Cairns: Daintree Rainforest & Great Barrier Reef 2-Day Tour

Rainforest Meets Reef: Two Days in Cairns' World Heritage Sites

You spend day one in a small group exploring the Daintree Rainforest on foot and by river with a naturalist guide, swimming in a rainforest stream and eating homemade ice cream. Day two is a full-day boat snorkelling at two Outer Reef sites with lunch and wine included. The two days don't need to be back-to-back, and return transfers from Cairns are covered on the rainforest day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Tour

• Drive over Alexandra Range viewpoint
• Take 1 hour Daintree River Cruise
• Walk guided National Park boardwalk
• Swim in rainforest stream
• Stroll beach to photographers' platform
• Enjoy lunch in Daintree Rainforest
• Taste homemade exotic ice-cream

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Experience

• Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal
• Depart Cairns to first reef location
• Snorkel at Saxon or Norman Reef
• Enjoy BBQ lunch onboard
• Snorkel or dive at second reef location
• Relax with afternoon tea and wine
• Return to Cairns by 4:30pm

The experience

Our guide Marco pulled the 4WD over at the Alexandra Range lookout and just pointed, no words needed. The Daintree Rainforest dropped away below us, and beyond it the Coral Sea sat there, impossibly blue. That's the thing about this two-day tour: it doesn't pretend the rainforest and the reef are the same experience. Day one is intimate, small groups capped at twenty people, moving through the ancient forest on foot and by river. Day two is the opposite: a full-day boat with up to 160 others, but the snorkelling at two Outer Reef locations makes the crowd disappear the moment you're underwater.

The Daintree Rainforest day starts early from Cairns or Port Douglas with a naturalist driver-guide who actually knows the place. You get a one-hour Daintree River cruise with morning tea, then the elevated boardwalks through the National Park where the guide stops to point out cassowaries and the specific plants that have been here for millions of years. There's a swim in a rainforest stream (genuinely cold, genuinely clear), and then lunch with your small group. The homemade ice cream at the end (Black Sapote, Wattle Seed, Jackfruit) is the kind of detail that stays with you. Return transfers from Cairns or the Northern Beaches are included, so you don't have to drive back tired.

The reef day is structured differently. You check in at Reef Fleet Terminal between 7:15 and 7:45am, board the Evolution at 8am, and after ninety minutes you're at either Saxon or Norman Reef depending on the conditions that day. The boat crew hands you snorkel gear and you get five hours of unlimited snorkelling across two locations. Lunch onboard is a proper Australian barbecue (fresh fish, steak, prawns, salads), and on the way back to Cairns around 4:30pm, there's complimentary wine, cheese and biscuits. If you want to add a ten-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef, that's available as an upgrade, but the snorkelling alone covers the main reason most people come.

The two days don't have to be consecutive, which matters if you're juggling other plans or the weather looks rough. Just contact the operator once you've booked to arrange which day works, and remember to let them know about any dietary requirements ahead of time. They cater for those on both the rainforest lunch and the reef barbecue. The whole thing is locally owned on the reef side (over thirty years running) and the rainforest guides are accredited naturalists, so you're not getting a script, you're getting people who actually live there.

What’s included

• Full-day Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation 4WD tour with naturalist guide.
• one-hour Daintree River cruise with morning tea.
• guided elevated boardwalk through Daintree National Park.
• rainforest stream swim.
• lunch on the rainforest day.
• homemade exotic ice cream.
• full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling at two Outer Reef locations (Saxon or Norman Reef).
• BBQ lunch onboard with fresh fish, steak, prawns and salads.
• arrival tea, coffee and muffins on the reef day.
• complimentary wine, cheese and biscuits on the return journey.
• snorkel gear provided.
• return transfers from Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas on the rainforest day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 160

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Billy Tea Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both the rainforest and the reef without arranging separate operators, transport or timing: the two-day structure and included transfers mean you show up and the logistics are handled.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the two days?

Day one is a small-group rainforest and river tour with walking, swimming and a naturalist guide (max 20 people). Day two is a full-day reef snorkelling boat with up to 160 passengers, two reef sites, and unlimited snorkelling time.

Do the two days have to be consecutive?

No. You can book them separately and arrange the dates with the operator once you've reserved.

What's included in the price?

Both days include lunch, morning tea or coffee, and afternoon refreshments (ice cream on the rainforest day, wine and cheese on the reef day). Return transfers from Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas are included on the rainforest day. Snorkel gear is provided on the reef day.

How long is each day?

The rainforest day is a full day starting from early morning. The reef day runs from 7:15am check-in to approximately 4:30pm return to Cairns.

Can I add a helicopter flight?

Yes, a ten-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef is available as an upgrade on the reef day.

What if I have dietary requirements?

Both days cater for special dietary needs. Notify the tour operator before travel so they can prepare your meals.

How many people are on each tour?

The rainforest day is limited to 20 passengers. The reef day boat carries up to 160 passengers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

On the reef day, the boat visits either Saxon or Norman Reef based on weather and water clarity to ensure the best snorkelling conditions.