Read our blog
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.
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 […]
There is a version of Green Island that most visitors never experience. After the last ferry leaves and the day trippers head back to Cairns, the island goes quiet. The beaches open up, the reef settles into its evening rhythm, and for the handful of guests staying at the resort, […]
Explore Cairns & surrounds
We live here, work here, and know these tours firsthand.
Just a short drive north of Cairns, the Barron River offers the perfect introduction to white water rafting. 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!
This action-packed afternoon adventure includes up to 2 hours on the water, navigating through spectacular rainforest scenery, rugged granite boulders, and exhilarating rapids.
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
$184.00 Includes Hotel transfers + Rafting Levy | $165.00 Self drive to Lake Placid + Rafting Levy
Adult $166 +4 Fuel levy| Child $110 +2 Fuel Levy (4-15yrs)
Family 2A+2C $442 + $10 Fuel levy
Includes return Ferry + choice of 2 activities
Snorkel Equipment – Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Picnic Lunch
Departs Daily 8.45am or 10.15am – 4.30pm
Fitzroy Island a tropical paradise and a favourite spot for locals and tourists. Lush rainforest, stunning beaches, walking trails, coral reefs. Ideal for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Take a 45-minute journey on the Fitzroy Island Sundancer to the sandy shores of the famous Nudey Beach (by name only)- voted one of the best beaches in Australia. Snorkel straight off the beach to discover amazing marine life.
Adult $166.00 | Child $110.00 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $442.00 | $0.00 4 Adult $2 Child Fuel Levy
Adult $338|Child $179|Family $864
Fuel Levy Adult $10 Child $5.00
Departs Port Douglas 10am – 4.30pm
Return transfers from Cairns
Adult $45|Child $25|Family $115
For your experience of a lifetime, Quicksilver’s friendly crew will take you to the renowned Agincourt Reef off Port Douglas, a jewel-like ribbon reef on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef. From the spacious activity platform, discover an underwater world filled with a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Enjoy the reef at your pace with options for all ages, swimmers and non swimmers or passengers with limited mobility.
Adult $338.00 | Child $179.00 | Family $864.00 | Fuel levy $10.00 Adult 10.00 $5.00 Child
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.
