Cairns Tours

Cairns gets called the adventure capital of Australia a lot. And unlike most tourism slogans, this one is actually earned.

You've got the Great Barrier Reef sitting right on its doorstep. A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest an hour up the road. Skydiving over the Coral Sea. A ferry to an island where koalas outnumber tourists. And somehow, a town that still manages to feel like a genuine backpacker hub rather than a sanitised resort strip.

Whether you're starting your East Coast trip up here or finishing it, Cairns earns more than a two-night stopover. Here's what's on offer.

The Great Barrier Reef

The reef is 2,300km long, home to over 600 types of coral, and technically the largest living organism on Earth. It's also about an hour from Cairns by boat, which means you can be snorkelling it on a day trip and back in time for dinner.

We sell everything from budget day trips to deluxe snorkel cruises to multi-night liveaboard dives. If you've never dived before, Cairns is one of the best places on the planet to learn. Browse our Great Barrier Reef tours and find the right fit.

The Daintree Rainforest

About 110km north of Cairns sits one of the oldest tropical rainforests on the planet. The Daintree is around 135 million years old (the Amazon, for comparison, is roughly 55 million) and it looks every bit of it. Ancient canopy, genuinely prehistoric wildlife, and a rare stretch of coast where the rainforest meets the reef.

Day tours cover the river croc cruises, Cape Tribulation, rainforest walks, and more. See our full range of Daintree Rainforest tours.

Cairns activities (skydiving, bungy, rafting and more)

Cairns has a very specific kind of energy. The kind that makes people do things they swore they'd never do. Skydiving over the Coral Sea at 14,000 feet. Bungy jumping over a rainforest lagoon. White water rafting the Tully River. Riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway up into the tablelands.

Browse the full list of Cairns tours and activities and take your pick.

Day trips and nearby destinations

Cairns is a solid base because everything around it is also genuinely worth your time.

• Port Douglas is 70km north: a small, low-key town with its own reef access at Agincourt Reef and a much quieter vibe than Cairns.
• Mission Beach is between Cairns and Townsville: cassowaries on the beach (yes, really), extreme whitewater rafting on the Tully River, and one of Australia's most unique skydives where you land right on the sand.
• Magnetic Island is a short ferry from Townsville: nearly half national park, koalas everywhere, and snorkelling on the fringing reef.

How long do you need in Cairns?

Most people spend 3 to 5 days, which is enough for the reef, the rainforest, and one or two activities. Add a liveaboard dive or a trip to Port Douglas and you're looking at a week. It goes fast.

Planning the full East Coast? Our East Coast packages are worth looking at before you book anything individually. Or if you'd rather just talk it through, get in touch with our team.