Top Activities on the Ground in Cairns & the Tropical North

Escape the tropical heat for a day of splashing, sliding, and swimming through the Behana Gorge waterfalls on this eco-tour from Cairns. Get set for an adventure as you rappel down the gorge, leap over rocks and walk along rain forest trails, then cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Best of all: with full instruction and safety harnesses provided, anyone can give it a go.

Discover the natural wonders of Tropical North Queensland on a full-day tour to Chillagoe Caves and Granite Gorge. Travel from Cairns by rugged 4WD vehicle with a naturalist guide, passing over the McAllister Ranges and the Great Dividing Range as you explore the Australian Outback. Visit Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, drive near the wetlands to spot Australian native wildlife and stop by historic mining towns. Numbers are limited to 16 people on this small-group tour, with morning tea and a pub lunch included.

Young and older members of the family will both enjoy this fun activity. You’ll get the chance to ride a horse for half an hour, followed by an ATV ride for another half hour, topped off with time at a petting zoo. This is a great opportunity for kids to try horse riding for the first time, while adventure-seekers will love the ATV ride across farmland. Vehicles to suit all family members are available.

Immerse yourself in waterfalls all cascading down the breathtaking Tropical World Heritage Rainforest. Experience rappelling, swimming under waterfalls, walking through vibrant lush rain forest and umping off rocks into deep fresh crystal clear water of Crystal Canyon. After this activity, chill out and relax. Super friendly, qualified crew ensure your day is fun filled and ultra safe.

Sitting almost 460 ft. above sea level, test your bravery at the AJ Hackett Skypark viewing platform. Once you’re up, you’ve got to come down, so choose from one of 16 ways to descend. Bungee jump or try out the swing, and reach speeds of up to 60 mph among the tree tops! Swoop alongside the hillside, or if you’d rather, observe from the spectating areas.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a 35 meter superyacht in Cairns and set sail for the open sea. Reach the Barrier Reef and explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. Travel to 2 different locations on the reef to see more of this special place

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this full-day catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef!

Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites on this luxury catamaran cruise from Cairns. Travel in style aboard a fast, comfortable catamaran to the outer edge Upolu Reef. Take an Adventure Snorkel & Glass Bottom Boat Tour through the highly protected no-fishing zone sites in the Marine Park. Refuel with a buffet lunch on board the catamaran before heading to your next destination, Upolu Cay reef. Enjoy the shallow azure blue waters surrounding this natural Coral Cay with both snorkeling or diving on offer. Be mesmerised by coral teeming with colourful fish.

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.

Head out on a rainforest adventure on the original Daintree Rainforest Tour. Take a guided walk along Cape Tribulation to see flawless white beaches and ride a 4 wheel drive into dense tropical rainforest on the Bloomfield Track. Cruise on the river Daintree and listen to your expert and experienced guides explain all of the local wildlife and biodiversity of the area. Explore Daintree on a boardwalk in the mid-canopy.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest and observe native Australian wildlife on a full-day tour from Cairns. View the rain forest as you ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in a gondola. Tour the Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle that offers another vantage point on the forest, visit the koalas, kangaroos and other critters at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Learn about Aboriginal culture at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. After a classic Aussie barbecue lunch, take the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns.

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rain forest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets and opt to include a delicious buffet lunch. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia’s tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy a close encounter with native wildlife on the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk and visit Cape Tribulation, the meeting point of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. After lunch at Cape Trib Beach House, embark on a scenic cruise along the Daintree River (optional).

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: with gentle rapids and full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Venture off-the-beaten-track and explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness of Australia’s tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Journey along the Captain Cook Highway; take a guided hike through the Mossman Gorge and cool off with a dip in the Mossman River. After lunch (included), look out for crocodiles on a scenic cruise down the Daintree River, then continue to Cape Tribulation to trek through the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy magnificent views over the Great Barrier Reef. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.

Go snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Relax on board your 80-foot (25-meter) luxury catamaran as your captain sails to two exclusive locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to snorkel or dive, with full instruction provided by guides, and see an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, and corals. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase.

Immerse yourself in Northern Queensland’s waterfalls, rainforests, and other natural wonders on this full-day tour from Cairns. Admire the untouched scenery and stop to swim in the famous Millaa Millaa, and Josephine Falls. In between, visit Babinda Boulders and Mount Hypipamee, watch for wildlife such as tree-kangaroos and platypus, and admire a tropical sunset at Lake Eacham. National Park admission, lunch, refreshments, and hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Adventure in the vast Australian outback on a personalized 3-day tour. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a superyacht, and snorkel in the clear waters on your first day. On your second day, ride to the Chillagoe caves in a customized 4X4 vehicle made for the off-road terrain and learn about the Gimuy-walubarra yidi people, the traditional custodians of the land here. On your third day, explore the rainforest and learn about the wildlife and ecology of the region from your naturalist guide and driver.

See the Great Barrier Reef on this scenic flight from Cairns to Cooktown. A unique way to explore the vast region of Tropical North Queensland, fly over the World Heritage Rainforest and see the expanse of the Australian landscape stretch out in all directions. Land in Cooktown and let your driver take you to see all the local historic monuments and lookout points that make this such a popular destination.

Set in the heart of the oldest rainforest in the world, the Giant Swing and Walk the Plank offer views and a rush like no other. Guaranteed to activate your mind and body and get your heart racing in all the best ways. Every day do something that reminds you you're still ALIVE!

Where the rainforest meets the reef, Walk the Plank offers the best immersive view of not one but two World Heritage Listed sites. Cairns must do attraction.

Over two days you will experience the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef and explore two Outer Great Barrier Reef locations. The Daintree Rainforest Tour is a small personalised tour with custom-built 4WD vehicles. Your naturalist driver-guide has extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, history of the area and aboriginal culture, which will ensure your day will be a memory of a lifetime. The Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years. Enjoy unlimited snorkelling over 5 hours, delicious BBQ lunch onboard and a free glass of wine for the journey home to Cairns.

This tour showcases the northern outback of Queensland. A unique bus tour with a splash of a river cruise and the rattle of a train journey We discover amazing larva formations, sunsets, historic villages and ancient rainforests. We unwind in the tranquillity North Queensland has to offer We explore gorges, wetlands and marvel at natures most amazing creations. Enjoy the comforts of a medium size boutique bus and small passengers numbers and a tour guide with a yarn of his own.

Discover two incredible Australian landscapes from Cairns, Beaches and Port Douglas. Over two days you will experience the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef and explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other gems of the Australian Outback. This tour is a small personalised tour with custom-built 4WD vehicles. Your naturalist driver-guide has extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, history of the area and aboriginal culture, which will ensure your day will be a memory of a lifetime.