Things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North
The unmissables
Most booked
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Diving Cruise from Cairns★ 4.71 (3,935) · 8h 30m
Top rated
Great Barrier Reef Catamaran: Dive & Snorkel 2 Outer Reef Sites★ 4.88 (2,684) · 9h
Best value
Cape Tribulation & Daintree: Mossman Gorge, River Cruise, Lunch★ 4.62 (2,050) · 10h–12h
Recommended (7)
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive with 6 Hours Reef Time★ 4.83 (2,027) · 9hAU$ 223View ›
Barron Gorge: White Water Rafting Cairns & Port Douglas Pickup★ 4.81 (1,627) · 4h 30mAU$ 130View ›
Great Barrier Reef snorkeling & diving: Two reef sites★ 4.57 (1,358) · 8h 30mAU$ 275View ›
Cairns to Kuranda: Scenic Railway, Skyrail & Village Day Trip★ 4.34 (1,156) · 7hAU$ 161View ›
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation: Full Day with River Cruise★ 4.67 (1,145) · 9hAU$ 239View ›
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Snorkel Tour★ 4.87 (1,070) · 7h 30mAU$ 280View ›
Cairns Waterfalls & Rainforest Day Trip: Swim & Slide★ 4.95 (971) · 12hAU$ 199View ›Top rated (10)
Bungy Jump at Skypark Cairns: 16 jump styles, one platformBungy jump at Skypark Cairns, Australia's only permanent bungy site, from a 50-metre platform in the Smithfield rainforest 20 minutes north of Cairns. You choose from 16 different jump styles — classic feet-first freefall, tandem, backwards, or the Running Roof Jump — and every jump includes a full safety briefing, harness fitting and a photo and video package to keep. Transfers from Cairns are included if you need them.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to jump from Australia's only permanent bungy site and have options — the 16 jump styles mean you're not locked into one way to do it, and the platform's height and rainforest setting make it a single location where every jump feels different.
Cairns: Night Walk Macro Photography Tour & Tiny WildlifeYou’ll join a small group led by an expert macro photographer for a night walk in Cairns Botanic Gardens—spotting frogs, insects, spiders, and fungi up close. Expect hands-on camera help (gear available), lots of laughter over missed shots, and moments where you’ll forget you’re even in a city. It’s real discovery—quietly unforgettable.
Cairns Jet Boat Ride: 35 minutes of high-speed spinsYou board a jet boat at Cairns' Marlin Marina and spend 35 minutes tearing through Trinity Inlet at high speed, with your captain performing spins and sharp maneuvers while you hold on and get soaked. The safety briefing is included, and the whole experience is designed to cool you off and get your adrenaline up in one short burst. Book it if you want a quick thrill without planning a full-day excursion.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a quick adrenaline hit without committing to a full-day tour—the 35 minutes is long enough to feel the speed and see the inlet, short enough to fit between other plans.
Cairns: Half-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Marine Bio TalkYou board at Cairns, attend a marine biology briefing at 10:30am, then speed out to one of 15 outer reef sites chosen for that day's conditions. Four hours in the water with a small group and expert interpreters, mask and wetsuit included, plus snacks and all fees. You're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to maximize snorkel time without a full-day commitment and you're comfortable in the water with at least moderate fitness — the fast boat and small groups are built around that trade-off, not a leisurely pace.
Cairns Behana Gorge: Canyoning Tour with Waterfalls & ShuttleYou’ll feel your heart race as you abseil down rocks, leap into crystal pools, and swim beneath waterfalls at Behana Gorge near Cairns. With a local guide leading your small group—and shuttle transport included—you’ll laugh more than you expect and end up soaked, tired, and oddly proud of yourself.
Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight Cairns: 40-Min Aerial TourYou board a small aircraft at Cairns airport and spend 40 minutes flying over six reef systems while a professional pilot provides live commentary on the colors, structure and geography below. The flight departs during peak viewing hours (9:30am–2:30pm) when overhead sun brings out the reef's aqua and opal tones. You see Green Island, Upolu Cay, Oyster, Arlington, Vlassof and Michaelmas Reefs, plus the Northern Beaches and capes that frame them. Check-in is 15–30 minutes before departure.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to see the reef's full scale and structure without spending a day on the water — the 40-minute flight covers six reef systems and the aerial view shows you things a boat can't, and the fixed departure window (9:30am–2:30pm) means you're always flying during the best light.
Tully River: Full-Day White Water Rafting & Rapids AdventureYou’ll crash through roaring rapids beneath ancient rainforest trees on this full-day Tully River adventure. Paddle alongside locals and travelers with expert guides leading every twist. Feel adrenaline on Grade 4/5 rapids, pause for lunch by the riverbank, and end your day soaked but smiling—maybe still hearing the rush of water in your ears.
Atherton Tablelands: Food & Wine Day Tour from CairnsYou’ll start your day overlooking Lake Barrine with breakfast among rainforest sounds, then taste your way through local cheeses, tropical fruit wines, kangaroo lunch at Platypus Park, and homemade ice cream before heading back to Cairns. Expect honest flavors, warm locals, unexpected bites — and maybe a platypus sighting if you’re lucky.
Herberton: Historic Village Entry Ticket & Self-Guided TourYou’ll wander through 60+ original buildings in Historic Village Herberton, touching old tools and hearing local stories as you go. Expect hands-on displays, peaceful nature trails perfect for birdwatching, and plenty of time to explore at your own pace with self-guided entry included. It’s easy to lose yourself in another era here—the feeling lingers long after you leave.
Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls & Wildlife Day TripYou spend a full day swimming at three different waterfalls and crater lakes, walking through World Heritage rainforest, and watching for platypus, tree kangaroos, and cassowaries with a local guide. The tour includes all park entry fees, a picnic lunch, and return transfers from central Cairns, so you only need to bring swimwear and a camera.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Atherton Tablelands waterfalls, crater lakes, and wildlife in one day without arranging transport, park tickets, or timing yourself — the fixed schedule and small group size mean you get proper time at each stop and a guide who actually knows what to look for.
Lowest price (10)
Cairns Museum: Entry ticket with exhibitions accessStep into Cairns Museum and wander through stories of Far North Queensland — from sugar cane fields to cyclone tales. You’ll meet locals (and maybe a friendly guide), explore hands-on exhibits, and catch your breath on the upstairs verandah with city views you might remember long after you leave.
Cairns: Koalas & Wildlife at The Pier Family Day OutYou’ll hold a real koala in Cairns (yes, really), wander through recreated rainforest and Outback habitats, and meet native creatures with your family by your side. Admission is included and everything is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. Expect laughter, unexpected facts from local guides, and one photo you’ll probably keep longer than you think.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda: Walk the aviaryThe Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda is a walk-through tropical rainforest aviary housing more than 1,500 hand-reared butterflies. Admission includes complimentary guided tours throughout the day, a behind-the-scenes laboratory tour where you see the breeding cycle and caterpillar rearing, and a guided food plant walk. The sanctuary closes at 3 pm and is wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Kuranda with a few hours to spare and want to walk through live butterflies rather than view them behind glass—the included guided tours and rainforest setting let you spend as long as you like exploring at your own pace.
Kuranda: Barron River Cruise & Wildlife with Local GuideYou’ll float quietly along Kuranda’s Barron River as local guides share stories about ancient rainforest life and point out crocodiles or turtles hiding along the banks. With five daily departures and live commentary included, you’ll catch glimpses of rare birds or maybe even a cassowary if luck’s on your side—leaving you with that calm feeling only slow travel brings.
Cairns Aquarium: Entry Ticket & Rainforest to Reef JourneyYou’ll wander from rainforest creeks to vibrant reef tunnels inside Cairns Aquarium, coming face-to-face with sharks and rare creatures—even getting hands-on at the marine touch pool. Listen to local guides share stories during live feeding shows and conservation talks. There’s a quiet thrill in seeing these animals up close—it stays with you long after you leave.
Cairns: Trinity Inlet Sunset River Cruise with Drinks & City ViewsYou’ll glide through Trinity Inlet as Cairns glows at sunset, sipping a complimentary drink while your local captain shares stories about the city and its wild edges. Expect quiet moments among mangroves, glimpses of distant mountains, and time to unwind before heading back ashore—plus snacks included if you want them.
Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital Tour: Guided VisitCairns Aquarium general admission includes a 30-minute guided tour of the onsite Turtle Hospital, where you meet rescued sea turtles and learn about the threats facing Australia's six species. The tour is led in English and covers the care and rehabilitation work of this volunteer-run charitable centre. Wheelchair accessible; suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?The 30-minute tour runs as part of your admission visit, so you're not committing to a full guided experience—you get the behind-the-scenes access and education, then explore the main aquarium galleries on your own time. This works well if you want to learn the turtle story without a structured itinerary for the whole day.
Cairns Aquarium: Night Tour & Nocturnal Reef WildlifeYou get exclusive after-hours access to Cairns Aquarium with a wildlife educator guiding you through 1.5 hours of nocturnal behavior — reef fish hunting, corals glowing, forest creatures emerging. No daytime crowds, no rushing between tanks. The guide explains what changes when darkness falls and why these creatures behave the way they do. Book if you want to see the reef ecosystem as it actually functions at night, not as a daytime exhibit.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see how the reef and rainforest actually function after dark, without the daytime crowds — the after-hours timing is what makes the nocturnal behavior visible and the guide's attention possible.
Cairns Aquarium by Twilight Tour: Nocturnal animals after hoursCairns Aquarium by Twilight is a 2-hour guided tour through the aquarium after closing, led by a wildlife educator who explains how the region's animals adapt their behavior from day to night. You get exclusive after-hours entry and come face to face with over 16,000 animals as they emerge from their daytime lairs. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?The tour runs for 2 hours on foot through the aquarium after closing, so it suits an evening with time to spare rather than a quick stop—the pace is set by the guide's explanations and stops, not by rushing through exhibits.
Cairns: Rainforest River Tubing Tour with Pickup & RapidsYou’ll float through lush rainforest rivers near Cairns on a guided tubing adventure with both gentle drifts and playful rapids. Expect laughter, cool water against your skin, friendly guides who know their stuff, plus hotel pickup and snacks to wrap things up. There’s something about those quiet moments between the splashes that really sticks with you.
