Experience Cairns from city landmarks to glowing waterfront views on a full-day guided tour combined with an evening dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Cairns. Discover cultural highlights, tropical gardens, and the city's transformation at night.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
7.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; minimal walking involved with guided stops.
Wildlife
History
Cairns evolved from a port town to a tropical tourism hub; St. Monica’s Cathedral's stained glass windows reflect both cultural heritage and local artistry.
Conservation
The Cairns Botanic Gardens promote native plant preservation and sustainable horticulture, supporting local ecosystems amid urban expansion.
Cairns Discovery Tours
Experience Cairns from city landmarks to glowing waterfront views on a full-day guided tour combined with an evening dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Cairns. Discover cultural highlights, tropical gardens, and the city's transformation at night.
Cairns Discovery Tours is a Cairns, Queensland–based tour operator offering a wide range of reef, island, rainforest and city sightseeing experiences. The company arranges day tours to Green Island and Fitzroy Island, scenic helicopter flights to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda rail and Skyrail rainforest journeys, river cruises along Trinity Inlet, dinner cruises aboard the Spirit of Cairns, and admission-inclusive visits to attractions such as the Cairns Aquarium and the Turtle Hospital.
Tours include options with hotel transfers, glass‑bottom-boat cruises, snorkeling time on coral cays, self-guided and guided aquarium experiences, and combined city sightseeing featuring St. Monica’s Cathedral, the Cairns Museum and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Guests can choose half‑day or full‑day itineraries, family-friendly reef excursions, small-group city tours, and specialty evening experiences such as the Cairns Aquarium by Night with dinner at Dundee’s Restaurant.
Cairns Discovery Tours operates from Cairns, providing convenient departures for cruise-ship passengers and hotel pick-ups for select tours. Signature highlights described in tour listings include the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Barron Falls lookout stops, Green Island’s coral cay ecosystem, and aerial reef views on helicopter transfers.
Information on each trip—duration, inclusions, and meeting points—is supplied in the individual tour descriptions. This factual presentation helps visitors compare options and select the right Cairns day trip, whether seeking reef snorkeling, rainforest vistas, cultural city sights or a relaxed island cruise.
Location
Cairns, Queensland
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
Tours Offered
15 tours
From Green Island to Kuranda
Key Destinations
Reef & Rainforest
Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda
Trip Lengths
Half-day to Full-day
Options for every schedule
Secure a spot on Green Island, Kuranda, reef flights or a dinner cruise — check individual tour pages for availability and inclusions.
Wear Comfortable Footwear
Choose sturdy shoes suitable for walking city streets and boarding the boat safely.
Bring a Light Jacket
Evenings on the water can get cool; a jacket will keep you comfortable during the dinner cruise.
Arrive Early for Pickup
Hotel pickups start at 12:30 pm; be ready to ensure a smooth start to your day tour.
Plan Your Return Trip
Return transfers after the cruise are not included; pre-book a taxi or rideshare to avoid delays.
Comfortable walking shoes
Required for city touring and boarding the cruise safely.
Light jacket or windbreaker
Needed for cooler evenings during the dinner cruise.
fall|winter|spring
Wide-brimmed hat
Protects from sun exposure during daytime city and garden tours.
summer|spring
Camera or smartphone
Capture panoramic views from lookouts and scenic waterfront moments.