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40+ Australian Locations

Iconic cruises and water-based activities across the country

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300+ Unique Cruises

Hand-picked & exceptional experiences

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About Cairns

Gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, Cairns is the crown jewel of Queensland and is one of the go-to holiday destinations for Australians. Mountains, beaches, tidal wetlands, lakes, mangroves, estuaries and coastal plains are all part of Cairns’ unique topography.
 
Cairns was once a lush rainforest primarily inhabited by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people. Gimuy was, and still is, the Aboriginal name for the city. Delve deep into the city and its roots and you will still find them inhabiting areas around Cairns and Yarrabah. From a sleepy little town, Cairns has evolved into a tropical playground with an infectious holiday energy. 

With access to the most exclusive Great Barrier Reef sites, Cairns cruises are your ticket to the most incredible sightseeing, snorkelling and diving experiences. On these popular cruises, you can enjoy close-up encounters with the abundant marine life and coral gardens that earned the ‘best vacation spot’ status of this region. Also, don’t miss the Cairns boat trips to the exciting Green Island and Fitzroy Island, two stunning islands famous for its stunning beaches and unique snorkelling opportunities.
 
Ride on a 7.5km-long Skyrail Rainforest Cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, journey into the Kuranda Village in the Wet Tropics on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, sunbathe at the man-made Esplanade Lagoon or join a cruise from Cairns for a thrilling snorkel session. Spend days, or even months exploring this tropical oasis!

Cairns Cruise Experiences

Snorkel and Dive Tours

11 Cruises

From $110

Adventure

6 Cruises

From $85

Green Island Cruises

4 Cruises

From $110

Fitzroy Island Cruises

3 Cruises

From $145

Sightseeing Cruises

9 Cruises

From $55

Featured Cruises

26 Cruises

QLD9018

4Hr Afternoon Big Cat Green Island & Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Reef Rocket cruise to Green Island. Enjoy pristine white beaches & guided a rainforest boardwalk. Free glass-bottom boat tour to discover coral gardens.

Duration 4hr

From $110

QLD9013

8Hr Reef Magic Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

Cruise to an exclusive activity pontoon on Moore Reef! Enjoy snorkelling, semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat tours, lunch, beverages and more.

Duration 8hr

From $330

QLD9034

4Hr Morning Big Cat Green Island Cruise & Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Perfect for those with limited time – half day tour of Green Island from Cairns including glass-bottom boat tour, boardwalks, reef presentations etc.

Duration 4hr

From $116 $120

QLD9086

8.5Hr Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Cruise

Only cruise in Cairns where you can listen to indigenous dreamtime stories, enjoy dances, use clap sticks & fire poles and snorkel at 2 reef sites.

Duration 8hr

From $239 $299

ACGWMP0687

8.5Hr Evolution Super Yacht Barrier Reef Cruise

A snorkel & dive cruise to two exclusive Outer Reef locations on the Evolution – the fastest and most luxurious award-winning Super Yacht in Cairns!

Duration 9hr

From $249

ACGPAV0832

9Hr Ocean Free Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Tour

Get the best of both worlds with the only operator with reef mooring at Pinnacle Reef – snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and/or explore Green Island.

Duration 9hr

From $255

ACGHHQ1133

8Hr Sunlover Moore Reef Cruise

Explore the world-heritage Great Barrier Reef with friends or family on a fun floating pontoon. Snorkelling, water slides, touch-tank demos & more.

Duration 9hr

From $285

ACGAZO1134

8Hr Sunlover Fitzroy Island Tour

Spend the day at Fitzroy Island with rainforest-clad mountains & rocky headlands. Snorkel straight off Nudey Beach - voted the best in Australia.

Duration 8hr

From $145

ACGNTH1135

4Hr Fitzroy Island Adventure Tour

Low on time? Here’s the ideal Fitzroy Island tour! Enjoy snorkelling off Nudey Beach, voted Australia’s best beach, a glass-bottom reef tour & lunch.

Duration 4hr

From $199

ACGDTI1138

8Hr Fitzroy Island Adventure Tour

Experience the best of Reef & Rainforest as you explore Fitzroy Island and the famous Nudey Beach. Lunch, hiking, sunbathing, snorkelling and more.

Duration 8hr

From $240

ACGELI1139

8Hr Big Cat Green Island Cruise & Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Spend a whole day exploring Green Island; cruise on a luxury catamaran, glass-bottom boat tour, reef presentations, boardwalks etc. Daily departure.

Duration 8hr

From $150

ACGXAC1174

4Hr Barron River Late Eco Rafting

Tackle grade 2 & 3 whitewater rapids of Barron River, rafting your way through World Heritage listed rainforests and over the drop at Rooster Tail.

Duration 4hr

From $169

ACGPHX1175

9Hr Russell River Pack Rafting Adventure

All new adventure tour on the Russell River. Hike with your ‘packraft’ through rainforests & creeks, before you tackle spectacular grade 3-4 rapids.

Duration 9hr

From $175

ACGKUO1176

35Min Bad Fishy Jet Boat Ride

Buckle up for ‘extreme fun’ on the Bad Fishy as you ride, spin & slide at incredible speed down the Cairns Trinity Inlet – award-winning adventure.

From $85

ACGXUS1177

1Hr Cairns Inlet Sightseeing Safari

Cruise down the mangrove and mountain-lined Trinity Inlet, home to saltwater crocodiles. Small-group tour - maximum 18 guests. Free drink included.

Duration 1hr

From $65

ACGBGM1178

1.5Hr Cairns Sunset Sightseeing Tour

Short sunset cruise on a pontoon-style boat to enjoy the best sights and sounds of tropical Cairns and the Trinity Inlet. Free drink & snack incl.

Duration 1hr

From $75

ACGASU1179

3.5Hr Barron Gorge National Park Rafting Tour

Perfect for first-time rafters, you can navigate a combination of calm water & whitewater rapids flowing through the lush rainforests of Barron Gorge.

Duration 3hr

From $165

ACGAKS1194

Ocean Safari Morning Great Barrier Reef Adventure

See two World Heritage areas alongside each other - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest! Explore the Mackay Reef with a small group.

Duration 4hr

From $197 $215

ACGSNO1195

Ocean Safari Afternoon Great Barrier Reef Adventure

See two World Heritage areas alongside each other - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest! Explore the Mackay Reef with a small group.

Duration 4hr

From $184

ACGQSS1495

12Hr Outer Great Barrier Reef & Dunk Island Tour- Ex Cairns

Join an exciting small group tour of the Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns. Snorkelling safaris at Beaver Reef, guided tours & Dunk Island visit.

Duration 12hr

From $255

ACGVJA1496

12Hr Dunk Island Day Tour From Cairns

Experience the ultimate tropical adventure on Dunk Island! Explore Muggy Muggy Beach, Mount Kootaloo, Palm Valley and more. Picnic lunch included.

Duration 13hr

From $179

ACGISZ1497

11Hr Dunk Island and Paronella Park Trip

Escape to Dunk Island and Paronella Park from Cairns for a day of cruising, hiking, beach bliss, exploring historic ruins and more. A must-do adventure!

Duration 12hr

From $255

ACGCXU1522

8Hr Dunk Island Ferry Cruise - Ex Mission Beach

Join a scenic cruise to explore the stunning Dunk Island, departing from Mission Beach – an off-the-beaten-track experience unique to Queensland.

Duration 8hr

From $55

ACGKZV1523

8Hr Dunk & Family Islands Tour From Mission Beach

Escape to Family Islands and Dunk Island from Mission Beach for a day of cruising, swimming, beach visits, iconic sights and a 2-course lunch.

Duration 8hr

From $159

ACGALD1524

8Hr Outer Great Barrier Reef & Dunk Island Tour - Mission Beach

Get ready to join an exciting tour of the Great Barrier Reef from Mission Beach. 2 snorkelling safaris, reef talks and time at tropical Dunk Island.

Duration 9hr

From $255

ACGEUK1525

8Hr Dunk Island Day Tour From Mission Beach

Dive into a tropical Dunk Island adventure from Mission Beach. Explore multiple attractions on the island including snorkelling and beach time.

Duration 8hr

From $119

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Know Before You Go

Best Time To Visit

One of the major highlights of Cairns is its weather…it’s warm all year round and there are many advantages to visiting any time of the year. The weather in Cairns is unlike Australia’s southern regions. It’s generally warm and dry in between May and October and it can be a little hotter in this topical paradise and with more rainfall between November and April – perfect weather from swimming, waterfall hopping and visiting the rainforest!

Regardless of when you visit Cairns there’s always a huge array of activities to entertain you, from white water rafting to skydiving and exploring the wet tropical regions to sunset cruises and snorkelling on the stunning Great Barrier Reef! Cairns is a destination that is just brimming with things to do and is set in the most beautiful natural destination!

Public Holidays

Sunday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year's Day
Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day

Events & Festivals

Crankworx Cairns (May)
Crankworx is a mountain biking festival showcasing top elite races, amateur and CWNEXT next generation events, as well as engaging Kidsworx activities. The festival also features a lively expo and a vibrant atmosphere, bringing together mountain biking enthusiasts and action sports fans to revel in the best of Australian hospitality.


Cairns Children's Festival (May)
Exclusive for children under the age of 12, the Cairns Children’s Festival shines the spotlight on the creativity of the younger ones, with a safe and engaging environment for families to explore. The festival invites local creatives to design installations and activities as well as plenty of opportunities for children to be part of the festival.

Cairns Show (July)
The annual Cairns show is the one that unites the city to the state – except family entertainment, competition entries, educational displays, awesome food stalls, thrilling rides, animals of all sizes, local business exhibits and more.

School Holidays

TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 1 April to 16 April

TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 24 June to 9 July

TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 16 September to 2 October

TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023 - 2024
Queensland: 9 December 2023 to 21 January 2024

Accommodation

It is advisable to pre-book your hotel/ accommodation when visiting Cairns as it has a high tourist influx, throughout the year. All major hotels offer airport pick-up & drop off and parking facilities. Plan ahead and enjoy a great stay!

Dining

Cairns is known for its relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, exquisite food, and spectacular views, that’s exactly what you get when you dine out on one of their top restaurants.
Indulge in a variety of delectable dishes in this area, ranging from ocean-fresh seafood to locally procured meats infused with African flavours. Your culinary experience is bound to be exceptional, with an abundance of satisfying meals to choose from.

Transport

Cairns has transport options for all budgets and tastes including the many four-wheel drive tours and day tours that can pick you up and drop back off at the doorstep of your accommodation. Daily bus services are run by Sunbus and take you to most suburbs and beaches, with most routes beginning from the Cairns CBD. You can hail a taxi from the street or order an Uber online.

Cairns Tourist Information

Shopping & Market Hours

In Cairns, you'll discover a selection of fashion and retail shops typically associated with capital cities at “Cairns Central” in the heart of the CBD. The Cairns CBD is home to a range of retailers including local artists, bespoke fashion stores and shops with trinkets and local crafts.

Most shops are open every day of the week, generally between 8am to 5pm, with late night shopping until 9pm on Thursday evenings. 

Cairns also has a prominent night market scene, which is active every day of the year from 4pm with entrances on both Abbott St or The Esplanade. The Cairns Night Markets are famous for cool eateries, local crafts, massages and sweet treats and they are a great location to shop for your souvenirs.

Medical Services

The emergency hotline for any assistance from Police, Fire and Ambulance is 000. For non-urgent medical help you can connect on: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Cairns has hospitals namely Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital etc. for any medical service.
 

Blogs & Articles

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Reef-sponsible Adventures At The Great Barrier Reef

Absolutely, no doubt about it, the Great Barrier Reef is ethereal! This natural wonder is the ultimate crib for so many different marine species. Some of them are veritable reef celebrities – you can’t find them anywhere else on the map.