Cairns City Sights Tour & Surrounds

Walk amongst boulders, slide into cool pools, soak in the spray of waterfalls and dive into crater lakes, and that’s just the ‘wet’ stuff! On this full day tour you'll also visit and learn about culturally important places, visit the biggest tree you’ll ever see (the Curtain Fig Tree which is believed to be 500 years old!), and have the chance to spy a diverse array of rainforest creatures - if you're lucky you'll even spot an elusive platypus!

Travel south and discover the majesty and beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls, a MUST-see for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands.

Waterfall Wanderers will provide morning and afternoon tea, lunch, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fruit throughout the day, as well as heaps of games and puzzles to keep you entertained as we explore the Atherton Tablelands by luxury air-conditioned coach.

Pack your swimmers. Australia’s most famous rainforest waterfalls await. Our Cairns waterfalls and rainforest tour is an epic road trip, which will have you in and out of the water all day. It takes you from Cairns, up, over and through the beautiful rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands.

Babinda Boulders – Stunning scenery and refreshing swimming. Culturally significant to the Yidinji Traditional Owners, learn the tragic love story that still ‘haunts’ this beautiful place.

Josephine Falls – Ready to slide and take a wild ride down the rocks, into a cool rainforest pool? This is it, and it doesn’t get any better, bring the Go Pros.

Millaa Millaa Waterfall – World famous hair flick waterfall which tumbles 18m down into a natural amphitheatre. Strike a pose, swim and explore.

Volcanic Crater Lake – Dive right into Lake Eacham, a 65m former volcanic crater, now filled with crystal clear rainwater.

Make your way to Cairns General Aviation Airport, 21 Bush Pilot's Avenue for 10.30am. Your 30-minute scenic helicopter tour departs at 11.00am and tracks out from the mainland with views of the city of Cairns and Trinity inlet, passing False Cape where you can see the remnants of WWII defences, Mt Yarrabah, Mission Bay and Cape Grafton. From there we strike out to the inner edge of the Reef and Green Island, a 6,000 year-old coral sand island that boasts its own native rainforest eco-system. Tracking to the north, we explore the western side of Arlington Reef, home to a diverse range of marine creatures – turtles, sharks and sting rays.

Continuing north we’ll circle Vlasoff Cay a tiny sand island in the middle of the reef that reduces to only a few hundred square metres in size at high tide. Book on the day or let your pilot know during your flight if you’d like to land, get your feet wet and sandy and capture the ultimate Instagram shot on the Cay. From Vlasoff Cay we head west, over Upolu Cay and back to Cairns taking in fantastic views of the North Queensland coastline framed by the lush rainforest-covered eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

You will be collected and transferred back into Cairns City to enjoy lunch at Dundees on the Waterfront. Relax and enjoy a glass of wine as you reminisce your experience before joining Cairns Discovery Tours City Sights & Surrounds afternoon tour.

Your guide will collect you from the Cairns Marina at 1.00pm where you will discover the highlights of Cairns from the ground. Visit the Cairns Museum, St Monica's Cathedral with the world's largest themed stained glass windows. (Creation Story) Cairns Botanic Gardens, delicious afternoon tea, scenic lookout, Lower Barron Gorge and Surprise Creek Falls before your final destination of Palm Cove, one of Cairns beautiful beaches. Take a stroll along the jetty before you are returned to your accommodation Cairns approx 6.00pm. Northern Beaches approx 5.30pm

Green Island. Make your way to the Cairns Marina and check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Big Cat Cruise Desk for your boarding passes. Boarding commences at 8.15 am and Cruise departs at 9.00am.  Green Island is a beautiful coral Cay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and is a Marine National Park uniquely rainforested and surrounded by white sandy beaches, coral reefs and abundant marine life. Your visit allows you 2 hours at Green Island and included is the choice of snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat tour. “Reef Rocket” is a modern comfortable air-conditioned highspeed catamaran with a relaxed atmosphere. Travel time to Green Island is 45 minutes from Cairns. Passengers can take part in the many activities available or simply relax on the beach. Staff will help you to organise your activities to make the most of your time on Green Island. Depart Green Island at 12 noon arrive Cairns 12.45pm and Cairns Discovery Tours will collect you in front of the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1.00pm.

Lunch is not included and we recommend an early lunch on the Island

Cairns City Sights & Surrounds Tour. This afternoon you will discover Cairns' history and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage that is unique to the Far North. One of the highlights is the St. Monica's Cathedral featuring the World's largest themed stained glass windows. Cairns Botanic Gardens which contains an amazing collection of tropical plants, including exotic herbs, spices, valuable timber trees, orchids, fruits, bromeliads, giant bamboo and many other spectacular flowering plants. Everything about this tour experience is designed to delight discerning travellers of all ages and interests.

The best way to see Cairns all in one day! Make your way for the  9.30 am opening at the Cairns Aquarium and start your day with a self-guided tour through the aquarium and explore the ecosystems and habitats of Tropical North Queensland.

Visit the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run, charitable entity caring for rescued sea turtles.

Meet at 11.15 am, where you will be taken on an exclusive tour of the onsite Turtle Hospital to meet the sea turtles in our care. This educational experience lasts approximately 30 minutes, and 100% of the Turtle Hospital tour proceeds are utilised for food, medicine, veterinary care and operating costs.

Complete your experience with lunch at Dundee’s Restaurant and enjoy a stunning sea life backdrop before being collected from the aquarium for your afternoon City Sights and Surrounds Tour.

Discover the natural beauty and history of the Atherton Tablelands on this full-day tour, covering over 300km packed with pristine rainforest waterfalls, ancient tropical rainforests and the intriguing history of heritage-listed Paronella Park. Amongst a small group in our air-conditioned bus, our expert guides reveal the secrets of the rolling landscapes and charming townships of the Tablelands, taking time to pause for unforgettable scenic views, rainforest encounters and of course, a dip in the cool rainforest waters of Milla Milla Falls and Babinda Boulders.

Discover the very best of Cairns as you explore the highlights with your experienced local guide on the city sights tour. Then step on board the Spirit of Cairns 26-metre catamaran and enjoy a complimentary drink and canapés. A fantastic evening of calm water cruising. Spirit of Cairns takes you on a journey into the interior of Trinity Inlet and its winding tributaries. The cruise passes along Cairns’ waterfront and Esplanade precinct, delivering panoramic views of the twinkling night lights of this port city.