queen Mary
Carnival Luminosa
11 Mar 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
10:00 AM
7:00 PM
Carnival Luminosa
Crown Princess
14 Mar 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Crown Princess
Carnival Splendor
18 Mar 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
8:30 AM
5:00 PM
Carnival Splendor
25 Mar 2026, Wed
Yorkeys Knob Port
10:00 AM
7:00 PM
Voyager of the Seas
2 Apr 2026, Thu
Yorkeys Knob Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Discovery Princess
5 Apr 2026, Sun
Yorkeys Knob Port
7:00 AM
5:00 PM
Celebrity Solstice
Viking Orion
6 Apr 2026, Mon
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Viking Orion
Crown Princess
13 Apr 2026, Mon
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
5:00 PM
Crown Princess
Carnival Encounter
14 Apr 2026, Tue
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Splendor
2 May 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor
24 May 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Encounter
2 Jun 2026, Tue
Cairns Port
10:00 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Splendor
28 Jun 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
9:00 AM
5:30 PM
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Encounter
7 Jul → 8 Jul
Cairns Port
Tue, 9:30 AM
Wed, 5:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
29 Jul 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
7:30 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
15 Aug 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Adventure
Carnival Encounter
8 Sep 2026, Tue
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Splendor
13 Sep 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:00 PM
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Encounter
29 Sep → 30 Sep
Cairns Port
Tue, 9:30 AM
Wed, 6:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Encounter
28 Oct 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
5:30 PM
Carnival Encounter
Crown Princess
30 Oct 2026, Fri
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
5:00 PM
Crown Princess
7 Nov 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Costa Serena
8 Nov 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Riviera
15 Nov 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Viking Venus
Noordam
23 Nov → 24 Nov
Cairns Port
Mon, 9:00 AM
Tue, 7:00 PM
Noordam
26 Nov → 22 Nov
Cairns Port
Thu, 7:00 AM
Sun, 7:00 PM
Riviera
27 Nov → 28 Nov
Cairns Port
Fri, 8:00 AM
Sat, 6:00 PM
Azamara Pursuit
5 Dec 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
9:00 AM
7:00 PM
Grand Princess
9 Dec → 10 Dec
Cairns Port
Wed, 7:00 AM
Thu, 3:00 PM
Riviera
Carnival Luminosa
10 Dec 2026, Thu
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Luminosa
Seven Seas Navigator
12 Dec 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
7:00 PM
Seven Seas Navigator
Carnival Encounter
16 Dec 2026, Wed
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
20 Dec 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
9:30 PM
Riviera
Crown Princess
21 Feb → 22 Feb
Cairns Port
Sun, 8:00 AM
Mon, 9:00 PM
Crown Princess

Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $199 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $650
Depart Cairns Daily 12 noon – 5.00pm

Cairns newest & fastest purpose built vessel to the Outer Barrier Reef. Only 40 snorkelers per trip, Join our expert snorkel team, made up of Master Reef Guides and Marine naturalists, on a crowd-free adventure with over 2 hours of snorkelling time. Get ready to discover the Great Barrier Reef.

More Info

Adult $199.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $650.00

12:00 pm
5:00 pm

Your Cairns Tubing Rainforest tour will take you along some of Cairns’ most beautiful rainforest rivers. You’ll glide over gentle white-water rapids, cool off in fresh rainforest water, and soak up the stunning natural surroundings at every turn. So much fun, especially during our summer months October- March

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Adult $95.00 +$15 River Levy | 5-11yrs $70.00 +$15 River Levy

7:00 am
11:00 am
Special Deal
Save $25.00 per adult & $15.00 ChildValid to 31/3/26 Call to book 07 40283567

Departs daily 7am – 5pm
Enjoy an all-inclusive River, Reef, and Island Cruise with the sole commercial operator permitted on the pristine uninhabited Frankland Islands. Snorkel off the Island’s National Park white sand beach, swim with sea turtles, and have a quick and convenient journey with the shortest open water crossing.

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Adult $250.00 | Child $125.00 4-16yrs | Family 2A+2C $625.00

7:00 am
5:00 pm

Adult $259|Aust Pensioner $249
Child $199 (4-14yrs only)
not suitable for children under 4yrs
Family 2A+2C $869 + Extra child $150
Departs Daily 7.00am

Discover the Daintree Rainforest in Comfort – Small Group Touring (Max 14 Guests)
Travel along the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef Drive to explore Mossman Gorge, enjoy a restaurant lunch at the Daintree Tea House, 1 hour cruise on the Daintree River and visit Cape Tribulation Beach—where the rainforest meets the sea. With scenic stops at Rex Lookout, Flagstaff Hill Port Douglas, and a sweet treat option at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, this full-day tour offers an immersive nature experience in air-conditioned comfort. A full day exploring our spectacular natural backyard.

More Info

Adult $259.00 | Aust Pensioner $249.00 | Child $199.00 (4-14yrs only) | Family 2A+2C $869.00 + Extra child $150

7:00 am
6:00 pm
Waterfall and Rainforest Tour Cairns, Australia

Adult $179|Child 2-11yrs $139|Family 2A+2C $497
Departs daily 7.30am – 5.30pm

On the Waterfalls and Wanderer tour you will travel south as you discover nature and the beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls. This is 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 and waterfalls.

More Info

Adult $179.00 | Child 2-11yrs $139.00 | Family 2A+2C $497.00

7:30 am
5:30 pm
Handmade chocolates at Gallo Dairyland

$255 Adults – Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
Departs Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sat
Cairns 8.00am & Palm Cove 7.30am 

Food and wine tasting adventure showcasing the spectacular Atherton Tablelands – also known as the Cairns Food Bowl  – Includes tastings of liqueurs, wine, beer, spirits, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, tropical fruits, nuts, Crocodile, Kangaroo, Red Claw Yabby.  Includes full breakfast, morning tea, gourmet lunch, afternoon tea and all tastings.

More Info

Adult $255.00 Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.

7:30 am
5:00 pm

Departs Cairns daily 7.30am – 5.30pm

Discover Kuranda with Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the rainforest in comfortable six-person gondolas and explore Kuranda in your own time. Enjoy the 1.5 hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that travels through the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.

More Info

Adult $195.00 | Child 4-14yrs $100.00 | Family 2A+2C $490.00 | Gold Class upgrade $61.50 per person

7:30 am
5:30 pm
Special Deal
Save $69.00BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Adult $395|Child $330 4-16 years
Great Value !! Save $69

Departs daily 8.00am – 4.30pm
Experience the ultimate adventure value package on the Great Barrier Reef with views from above and below the Reef. Includes an awesome 10-minute scenic Helicopter flight to see the Great Barrier Reef from the air! Full day with two locations on the Outer Barrier Reef including snorkelling, lunch and more

More Info

Adult $395.00 | Child $330.00 4-16 years

8:00 am
4:30 pm
View all popular 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.

Janice Welsh
Janice Welsh
4 months ago
We arranged 3 day tours from Cairns with Cairns Discovery tours, one to Fitzroy Island, one to Green Island and one to Kuranda . From the initial telephone contact to the conclusion of the tours, Maryanne was so helpful and professional. Booking and payment was easy, follow up information meant we knew exactly where to meet and what we would expect to see and do, when and where to check in on the day . I can thoroughly recommend booking with Cairns Discovery Tours.
Meredith Graham
Meredith Graham
6 months ago
Cairns Discovery Tours were amazing. I had very specific requirements for booking tours, due to the group we were travelling with. They made the process so easy. Their recommendations were spot on and then they took care of all our bookings, including updating me on any "deals" that companies had. If you are travelling to Cairns, I would highly recommend contacting Cairns Discovery Tours to sort your holiday!
I had the pleasure of booking my recent trip through Cairns Discovery Tours in Cairns and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish.From the very beginning, Maryanne and team were extremely easy to work with. Their communication was clear, prompt, and effective, which gave me confidence that everything was being handled smoothly. No matter how many questions we had, they responded with patience and helpful details.Since we were completely new to Cairns, their recommendations were invaluable.Another highlight was the deal they worked out for us. They managed to customize the itinerary in a way that was both budget-friendly and full of experiences.Overall, I highly recommend Cairns Discovery Tours to anyone planning a trip to Cairns. They are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about making your journey memorable. I would definitely choose them again for my future travels.Thanks once again Maryanne and Taam!
Kim Ryan
Kim Ryan
4 months ago
Easy to book online and and contact if need be. Well organised would recommend using this company to book tours through.
Adrian Olsen
Adrian Olsen
7 months ago
Like to thank Mary Ann for organising our two trips had to get a partial refund on one of the trips due to weather which was an easy process. Would definitely book through Cairns Discovery Tours again
G
Greg Scher
11 months ago
Marianne set up great tours and was very responsive with any questions. Highly recommended,