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.

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.

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.

Immerse yourself in Northern Queensland’s waterfalls, rainforests, and other natural wonders on this 11-hour tour from Cairns. Admire the untouched scenery and stop to swim in the famous Millaa Millaa, Josephine, and Dinner Falls. In between, visit the Curtain Fig Tree, 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.

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.

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.

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. After working up an appetite, soak up the scenery as you tuck into lunch by the waterfront. Best of all: with full instruction and safety harnesses provided, anyone can give it a go.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Take a full-day tour that visits two top attractions near Cairns: Port Douglas and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. At each location, have ample free time to check out the highlights, without the hassle of driving and parking. Includes all transportation, entrance tickets to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairns.

Venture out to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest where you can hike in the ancient World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, cruise on the Daintree River and see native Australian critters at Wildlife Habitat. Spend the night at Cape Tribulation in beachside accommodation with views of the Coral Sea. Choose how to spend your second day, perhaps snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef or ziplining in Daintree Rainforest. Includes one night of accommodation, transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off from select Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas hotels.

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.

Explore the Kuranda Rainforest at night on this 4-wheel-drive adventure from Cairns and the Northern Beaches. Experience outback traditions as you sip billy-tea by a campfire, and taste kangaroo and crocodile sausages before traversing World Heritage–listed landscapes in a sturdy 4WD Hummer. Cross the Atherton Tablelands to Granite Gorge, look for wild kangaroos and nocturnal birds, and gaze up at the stars, away from city lights. Tour is limited to 20 people.

Enjoy the thrill of off-roading on your own all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in the tropical rainforest near Cairns. It’s easy to learn the basics of driving your ATV ‘buggy’ by following the instructions of your experienced guide. Soon you'll expertly navigate the hills, creek crossings and other terrain. You’ll also get close views of cassowaries, a colorful native Australian bird that stands about five feet (1.6 meters) tall. Be prepared to get muddy during this morning or afternoon half-day tour from Cairns.

Embark upon an adventure that goes beyond the usual city tours on this Cairns ATV and Skyrail tour. Journey over and through World Heritage-listed rainforest, gliding just above the canopy, in the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway's gondola before embarking on a ranger-guided walk. Next, aboard your quad bike for an adrenalin-pumping adventure through the rainforest on dirt tracks and over creek crossings.

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.

Visit two of the most popular wildlife venues in the Cairns area with this combo admission to the Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld. Aussie animals are renowned for various reasons—from adorable (koalas) to elusive (wombats). You’ll have the chance to see an array of wildlife. Some activities are an additional fee.

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.

Explore the magnificent nature of Northern Queensland on this eco-friendly safari. After a convenient hotel pickup, travel to a tropical rainforest and see unique wildlife like the Cassoway, Boyd’s Rainforest Dragon, and the Musky Rat Kangaroo. Marvel at the 900-year-old “strangler” fig tree and the dramatic changes of scenery. Enjoy hand-made ice cream made from locally grown fruit and a delicious buffet lunch included in the tour price.