Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North

Dive into an adventure where flexibility meets the beauty of nature. Our tour stands out by adapting to weather and group preferences, ensuring a personalized experience. Discover the Atherton Tablelands' stunning waterfalls like Millaa Millaa and Josephine, swim in Lake Eacham's clear waters, and marvel at the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree. With surprise stops and a commitment to eco-friendly practices, our expert guides make each moment special. Enjoy inclusive snacks and lunch, capturing unforgettable memories in Queensland's natural paradise. Join us for a day of exploration, laughter, and connection with nature.

Northern Experience Eco Tours was established in 1997 and is the original Tablelands-Paronella Park tour. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini coach with local naturalist guides and experience the uniqueness of the tropics and the diversity of our beautiful tropical rainforests. Tour south of Cairns for a full day out traveling through the magnificent World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, swimming in waterfalls, traveling through the Atherton Tablelands, viewing Volcano’s and visiting local must see attractions such as Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, extended touring time at Paronella Park and much more.

This sightseeing tour is bespoke and personal with a maximum of 14 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 photo opportunities. The sightseeing tour also showcases the Cairns city skyline from the waterfront and your local guide offers interesting insights into the history, culture and wildlife in the destination while on tour. The vessel is comfortable and spacious, with lounge-style seating and an onboard toilet for passenger comfort.

Fitzroy Island awaits, just 55 minutes away. There's no better way to spend the day, than relaxing in paradise. "Best of Island" includes return boat transfers + a premium buffet lunch at Zephyrs restaurant overlooking welcome bay, glass bottom boat tour & snorkelling equipment hire.

Explore Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, an award-winning eco-tourism attraction located between Cairns and Port Douglas. Cruise the wetlands to see crocodiles lazing on the riverbanks and witness the stealth and power of these prehistoric animals at the Crocodile Attack show. This innovative wildlife park has five distinct zones, showcasing Australian wildlife in their natural environment. Enjoy guided walks, keeper-talks, animal shows and a behind-the-scenes look at crocodile farming.

Over two days you will experience the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef and explore two Outer Great Barrier Reef locations. The Daintree Rainforest Tour 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 memory of a lifetime. The Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years. Enjoy unlimited snorkelling over 5 hours, delicious BBQ lunch onboard and a free glass of wine for the journey home to Cairns.

See Australia's unique animals and birds in their natural environment on a rainforest wildlife-spotting tour in the Atherton Tablelands. Led by an expert nature guide, your small-group nocturnal tour visits a number of locations including lush tropical rainforest and a volcanic crater lake. See tree kangaroos, lizards and musky rat kangaroo by day, and search for platypus at dusk. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant, then go spotlighting for possum, bandicoots, owls, bats and tree kangaroos by starlight on this fascinating nocturnal wildlife tour.

Seeking a white water rafting adventure? The Barron River, 20-minutes north of Cairns, offers spectacular scenery as you paddle through the Barron Gorge National Park on this exciting two-hour white water rafting tour from Cairns.

Choose this Famous day tour from Cairns and enjoy a fantastic fun filled journey through North Queensland's spectacular Atherton Tableland's Region.  This is no ordinary tour..  You will be  going on a unique journey through stunning scenery, lush rainforest, swimming in pristine waterfalls and crater lakes. You will visit Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls, Milla Milla Falls and Volcanic Crater Lake Eacham and enjoy a delicious 2 course hot lunch... Get to see Platypus's during April 1st to Oct 31st. Say 'Hello' to one of the worlds cutest creatures! This is a tour that is different from the rest.. If you are looking a tour that many say is the best tour in Australia.. this is it!

Be our VIP’s for the day! Cruise to the Outer Reef onboard superyacht, Evolution, with access to your own private Gold Class lounge for the day with lots of inclusions. Dial up the luxury with VIP access to the exclusive Gold Class Lounge, located on the second level a luxury catamaran for the day. Enjoy all the benefits of a large, stable, fully equipped catamaran with the feel and service level of a private charter but at a fraction of the cost. Complete with dedicated concierge service and a range of value adds, the Gold Class lounge delivers an unparalleled experience for couples, honeymooners, multi-generational families, small groups of friends (up to 8 guests), or anyone seeking a premium Great Barrier Reef experience without the high-end price tag. This lounge is unique to Cairns and one of a kind.

Looking for some adventure in paradise? Get high in the sky on a tandem skydive over Cairns with spectacular bird's-eye views of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage-listed Rainforest. Experience the adrenalin rush while freefalling from up to 15,000ft. No experience necessary!

Zoom around the waters of Cairns on a thrilling 35-minute jet boat ride in the Trinity Inlet! Your jet boat speeds, spins and splashes as you cool down in the tropical heat. As you zip through the scenic waterway, watch for landmarks that your expert skipper points out. Who knows, you might even spot a croc drifting along the water. Be prepared to have fun and get wet on this exciting high-octane adventure!

OceanQuest, our liveaboard vessel, offers the ultimate overnight experience on the Great Barrier Reef departing from Cairns. Spend your days and nights exploring the finest outer Great Barrier Reef reef sites aboard our floating accommodation. When a single day at the reef isn't sufficient, an overnight journey from Cairns provides ample time. Enjoy vibrant dive and snorkel sites during the day, and in the evenings, unwind with fellow guests in our spacious lounge bar or relax in your air-conditioned cabin equipped with an en suite bathroom. Our purpose-built, three-deck, 35-meter catamaran ensures a superior holiday experience, featuring a spacious dive deck, expansive open sundecks, and hot, freshwater showers. Indulge in delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef, including hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, topped off with a well-deserved dessert treat after your day in the water!

The only Indigenous experience available to the Great Barrier Reef. Interact with Indigenous Sea Rangers as they demonstrate their traditional culture as you travel to and from the reef.

Join a full day tour to Kuranda, in World Heritage-listed rainforest. Experience the award-winning rainforestation Army Duck Rainforest Tour (45 min) with an experienced tour guide. You'll travel to Kuranda by Kuranda Scenic Railway and return by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

On this fun filled day tour you can take in the magnificent views aboard the Kuranda Scenic Rail, spend some free time in the mountaintop village of Kuranda, then soar above the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Our coach will then transfer you to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – the best place to see crocodiles in Tropical North Queensland! At Hartley’s you’ll explore the Melaleuca Wetlands on a boat cruise, marvel at the death roll of a Saltwater Crocodile and explore the wildlife park - home to Koala’s, Wallabies and Queensland’s Southern Cassowaries.

This Cape Tribulation, Daintree Rainforest and wildlife tour takes you on a full day adventure to the only place in the world where the rainforest meets the reef. Enjoy guided walks, time on Cape Tribulation Beach and guaranteed wildlife spotting as well as a delicious tropical lunch.

This small-group tour includes a short transfer from your hotel to Cairns Railway Station where you will board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway for an amazing journey over 37 bridges & through 15 tunnels passing the rainforest to the charming village of Kuranda. It’s a short walk to the village where you will have over 2 hours to dine, explore, shop or perhaps an exciting encounter with wildlife at one of the zoos (fees apply) Later, make your way to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway where you will glide over the rainforest canopy as you make your way to the Barron Falls. View the magnificent Barron Gorge, the falls & visit the Rainforest Interpretive Centre before re-boarding the cableway and making your way to Red Peak Station. From there explore the World Heritage listed rainforest before re-boarding and completing your journey at Smithfield where you will be met and transferred to your accomodation. (please note the itinerary for this tour was reversed January 2022)

Our liveaboard vessel is the ultimate Great Barrier Reef overnight experience from Cairns. Spend your days and nights exploring the best outer Great Barrier Reef dive sites aboard our floating accommodation, with snorkel, intro dive and certified dive options available. When just one day at the reef isn’t enough, an overnight trip from Cairns gives you all the time you need. Visit our colourful dive and snorkel sites during the day, and at night everything from the air conditioned cabins with en suites, lounge and bar, are designed for your comfort. Our three-deck, 35m catamaran is purpose built for a top class dive holiday, with a spacious dive deck, large open sundecks and hot, fresh water showers. All delicious meals are prepared by our onboard chef, including hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Enjoy a well-deserved dessert treat after your day in the water! With more than 14 permanent moorings at Saxon and Norman reefs, and selected sites at Hastings Reef and more.

Save up to 10% when you purchase this Super Saver Package. Combining the most popular attractions in Cairns, this three-day super saver is perfect for first-time visitors to the region, plus you'll save up to 10% off. Over three days, experience the best of tropical Far North Queensland! Go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (upgrade to add a scuba dive), ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway, glide over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Cableway and explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with a local guide. From the coral beauty of the Great Barrier Reef to scenic views from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and encounters with Australian wildlife, this sightseeing package is crammed with fun activities you'll never forget.

Our tour was established in 1997 and is the Original Tablelands-Paronella Park tour. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini coach with local naturalist guides and experience the uniqueness of the tropics and the diversity of our beautiful tropical rainforests. Tour south of Cairns for a full day out traveling through the magnificent World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, swimming in waterfalls, traveling through the Atherton Tablelands, viewing Volcano’s and visiting local must see attractions such as Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, extended touring time at Paronella Park and much more.

Learn about the history of Cairns’ visiting the city, port, beaches and famous landmarks on a small-group afternoon tour. Experience sights not seen on other tours with a local guide.

This Multi Award winning boutique food and wine experience from Cairns will be tasting some of the best food and wine that the Atherton Tablelands has to offer. First stop is at Lake Barrine for a delicious breakfast overlooking the crater lake surrounded by lush rainforest, then to Nerada Tea Plantation for unique tea and local cheeses and Tree Kangaroo spotting. Lunch at the Platypus Park to watch them play and try Kangaroo, Crocodile and other delicacies followed by Tropical fruit wine and liqueur tastings!! Visit a working dairy farm and sample their chocolates, stop in for seasonal fruit tasting and Macadamia nuts. Then a tipple or 2 at Mt Uncle distillery, and last stop of the day at Jaques Coffee Plantation for coffee and tea tastings with some delicious scones jam and cream. You will be taken through a variety of contrasting landscapes, relax as we taste our way around the regions 'Food Bowl.' 7 Unique gourmet Stops! The maximum participants for this tour is 18.

Our first stop of the day is the Daintree Rainforest River Cruise, we jump aboard ‘Solar Whisper’ the only zero emission boat on the Daintree River. This whisper quiet boat can glide quietly up to crocodiles and other wildlife without scaring them or hurting their habitat. This boat is fitted with the unique “Croc Cam” to help show well camouflaged crocodiles and wildlife, this beautiful experience practices true Eco Tourism. Our next stop is Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest ! A delicious healthy lunch is enjoyed at the Maya Cafe. After lunch we meet the local indigenous guides for a smoking ceremony and a demonstration of traditional plant use and a body paint. Following this your Sacred Owl Tour guide will lead you through the Daintree Rainforest, showcasing the unique plants, animals and features of the rainforest. Enjoy plenty of free time to swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mossman Gorge before heading back.