Top Cairns & the Tropical North Outdoor Activities

Experience the wildlife, mountains, sea and rainforest that define the Wet Tropics of Queensland on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Hand-feed kangaroos and observe other native creatures at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and explore the World Heritage-listed biodiversity of Daintree National Park. Take a guided nature walk through the rain forest of Mossman Gorge, savor a delicious lunch at Cape Tribulation, swim in the Coral Sea and cruise down the beautiful Daintree River.

See wildlife and go ziplining in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest with an experienced guide. Travel from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas to Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat where you get to meet cassowaries and other native Australian animals. Then head into Daintree Rainforest and take a cruise along the Daintree River. Stop for a picnic lunch, then soar over the tree canopy during a zipline tour that offers aerial views of Daintree Rainforest, the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. Includes lunch, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Venture into the rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands with an expert guide to observe Australian native animals in the wild. From Cairns, travel into the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland to observe kangaroos, lizards and possums by daylight, then continue after sundown to look for nocturnal critters like the elusive platypus and Lumholtz tree kangaroo. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant. This small-group tour is limited to 11 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your guide.

Explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns. Take a guided nature walk through some of the oldest rainforest in the world, spot crocs on a cruise down the Daintree River and stroll on the famous Cape Tribulation Beach. Enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue at a private rainforest retreat, and learn about indigenous culture with a Kuku Yalanji heritage presentation at the Mossman Gorge Centre. Hotel pickup and drop-off and transport in a luxury coach complete this memorable adventure through the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Embark on a packed full-day adventure to Cape Tribulation, where the rain forest meets the reef. Spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise and take a 4WD ride through a World Heritage-listed rain forest on the rugged Bloomfield Track. Savor a traditional Aussie barbecue and break for afternoon billy tea in the company of wallabies. Group size is limited for a more personalized experience, and the tour includes round-trip transport from Cairns or Port Douglas hotels.

Get your adrenaline pumping on a skydiving adventure from Cairns. Enjoy incredible bird’s-eye views of the World Heritage–listed Great Barrier Reef as you jump out of a plane on a tandem skydive with an experienced diver. Fall freely from 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) in the air before floating by parachute back down to the ground. First-timers are welcome.

See snapping crocs in action on this half-day tour to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Departing from Cairns or Palm Cove, explore the five different zones of this eco-park and working crocodile farm, including a narrated boat tour through a coastal lagoon. Stroll along elevated boardwalks to observe cassowaries, turtles, lizards and koalas, and admire the mighty stars of the attraction at the thrilling Crocodile Attack Show!

Go canyoning in a secluded section of the Cairns rainforest on an active 7-hour small-group tour. Your guide leads you through Crystal Canyon in the Crystal Cascades, where you have the opportunity to abseil, zipline, scramble over boulders, and jump into freshwater pools. Travel with a small group that is limited to 12 people for a more personalized experience.

Soar through the air while bungy jumping or riding the Minjin Swing for an adrenaline-fueled day of high-flying fun at the Cairns Bungy Tower. Whether you are an experienced thrill-seeker or first-timer, the exhilarating aerial activities at Cairns Bungy Tower promise to make the memories of a lifetime. The professional staff ensures that you stay safe and enjoy the thrills throughout your experience. You can also enjoy views over the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, and relaxing in this lush rainforest location complete with sundeck, bar and gardens.

Experience the natural beauty Queensland on horseback! Travel through the rainforest, sugarcane fields and mangroves on a horse-riding tour suitable for novices and experienced riders alike. You’ll stop for billy tea, a traditional Australian tea made over a campfire. When booking, select from three departure times. Hotel transport from Cairns, Palm Cove and Northern Beaches hotels is included.

Go off the beaten path to explore the rainforest environment outside of Cairns by ATV (all-terrain vehicle). Following a guide, you’ll zoom across dirt trails through sugarcane fields and mangroves on your own ATV. This is a great tour for beginner ATV riders. Hotel transport is included from Cairns, Palm Cove and the Northern Beaches. Select a departure time when booking.

Explore Kuranda's Rainforestation Nature Park, a 100-acre (40-hectare) tropical rainforest and World Heritage site located within five minutes of Kuranda village, accessible from Cairns. Your admission ticket to this family-friendly attraction includes three eco-experiences: see Australia's native animals at the Koala and Wildlife Park; ride the amphibious Army Duck on a unique rainforest tour; watch an Aboriginal Dance Show at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and take a Dreamtime Walk.

Experience Australia’s natural beauty up-close on a thrilling 5-hour 4WD adventure from Cairns. Venture off-road in the Barron Gorge National Park and Kuranda National Park, and witness the startling contrasts of tropical rainforest, savannah and rugged mountains, as you drive along the Great Dividing Range. Stop along the way to snap photos of Lake Morris, Copperlode Dam and Surprise Falls; enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef from Lamb Range; and stand before the mighty Barron Falls. This small-group tour is limited to 13 people for a personalized experience.

Journey from reef to rainforest on this action-packed full-day tour from Cairns. First cruise out to Green Island at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and marvel at the marine life as you swim, snorkel or glide around the reef on a glass-bottom boat. Then, embark on a thrilling 4WD adventure in the Barron Gorge National Park and admire dramatic views of the Barron Falls, Kuranda Mountains and the Coral Sea coast.

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.

During your stay in Cairns take a memorable ATV adventure tour into the rainforest that will leave you breathless. On this tour you will enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and experience riding off road. Then in the afternoon venture out to the Reef for swimming and snorkelling on Green Island

During your stay in Cairns take a memorable ATV adventure tour into the rainforest that will leave you breathless. On this tour you will enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and experience riding off road. Then in the afternoon continue on with White Water Rafting.

Immerse yourself in the ancient Daintree Rainforest and remote Cape Tribulation on this 2-day guided tour from Cairns, Palm Cove, Northern Beaches, and Port Douglas. See the boulders and clear waters of Mossman Gorge, follow the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk through wildlife-packed mangroves, watch for crocodiles on a river cruise, stay the night on the remote Cape Trib, and more. Tour includes air-conditioned transport, free time in Daintree and the Cape, overnight accommodation, and hotel transfers.

Conquer the rugged off-road terrain around Cairns on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on this half-day tour. Follow a guide, who takes care of instructions and navigation, through the rain forest, on dirt tracks, and across creeks. Morning or afternoon tea (depending on tour time) and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns make for a seamless, stress-free experience.

Brave a face-to-face encounter with one of Australia’s most deadly creatures with this Big Crocodile Feeding Experience at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Join zookeepers for an unforgettable experience as you help feed the crocs and even pose for a photo holding a baby crocodile. The fun doesn’t end there: spend as long as you like exploring the zoo independently after the tour ends, including watching the koala feeding, cruising Hartley's Lagoon and hand-feeding kangaroos and wallabies.

Explore the the lush tropical rainforest near Cairns in a rugged Hummer 4WD vehicle that can handle rough terrain where other vehicles falter. Enjoy a thrilling ride with an experienced driver-guide who zooms across creeks, rumbles up steep hills and cruises through orchards. Keep your camera handy for views of the rainforest and a close up with a cassowary, the tall and colorful native Australian bird. Choose either a morning or afternoon half-day tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns.

Escape the tourist trail for an off-road adventure in Australia’s tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Hop aboard a 4WD for a thrilling tour of the Barron Gorge National Park and Kuranda National Park, exploring hidden trails not normally accessible to the public and admiring natural wonders like Surprise Falls and Lake Morris. After free time to enjoy lunch (own expense) and browse the markets in Kuranda Village, enjoy aerial views over the Kuranda rainforest with a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Scenic Railway.

Go for a ride on horseback followed by a quad bike tour that offers two different activities in the lush rainforest that surrounds Cairns. This 5.5-hour tour starts with a leisurely guided horseback ride, followed by lunch (own expense). Then, prepare to get muddy on an exhilarating quad bike tour in the afternoon. Instruction and all necessary equipment are provided for both tours, no prior experience needed. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns, Palm Cove or the Northern Beaches.

This tour allows you to combine visits to the Heberton Historic Village, Kuranda Village, and a ride on the Skyrail Ranforest Cableway in a single 9-hour day trip from Cairns. Learn about the history, culture, and environment of the region through guided tours and exploring each site independently. Round-trip transportation from Cairns hotels and a light lunch are provided.