• Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Personal Luxury Snorkel & Dive Cruise, Cairns

    Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Personal Luxury Snorkel & Dive Cruise, Cairns

    Enjoy the most customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour aboard a fast travelling sleek, luxury catamaran from Cairns! Snorkel and dive 2 very different and unique Great Barrier Reef Sites . Wonder Wall on the outer edge Upolu Reef and Upolu Cay reef area – an aquarium style coral garden with the most beautiful clear blue…

  • The Paronella Experience

    The Paronella Experience

    The only full experience tourLive commentary, storytelling & audio podcastAfternoon tea on the beachCassowary wildlife spotting and stargazingPrivate tour of park and Hydro Power StationFree pick up and drop off from/to selected pick up zones Impressive evening light show with musicDinner with a Country pub experience

  • 3 Hour Guided Eco Cultural Tour

    3 Hour Guided Eco Cultural Tour

    Journey back in time travelling by river boat to discover a cultural landscape through the eyes of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people, the traditional owners of the country that lies just across waters from the Cairns CBD.100% Indigenous owned and operated, join the Mandingalbay Yidinji people on their land and sea country as they share ancient…

  • Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Premium Day Tour

    Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Premium Day Tour

    Explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation with an expert naturalist guide. Traveling by a specially designed vehicle in small group of no more than 14 participants ensures a personalized experience.

  • Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour

    Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour

    Fly high over the Barron Gorge and stunning rainforest canopies before heading over magnificent sights such as the Great Barrier Reef, it’s spectacular islands and sand cays. This 45-minute helicopter flight allows one to see the ‘best of both worlds’, as it showcases the highlights of heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour

    Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour

    With Cairns being the second Hipster capital of Australia, it’s no wonder it is so cool (hip). But what makes it Hipster and why do Hipsters play such an important role in larger society?We will explore the influential Hipster culture through food, cafes, street art, elite barbers, and vintage shops. Find out how much your…

  • 4-Day Cairns Ultimate Combo: Daintree Rainforest, Reef, Kuranda & Paronella Park

    4-Day Cairns Ultimate Combo: Daintree Rainforest, Reef, Kuranda & Paronella Park

    Enjoy four fun filled days exploring the Great Barrier Reef, including a free Introductory Dive; Glide over the Rainforest canopy on board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, enjoy free time in Kuranda Village before returning by the amazing Kuranda Scenic Train; Explore the Amazing Tropical Highlands & Paronella Park. Finish your three days with a visit…

  • Cairns Brewery Tours

    Cairns Brewery Tours

    Enjoy Cairns’ first and only micro brewery and distillery tour. Visit five unique Cairns venues.Experience the local craft breweries, taste the beers, hear the stories of the brewers’ and make new friends in the process.Visit one of the local distilleries, taste the products and have a chat to the distillers.Spend an afternoon discovering Cairns’ breweries,…

  • Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls and Rainforest Day Tour Departing Cairns

    Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls and Rainforest Day Tour Departing Cairns

    Take a full, 11-hour day tour, and explore the very best of North Queensland. From lush tropical rain-forests and cascading waterfalls, to natural rock-slides and hidden waterfall caves. Filled with fun, full of laughter and music with just the right amount of interesting local commentary. Your guide is the most knowledgeable and passionate in the…

  • Coral Sea Dreaming: Overnight Dive, Snorkel and Sail Experience from Cairns

    Coral Sea Dreaming: Overnight Dive, Snorkel and Sail Experience from Cairns

    Sail the path less traveled to breathtaking diving, snorkeling and sight seeing with Coral Sea Dreaming. Taking only a maximum of 12 guests and offering both shared and private accommodation, Coral Sea Dreaming is a unique 2 day and 1 night live aboard experience with access to over 29 moorings spread over the best reefs…

  • Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass

    Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass

    For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, grab an Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Pass. Save money and see the reef from every angle on three cruises over seven days. Sail to Low Isles or Green Island, or explore the reef from below on a snorkel and scuba diving catamaran cruise to the Outer Great…

  • Cairns Sunset Cruise

    Cairns Sunset Cruise

    This sightseeing tour is bespoke and personal with a maximum of 18 guests on the vessel at one time. The tour takes in the stunning sights of the Cairns Trinity Inlet with amazing photo opportunities of the mountain-lined waterway at dusk as the local wildlife are settling for the evening. Bring your camera for stunning…

  • 5 Day Australia Retreat: Queensland Daintree

    5 Day Australia Retreat: Queensland Daintree

    Leave hustle and bustle in the rear-view mirror on this five-day journey to some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and the untouched coast it spills onto. Explore the world’s oldest rainforest – including a private area not open to the general public – with passionate local guides.Spot crocodiles during a wildlife cruise on Cooper…

  • Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns by Luxury Catamaran

    Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns by Luxury Catamaran

    Dive, snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef with an award-winning company with 30 years’ experience operating personalized day tours to the Great Barrier Reef. The 80-foot catamaran sails from Cairns to two unique locations where you can choose to dive or snorkel with colorful fish, turtles and an amazing array of coral. With a…

  • Cairns To Cooktown 4WD Tour

    Cairns To Cooktown 4WD Tour

    At Cairns To Cooktown 4WD Tours, we offer fun, interesting and informative day tours in our purpose built air conditioned 4WD coach.Having crossed the mighty Daintree River on a vehicle ferry, we head North through the lush, ancient Daintree Rainforest where we enjoy a stroll on secluded Thornton Beach.We now tackle the iconic 4WD Bloomfield…

  • Historic Village Herberton and Tableland Tour

    Historic Village Herberton and Tableland Tour

    Venture into the wild landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands on this day trip from Cairns. Cruise around the Lake Barrine crater lake, spot native wildlife the UNESCO-listed wet tropics rainforest. Explore the Herberton Historic Village collection currently featuring over 50 original out house buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery and vehicles, plus thousands of antique…

  • Premium Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport – Trinity Beach

    Premium Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport – Trinity Beach

    Tour Logistics pride themselves in offering a premium, friendly service. With many years experience and a highly trained, dedicated team; customer service is paramount. Locally owned and operated, Tour Logistics is located just minutes from Cairns Airport.Premium private transfer service to Trinity Beach in our comfortable, professional van. Complimentary infant and child seats and free…

  • Cairns Aquarium by Twilight with 3-Course Dinner

    Cairns Aquarium by Twilight with 3-Course Dinner

    Exclusive after hours entry to Cairns Aquarium, accompanied by VIP guided tour, drink & 3 course meal at Dundee’s Restaurant.

  • Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch

    Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch

    For a once in a lifetime experience, combine your scenic flight with an exclusive getaway to your own piece of paradise. Feel the thrill of flying over the picturesque coral-studded sea before landing on Vlasoff Cay (ex Cairns) – a pristine sand cay in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Relax on the pure…

  • Kuranda Highlights including Rainforestation Aboriginal Culture and Wildlife R1B

    Kuranda Highlights including Rainforestation Aboriginal Culture and Wildlife R1B

    Join a full day tour to Kuranda, in World Heritage-listed rainforest. Experience the award-winning Rainforestation including Army Duck tour, the Koala and Wildlife Park and the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Roundtrip transport by air-conditioned coach from Cairns to Kuranda is included.

  • Private Transfers – Cairns Airport to Cairns City

    Private Transfers – Cairns Airport to Cairns City

    Exemplar is renowned in the region as the expert in airport transfers. Since 1993 we have offered award winning services across a range of services . We offer several Private Transfer options for the discerning traveller. These range from limousines, seven seater People Movers to the larger 20 seaters and our Silver Service for that…

  • Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise

    Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise

    Explore the highlights of Cairns by combining an afternoon city tour with an evening dinner cruise on the Spirit of Cairns. Your knowledgeable, local guide will help you discover this tropical city with a visit to the Cairns Museum, St Monica’s Cathedral where you will marvel at the world’s largest themed stained-glass windows, guided tour of the Flecker…

  • Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour from Cairns

    Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour from Cairns

    We customise the day based on the weather and how long our guests feel like staying at each location… If we have extra time up our sleeves then we will make addition stops. Adventure lovers can enjoy the natural beauty of the Atherton Tablelands on this active full-day tour from Cairns to visit parts of…

  • 3 Day Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Outback Chillagoe Tour

    3 Day Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Outback Chillagoe Tour

    Experience the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Outback and save with this Cairns 3 day combo package.Your Rainforest and Outabck Day is a small personalised tour with custom-built 4WD vehicles. Your naturalist driver-guide has extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, history of the area and aboriginal culture, which will ensure your day will be a…

  • Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport – Port Douglas.

    Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport – Port Douglas.

    Tour Logistics pride themselves in offering a premium, friendly service. With many years experience and a highly trained, dedicated team; customer service is paramount. Locally owned and operated, Tour Logistics is located just minutes from Cairns Airport.Premium private transfer service from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas in our spacious, luxurious LDV Vehicle. Complimentary infant and…


All about Cairns & the Tropical North

When to visit

The spring months of September and October offer temperate weather and lower numbers of visitors—it’s the perfect time to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and wander through the lush Daintree Rainforest. In the evenings, take a dip in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon that looks over the ocean, or chill out with the locals on one of the patio bars around the city.

Getting around

Cairns has gorgeous beaches, hikes, and other things to do outside the city center. To explore the nature surrounding Cairns, it’s best to rent a car, or, if you’re not comfortable driving on the left side of the road, hire a driver. Otherwise, the downtown core and central neighborhoods are walkable, and Cairns’ public transit service is extensive and convenient.

Traveler tips

Visit the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre at the entrance to the Daintree Rainforest to learn about the culture of the Indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. At the center, Indigenous guides offer Dreamtime Walks for visitors, sharing the deep connection between the Indigenous people and the land. The art gallery and gift shop gives you the option to stock up on souvenirs while discovering the artistic traditions of the region.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough in Cairns?

Yes, three days lets you visit the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest and allows you to discover Australia’s colourful natural diversity. It also gives you time to visit the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre where you can learn about the history and culture of the Aboriginal Kuku Yalanji people.

What do people do in Cairns?

Exploring the nearby Great Barrier Reef is a top experience, whether you take a glass-bottom boat cruise or opt for a scuba diving tour. Later, unwind in the city on one of the many restaurant patios, or enjoy a sunset stroll along the waterfront esplanade.

Is Cairns worth going to?

Yes. Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and nearby Daintree Rainforest offers a tropical climate and biodiversity. The city itself is known for its laid-back atmosphere and walkable waterfront. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, Cairns has something to offer.

What to be careful of in Cairns?

Stingers (or box jellyfish) are found in the waters around Cairns and congregate closer to shore Nov.–May. Not all are dangerous, but many do cause an uncomfortable sting. Stinger nets protect the beaches in these months, but many swimmers wear a full body suit to avoid the smaller stingers.

What is the best month to visit Cairns?

Sep. is an excellent time to visit. The number of visitors tends to be low, so you’ll have lots of ocean to yourself, and the temperature hasn’t reached its peak. There’s also a lower risk of stingers in this month, so cautious swimmers can swim without worry.

Is the water warm in Cairns?

Summer (Dec.–Feb.) offers the warmest water, when sea temperatures reach a balmy 84°F (29°C). It never gets truly cold—the winter average is 74°F (23°C). Make sure to follow local directives regarding the risk of stingers in the water.