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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.
Most people planning a reef day trip from Cairns have heard of Green Island and Fitzroy Island. Fewer have heard of the Frankland Islands – and that is exactly what makes them special. No resort, no shops, no crowds. Just five uninhabited islands sit inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine […]
Three islands, three very different days out – and that is what makes this decision interesting. Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the Frankland Islands all sit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and all depart from Cairns, yet each one delivers a completely different experience once you step off […]
Not everyone wants a guided tour with hotel pickups and a set schedule – sometimes you just want to jump in the car, head up the mountain, and figure it out as you go. The good news is that Kuranda is one of the easiest day trips in Tropical North […]
Two of Kuranda’s best-known attractions, two very different experiences – and if your village time is limited, you might be weighing up which one to fit in. Rainforestation Nature Park and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary both draw big crowds for good reason, but they couldn’t be more different in what […]
There’s something about shopping under a rainforest canopy that makes the whole experience feel different. No fluorescent lighting, no chain stores – just local makers, tropical fruit, and the sound of birds competing with the occasional busker. That’s Kuranda markets in a nutshell. The village has been famous for its […]
You’ve picked the Scenic Railway and the Skyrail, you know you’re heading up to Kuranda – and then comes the question that trips everyone up mid-booking. How long do you actually need once you get there? Two to three hours is what works for most visitors. Enough to wander both […]
Most people arrive in Kuranda expecting a quick stop between the Scenic Railway and the Skyrail – maybe a wander through the markets and a coffee before heading back down. Then they get there, and three hours pass by quickly. Kuranda has a way of doing that. This small rainforest […]
Two ways up a mountain, two completely different experiences – and one question that comes up almost every time someone calls Cairns Discovery Tours to plan a Kuranda day trip. Should you take the Scenic Railway or the Skyrail? And does it matter which direction you go? The short answer […]
There is something about watching a five-year-old spot their first sea turtle from the shallows that makes the whole trip worth it. Fitzroy Island is one of those places that works for families in a way that bigger, busier reef destinations often do not – the ferry ride is short, […]
Most people step off the ferry at Fitzroy Island, look at the water, and immediately want to get in. That instinct is spot on. The fringing reef here starts just metres from the shore, which means you do not need a boat transfer or a deep-water swim to reach healthy […]
Most people arrive at Fitzroy Island with snorkelling on the brain. And fair enough – the fringing reef that wraps around this island is genuinely worth the hype. But the walking tracks here are among the most underrated in Tropical North Queensland, and visitors who skip them are missing half […]
Getting to Fitzroy Island is one of the easiest things you’ll do on your Cairns holiday. The island sits just 29 kilometres southeast of the city – a 45-minute ferry ride across the Coral Sea – and multiple operators run daily services from the Cairns Marlin Marina. No flights, no […]
Explore Cairns & surrounds with our curated tours.
Adult $107|Child $53.50
Family 2A+2C $267.50
Daily from Cairns & Palm Cove
8.30am to 2.30pm or
12.30pm to 5.30pm
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers a thrilling immersion into Australia’s iconic wildlife. Spanning over 10 hectares of natural habitat, the park is renowned for its focus on conservation and education. Visitors can embark on guided tours, encountering saltwater crocodiles, cassowaries, and an array of native species in their natural habitats. The park also features interactive experiences, including crocodile feeding shows and wildlife presentation.
Adult $110.00 | Child $55.00 | Family 2A+2C $275.00
Adult $196 – Child $98 – Family $490
Departs Daily from Cairns 8:30am – 5:00pm
Make the most of your time in Far North Queensland with the Two Island Explorer tour, combining both Fitzroy Island and Green Island in a single unforgettable day. Departing from Cairns, this reef and island adventure lets you snorkel vibrant coral reefs, swim in crystal-clear waters, or simply relax
Adult $196.00 | Child $98.00 | Family 2A+2C $490.00
Adult $122 |Child 4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Full Day 9.00am – 5.00pm
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the white sandy beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Semi Submersible and guided snorkel tour options available.
Adult $122.00 | Child 4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00
Departs Cairns Daily 2.00pm -5.30pm
$184 per person 12yrs + with hotel transfers
$165.00 per person -Self drive to Lake Placid
Above prices include $35 River Levy
Just a short drive north of Cairns, the Barron River offers the perfect introduction to white water rafting. This action-packed afternoon adventure includes up to 2 hours on the water, navigating through spectacular rainforest scenery, rugged granite boulders, and exhilarating rapids.
It’s fun, exciting, and ideal for first-timers or families with children aged 12 and over. No prior experience needed — just bring your sense of adventure!
Includes $35 River Levy $184.00 per person 12yrs + with hotel transfers | Includes $35 River Levy $165.00 per person -Self drive to Lake Placid
Departs daily 8.30am – 5.30pm
Fuel Levy $10.00 Adult $5.00 Child payable at check in day of travel
Enjoy the best of both worlds with this complete Reef and Island tour. Fast 45-minute catamaran ride to Green Island to enjoy 2 hours on this iconic coral cay. Continue your day adventure to Great Adventures spacious activity platform. Spend 3 hours discovering the wonders of the reef, with plenty of time to snorkel, relax, and take in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural treasures.
Adult $312.00 | Child $172.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $805.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child. Fuel Levy payable at check-in on the day of travel.
Adult $275.00| Child 4-14yrs $175
Family 2A+2C $795
Departs Cairns daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
This Great Barrier Reef Tour is another of my favourites as a local. Why? You will visit 2 stunning outer reef locations discovering the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive among turtles, tropical fish, and an incredible variety of corals. This is a very popular Cairns reef tour and often books out in advance!
Adult $275.00 | Child 4-14yrs $175.00 | Family 2A+2C $795.00
This Kuranda Day Tour includes the Kuranda Scenic Train and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park. Ride an amphibious WWII Army Duck through the rainforest, meet Aussie wildlife at the Koala and Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal experience and Aussie BBQ lunch plus hotel transfers.
Please read inclusions & itinerary for changes during Skyrail upgrade 20th July – 26 October 2026
Adult $306.00 | Child 4-14yrs $162.00 | Family 2A+2C $814.50 | $67.00 Gold Class per person
$265 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.
Adult $265.00 Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
Here’s why thousands of customers trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 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.
