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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.

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 […]

Cairns Cruise Ship During Sunset

Cairns excursions for cruise ship visitors

Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the deck of your cruise ship as it docks in the vibrant city of Cairns? Our Cairns excursions are designed especially for cruise passengers arriving at the port, offering unforgettable experiences across Tropical North Queensland. From reef adventures to rainforest escapes, these Cairns […]

Beautiful Waterfalls In Atherton Tablelands

4 must-see waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands in Cairns

Imagine a place where the air is filled with the soothing sound of cascading water and every turn reveals a view more breathtaking than the last—this is the Atherton Tablelands, a hidden gem in the Cairns region renowned for its stunning waterfalls. In this blog, we’ll journey through four of […]

Great Barrier Reef

5 reasons to visit the Great Barrier Reef

Are you a passionate traveller seeking awe-inspiring adventures? If so, the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns should be on your travel radar. Spread over 2300 kilometres, this marine marvel promises a multitude of extraordinary sights. In this blog, we will discuss five compelling reasons why this UNESCO World Heritage Site […]

A Cairns Botanic Gardens

Things to do on a trip to Cairns

Cairns, a tropical paradise nestled on the north-eastern coast of Australia, offers a captivating blend of stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From vibrant botanical gardens to iconic landmarks, it offers an immersive experience for travellers seeking adventure, relaxation and exploration. If you are planning a trip to Cairns, […]

Explore Cairns & surrounds with our curated tours.

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Carnival Splendor
24 May 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:00 PM
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Encounter
2 Jun 2026, Tue
Cairns Port
10:00 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Encounter
26 Jun → 27 Jun
Cairns Port
Fri, 8:00 AM
Sat, 4:00 PM
Carnival Adventure
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
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
14 Nov 2026, Sat
Yorkeys Knob Port
9:00 AM
5:00 PM
Celebrity Edge
15 Nov 2026, Sun
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Viking Venus
20 Nov 2026, Fri
Yorkeys Knob Port
7:00 AM
6:00 PM
Royal Princess
Noordam
23 Nov → 24 Nov
Cairns Port
Mon, 9:00 AM
Tue, 7:00 PM
Noordam
24 Nov 2026, Tue
Yorkeys Knob Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Quantum of the Seas
26 Nov 2026, Thu
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
7:00 PM
Riviera
27 Nov → 28 Nov
Cairns Port
Fri, 8:00 AM
Sat, 6:00 PM
Azamara Pursuit
28 Nov 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
11:00 PM
Silver Moon
5 Dec 2026, Sat
Cairns Port
9:00 AM
7:00 PM
Grand Princess
6 Dec → 7 Dec
Yorkeys Knob Port
Sun, 9:00 AM
Mon, 6:00 PM
Celebrity Edge
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
Carnival Luminosa
1 Jan 2027, Fri
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:30 PM
Carnival Luminosa
12 Jan 2027, Tue
Cairns Port
8:00 AM
10:00 PM
Silver Moon
17 Jan → 18 Jan
Cairns Port
Sun, 8:00 AM
Mon, 6:00 PM
Westerdam
Carnival Luminosa
18 Jan 2027, Mon
Cairns Port
9:30 AM
6:00 PM
Carnival Luminosa
19 Jan 2027, Tue
Yorkeys Knob Port
9:00 AM
7:00 PM
Quantum of the Seas
Carnival Encounter
3 Feb 2027, Wed
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
4 Feb 2027, Thu
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
6:00 PM
Costa Deliziosa
12 Feb → 13 Feb
Yorkeys Knob Port
Fri, 8:00 AM
Sat, 5:00 PM
Celebrity Edge
21 Feb → 22 Feb
Cairns Port
Sun, 8:00 AM
Mon, 9:00 PM
Crown Princess
Carnival Encounter
9 Apr 2027, Fri
Cairns Port
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
Carnival Encounter
22 Apr 2027, Thu
Cairns Port
9:00 AM
5:00 PM
Carnival Adventure
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
8 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
10 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
8 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
10 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
1 year ago
Marianne set up great tours and was very responsive with any questions. Highly recommended,