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Daintree Rainforest Tours from Cairns

  • Tours from Cairns
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Daintree Rainforest Day Trips From Cairns

cairns daintree day trip

A very beauitful and special part of the world, the Daintree is certainly not to be missed. This remote area is situated 111kms north of Cairns and has the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent. Along the coastline north of the Daintree River, the tropical rainforest grows right down to the edge of the sea where fringing reef is met on the shoreline, this is commonly referred to as 'where the Rainforest meets the Reef'.`

Getting there is all part of the adventure. The journey to the Daintree travels along the Cook Highway north of Port Douglas and features beautiful scenery ranging from secluded palm fringed tropical beaches, hidden coves and rugged headlands to the rich green of lush sugar-cane fields and rainforest covered mountains.

The Daintree River ferry is the gateway to the Daintree Coast and Cape Tribulation, and is the only cable ferry operating within tropical Australia. Once over the river there are many natural attractions to visit including rainforest walks, freshwater swimming holes and remote beaches.

There are also plenty of adventure activities that take place such as sea kayaking, horse riding, jungle surfing, snorkelling, night walks and more. Guided tours depart daily from Cairns.

cairns daintree day trip

Daintree Rainforest

MANAGED BY TRAVSTAR

Office Hours: 7 Days

Address: TRAVSTAR PTY LTD ABN: 21 095 692 925 PO Box 6918 Cairns QLD 4870 Australia

cairns daintree day trip

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Cairns Info

Daintree Rainforest Tours

  • Cairns City

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The Daintree Rainforest

cairns daintree day trip

The Daintree Rainforest is a place like no other, boasting a rich history stretching back millions of years. It is the oldest intact tropical lowland rainforest in the world, and its biodiversity is unmatched - with the greatest diversity of plants and animals found anywhere in Australia. This spectacular rainforest region is home to 13 of the world’s 19 primitive flowering plant species and hosts 28% of frogs, 65% of ferns, 40% of birds and 34% of mammals in Australia. Little wonder that Sir David Attenborough calls it the most spectacular and diverse rainforest region on earth!

The landscape is simply breathtaking, with magnificent mountain ranges, fast flowing streams and waterfalls, deep gorges and dense rainforest. And the coastal scenery is no less stunning - with the Daintree offering the rare combination of tropical rainforest, white sandy beaches and fringing reefs just offshore. It's no wonder that this region has been dubbed a 'living museum'.

The Daintree Rainforest is easily accessible - located just a 2-hour drive north of Cairns and Port Douglas. As you journey from Cairns to Mossman along the Cook Highway, you'll be treated to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Australia - from secluded palm-fringed tropical beaches to hidden coves, rugged headlands, lush sugar-cane fields and rainforest-covered mountains.

Daintree Rainforest Tours from Cairns We offer a range of tours to the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns, depending on the type of adventure you're after. Our tours include air-conditioned coach rides, hiking tours, wildlife cruises, and four-wheel drive excursions. Some tours even give visitors a chance to view crocodiles up close in their natural environment, and to taste the natural fruits that grow in the rainforest.

Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation

The Cape Tribulation section of Daintree National Park is renowned as the place where where two spectacular World Heritage sites meet - the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Stretching from Cow Bay to the Bloomfield River, Cape Tribulation itself is a headland that juts out into the Coral Sea. The Kulki Boardwalk is a short 400m walk up the headland with great views of the mountain backdrop and Cape Tribultion Beach. A beautiful long beach walk links Myall Beach and Cape Tribulation Beach. The view from the southern side of the Cape is spectacular. The fringing reef at Coconut Beach is a great place to explore at low tide. Thornton Beach is also a great place to walk and experience ‘where the rainforest meets the reef’.

Cape Tribulation has so many activities on offer including bush walking, kayaking, horse riding treks, snorkelling, exotic fruit tastings, zip lining through the rainforest canopy and 4WD safaris. There are also many walks taking in the beaches and rainforest. Cape Tribulation is where the bitumen ends and a Four Wheel Drive is needed to venture further north.

Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge

Mossman is the gateway to the southern section of the Daintree National Park which incorporates Mossman Gorge, one of the most beautiful and accessible tourist sites in the Port Douglas region. Mossman Gorge lies 20km north of Port Douglas and approx 2km from the township of Mossman.

This area of National Park is part of the traditional homeland of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.For the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people many natural features of the landscape have spiritual significance including Wundu (Thornton Peak), Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi), Wurrumbu (The Bluff) and Kulki (Cape Tribulation). Mossman Gorge is of particular significance to their culture with its water, mountains and rainforest holding many indigenous stories handed down through each generation of elders.

Mossman Gorge remains mostly untouched and in pristine condition with crystal-clear waters that cascade over granite boulders, dense rainforest canopy and more than 100 species of trees, shrubs and vines with the fig trees and their flying buttresses being one of the most popular attractions. A suspension bridge runs across Rex Creek close to where it enters the Mossman River, linking a 2.4-kilometre circular rainforest walk.

A "must do" for every visitor to Mossman Gorge are the indigenous guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks, conducted by the traditional owners of the Gorge, the Kuku Yalanji people. (Nar-di-gul) meaning stories and legends from a long time ago, takes visitors on a journey along private, easy graded tracks, visiting special places and culturally significant sites and over rainforest streams.

Daintree River Cruises

Daintree River Cruises

A Daintree River cruise provides superb wildlife viewing opportunities. An average of 40 birds and animals are seen on each tour including crocodiles, snakes, and rare birds. Cruises are provided in a small vessel which enables an intimate exploration of the river banks and wildlife in the trees and sky above. There are a number of river cruise operators who depart from various locations along the banks of the Daintree River, there is also one exclusive operator that departs in the Cape Tribulation section of Daintree National Park, and travels from the mouth of Cooper Creek towards Thornton Peak.

Daintree River Ferry

Daintree River Ferry

The north and south banks of the Daintree River are linked by the Daintree Ferry. The Daintree ferry is the only cable ferry operating within tropical Australia. It makes continuous crossings of the Daintree River throughout the day, which takes about 5 minutes to cross the river. A fee is payable to use the ferry service prior to boarding. The ferry operates 6.00am until midnight every day with a reduced service on Christmas Day. After crossing the Daintree Ferry you will travel through lowland and tropical rainforest passing road junctions for Cape Kimberley and Cow Bay.

Daintree Rainforest Walks

Daintree Rainforest Walks

There are plenty of walks in the Daintree - Cape Tribulation area where you can submerge yourself in rainforest. No matter your level of fitness or mobility, young or old, experienced hikers or casual strollers, there are walks to accommodate all. Simple walks include Kulki - Cape Tribulation Beach Lookout (10mins), Marrdja Botanical Walk (45 mins), Jindalba boardwalk (45 mins) and Dubuji Boardwalk (45mins), or for the more experienced hikers Jindalba circuit track (1.5 hrs), Emmagen Creek & Beach (5 hours) and Mt Sorrow Ridge Walk (6 hours).

Jindalba boardwalk—650 m return (45 mins) Grade: easy The Jindalba (meaning ‘foot of the mountain’) boardwalk explores tropical lowland rainforest. Quiet walkers may be lucky enough to see a tree-kangaroo or cassowary. There is a large picnic area with toilets and tables. Wheelchair access to the creek is from the exit end only, near the disability access parking bays.

Jindalba circuit track—3 km return (1.5 hrs) Grade: moderate Near the entrance of the Jindalba boardwalk is the start of the Jindalba circuit track. This forest walk is well marked but is stony in places and crosses rainforest creeks. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Marrja boardwalk—1.2 km loop (45 mins) Grade: easy The Marrja (meaning ‘rainforest’ or ‘jungle’) boardwalk allows visitors to experience both rainforest and mangrove communities, without getting muddy. Along the walk learn about the plants found in each of these environments. There are no toilets or picnic areas at this site.

Dubuji boardwalk—1.2 km loop (45 mins) Grade: easy The Dubuji (meaning ‘place of spirits’) boardwalk travels through lowland rainforest swamps and mangroves. Signs explain the survival strategies used by rainforest plants and animals. The site is close to Myall Beach and has large grassed areas with picnic shelters and toilets.

Kulki—600 m return (10 mins) Grade: easy Kulki day-use area has a boardwalk leading from the picnic area to a viewing platform overlooking the ocean and beach. A short walk from the Kulki car park takes you to beautiful Myall Beach. Toilets and picnic tables are provided.

Mount Sorrow ridge trail—7 km return (6-7 hrs) Grade: difficult This is a steep and difficult trail and walkers need to be fit, self-reliant and well-prepared. The trail climbs from the coastal lowlands of Cape Tribulation, up the rainforest-clad ridge of Mount Sorrow to a lookout offering views of the beautiful Daintree coastline, Snapper Island and beyond.

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Cairns Info

MANAGED BY TRAVSTAR

Office Hours: 7 Days

Address: TRAVSTAR PTY LTD ABN: 21 095 692 925 PO Box 6918 Cairns QLD 4870 Australia

cairns daintree day trip

Travstar.com

Cairns Reef Tours

Bruny Island Tours

Daintree Rainforest

Kuranda Train & Skyrail

Airlie Beach Tours

Port Douglas Tours

Maria Island Tours

Green Island Cairns

White Water Rafting Cairns

Cairns Cruise Tours

Blue Mountain Tours

Tasmania Info

Port Arthur Tours

Phillip Island Tours

Port Douglas Reef Tours

Great Ocean Road Tours

Dunk Island Ferry

Fitzroy Island Cairns

Whitehaven Beach Tours

Darwin Info

Litchfield Park Tours

Mission Beach Tours

Gold Coast Cruises

Gold Coast Tours

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Experience Uluru

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  • Telephone (07) 4042 7300
  • Email [email protected]
  • Address 36-38 O'Keefe St, North Cairns, QLD Australia

cairns daintree day trip

  • Cairns Daintree Rainforest Tour

Open your mind, share your spirit and connect with Traditional Owners on this engaging, full day Cairns Daintree Rainforest tour. Travel deep into stunning wilderness areas where you can swim, cruise, explore and engage your senses.

Welcome To Country At Mossman Gorge – The Kuku Yalanji people are the Traditional Owners of Mossman Gorge. Their culture is built around a deep respect for nature. Be welcomed to country with a smoke ceremony and learn about traditional cultural practices.

Wildlife River Cruise – The Daintree River snakes its way through the rainforest out to sea, providing habitat for saltwater crocodiles, barramundi, waterbirds and more. Cruise its waters, scan its banks and peer into its depths.

Daintree Rainforest – Explore the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest on guided boardwalk tours and at lookouts. Your guide shares stories of botanical evolution and you might even see a Cassowary.

Our Cairns Daintree Tour. Welcome To Country. Mossman Gorge. River Cruise. Engage. Explore. Enjoy. Adventures for Everyone.

cairns daintree day trip

CAIRNS DAINTREE RAINFOREST TOUR

The best way to see the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, is on our Cairns Daintree Rainforest tour. This epic road trip ticks every box. You’ll connect with Traditional Owners, swim, explore, cruise, and have one massive day of rainforest adventures. You’ll visit and explore towering mountains, rainforest rivers, deep gorges, tangled mangroves and wide sandy beaches. Our awesome guides are on hand to ensure every moment of this up to 12-hour tour is the best it can be. Be an Active Tropics Explorer on our Cairns Daintree Rainforest tour. Your Rainforest Adventure.

cairns daintree day trip

Cape Tribulation / Daintree Rainforest Tour

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Dear Valued Guest - Please note due to current road conditions we are travelling as north as Thornton's Beach. Therefore, we are offering Overnight Transfers as far as Daintree Crocodylus. Our Day Tour is operating as per our website.

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THE ROAD TO CAPE TRIBULATION IS OPEN! Whilst we still need to manage the tour day to day, we are confident that we are able to get to Cape Tribulation. We look forward to taking you there!!

Daintree Tours From Cairns

The best things to do on a daintree tour from cairns.

There are two things that visitors to the tropical climes of Cairns, Tropical North Queensland have on their bucket lists: the World Heritage-listed wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforests. At Cape Trib Connections, we’ve got your Daintree tour from Cairns covered. Travel in comfort with us from Cairns into the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, a place of towering trees, racing rivers and rare and endangered plants and animals. We look forward to sharing the best bits of this wonderful place with you, on our Daintree tours from Cairns.

cairns daintree day trip

Free Cairns Pickup

Our Daintree Rainforest tours from Cairns starts with a convenient and complimentary pickup from your accommodation. No need to research and road and navigate your way north, you can just relax and enjoy the views.

cairns daintree day trip

Coastal Driving

Comfortably seated in our air-conditioned bus, you’ll have time to absorb the stunning coastal scenery along the Great Barrier Reef as our Daintree tours from Cairns make their way north.

cairns daintree day trip

Daintree Ferry

Your day trip from Cairns and into the Daintree continues across the iconic Daintree River and its bounty of unique wildlife, via Australia’s only operating cable ferry. Keep an eye out for crocs!

cairns daintree day trip

Alexandra Lookout

One of the most popular stops on our Daintree Rainforest tours from Cairns is Mount Alexandra lookout. Panoramic rainforest and sea views giving a glimpse into this amazing landscape.

cairns daintree day trip

Rainforest Boardwalk

A guided rainforest boardwalk tour is the best way to unlock the secrets of the Daintree Rainforest. We’ll ensure your day tour is jam packed with rare and unique rainforest plants and animals, maybe even a cassowary.

cairns daintree day trip

Lunch On The Beach

We’re the only operator running Daintree Rainforest tours from Cairns , to have lunch on Cape Tribulation Beach. Providing time for you to relax and enjoy this iconic destination, where rainforest meets reef.

cairns daintree day trip

Crocodile Cruise

No Cairns to Daintree day tour is complete without a cruise on the Daintree River — where prehistoric crocodiles bask on the banks and tropical bird and fish species are aplenty.

cairns daintree day trip

Mossman Gorge

We wind down our Daintree tour from Cairns in the cool rainforest waters of Mossman Gorge, and learn about the Daintree Rainforest’s ancient rainforest Aboriginal culture, food and medicines.

Start Your Daintree Tour From Cairns

Easily accessible for visitors traversing the globe into Cairns International Airport, Cairns – Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – provides access to adventure, nature and relaxation from a range of places to stay, including backpacker hostels, self-contained family apartments and luxury resorts.

True to its moniker, the busy Cairns Marina sees off thousands of visitors a day to the region’s many reefs, islands and pontoons, while the Great Barrier Reef Drive hugs the coastline north, delivering intrepid explorers to the misty rainforests of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree. Your Daintree Rainforest Tour from Cairns with Cape Trib Connections will be memorable for all the right reasons. We look forward to sharing our extensive local knowledge of the best things to do in the Daintree Rainforest.

Expert Guides Ensure You Don’t Miss A Thing

On your Daintree tour from Cairns, you’ll not only capture that priceless family photo in the rainforest, but you’ll get the back story too! Did you know that the Daintree is home to the last lowland tropical rainforests in Australia, or that these rainforests are the oldest in the world at more than 135 million years?

With Cape Trib Connections, you’re free to relax as we make our journey northwards and into the Daintree. Keep your eyes peeled on the way from Cairns to Daintree though, as our guides point out the must-see views of the McAlister Range and Coral Sea, taking the time to explain and point out the vast, changing landscapes of the Great Barrier Reef Drive. As we cross the Daintree River into Cape Tribulation, we’ll share with you what makes this such a special place as we explore rainforest boardwalks, pristine beaches and soak in uninterrupted views of this natural World Heritage-listed paradise.

Why Take A Daintree Tour From Cairns?

No need for trip planning, car hire or navigating on this day trip. Booking your Daintree Tour from Cairns with Cape Trib Connections is the only decision you’ll need to make as far as exploring the Daintree Rainforest is concerned!

A complimentary pickup from your accommodation begins your Daintree day tour from Cairns , where you have the time to simply relax in our air-conditioned bus as we ensure you see and experience all the best things to do in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

Learn about the history and evolution of the World Heritage-listed rainforests of the Daintree from our local guides, who’ll make sure you’re witness to the many unique plants and wildlife that call these rainforests home.

Why Travel with Cape Trib Connections

Sustainable travel.

All proceeds from your tour with our family company, go back into the local economy and supporting local business. Now that’s sustainable travel.

Highly Experienced

For more than 20 years, we’ve been running great Daintree Rainforest tours from Cairns. We know where to go and what to see, to ensure you have the best time.

Great Guides

Hand-picked guides will reveal the secrets of this ancient rainforest landscape and ensure you get every chance to see the rare and endangered rainforest plants and animals.

Sit Back & Relax

Forget about navigating and negotiating traffic, you can relax in Cape Trib Connections’ air-conditioned tour bus and just enjoy the many things to do in Cape Tribulation!

Book Your Cape Tribulation Tour

© Cape Trib Connections 2024

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Cairns City Tours

Cairns area, reef day cruises, island day cruises.

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Welcome to Cairns Discovery Tours

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Cairns Dinner Cruise

Cairns Birdwing butterfly in Kuranda sanctuary

Kuranda Day Tours

beautiful palm cover beach during sundown

Stunning Palm Cove beach

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Cairns Botanic Garden

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Cairns Tours & Day Trips

Welcome to cairns discovery tours - locally owned and operating since 1995., book now pay later , our most popular tours.

cairns daintree day trip

Reef and Island • Moore & Fitzroy Island

Adult $285.00| Child $165 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $735 Helmet Dive Special to 30th June 2024 Pay only $87  - Normally $149.00  Departs Cairns 8.00am - 4.30pm Tue, Thu & Sat July - August Departs 8.00am Tue, Wed & Sat Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure combining 2 hours at Moore Reef Pontoon + 3 hour Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore Reef Pontoon includes coral viewing with semi-submersible, glass bottom boat, underwater observatory, snorkelling & kids waterslide. Then a leisurely time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

Join us for a unique outer reef tour where the Sunlover catamaran docks alongside a floating pontoon stationed in a natural lagoon fringed with beautiful coral. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, family traveller, experienced diver or on your first trip to the Great Barrier Reef, our expert team will deliver a unique reef tour experience for you. Experience the ultimate adventure combining 2 hours at Moore Reef pontoon on the Outer Barrier Reef + Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore reef has all of our standard inclusions with time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

cairns daintree day trip

Kuranda Scenic Train and Skyrail Day Tour with return hotel transfers

Adult $181|Child $95|Family $457 Departs daily 7.30am - 5.30pm Experience a day of adventure from your Cairns hotel with Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the rainforest in comfortable six-person gondolas and explore Kuranda in your own time. Enjoy the 1.5 hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that travels through the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Travel to the rainforest village of Kuranda in style with our Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway package! Fly over the rainforest canopy on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Explore the rainforest at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations and join a guided ranger tour. Experience The Rainforest Interpretation Centre and the new “Edge” lookout, which offers uninterrupted views of the mighty Barron Falls. Enjoy your spare time in Kuranda Village. Browse for jewellery gifts and more at the Original and Rainforest Markets or taste a range of culinary treats at Kuranda’s many quirky cafes. Visit the world’s largest butterfly flight aviary at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or enjoy a relaxing walk along the Barron River. Experience the world’s most beautiful railway journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and journey past stunning rainforest waterfalls and past steep gorges. Stop at Barron Falls station and see the stunning Barron Falls. Kuranda original and heritage markets open Wednesday through to Sunday

Optional Kuranda River Cruise & Lunch (Not available Monday and Tuesday)

Enjoy a tranquil 45-minute Wet Tropics calm water cruise on the Barron River in Kuranda aboard the MV Kuranda. The commentary highlights various aspects of the World’s most ancient tropical rainforest in Australia, river life and the history of Kuranda. The river is home to a host of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, turtles, snakes, fish and birds. Occasionally a wild cassowary may be spotted on the edge of the rainforest by the riverbank. Following your cruise make your way to Cafe Mandala for lunch where there will be a reserved table for you. Choose anything from Café Mandala’s menu to the value of $20 and pay the Cafe owner separately for anything ordered over the amount.

cairns daintree day trip

Cairns River Cruise & City Sights Tour

Adult $199|Child $149 Departs daily 9.30am to 6pm On this Cairns Tour you will experience a calm water cruise along Trinity Inlet, which is an oceanic inlet and serves as the port for the city of Cairns. It meanders through pristine creeks and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns too. Includes lunch on the waterfront at the award-winning Dundees restaurant before joining your afternoon Cairns City Sights Tour

Make your way to the Cairns Marina, 1 Spence St Cairns and board the Cairns River Cruise at Berth A1 "A" Finger. 9.30 am - (Return Hotel transfer included)

Cairns River Cruise 9.45 am - 11.00 am

  • 1 1/4 hr guided calm-water cruise explores the stunning sights of the Trinity Inlet and waterfront of Cairns. The extensive and stunning Inlet is mountain-mangrove-lined and is a sanctuary for many types of wildlife. The tour meanders through pristine creeks (the home of saltwater crocodiles) and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious and carries a maximum of 18 guests - so the tour is bespoke and personal, and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns.

Free time for a stroll along the Marina or Pier Shopping Centre before enjoying a delicious lunch

  • Lunch at Dundee's on the Waterfront at 12 noon. Relax and take in the waterfront views at Dundee's Restaurant short 2 minute walk from where your river cruise ends before joining Cairns Discovery Tours City Sights afternoon Tour.

Cairns City Sights & Highlights 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm

You will be collected at 1.00 pm from the Cairns Marina at the front of the Reef Fleet Terminal. Discover our vibrant city's history and learn about the rich cultural heritage unique to Cairns and the Far North.

  • St. Monica’s Cathedral  - Step inside one of Australia's most breathtaking cathedrals, featuring the World's largest themed stained glass windows.
  • Cairns Museum  - visit the Cairns Museum. join our exclusive tour of the School of Arts building in the city's heart to see yesteryear's highlights.
  • Afternoon Tea  A true local delight of warm, fresh-from-the-oven scones with strawberry jam and cream and your choice of Tea, Coffee
  • Cairns Botanic Gardens  - Enjoy a professional guided walk through the lush Flecker Botanic Gardens, renowned for having one of the best exhibitions in Australia's tropical plants. Meander through the butterfly-lined pathways under the green canopy as your guide explains the various plants and wildlife you see along the way.
  • Cairns Lookout  - Take in the panoramic views of the city and the Coral Sea
  • Lower Barron Falls  - Enjoy a walk at the lower section of the Barron Gorge National Park, Surprise Creek Falls.
  • Palm Cove Take a stroll along the jetty or on the sand on this picture-perfect beach, fringed with coconut trees. Nestled behind the beach is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove, with its’ magnificent paperbark trees.
  • Your day of discovery ends, returning to your chosen Cairns CBD accommodation at approx. 6.00 pm. Northern Beaches 5.30 pm

Please note - Wheelie Walkers and mobility scooters are not permitted as our vehicle is not equipped with a luggage area

cairns daintree day trip

Green Island & Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns

Special save up to $30 per person Normally Adult $318|Child $132|Family $816 Adult $288.00| Child $156|Family $740

Departs daily 8.30am - 5.20pm Enjoy the best of both worlds with this complete Great Barrier Reef and Island tour. Enjoy 2 hours on Green Island and  3 hours on the Outer Barrier Reef.  Fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy 2 hours on this iconic  coral cay, and then continue your day adventure and discovery with a further 45 minute ride  to Great Adventures spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

The complete reef and island experience awaits with this exciting tour. Take a fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. Then, you’ll depart Green Island to continue your day of adventure and discovery with 3 hours on board Great Adventures' spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island It is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – a premier world heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Grab your snorkel gear and head to the Lifeguard patrolled beach to explore the marine world off the beach, take a stroll thru the unique tropical rainforest, laze on the white coral sand beach or take part in some of the optional activities that Green Island has to offer

Outer Barrier Reef The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and/or dive, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub to view the surrounding coral or relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. The vibrant marine life of the reef awaits you.

cairns daintree day trip

Dreamtime Snorkel from Cairns

Adult from $219|Child $139|Family $577 Not available 20th May - 7th June inclusive Seasonal dates and prices apply Departs daily 9.00am - 5.00pm Step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous Sea Rangers   as they recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours of fun with unlimited snorkelling with 2 Reef locations   in air-conditioned lounges and a licensed bar.

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji , Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji & Gunggandji people, Traditional Owners of the Sea Country on which you will travel

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Enjoy one of Cairns’ most unique & exclusive Great Barrier Reef tours. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites you to step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers on a day tour of two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Reef sites visited may include Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford Reef. You will also experience our authentic Dreamtime experience with our Cultural Guides, sharing their stories of the history of the Great Barrier Reef. Indigenous sea rangers will recount the Dreamtime stories of the traditional people of this Sea Country and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterfall and Rainforest Tour Cairns, Australia

Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour

Adult $149|Child 2-11yrs $129|Family 2A+2C $427 Departs daily 7.30am - 5.30pm On the Waterfalls and Wanderer tour you will travel south as you discover nature and the beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls. This is a MUST-SEE for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands and waterfalls.

Walk amongst boulders, slide into cool pools, soak in the spray of waterfalls and dive into crater lakes, and that’s just the ‘wet’ stuff! On this full day tour you'll also visit and learn about culturally important places, visit the biggest tree you’ll ever see (the Curtain Fig Tree which is believed to be 500 years old!), and have the chance to spy a diverse array of rainforest creatures - if you're lucky you'll even spot an elusive platypus!

Travel south and discover the majesty and beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls, a MUST-see for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands.

Waterfall Wanderers will provide morning and afternoon tea, lunch, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fruit throughout the day, as well as heaps of games and puzzles to keep you entertained as we explore the Atherton Tablelands by luxury air-conditioned coach.

Pack your swimmers . Australia’s most famous rainforest waterfalls await. Our Cairns waterfalls and rainforest tour is an epic road trip, which will have you in and out of the water all day. It takes you from Cairns, up, over and through the beautiful rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands.

Babinda Boulders  – Stunning scenery and refreshing swimming. Culturally significant to the Yidinji Traditional Owners, learn the tragic love story that still ‘haunts’ this beautiful place.

Josephine Falls  – Ready to slide and take a wild ride down the rocks, into a cool rainforest pool? This is it, and it doesn’t get any better, bring the Go Pros.

Millaa Millaa Waterfall – World famous hair flick waterfall which tumbles 18m down into a natural amphitheatre. Strike a pose, swim and explore.

Volcanic Crater Lake  – Dive right into Lake Eacham, a 65m former volcanic crater, now filled with crystal clear rainwater.

cairns daintree day trip

Daintree Rainforest - Cape Tribulation Rainforest Day Tour

Adult $229| Child (4-16yrs) $179 Family 2A+2C $780

Departs Daily 7.00am Revised itinerary until further notice as some areas are not accessible or are closed due to Cyclone Jasper Dec 2023 Explore the Daintree Rainforest by 4wd air-conditioned vehicle as you journey north along the Captain Cook Highway with spectacular views of the coast. Take a Daintree River cruise to spot crocodiles, learn about the region on a guided boardwalk tour through Mossman Gorge. Guided beach walk in Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef. Enjoy a tropical fruit Daintree ice cream before your journey back to your accommodation

Group size is kept to under 17 passengers so you have a more personalised experience. As the oldest Rainforest in the World, this is definitely something to tick off your bucket list.

Scenic Coastal Drive Your day starts by being picked up by your local eco-accredited tour guide. As you meet and greet your fellow travellers, sit back and relax as we start to make our way to the Daintree Rainforest. This coastal scenic road is one of the best drives in the world, so have your camera ready!

Daintree River Cruise After a light morning tea refreshment, it's time to board your Daintree River cruise. This peaceful and relaxing 1 hour Daintree River Cruise is precisely what the doctor ordered, sprinkled with a little adventure spotting crocodiles, other native Australian wildlife and mangroves.

Alexandra Lookout Alexandra Lookout provides a fantastic photo opportunity. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Daintree Rainforest to the ocean.

Guided Rainforest Walk Mossman Gorge  Your local guide will then take you along an elevated boardwalk into the Southern end of the Daintree National Park, providing detail on the flora, fauna and cultural history and significance of the Daintree Rainforest.  Opportunity for a freshwater swim at Mossman Gorge, subject to conditions on the day.

4WD Bloomfield Track- CLOSED Billy Tea Safaris is one of the only operators who can travel on the Bloomfield Track due on their custom-made 4WD vehicles.

Emmagen Creek Freshwater Swim- NOT ACCESSIBLE Cool off with a freshwater swim at Emmagen Creek. This also makes for a fabulous photo opportunity and is relaxing and refreshing! Swimming in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest?! What more could you ask for?

Lunch  Enjoy lunch with your fellow travellers, and then it's off to Cape Tribulation Beach. The only place where the rainforest meets the reef. All dietary requirements must be notified at the time of reservation or at least 48 hours before travel. We cater for vegetarians and most other requirements within reason and providing they are of a medical nature.

Ice-cream stop No Daintree Rainforest day tour is complete without a stop for exotic homemade ice cream at the Daintree Ice-creamery. You will be amazed at the array of flavours made from the orchids on their property. After your sweet ice cream treat and a little exploration of this lush property, it's time to head home.

cairns daintree day trip

2 Day Reef and Daintree Rainforest

Adult $425| Child 4-16 yrs $295| Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1280 Departs daily Experience the very best of Cairns Reef and Daintree Rainforest Tours. This 2 day reef and rainforest package offers great value to visit our two amazing World Heritage National Parks - The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest during your stay in Cairns. Tours do not need to be taken consecutively .  

Day 1 -Great Barrier Reef Tour Departs Daily Check-in from 7.15am - 7.45am at The Reef Fleet Terminal Departs 8am | Returns 4.30pm

Great Barrier Reef Tour onboard 'Evolution'

Join the luxurious and spacious yacht, Evolution, to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for your snorkelling experience. The 35-metre vessel, Evolution departs Cairns with  5 hours spent exploring two spectacular and exclusive outer Great Barrier Reef locations for an adventure-filled day!

In the afternoon, you have the option to add additional reef activities. Join us on the Semi-Submersible Tour, learning about the reef with our marine biologist, or add a scuba dive or a scenic helicopter flight over the reef. Finally, you'll cruise back to Cairns while enjoying a free glass of wine and a snack while you reflect on your day on the Great Barrier Reef.​

Day 2- Daintree Rainforest Tour

Due to the impact of severe tropical cyclone Jasper and the associated flooding & road closures, there have been some itinerary changes to ensure you still have a great time in the Daintree Rainforest.

Includes pick up & drop off from your Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas accommodation.

Group size is kept to under 17 passengers for a personalized experience. Explore the oldest Rainforest in the World, an essential bucket list experience!

Journey north on the scenic coastal drive to the Daintree Rainforest with spectacular views of the Coral Sea coastline. Embark an informative one hour River Cruise on the mighty Daintree River where you spot and learn about estuarine crocodiles, mangrove forests and endemic wildlife as you unwind in nature's embrace. Light refreshment of tea/coffee and biscuits provided. Your experienced Guide will give an information commentary on the rich local flora/fauna and cultural significance of the area as you drive through the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Get sand on your feet as you join a guided beach walk where the "Rainforest meets the Reef".  Savour a delicious lunch at a local restaurant amidst the unique backdrop of the Daintree Forest (please advise in advance of ay special dietary requirements) followed by a stop for a a delicious tropical fruit ice-cream enroute to the Daintree Ferry. Your last stop is at the famous Mossman Gorge for a guided rainforest walk on a selection of trails and elevated boardwalks (easy grade) with time for an invigorating freshwater swim (subject to river conditions) before heading back to your hotel.

A forest so spectacular, Sir David Attenborough called it “the most extraordinary place on Earth.”

  • Scenic Coastal Drive : Capture breathtaking views as we journey to the Daintree Rainforest.
  • Daintree River Cruise : Spot crocodiles and native wildlife during a serene river cruise.
  • Guided Rainforest Walk : Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Daintree with a knowledgeable guide.
  • Lunch at Cape Tribulation : Enjoy a delicious meal at a local cafe.
  • Ice-cream Stop : Indulge in exotic homemade ice cream before heading home.

Half Day Green Island with Great Adventures

Half Day Green Island with Great Adventures

Adult $116 |Child $62|Family $292 Depart daily 8.30am or 10.30am Returns 3.20pm Have a leisurely start to your day with a 10.30am departure from Cairns to Green Island, or if you are an early bird you can choose the 8.30am departure. Enjoy up yo 6 hours on Green Island to explore, relax, snorkel and swim. Paradise awaits.

Snorkelling Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available. Lycra suits available for hire

Glass Bottom Boat Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where abundant fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.

Lunch at Emerald Restaurant  is available to be pre-booked between 11.00am-2.00pm. Choose one of the following delicious menu options plus a Australian beer, wine or soft drink. Truffle pasta, Pesto barramundi, Grilled chicken breast with avocado salsa, Green Island beef burger or vegetarian burger. Adult $42.00 Child $20.00  Valid to 31.3.24

Optional Activity One of Green Island’s most unique attractions is indeed, Marineland Melanesia. Not only is it home to the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius, it is also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artifacts and aquariums. With twice daily crocodile shows and the chance to hold a baby croc, it’s definitely a family favourite, especially with the children.

From $25.00 per adult $12.50 per child

Established by two partners in the early 1960s, Marineland Melanesia has been proudly owned and operated by the Craig family since 1971. From working in Papua New Guinea, family patriarch George Craig (perhaps one of the original ‘crocodile hunters’) set about bringing to reality an island habitat for huge crocodiles and a magnificent range of carvings and ancient primitive tribal art from the region known as Melanesia.

Locally Owned & Operated Cairns Tours Since 1995

Established over 28 years ago, Cairns Discovery Tours is proud of its roots in the vibrant and tropical region of Cairns. We've been bringing unforgettable experiences to locals and visitors alike since 1995, delivering unique tour services that highlight the richness and natural splendour of the region. As a locally owned and operated business, we possess a deep connection to our surroundings and a passion for showcasing our beloved region's beauty to the world.

Over the years, we've nurtured strong relationships with local businesses and cultural institutions, which allow us to provide an authentically local tour experience rich in insights you won't find in your typical guidebook. With us, you're not just a traveller but fellow explorers ready to share the beauty of our unique tropical paradise.

We Tour Fascinating Sites, Great Views & Landmarks around Cairns

Embarking on a journey with Cairns Discovery Tours is a ticket to a mesmerising world of awe-inspiring landmarks, breath-taking views and unique wildlife encounters.

  • Local Landmarks : We explore the heritage-rich areas with notable architectural wonders, revealing the hidden stories behind their existence.
  • Panoramic Views : Our tours encompass some of the most scenic routes, offering panoramic views of stunning landscapes that will leave you inspired. Our tour routes are carefully designed to traverse unique habitats where you can experience the region's remarkable biodiversity.

Our tours go beyond sightseeing to provide a deeper understanding of our region's natural and historical heritage. That’s why each site is chosen not just for its inherent beauty but also for its cultural or ecological significance.

Informative, Knowledgeable Local Guides

At Cairns Discovery Tours, our team of professional local guides bring a wealth of knowledge and local insights to your tour, painting vivid pictures of the region's past and present, while introducing you to the nuanced ecological interactions that make our area such a biodiversity hotspot.

Our team aren’t just guides; they're storytellers, historians and nature enthusiasts, providing an enriching and educational adventure that you'll remember for a lifetime. Friendly and approachable, our guides encourage questions and create an engaging, interactive experience. Moreover, our team will prioritise your safety and comfort throughout the tour, ensuring you have the best possible experience.

Why Choose Cairns Discovery Tours

Choosing Cairns Discovery Tours means opting for an immersive, comprehensive and authentically local experience. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our service. As a locally owned and operated business, we bring a uniquely local perspective to our tours, showcasing the real essence of our region. With over two decades in the industry, we have perfected our tours to provide an unforgettable experience. Our local guides are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated to delivering an engaging, informative tour. We value each of our customers, tailoring our tours to accommodate specific interests and needs.

Join us at Cairns Discovery Tours for an adventure of a lifetime, as we guide you through the incredible sights, rich heritage and spectacular natural beauty of beautiful Cairns. Book a tour today and get ready to discover the undiscovered!

Featured Tours

Scenic Helicopter ride over Green Island and Great Barrier Reef

Cairns Discovery Tours Reviews

Acer Chor

Active Tropics Overnight Daintree & Cape Tribulation

cairns daintree day trip

Departure Times

Pricing options.

Get active in the tropics with this unique overnight tour to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation!

  • Explore the Daintree Rainforest Region, the oldest eco system in the world!
  • Swim in the rainforest oasis of Mossman Gorge.
  • Join a 'Welcome to Country' and smoking ceremony with Traditional Owners.
  • Choose your own accommodation in Cape Tribulation, with options for every budget!

Delve into the pristine Daintree Rainforest region and explore the white beaches, stunning rivers and amazing natural beauty that will surround you on your Active Tropics overnight tour. This tour is ideal for those who want to explore the untouched beauty of this  World Heritage Listed area where reef and rainforest come together, taking you on an overnight adventure of a lifetime.

Two women standing at Alexandra lookout

Features and Highlights

  • Stay overnight in the Daintree Rainforest
  • Cool of with a swim at Mossman Gorge
  • Go croc spotting on a Daintree River wildlife cruise
  • Fill up with a hearty buffet lunch in Cape Tribulation
  • Choose your own accommodation to suit your budget!
  • Learn about native flora and fauna on a guided rainforest walk
  • Great photo opportunities at Cape Trib beach and lookout stops
  • Free time to explore Cape Tribulation with add on activities!

Cape Tribulation Beach aerial view

Important Information

  • Price is per person without accommodation. Please ensure you book your own accommodation for this overnight tour. 
  • Your Active Tropics tour guide will drop you off and pick you up at your chosen accommodation in Cape Tribulation. 
  • Extend your stay in Cape Tribulation to more than just 1 night and still be picked up by Active Tropics! Just ensure you communicate this with your tour operators and booking agents ahead of time to ensure there are available seats on the bus. 
  • Please note lunch is only included on the first day of tour. 

Sample Itinerary

Departing from Cairns early in the morning, your local tour guide will take you along the Coastal Scenic Drive up to Mossman Gorge, passing Port Douglas. Upon arrival you'll be met by Traditional Indigenous Owners and participate in a 'Welcome to Country' indigenous experience and smoking ceremony with a Kuku Yalanji  tribal member.

Woman standing on rock at Mossman Gorge

Shortly after, stop for a quick break before hopping...

Shortly after, stop for a quick break before hopping on board the Mossman Gorge shuttle bus that will take you to the heart of the Gorge. From here you can opt for a refreshing swim in the cascading waters and majestic pools that make this spot such an iconic place to visit!

Next, travel up to the Daintree River for a 1 hour Wildlife Cruise . Search for crocodiles and other native animals that reside in the area. Make sure to have your camera at the ready to snap a few keepsakes!

Daintree River crocodile swimming along mangroves

As you get dropped off on the other side of the river, hop back onboard and continue the bus tour north to Cape Tribulation . Enjoy a filling lunch before being dropped off at your accommodation of choice, where you can relax or choose to do an optional afternoon activity!

(Please note that accommodation is not included in the price of the tour and you must book your own place to stay.)

Cape Tribulation Beach Horse Riding

With the afternoon free to explore Cape Tribulation why not opt for a half day tour? Take a horse riding tour along Myall Beach, jump on a half day snorkel tour with Ocean Safari , or try out ziplining at the Tree Tops Adventure Park!

After being picked up at your Cape Tribulation accommodation at around 2:15pm, start the return day of the tour with a guided walk into the oldest living rainforest in the world! Your expert local guides will share their knowledge of the ecology and wonder of this World Heritage Listed rainforest, giving you unique insight into its beauty.

canopy of fan palm trees in the Daintree Rainforest

Stop by the Daintree Ice Cream tropical orchard to try one of the delicious 26 flavours made fresh from the fruit grown on site. Enjoy the scenic views at Alexandra Range Lookout. Cross back over the Daintree River on the cable ferry, heading south towards Port Douglas.

Two women standing in front of Daintree ice creamery signboard

Departing Port Douglas, make the journey back along the Scenic Coastal Drive and arrive back into Cairns around 6:30pm - 7:00pm.

Want to extend your Daintree trip by adding additional nights in Cape Tribulation? Ask us how!

Accommodation

Top-Rated Accommodation Options In Cape Tribulation

Here are some recommendations for accommodation in Cape Tribulation! Accommodation is not included in this tour, but feel free to ask us any questions you may have about where to stay in Cape Tribulation. 

3 women standing at Cape Tribulation beach lookout

Safari Lodge provides unique cabin-st...

Safari Lodge provides unique cabin-style accommodation options in Cape Tribulation. Offering clean amenities and a refreshing swimming pool to cool off in the rainforest. Popular reef tour Ocean Safari and Turtle Rock Cafe are also located on the property, situated a short walk from Myall Beach. It's the perfect location to experience two World Heritage Listed sites side by side!

Cape Trib Beach House is beachfront accommodation where you can spend your night between tours! Cabins are located deep in the rainforest where you can wake up to the sounds of ocean waves and native animals. With a saltwater pool, on-site rainforest bistro, beachfront cabins, deluxe romantic cottages, family rooms and budget accommodation available, relax in Cape Tribulation!

Ferntree Rainforest Lodge  is another option for your stay. This is a budget traveller's dream! Relax in air-conditioned comfort after a day of rainforest and reef expeditions. Situated in the heart of Cape Trib, Ferntree is just minutes from the beach and is surrounded by rainforest. Accommodation options here are: 5 bed dorm with aircon and ensuite, standard twin/double with aircon and ensuite and The Garden Rooms - Poolside twin/double with aircon and ensuite.

PK's Jungle Village  right in the heart of Cape Tribulation. The lively life at PK's Jungle Bar blends perfectly with the rainforest setting where you can enjoy a night of fun in the jungle! Accommodation options here are: 7 bed dorm with aircon & share facilities, twin/double with aircon and share facilities or twin/double with aircon and ensuite.

*Accommodation availability and inclusions are subject to change. Please enquire upon booking to confirm information.

Optional Add On Activities To Explore The Tropics Further

Looking for something to do while staying overnight in Cape Tribulation? Check out these optional activities that allow you to see more of ...

Looking for something to do while staying overnight in Cape Tribulation? Check out these optional activities that allow you to see more of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef!

Ocean Safari

Jump on the only reef tour departing from Cape Tribulation and experience some of the most pristine snorkel sites on the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Safari ! Choose between a half day morning or afternoon snorkelling tour, travelling only 30 minutes from the Daintree Rainforest, you'll get up to 2.5 hours to explore vibrant coral ecosystems and swim with tropical marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles! 

Ocean Safari boat at Mackay Reef

Cape Tribulation Beach Horse Riding

Meander through the majestic Daintree Rainforest and onto the sandy shores of Myall Beach on the only Horseback Riding tour in Cape Tribulation! Choose between a morning, midday or afternoon 90-minute guided tour. 

Guided horseback riding on Myall Beach

Ferntree Night Walks

Want to see the Daintree Rainforest come alive at night with nocturnal creatures? Then you have to jump on the Ferntree Night Walk from Cape Tribulation. Departing at 7:30pm or 9:00pm Your local native guru will take you on a 1.5 hour guided tour into the rainforest to go wildlife spotting! Torches and rain ponchos are provided if required. Wet weather won't stop this adventure, it'll heighten it!

Green tree frog at night

Tree Tops Adventure Park

If you fancy yourself a bit of a nature and activities enthusiast, why not combine the two and check out the Tree Tops Adventure Park in Cape Tribulation? Have a go at ziplining through the lush rainforest canopy, or simply enjoy the panoramic scenic views as you wander along the skyhigh timber walkways.

3 women walking through the rainforest

More Information

What to bring.

  • Small day bag for overnight trip that can fit under your seat
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Sun protection
  • Insect repellent
  • Rain jacket or umbrella in wet season
  • Warm pullover for cooler months
  • Cash or card for additional purchase
  • Either bring food to cook or buy from your accommodation

What's Included

  • Semi-guided overnight tour to Daintree Rainforest
  • Knowledgeable loc...
  • Knowledgeable local guides
  • Scenic coastal drive between Cairns and Port Douglas
  • Mossman Gorge with 'Welcome to Country' indigenous experience
  • Daintree River Wildlife and Croc Cruise
  • Daintree River ferry crossing
  • Lunch in Cape Tribulation on first day
  • Stop at Port Douglas (subject to itinerary)
  • Return transfers from Cairns and Port Douglas
  • Drop off and pick up at your Cape Tribulation accommodation
  • Infants age 0-2 years are free of charge

What's Extra

  • Accommodation in Cape Tribulation
  • Any optional activities 
  • Additional meals, snacks and drinks not mentioned

Terms and Conditions

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours/Mr Travel and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. Please refer to the specific tour page for full check-in instructions.

Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.

Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 

It should be noted that any transport you have booked (buses, flights and ferries) through Cairns Tours is non-refundable and non-transferable. It might be possible to change flights however do note this must be done directly with the flight operator and we are unable to offer any support with this. This may incur change fees or cancellation fees, it depends on the T+Cs of the flight operators themselves. As we acted as a booking agent for you, it is possible to liaise with the airline directly should there be any unexpected events and the airline is forced to cancel your flights. If there are any changes to your flight times or days, we will get notified and send this email directly to you in a reasonable time.

Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies. Not all tours offer transfers, please refer to the individual product to see if this is applicable to your tour.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees. You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price. Client cancellations made within 48 hours of departure forfeit 50% of the total ticket price. No shows or client cancellations made within 24 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.

Cairns Tours is required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during standard business hours (9am-5pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider.

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.

Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

All add-on activities (including but not limited to scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, helmet diving, guided snorkel tours, banana boat rides and waterslides) are subject to availability and price changing, and may not be available during your tour without notice. Guests are not eligible for refunds on the grounds of non-operating extra activities.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email.  While there is a Travel Shop retail outlet located in Cairns, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Cairns Tours/Mr Travel online department.

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Cairns Tours/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.

Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Cairns Tours/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.

Information & Advice:

All information, advice or pricing provided by Cairns Tours and our affiliates, or through any of our team, is subject to change. Cairns Tours articles and products are provided online for general information purposes only and are intended as guides. Any advice interpreted from information on the website (including but not limited to financial, immigration, employment and tax information) is not specialist advice and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional instruction. Cairns Tours does not guarantee that any information provided is up-to-date or accurate. Please obtain professional advice before actioning any advice, including but not limited to tax, immigration, employment, travel restrictions and finances.

Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Cairns Tours/ Mr Travel. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please  get in touch.

OUR CAIRNS EXPERTS ARE READY TO HELP YOU

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  • Available by email or chat 24/7

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Booking For Active Tropics Overnight Daintree & Cape Tribulation

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Daintree Rainforest Tours

1 Day Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour with Mossman Gorge $175

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Cape Tribulation and Daintree Tour Itinerary

This 1 Day Daintree and Cape Tribulation Tour is one of Tropical Queensland’s most popular tours. On the spectacular Cape Tribulation Tour, you will have the chance to explore one of the worlds ancient tropical rainforests, dating as far back as 180 million years! Check out some Australian wildlife native to the area, including crocodiles on a wildlife spotting River Cruise, and the breathtaking Cape Tribulation.

Leaving Cairns we head straight into the Daintree National Park  to meet our 1 hour guided crocodile and wildlife spotting river cruise. Fully guided by a local biologist and run by an Eco Accredited River Cruise Company, you will be provided expert knowledge about the region and its native  inhabitants . The river is abundant with wildlife so be on the lookout for Salt Water Crocodiles , reptiles , pythons , butterflies and native birds .

Back on the safety of land, we go further into the Daintree Rainforest , the deeper we venture the more we can discover, your guide will show you some intriguing features of the jungle, including the endangered  Cassowary . Arriving at the Marrdja Boardwalk , we begin a 1 hour guided rainforest walk. Your guide will have you fascinated as you explore the peculiar but beautiful ancient plant life and the freshwater streams

We then head to Cape Tribulation where you will be treated to a delicious picnic lunch (additional $20 per person). After lunch, you’ll have time to explore the Cape Tribulation Beach and surrounds. From Cape Tribulation it’s onto the top of the Alexandra Range for a breath-taking view over the Daintree Rainforest, Coastal Hinterland and Daintree River . It is then off to explore Mossman Gorge and have some and afternoon tea.

Heading back to Cairns we visit  Rex Lookout , where we can see views over  Trinity Bay , Coral Bay and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

This is the best value 1 Day Daintree and Cape Tribulation Tour on offer!

Cairns Tours Package

Planning on exploring the Great Barrier Reef as well? Check out the Cairns Tours Package to join the Great Barrier Reef Deluxe Tour and 1 Day Cape Tribulation & Daintree Tour with Mossman Gorge for $395.

Why Not Check Out Our Other Daintree Rainforest Tours

Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour Overnight $204

Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour Overnight $204

1 Day Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour with Port Douglas $195

1 Day Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour with Port Douglas $195

2 Day Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest Tour $329

2 Day Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest Tour $329

2 Day Cape Tribulation & Atherton Tablelands Tour $389

2 Day Cape Tribulation & Atherton Tablelands Tour $389

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Daintree Tours

Daintree Rainforest Tours

Discover the world's oldest living rainforest from port douglas, premium experiences, local expert guides, package options, explore the daintree rainforest with us.

Our original rainforest and Ultimate zipline tours are currently closed for maintenance. Our team have created more half and full day options to bring you up close with the Daintree Rainforest!

Book Full Day Discover Daintree Tour

Book half day southern daintree tour, the original daintree rainforest tour.

Our original Daintree Tour takes you on an adventure through ancient rainforests of the Daintree. Our mission is to showcase some of the highlights of this incredible natural wonder by walking through the Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge and exploring the waterways rich in flora and fauna on a river cruise. Suitable for ages 7 years + and is a full day tour.

The only Zipline tour in the Daintree Rainforest

Combine the best of the original Daintree Rainforest tour with a zipline tour through the trees. Tour includes the guided walk, river cruise, air conditioned vehicle and the zipline experience. Suitable for ages 4 years + and is a full day tour.

Book Ultimate Zipline Daintree Tour

Choose your tour.

Ultimate daintree zipline walk tour

Ultimate Daintree Tour

  • Gentle slow paced Zipline tour
  • Walk through the Daintree Rainforest
  • 1-hour crocodile cruise on Cooper Creek
  • Visit Cape Tribulation
  • Picnic Style Lunch & Swimming Opportunity at Heritage Lodge
  • Min age 4 years +

Enjoy the Daintree in a whole new way with our Ultimate Daintree zipline tour. Our guides will take you past all the beautiful sights of the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation including an amazing zipline experience with our friends from Treetops Adventure.

  • Available Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday only
  • Please bring swimwear, towel and a change of clothes if intending on swimming.
  • Please note this tour is unavailable for infants or 3 years and under

Daintree Rainforest Tours

Daintree Rainforest Tour

  • Premium Mercedes with only 11 guests
  • 7:20am or 8:20am departures, daily
  • Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park & Cape Tribulation
  • Gourmet lunch at Heritage Lodge
  • Min age 7 years +

Enjoy interpretive rainforest walks, lush lunch site, estuarine crocodile and wildlife spotting on Cooper Creek and, of course, friendly and knowledgeable local guides with Daintree Tours.

  • Available 7 days a week
  • Port Douglas pick ups available
  • Please note this tour is not available for infants or 7 years and under

cairns daintree day trip

  • Save by combining tours!
  • 3 amazing packages to choose from
  • Experience the Great Barrier Reef & Daintree National Park
  • Combine with a snorkelling or diving tours
  • Multi day, full day tours
  • Flexible conditions

Please contact us on 07 4231 8012 for pricing information

Enquire about our packages with Calypso Reef Cruises. Subject to availability

Daintree Tours 6

Daintree Tours From Port Douglas

Explore your own tropical backyard.

cairns daintree day trip

Customer Reviews

“ Sandra Mclaren “ We had an amazing day, our guide Ben is fantastic, so knowledgeable, lots of talking and laughing. Food was great, very comfortable tour bus couldn’t ask for any better. Highly recommend this service if you want to know about this beautiful part of our country. ”
“ Lisa Bakker “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! ”
“ Ross Beamish “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! Thank you Daintree Tours and in particular Ben for putting together a great tour. ”
“ Eloise Barker-Re “ We had the best day out today with Ben our extremely informative and knowledgable tour guide! and a lovely guy. We highly recommend this trip, it’s suitable for all ages and ticks all the boxes. We had a lovely lunch followed by a dip in the creek which was bliss! Then locally made ice-cream what more could you want. Thanks so much! ”

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Daintree Tours

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Daintree Tours 1/11-17 Macrossan Street Port Douglas Queensland 4877 Australia

Phone: +61 7 4231 8012

Daintree Tours Email: [email protected]

cairns daintree day trip

  • Full Day Daintree Tour
  • Half Day Southern Daintree Tour
  • Ultimate Zipline Tour
  • Discover Daintree – Full day tour

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Cairns to Cape Tribulation & The Daintree Rainforest: A Road Trip Itinerary

Driving from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, home to The Daintree, the world’s oldest rainforest, was one of the first adventures I had in Australia. I was living in Melbourne, and having spent 6 weeks in the city during the Australian winter months of July and August, I was keen for some sun and warmth.

So my friends and I headed to Cairns in Tropical Northern Queensland, with no set plans but an overwhelming need for heat and adventure at the end of August. Only when I got to Cairns did I find out more about the Daintree Rainforest and realised I needed to go!

We quickly formulated a plan to get a hire car and a map, and the next day, we headed north from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. In no time at all, we had left the city centre of Cairns and were cruising up the Captain Cook Highway. And what a road trip adventure we had.

Cape Tribulation is unique in that it is the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet. The slogan used by the local tourism board of ‘reef meets rainforest’ is perfect, as the beautiful Daintree Rainforest reaches the wild beaches of Cape Tribulation, where it is met by the Great Barrier Reef. It is quite something.

Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation

So here’s my guide on the Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip, which is must-do adventure, whether you’re travelling the East Coast of Australia , or enjoying a holiday in Cairns.

Cairns to Cape Tribulation: Essential information

Beautiful beaches in Tropical Northern Queensland

Best time to visit Cape Trib & the Daintree Rainforest

Ideally, I would recommend avoiding the months between January and March, which is the height of the Australian summer. This brings the hottest, wettest and most humid weather to Tropical Northern Queensland. It is also ‘stinger season’ during these months, which means the presence of box jellyfish in the waters which have painful (and sometimes fatal) stings.

The best time to go to Cairns and Cape Tribulation is between May and September when the area sees hot, sunny and dry days. This also means better visibility underwater, which is key if you’re planning to also visit the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

Should I do a one day trip road, or stay overnight?

This entirely depends on the time you have available and how much you want to spend on the experience.

It is perfectly do-able to do the the Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip in one day, if you leave around 8am or 9am in the morning. You’ll definitely return after dark, if you choose to have dinner in the rainforest.

Alternatively, it is a special experience to sleep in the rainforest and there are plenty of small lodges, cabins and eco-stays to pick from. I would always recommending booking these beforehand, if possible. It wouldn’t be ideal to suddenly be stuck in the Daintree Rainforest as you realise nowhere has any availability!

I’ve popped several accommodation suggestions for the rainforest and Cape Tribulation later down in this post.

Driving from Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Can I take my camper van, or rent a car?

I do not recommend driving a camper van past Port Douglas. The rainforest roads are very winding, and narrow and would be difficult to navigate in a camper van.

Also, it’s worth noting that if you were to consider driving further north from Cape Tribulation towards Cooktown and the Cape York Village, this requires a 4WD. The tracks here are very challenging.

Are there tours to Cape Tribulation?

Definitely – and if you want to have the driving taken care of for the road trip, then this is a great idea.

Here are some great tours to consider:

  • Full day tour exploring the Daintree rainforest, the Mossman Falls and Cape Tribulation (£96pp)
  • Daintree Rainforest, with stops at Port Douglas and Wildlife Habitat (£96pp)
  • Mossman Gorge – with a Dreamtime Indigenous Guided Walk (£40)
  • From Cairns: Daintree National Park Day Trip and Night Tour (£195)

Cairns: The Starting Point

The starting point for all trips further north, and the last large city before the huge impenetrable rainforests of the Cape York Peninsula. Cairns is a tropical city that is action-packed with things to do. In fact, I have never been anywhere with some many exciting and varied activities in one concentrated location.

Of course, one of the most popular things to do in Cairns is to take boat trip to the incredible Great Barrier Reef . You can either do this as a day trip, or book an overnight stay on the awesome Sunlover Reef pontoon. I’ve done several snorkelling trips out to the reef, and visited both the stunning Fitzroy Island and Green Island, both of which were amazing.

Overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef

The waterfront in Cairns is incredible and the heart of the city’s action. Make sure to spend time at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, which is one of my favourite pools anywhere.

Other than explore the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and the city itself, there are simply so many other things to do in Cairns. From discovering waterfalls, to bungee jumping or a foodie tour and wine tasting in the Atherton Tablelands , you could easily spend two weeks in Cairns alone. Here’s my pick of some other top activities:

  • Brave the ultimate leap of faith at the  AJ Hackett bungee jump centre
  • Go  ATV riding in the rainforest 
  • Take the train to spend the day at the  Kuranda Rainforest Skyway , an awesome journey across the rainforest finishing at the epic Mossman Falls.
  • Join a  tour of the Atherton Tablelands,  and visit beautiful waterfalls and scenic lakes (including the famous Milla Milla Falls)
  • Spend the day at Babinda Boulders, a swimming hole surrounded by dense rainforest. Or  join this tour  to explore here, plus the beautiful Wooroonooran Rainforest.
  • Visit  Josephine Falls , and spend the day in and out of the cascading pools
  • Visit the  Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre
  • Enjoy an  epic skydive over Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Where to stay in Cairns

Cairns offers some great value for accommodation, meaning normally expensive hotel brand, can be quite affordable. For example, the Shangri-La at The Marina  (£90pn) or the  Pullman Reef Casino  (from £97pn)

A great value centrally-located hotel would be  Pacific Hotel Cairns  (from £63pn). Or for those on a lower budget, there is the Gilligans Backpacker Resort  (dorm from £17pn, private room from £70). This huge complex has some of the best facilities I have experienced anywhere. It’s a lively party place but does also offer great value if you book out a 4 or 6 bed dorm for your group.

If you’re looking to camp, or are travelling the East Coast in a camper van, then it’s worth noting that there are no free camping options in the city. But there are some great paid campsites on the edge of town – make sure to check this  guide on camping near Cairns .

A stunning sunset over Cairns

Cairns to Cape Tribulation Road Trip Itinerary

  • Driving distance from Cairns to Port Douglas: 68km (1hour) along the Captain Cook Highway
  • Driving distance from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation: 75km (1h30)

Starting from Cairns, you head north on the Captain Cook Highway towards the rainforest. The scenic route winds its way along the coastline, offering incredible views at every turn. There are plenty of stunning viewpoints to stop at along the way, as well as gorgeous stretches of sandy beaches.

Driving from Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Port Douglas

The upscale resort town of Port Douglas is definitely worth a stop. The main street is well worth exploring, as it is lined with boutique stores, charming cafes and excellent restaurants. There’s also a beautiful four mile sandy beach to relax on (but beware of potential roaming crocodiles!).

If you were doing this road trip over the course of a few days, then I’d definitely recommend spending a night or two in Port Douglas.

Here are some of the best places to stay in this beautiful town:

  • The beautiful  Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort  (from £129 pn)
  • Or the stunning  Shantara Resort (from £229 pn).

Port Douglas from Cairns

Mossman Gorge

After Port Douglas, and as you continue further north, you’ll pass by the awesome Mossman Gorge. If you fancy cooling off with a dip in the waterfalls, this is a great place to do so – but note the water can have strong currents. Alternatively, there are some hiking tracks in the rainforest here and an awesome suspension bridge.

The Daintree River Crossing

There’s a small car and passenger ferry which you must take to cross the Daintree River Crossing. This water is crocodile-infested, and if you’re lucky enough, a guide might help spot them for you. On our way back, we were fortunate enough to see some thrashing in the water under the bright lights of a guide’s torch beam.

Daintree Rainforest

Now you’re in the heart of the world’s oldest rainforest, and it was just a 2 hour drive from Cairns! The towering canopies create tunnels almost as you drive the narrow, winding roads – it’s amazing. I recommend first heading to the Daintree Discovery Centre where you can pick up a map and an audioguide.

Entry costs $35 AUD per adult and includes access to many of the elevated canopy walkways, which are awesome. There’s also zip-lining (locally called ‘jungle surfing’ at an extra cost ($109 per adult) or river cruises to spot more crocs.

You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this area.

Cape Tribulation

From the Daintree Discovery Centre, I recommend driving on through the stunning rainforest road until you arrive at Cape Tribulation. The winding road weaves past stunning beaches, and you can stop and park up at any of them quite easily. The beaches were nearly always totally deserted and we’d have them entirely to ourselves. They really were the perfect reminder that you are in a near-untouched corner of the world. Amazing!

Note, you should not swim in the sea at these beaches as there are crocodiles. These beaches are considered some of the most dangerous in the world. Partly due to crocs, and also the potentially fatal stings from box jellyfish (if you visit between Jan and March).

Beaches in Cape Tribulation

There are a good number of eco-lodges and rainforest accommodation between the Discovery Centre and Cape Tribulation. So if you choose to stay overnight, I recommend the following:

  • Niramaya Villas & Spa  (around £450pn)
  • Thala Beach Nature Resort  (around £220pn)
  • Noah Creek Eco Huts  (around £157pn)

It’s a super special experience staying in a cabin in the heart of the towering canopies. You’re surrounded completely by the magical sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest. And if you wanted to see some of the most infamous snakes, spiders and creepy crawlies of Australia – a stay in the Daintree Rainforest will make sure of this!

There are also plenty more activities in Cape Tribulation, from beach horse riding, wildlife spotting and hiking.

Cape Tribulation to Cairns

On the drive back to Cairns, why not stop at some of the other awesome attractions on route? One of my favourite places is the Kuranda Skyrail, which you could also visit as a day trip from Cairns too . This is another unique way to get up close and personal to the rainforest in a totally unique way.

Best things to do in Cairns

So that’s the end of my road trip itinerary guide for Cairns to Cape Tribulation drive. This is definitely a bucket list experience on any Australia adventure, and can be done in one day, or spread over a couple of days. And of course, as noted, you can join a tour if you’d prefer not to drive.

I hope this is useful for you if you’re planning a trip to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. If you’re planning to travel the East Coast of Australia, then do make sure to check out my detailed road trip itinerary guide here.

If you enjoyed this Cairns to Cape Tribulation guide, then please do consider sharing through one of the below links. Also, if there’s anything else I can share or answer for you, please do let me know in the comments below.

For further Australia guides, please do check out my guide to the  Whitsunday Islands  too.

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip itinerary is an independent guide. There was no involvement from any local companies or the tourist board . 

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What time of year?

Hers a good link:

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destinations/cairns-and-great-barrier-reef

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Frankland Islands Reef Day Tour

cairns daintree day trip

  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Return Transfers from Cairns City to Franklands Island
  • 1 Introductory Dive
  • Entry/Admission - Great Barrier Reef
  • We pick up from all the Hotels /Motels /AirBnb within the Cairns City areas. If you prefer to self-drive, please allow time for the drive and check in at Deeral by 8.15 a.m.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Pushchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • If you want to try diving at the Great Barrier Reef, our friendly and experienced crew will be happy to help you start your underwater adventure! Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is a PADI 5-star Dive Centre with years of experience in diving instruction. Unlike us, you don’t need any previous scuba diving experience – if you’re comfortable in the water, and with no medical conditions that preclude you from scuba diving, you can usually do an intro dive. You’ll be given briefings, tuition and all the skills practice you need at the surface to make sure your dive is a safe, amazing experience. During your intro dive, under the expert supervision of our instructors, you’ll descend to 12m (40 feet) below the surface and enjoy the amazing marine life that makes Frankland Islands so unique.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travellers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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cairns daintree day trip

  • You'll get picked up See departure details
  • 1 Frankland Islands Stop: 2 hours Nestled in the heart of Far North Queensland, the Mulgrave River system stretches 70 kilometres in land and is the departure point for cruises out to the Coral Sea and the pristine Frankland Islands. Our short, 6km river journey begins and ends at our private jetty located just opposite the small community of Deeral. After the check-in process is complete, you can enjoy morning tea onboard the Turtle Islander with tea, coffee and biscuits. After casting off, enjoy a relaxing journey through the tranquil waterways towards the river mouth and then out to the Frankland Group National Park. The Mulgrave River’s lush ecosystem supports a diverse range of creatures, both above and below the water’s surface. You are likely to see Kingfisher birds darting around the water’s edge and many other wading birds who feed along the river bank. Keep your eyes peeled for the more camouflaged and formidable river residents such as the saltwater crocodile. Read more
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cairns daintree day trip

  • OnAir596709 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic Experience We are glad that we finally experienced the beautiful rainforest especially a bird’s eye view from the Sky rail. The short walk to Kuranda village led to lots of souvenir shops, cafes and much more. We enjoyed our ice cream there! The Army Ducks were very educational about the various types of plants. An insightful journey into the Aboriginal culture which included the dancing to the didgeridoo, art of javelin hunting and tips on throwing a boomerang, The bbq lunch was so delicious!! Our close encounter with wildlife was superb, like the kangaroo, koala, crocodile and the reptiles. The tips provided by Jude were really helpful. And he is always available if you need to make sure about anything. Highly recommend to book your tours with Travel Triangle for a great experience!! Read more Written 4 February 2024
  • shazly 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Super Organised and Trustworthy Reliable, Efficient and Super Organised. I have booked with Travel Triangle a third time and each time they don't disappoint. You would assume something must definitely go wrong but their professional service and organisational skills are amazing. The third time we booked everything very late and still they were able to accommodate all our requests. They gave useful suggestions and the best way to maximise 3 days to the fullest. They picked us up from the hotel or if we were a little late they were not fussy, the day trip was organised thoroughly including food and they were able to add extra things without any cost to us. All in all a very trustworthy organisation which is hard to find. Read more Written 26 December 2023
  • ayesham388 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing experience We had an amazing time in Cairns. Our planning was very last minute but Jude really helped us with all our bookings . The bookings were managed very well and in 3 days we were able to cover Kuranda, Great Barrier Reef and daintree rainforest Everything was very well managed . Read more Written 18 December 2023
  • Adventure01208213278 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best ever experience Travel triangle is just awesome and excellent service... If it's travel and it's only travel triangle... Just best service Read more Written 29 August 2023
  • Adventure01208213278 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome and the best Woowww, Travel triangle is just awesome and very helpful and experienced guide to have one to have a great iternary.... Enjoyed and had a great time and it all happened because of Travel triangle... Thank you Jude & team for the lovely team work Read more Written 29 August 2023
  • Susana C 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles I saw things I never seen before. My experience was very enjoyable, I’m so glad I came. The lunch was delicious! To begin with it was cold and rainy so couldn’t take good photos from the gondola. Later it fined up to a beautiful day, I enjoyed it very much and all the activities and sights. Read more Written 16 August 2023
  • shilpak636 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Satisfying and happy Jude from travel triangle has been extremely supportive and informative in providing the right information to match our requirements. Staff was very swift in responses. Read more Written 18 April 2023
  • barbarahR6952SG 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Phenomenal and Power Packed 2 Day Experience! The rainforest was beautiful. Even though the train was down for maintenance, Jude made certain we had a great experience on the gondola with a Diamond View both ways. Rainforest, duck ride and Aboriginal culture was very interesting and fun. Finally saw Koalas and Kangaroos too! Jude gave excellent instructions on how to navigate between travel connections to get too and around the park. Jude also saved the day for us when our Great Barrier Reef excursion was cancelled last-minute with another vendor. The one Jude lined up for us blew our minds. A helicopter ride to the reef and Green Island, catamaran ride to a floating pontoon secured in the reef and back to Cairns. While on the floating pontoon we got up close with sealife in a semi-submersible sub and a phenomenal "scuba doo" ride that allowed us to do a once in a lifetime "version" of scuba diving -- fantastic! Thank so much Jude for a wonderful couple of days and then the extra service with a ride to the airport too! Now that is cusomter service!! Highly recommend Travel Triangle!!! Read more Written 5 December 2022
  • B163ICsimonec 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well worth it The whole day was amazing sky rail was lovely and Kuranda was beautiful. The army duck tour my daughter loved. The whole day was a treat Read more Written 15 August 2022
  • ryamit 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Don’t get trapped We hired car with them. Car was very dirty old and smelly. We booked for 3 days, supposed to return at night time, but our flight got cancelled, so we wanted this car to stay with us till morning (same time as pick up time) (if you hire car from anywhere in Australia, it is same for pick up and return), but Jade (Manager) asked us to pay for 1 extra day. Which is very wrong. We tried to convince him, but he got angry on us. So please stay away from this service as they’re not flexible at all and will trap you. Read more Written 21 July 2022
  • divya d 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Reliable and Friendly We hired a car from Travel Triangle Australia. They were very friendly and guided us through our trip so that we have best experience at Cairns. Read more Written 19 July 2022
  • mishjx 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Good agency to deal with Thanks Jude and the team for looking after us while we were in Cairns, and being accomodating during the busy easter period. We had a few hiccups in having our Kuranda day trip booked on the wrong day for us and unable to be changed (it was also only brought to our attention the day before) - but we had flexibility in our schedule so it worked out ok. Our trip to the outer reef was very smooth. We hired a car which was easy to pick up and drop off at a competitive price to hire. There probably needed to be greater clarity around costs of airport pick up/drop off to ensure there were no surprise costs, but otherwise the hire process was fine. Would recommend a thorough clean of the inside of the car, but otherwise it did the job. Thanks for your help and promptness in answering our questions both before and during the trip. Read more Written 28 May 2022
  • 610mahalat 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 10/10 experience 👍......(NO stress) I will be using Travel Triangle Australia again next time and recommend these guys,they helped out another, affordable hire car's ,friendly service, very helpful. Highly recommended. We hired a car for nearly 4 day's took a drive to Atherton, reliable cars, clean .all in all was a great experience. Thanks guys.❤️ Read more Written 1 May 2022
  • pcy2011 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles WORST TRAVEL COMPANY IN CAIRNS BE AWARE OF THIS PERSON. I guess none of you has had this experience which I had from this person. Please don't take his vehicles for even a week. This person provides people vehicles with unroadworthy tyres. His contract is done in favour of his benefits only. He breaches the contract half of the way and get the car by force. At the end he is trying to charge the customer for breaching contract and add so many false charges to avoid to refund the deposit. This person is appearing very charming to get the business but at the end you will feel that you have already got caught. I remind you, innocent customers again and again PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS PERSON. Thanks Read more Written 28 January 2022
  • jcmv2021Cairns 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Customer Service After flight delays we arrived in Cairns just before Midnight. Jude was waiting at the airport with the car we had hired. Excellent customer service and flexible arrangements. Read more Written 7 July 2021

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The 14 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Missouri

cairns daintree day trip

Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. in English from Mizzou and a M.A. in Non-Profit Administration from Lindenwood University. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Her true passion is forcing her encyclopedic knowledge of Missouri facts on uninterested strangers from across the globe!

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Missouri is a state that offers a lot to explore. If ever you’ve thought to yourself, “What are some epic day trips near me in Missouri?” then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you like spending time outdoors, learning about Missouri’s rich history, or sitting down to a nice meal, this list of iconic day trips in Missouri has it all. Create lasting memories by taking a road trip to any or all of these Missouri destinations.

cairns daintree day trip

cairns daintree day trip

cairns daintree day trip

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We hope we’ve helped provide some ideas for some new and exciting day trips in Missouri. Have you visited any of the destinations on our list? What other places in Missouri are worth the drive for a visit? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to check out our ultimate bucket list for everyone in Missouri .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Day trips near me in missouri.

What belongs on my Missouri bucket list?

A few things to put on your Missouri bucket list include:

  • Anheuser-Busch Brewery
  • Onondaga Cave State Park
  • St. Louis City Museum
  • Taum Sauk Mountain
  • St. Louis Zoo
  • Ozark Trail
  • Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Traveling through Missouri is always a good idea, whether you're a lucky resident of the state or simply passing through. There's so much to see in do in the Show-Me State, from natural wonders to mouthwatering restaurants, quirky roadside stops, historic landmarks, and just about everything in between. In an effort to help you make the most of your time in Missouri, we've compiled a bucket list of things to do. Our ultimate Missouri bucket list includes the following: the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis, Onondaga Cave State Park, a Kansas City BBQ restaurant, Katy Trail, a float trip down the river, the St. Louis City Museum, St. Charles, visiting the top of Taum Sauk Mountain (which is the tallest point in the state of Missouri), the St. Louis Zoo, Ozark Trail, a trip to Fitz's for a root beer float, Forest Park, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, the Gateway Arch, and Johnson Shut-Ins State Park.

What are some of the most unique places in Missouri?

Some of the most unique places in Missouri include:

  • World's Largest Fork
  • Leila's Hair Museum
  • Cookin' From Scratch
  • Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail
  • Vacuum Museum and Factory
  • Laclede's Landing Wax Museum

There are so many incredible attractions in Missouri, and many of them are known the world over. But if you're looking to dive a little deeper and uncover some truly unique places, we have just the list for you. Some of the oddest places you can possibly go in Missouri include the following: the World's Largest Fork in Springfield, Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Cookin' From Scratch in Doolittle, the World's Largest Rocking Chair on Route 66, the Vacuum Museum and Factory in St. James, the Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail in St. Charles, Laclede's Landing Wax Museum in St. Louis, and the World's Largest Pecan in Brunswick. It sure seems like Missouri is home to many of the "world's largest" oddities, doesn't it? Learn more about these bizarre destinations you can visit in Missouri .

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Home » Travel Guides » Russia » 15 Best Day Trips from Moscow

15 Best Day Trips from Moscow

Moscow, the sprawling Russian capital, is a city that’s both full of history and contemporary culture.

This is the centre of the Russian world, a city that armies have invaded, where nations have clashed and where revolutions have played out through the centuries.

It’s a city on the fringe of Europe, but a place that is very much at the heart of European history and politics, and for visitors, it can be a complex and enthralling destination to visit.

As much as there is to see and to do in the city itself, there is just as much to experience on day trips from Moscow too.

While Russia is undoubtedly an expansive country, and many of the better-known cities such as St Petersburg or Volgograd are hundreds and hundreds of miles away, there are many more unknown and unusual destinations to visit within a few hours’ drive of the capital.

Immerse yourself in the Russian countryside, visit war memorials, battlefields and the lavish estates of the former Russian nobility. There are rural villages, grand Orthodox Monasteries and the chance to see Russian life outside of the city first-hand.

Here are the best day trips from Moscow.

Korolev, Russia

Located just an hour north of the Moscow city centre, Korolev is an area that is almost a suburb of the expansive capital, but has retained its own unique identity. During the Soviet era, this was one of the most important industrial areas in the country, because this was the base for Soviet Space Exploration.

During World War II, the factories here produced anti-tank guns that helped keep the Soviet Union in the fight. After Germany was defeated, the factories and research centres began to focus on space.

The city became a ‘Science City’ as skilled workers from across the Union came here to settle and to launch the space programme. It became one of the more affluent areas in the country, and today, that distinction can still be seen on the streets and in the buildings.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Korolev remained the headquarters of Russian space travel and still hosts Russian Mission Control.

2. Borodino

Borodino, Russia

A two-hour drive to the west of Moscow is the battlefield of Borodino. This is a place that is revered in Russian history, and which perhaps should be much more well-known in wider European history too, because this is where the infamous French General Napolean Bonaparte fought the Russians during his invasion in 1812.

Although the French won the Battle of Borodino and went on to capture Moscow, this was the beginning of the end for Napolean, as he went on to be ravaged by the Russian Winter and was forced to retreat soon after.

Just outside the small village of Borodino is the green and grassy field where the battle was fought. On top of a substantial hill is a lasting monument to the important event.

Kolomna, Russia

Located to the south-east of Moscow is the city of Kolomna, which in comparison to the Russian capital is very much a small-town escape.

This is one of the oldest Russian cities in the region and there is a long and intriguing history to be discovered in the museums and monasteries.

Interestingly, the city was off-limits for much its tenure under the Soviet Union, because it was the site of important weapons factories. It was only in 1994 that the city was opened up and even now it is still very much unknown to tourists.

Kolomna makes for a great day trip, and you can explore the restored medieval walls, and the city’s very own Kremlin, a huge fortress which dates back to the 16th century.

4. Zvenigorod

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, Zvenigorod

Zvenigorod is as little as an hour’s drive away from Moscow city centre, and the small town makes for a pleasant break from the capital.

Zvenigorod is an old and historic place, with a history dating back almost a thousand years.

There are some beautiful monasteries to visit as well as the unusual Museum of Russian Desserts, where you can sample and explore this aspect of the local culinary culture.

Zvenigorod was also a town where the world-renowned Anton Checkov once lived, and you can visit a museum here that’s dedicated to his life.

5. Sergiyev Posad

Sergiyev Posad

North of the capital is the city of Sergiyev Posad, which is one of the few well-known tourist destinations in the surrounding region.

You will find this as a suggested stop on most travel itineraries to Moscow, and many tour companies include this as part of their excursions around the city because this city is home to the famous Trinity Lavra of St Sergius.

This is a huge Russian Orthodox Monastery which has been here for hundreds of years, and continues to be run by monks who look after the revered tomb of St Sergius, who was laid to rest here.

It’s an important pilgrimage place for Orthodox Christians and an important stop for tourists.

6. Kubinka Tank Museum

Kubinka Tank Museum

Outside Moscow, you can find an unusual museum which will give you a truly ‘Russian’ experience.

The Kubinka Tank Museum was once the location of a Red Army tank testing ground. Now, it’s been turned into a huge museum that showcases every conceivable type of armoured vehicle.

7. Arkhangelskoye Estate

Arkhangelskoye Estate

The Arkhangelskoye Estate was built on the outskirts of Moscow and dates back to the late 18th century when it was constructed by a Rusian aristocratic family.

For over a century, it was the domain of the nobility, until of course, the Russian Revolution and the advent of Communism swept the family that owned the estate out of the country.

The estate was opened to the public by the Communists and turned into a museum, which it remains today.

Restoration work after the fall of the Soviet Union saved the Arkhangelskoye Estate from falling into disrepair and kept the grounds and the grand palace as a lavish example of pre-Revolution Russia.

8. Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl, Russia

Yaroslavl is found a few hours to the north of Moscow and makes for a long day trip from the city. It’s worth the journey to experience one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.

Yaroslavl is found on the banks of the River Volga and has been a historically important city throughout Russian history. The city has even been the capital of the country at various points.

You can explore the many museums and monasteries to learn more about this intriguing destination.

9. Rostov Veliky

Rostov Veliky

Just south of Yaroslavl is the small but culturally rich town of Rostov Veliky.

This is another important site in Russian history, as the town can date its origins back to early Slavic settlement around Moscow.

Lake Nero is a beautiful and expansive lake near the town, fringed on one side by an ancient fortress, giving Rostov Veliky a wonderful atmosphere to experience.

10. Vladimir

Vladimir, Russia

Two hours east of Moscow is another historic Russian city that is very much on the regional tourist trail.

It makes for a great day trip from the capital because Vladimir dates back to the 12th century and is full of Russian history and culture.

This was one of the first Russian capitals and it still contains many beautiful medieval buildings that are hundreds of years old.

Suzdal, Russia

The small town of Suzdal is just a few kilometres north of the city of Vladimir.

The town is part of a fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the historic sites from both Suzdal and Vladimir.

The town was founded in medieval times and also acted for a time as an early capital for Russian kingdoms in the region.

Klin, Russia

Klin is a fairly unassuming town to the north-west of Moscow, but it’s worth visiting to see one particular sight, the house of Tchaikovsky.

The famous 19th-century composer spent his final days here and wrote his very last piece of work in the house in Klin. It is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

It’s a grand estate and an interesting insight into pre-Soviet, Russian culture.

13. Melikova

Melikova

A short trip past the Moscow suburbs will bring you to another famous estate, the house of renowned Russian writer and playwright Anton Checkov.

By the town of Checkov, which was renamed in his honour, the museum of Melikova will take you on a journey through his life and indeed, what the lives of many of his contemporary fellow Russians would have been like too.

14. Gorki Leninskie

Gorki Leninskie

On the southern edge of Moscow is Gorki Leniniskie.

This grand estate was once the realm of Russian nobles, but after the Russian Revolution it was personally taken over by Vladimir Lenin who turned it into his own home.

He spent much of his last years here, and after his death, the estate became a shrine to his life and legacy.

Today it still remains an interesting museum, and is still in many ways a shrine to communism.

15. Losiny Ostrov National Park

Losiny Ostrov National Park

Losiny Ostrov National Park is a huge area of protected land that is found right on the edge of Moscow and is even surrounded on several sides by suburbs of the city.

It’s unusual to find such a large national park so close to a capital and it’s easy to spend the day exploring this veritable wilderness of beautiful scenery and plentiful wildlife.

15 Best Day Trips from Moscow:

  • Sergiyev Posad
  • Kubinka Tank Museum
  • Arkhangelskoye Estate
  • Rostov Veliky
  • Gorki Leninskie
  • Losiny Ostrov National Park

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  24. 15 Best Day Trips from Moscow

    4. Zvenigorod. Source: MakDill / shutterstock. Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, Zvenigorod. Zvenigorod is as little as an hour's drive away from Moscow city centre, and the small town makes for a pleasant break from the capital. Zvenigorod is an old and historic place, with a history dating back almost a thousand years.