First time in Cairns? Discover the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north on this 5.5-hour sightseeing tour. Visit city attractions like the Flecker Botanical Gardens and St Monica's Cathedral, and stroll along the scenic Cairns waterfront. Indulge in a delicious Devonshire afternoon tea (included) taking in the stunning views from the jetty at Palm Cove before taking a short walk through the Lower Barron Gorge National Park. For the full experience, upgrade to include a 2-hour morning cruise to Green Island in the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef marine park. This small-group tour is limited to 20 people.

5.5-hour Cairns sightseeing tour
Visit top Cairns-area attractions, including the waterfront, Flecker Botanical Gardens and St Monica's Cathedral, home to the world's largest peace-themed stained-glass window
Indulge in a Devonshire tea, coffee or hot chocolate and scones
Walk the lower section of Barron Gorge National Park and admire the views of the rugged mountains, ravines and tumbling waterfalls
Upgrade to include a cruise to Green Island for optional snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat tour
Small-group tour limited to 20 people ensures a personalized experience with your guide

What's Included

Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Local guide
Afternoon tea
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional $12 per adult & $5 per child for Palm Cove & Northern Beaches commence 12NN return 5.30PM

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Possible departure locations

View departure locations

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

Please Note

Complimentary return transfers from all Cairns CBD hotel from 12.30pm - 1.00pm return 6.00pm approx Palm Cove and Northern Beaches commence at 12 noon return 5.30pm - additional cost of $12.00 per adult and $5.00 per child

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Motor scooters not permitted
No Wheelie Walkers permitted
Most travelers can participate
To comply with Queensland Govt State regulations full vaccination is required to travel on this tour. Valid proof of vaccination status is required on checkin. Passengers unable to provide proof will be unable to travel and no refund will be given
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Operated by Cairns Discovery Tours

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour?

A:The policies on social distancing are:

Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour?

A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

This is a great tour for visitors with limited time.

This tour is an excellent way to see a bit of the reef and the city, including the beautiful Palm Cove.

This tour was well worth the money, and I recommend it.

Reviews

4.5

76 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 76 reviews

Tour was excellent...

Heino_P, May 2022

Tour was excellent despite having to miss the Falls due to road closure. Our guide Eric was very Informative and helpful.

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you for taking the time to review our city sights tour. Unfortunately with the recent rain we can experience land slides and road closures in the Tropics. Pleased to report that the falls are now open as the area has been cleared as of 26th May 2022

Great Tour

Sue_d, Apr 2022

The tour was informative, Eric was friendly and made everyone feel at ease. Loved the afternoon tea of scones and tea. Palm Cove Beach was a definite highlight.

One of the Most remarkable tours we had with Cairns a discovery Tours. Highly recommending!

MARIA_B, Mar 2022

From beginning to end, it was an unforgettable tour, nothing negative to report. Our guide ringer Eric is a top bloke, he is friendly, knowledgeable, passionate with unrelenting enthusiasm. The places we visited were stunning to sit back and just enjoy the spectacular views, wonderful storytelling that adds to the journey & experience and architecture of Cairns. It’s good value for money! Will definitely recommend to friends!

Great day with Eric our...

Kaylene_P, Oct 2021

Great day with Eric our driver & guide! Relaxing. Tour provides some insight into some of the history in and around Cairns, as well as ideas of what you can do around Cairns. Thanks Eric!👍

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Thank you for your review, pleased you enjoyed your afternoon tour with Eric

Great way to see interesting aspects of Cairns

Kevin_P, Sept 2021

The stained glass windows in the Catholic cathedral were fantastic. Also the botanic gardens were a delight and the tour guide was really knowledgeable about the trees

Response from Host, Oct 2021

So pleased you enjoyed the tour, I was at the cathedral the other day and the stained glass windows never fails to impress me. Thank you for taking the time to review our afternoon Cairns City sights tour

Fantastic tour

Debbie_H, Jul 2021

Fantastic tour that went for 6 hours . Excellent guide who was very knowledgeable. Great morning tea and a wide range of places visited . Great way to help plan your holiday . Fantastic value .

Great overview of the city

Lilia_S, Jul 2021

This is a great tour for visitors with limited time. A surprise highlight for me was the visit to Cairns Museum as we had an excellent guide and exceptional storyteller in Shanan. The themed glass stained windows at St Monica's Cathedral is also worth a look; it depicts creation and evolution with a bit of Australiana.

Well Worth the Money!

Darryl_G, Jul 2021

This was a great half day tour! Eric our tour guide was knowledgeable and super friendly! Our family group of 6 members aged between 16 and 71 all enjoyed each stop. Afternoon tea delicious as well!

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Thank you for traveling with us and taking the time to review your afternoon Cairns City Sights tour with Cairns Discovery Tours. We enjoy showcasing our beautiful city of Cairns and surrounds to our guests. Eric is a great guide and an integral part of our small team. Trust you enjoyed the remainder of your holiday in Tropical North Queensland. Regards Maryanne

Worth the time

Donna_C, May 2021

Was a great little tour. Matt was very entertaining and had lots of insight to the area. Museum was amazing will go back before we leave.

Response from Host, May 2021

Thank you for your review, enjoy the museum which is complimentary for your return visit

Excellent Tour

Jeanette_B, May 2021

Eric our guide was very knowledgeable. Bus was at capacity but there was plenty of time allocated to each location. 5.5 hours was a good amount of time. No rush. Great overview of Cairns and surrounds. I particularly liked visit to museum and Palm Cove

Response from Host, May 2021

Thank you for your review. We have been operating for 25 years and very proud of our tour and of course our wonderful guides Eric & Matt

1 traveler found this review helpful

Enjoyed the trip, driver was fantastic

Francis_D, May 2021

Needed more time in Palm Cove to stroll around and have a snack as it was our last destination, no other complaints

Response from Host, May 2021

Thank you for your review. Appreciate your comments. We've planned our itinerary so our guests arrive back to Cairns in time to freshen up and go out for dinner.

Great day, good way for a visitor to see what is available to see in Cairns.

Keith_M, Jan 2021

As we had only been in Cairns a day, this was a good way of seeing the sights and finding out where everything was that we may want to see, the visit to the gardens and museum and drive to palm cove were worth while seeing. Our driver Eric was professional and informative.

Response from Host, Jan 2021

Thank you for taking the time to review Cairns Discovery Tours. It is a wonderful introduction to Cairns as you say when you first arrive. Regards Maryanne

Recommended for first time visitors to Cairns

Bruce_B, Nov 2020

This half day tour is an ideal way to take a look around Cairns for first time visitors You are taken around the CBD, the port, Cruise Ferry Terminal, Museum,( 30 minute visit). Botanic Gardens, Mountains view and, 25 kms north of Cairns, to Palm Cove and Barron Gorge. My favorite was Palm Cove and the walk out on the pier, chatting to the locals fishing with hand lines. You also have views of Double Island and Scouts Hat Island. The Tour Captain is very knowledgeable regarding local histories and provides an informative and humorous commentary. Afternoon Tea is taken in the up market zone of Cairns. This Tour is very good value for money.

Response from Host, Nov 2020

Thank you for your review, as a small local operator we really appreciate it.

Great value tour

GRR, Nov 2020

A great introduction to Cairns, with plenty of time at each stop. The tour guide was knowledgeable about the local area and helpful to all guests.

Response from Host, Nov 2020

Thank you for taking the time to review your Cairns City Sights tour with us. We love where we live and sharing with our guests/visitors

Good tour

Keith_V, Mar 2020

Good tour, however our tour guide Eric worked very much from a script and was not at all forthcoming when asked various questions regarding the area.

An excellent choice if your Cairns stay is short

Mark_P, Feb 2020

Our driver, Eric, was knowledgeable and friendly. He did his best to make us comfortable and content. The itinerary was a nice sampler of the area's sights- museum, church windows, botanical garden, city overlook point, rain forest stroll, and beautiful beach community. The afternoon tea featured the best scone I have ever had! This tour was well worth the money, and I recommend it.

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thank you for taking the time to review your tour with Cairns Discovery Tours and guide Eric. Pleased you enjoyed the afternoon tea and found the tour to be great value. We are a small tour operator and enjoy showing our beautiful tropical city to our visitors.

An informative tour of Cairns and surrounding area.

Robert_H, Feb 2020

Very enjoyable and informative trip. The only down side was that we couldn’t get into the cathedral to see or photograph the stain glass windows because there was a service taking place. Maybe the cathedral could have taken place after the museum.

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thank you for taking the time to review your tour with us. I apologies that you could not visit the Cathedral, as it does not happen very often, I will discuss with the guides to look at visiting the Cathedral at the end of the tour instead. Appreciate your feedback.

Nice afternoon drive round sights of Cairns

Andrew_S, Sept 2019

Eric was our driver and guide for the afternoon and he was extremely knowledgeable about the city and surrounding areas we visited. The afternoon tea was very Nice, scones with jam and cream washed down with a choice of beverages of which I had English breakfast tea and it was very nice. Picked up and dropped off at hotel and can recommend doing this when visiting Cairns.

Response from Host, Sept 2019

Thank you for taking the time to review your Cairns City Sights Tour with us and guide Eric. Pleased you enjoyed your afternoon.

Excellent tour - highly recommended

NilimaU_L, Apr 2019

This tour is an excellent way to see a bit of the reef and the city, including the beautiful Palm Cove. Emma, our driver cum guide was superb. Quite enjoyed the tea at NOAs. Was lovely to visit the Cathedral as it was the Easter weekend. Visit to the Museum was excellent.

Small Group city and surrounds

Alan_M, Apr 2019

One of the Best Tours we have been on our driver/guide Eric was excellent very informative and very helpful and friendly would highly recommend this tour and driver

Questions?

Product code: 5720CDT

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Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour

From US$69.06

Select Date and Travelers

Overview

What's Included

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Return Details

Please Note

What To Expect

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Questions?

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