Cairns Tours

Cairns River Cruise & City Sights Tour

Adult $229.00 | Child $179.00 4-14yrs
10:45 am
6:00 pm

Adult $229|Child $179 4-14yrs
Includes lunch at Dundees on the Waterfront
Departs Mon – Sat 10.45 am to 6pm

Join us on a calm water cruise along Cairns’ Trinity Inlet. Glide through pristine creeks as you discover the hidden charm of Cairns’ backwaters and unique sights along the way. Enjoy lunch at the award-winning Dundee’s on the Waterfront. Your afternoon continues with the Cairns City Sights Tour, exploring the highlights of this vibrant city.

Experience the best of Cairns with our combined City Sights Tour and River Cruise. Start your adventure with a leisurely 75-minute cruise on the tranquil waters of Trinity Inlet, guided by a knowledgeable local who will share insights into the region’s rich history and stunning natural beauty.

After your cruise, enjoy some free time to explore before indulging in a delicious lunch at the award-winning Dundee’s on the Waterfront.

Your afternoon is filled with discovery as you visit iconic Cairns highlights, including the lush Cairns Botanical Gardens, the picturesque Palm Cove, and much more. This tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and culinary delight—ideal for those looking to fully experience the charm of Cairns.

 

Make your way to the Cairns Marina and board the Cairns River Cruise at Berth A1 “A” Finger. 10.30 am

Cairns River Cruise
Departs at 10.45am-Returns 12.00noon

  • Join us on a serene 75 minute calm water cruise along Cairns’ Trinity Inlet, the oceanic gateway that serves as the city’s port. As we glide through pristine creeks, you’ll discover the hidden charm of Cairns’ backwaters and unique sights along the way. After the cruise, enjoy a delicious lunch at the award-winning Dundee’s on the Waterfront. Your adventure continues in the afternoon with our Cairns City Sights Tour, exploring the highlights of this vibrant city. guided calm-water cruise explores the stunning sights of the Trinity Inlet and waterfront of Cairns. The extensive and stunning Inlet is mountain-mangrove-lined and is a sanctuary for many types of wildlife. The tour meanders through pristine creeks (the home of saltwater crocodiles) and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious and carries a maximum of 14 guests – so the tour is bespoke and personal, and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns.

Enjoy a delicious lunch (view menu)

  • Lunch at Dundee’s on the Waterfront at 12 noon.
    Relax and take in the waterfront views at Dundee’s Restaurant short 2 minute walk from where your river cruise ends before joining Cairns Discovery Tours City Sights afternoon Tour.

Cairns City Sights & Highlights 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
– Hotel drop off included Cairns CBD

You will be collected at 1.00 pm from the Cairns Marina at the front of the Reef Fleet Terminal. Discover our vibrant city’s history and learn about the rich cultural heritage unique to Cairns and the Far North.

  • St. Monica’s Cathedral – Step inside one of Australia’s most breathtaking cathedrals, featuring the World’s largest themed stained glass windows.
  • Cairns Museum – visit the Cairns Museum. join our exclusive tour of the School of Arts building in the city’s heart to see yesteryear’s highlights.
  • Afternoon Tea A true local delight of warm, fresh-from-the-oven scones with strawberry jam and cream and your choice of Tea, Coffee
  • Cairns Botanic Gardens – Enjoy a professional guided walk through the lush Flecker Botanic Gardens, renowned for having one of the best exhibitions in Australia’s tropical plants. Meander through the butterfly-lined pathways under the green canopy as your guide explains the various plants and wildlife you see along the way.
  • Cairns Lookout – Take in the panoramic views of the city and the Coral Sea
  • Lower Barron Falls – Enjoy a walk at the lower section of the Barron Gorge National Park, Surprise Creek Falls. (closed)
  • Palm Cove Take a stroll along the jetty or on the sand on this picture-perfect beach, fringed with coconut trees. Nestled behind the beach is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove, with its’ magnificent paperbark trees.
  • Your day of discovery is complete, returning to your chosen Cairns CBD accommodation at approx. 6.00 pm. Northern Beaches 5.30 pm

Please note – Wheelie Walkers and mobility scooters are not permitted as our vehicle is not equipped with a luggage area

  • 75 minute guided calm-water cruise
  • Free time for a stroll along the Marina or Cairns Pier
  • Lunch at Dundee’s on the Waterfront at 12 noon
  • St. Monica’s Cathedral
  • Cairns Museum
  • Afternoon Tea
  • Cairns Botanic Gardens
  • Cairns Lookout
  • Lower Barron Falls (closed)
  • Palm Cove
  • Hotel drop off Palm Cove & Cairns CBD Hotels

 

Explore related tours

Adult $145|Child$80|Family $390
Gold class option 9.30 train only $60 per person
Train departs Cairns 8.30am or 9.30am
Return Skyrail 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Tour not bookable online – please contact us P 07 40283567
Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns Central or Freshwater Station, choose from 8:30 am or 9:30 am trains (Gold Class upgrade available). Explore the Kuranda markets Wednesday through to Sunday and the many attractions of Kuranda, then return on the Skyrail as you guide over the rainforest canopy.  Includes return transfers from Skyrail to Cairns Railway Station.

Adult $145.00 | Child $80.00 | Family $390.00 | Gold class option 9.30 train only $60.00 per person

Book Now

Adult $79| Child 2-11yrs $55
Family 2A+2C $213
Departs from Cairns Marina 5.15pm –

Discover the enchanting beauty of a Cairns tropical sunset.

Join us for a relaxing 90-minute cruise through the calm waters of Trinity Inlet, one of Cairns’ hidden gems. As the day ends, watch the sky transform into a canvas of golden hues and deep purples, with the city skyline and lush mountains as your backdrop.

Sit back and unwind with a complimentary drink in hand.
Capture unforgettable views of Cairns, the mangroves, and distant ranges bathed in sunset light.
Enjoy a serene, peaceful atmosphere, perfect for couples, friends, and solo travellers.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply soaking up the magic of Tropical North Queensland, this is an experience you’ll always remember.

More Info

Adult $79.00 | Child 2-11yrs $55.00 | Family 2A+2C $213.00

5:15 pm
6:45 pm

Adult from $239 Child (7-14yrs) $215 not suitable for under 7yrs
Depart daily from Port Douglas only at 7.30am –  4.30pm

Discover the ancient Daintree Rainforest in style. Enjoy guided interpretive walks, a gourmet lunch and a wildlife cruise on Cooper Creek to spot crocodiles and birdlife. Friendly local guides who will share the stories, culture and ecology that make this World Heritage-listed rainforest so extraordinary.

More Info

Adult from $239.00 | Child $215.00 Child 7yrs-14

7:30 am
4:30 pm

This unique Daintree Rainforest experience will have you discovering Mossman Gorge in depth. Start the day with a secret location to commence your ‘River drift’ tour,. Enjoy lunch and a traditional smoking ceremony ending the day with a 1.5 hour guided rainforest walk in the Gorge…..

 

More Info

Adult $270.00 | Child $225.00 5 - 15 yrs | Family 2A+2C $910.00 2A+2C

8:30 am
4:30 pm

Adult $69| Child 2-11yrs $49
Family 2A+2C $187
Departs 10.45am, 1.00pm & 3.15pm

Embark on a 75 minute journey of tranquility with Cairns River Cruise sightseeing tour as you navigate the serene waters of Trinity Inlet. Modern spacious boat meticulously designed for comfort, ensuring uninterrupted views of the breathtaking surroundings.

Experience the beauty of Cairns waterfront bordered by majestic mountains and lush mangroves, serving as a haven for a diverse array of wildlife.

More Info

Adult $69.00 | Child 2-11yrs $49.00 | Family 2A+2C $187.00

Adult $315|Child $228
Departs Port Douglas 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Silversonic from Port Douglas takes you to explore three stunning and exclusive outer edge locations at the renowned Agincourt ribbon reefs in superb style and comfort. Spend 5 hours at the reef enjoying unlimited snorkelling and some of the best diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Includes Port Douglas hotel transfers, hot and cold Tropical Buffet Lunch & all snorkelling and dive equipment included.

More Info

Adult $315.00 | Child $228.00

8:30 am
4:30 pm
Barron River Rafting through small rapids

Departs Cairns Daily 2.00pm -5.30pm
$145  per person 12yrs + with hotel transfers
$128.00 per person -Self drive to Lake Placid
+ $30.00 per person pay on board rafting 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!

More Info

$145.00  per person 12yrs + with hotel transfers | $128.00 per person -Self drive to Lake Placid  | $30.00 per person pay on board rafting levy

2:00 pm
5:30 pm
Aerial shot of Nautilus Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef

$1189.00 per person
Departs Daily from Port Douglas
11.10am – 3.30pm

Short on time or want to experience the Great Barrier Reef on a return scenic flight. Takes in the highlights of the inner reef. There is simply no better way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the Great Barrier Reef than from the air. Expect picture-postcard views of the reef and an abundance of wildlife – sharks, turtles, rays and even whales (July to Nov).

Spend 2 hours – 15 minutes at the Quicksilver pontoon to enjoy snorkelling, semi submersible coral viewing tour, underwater observatory and a delicious buffet lunch.

 

$1189.00 per person

11:10 am
3:30 pm
Book Now

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,