Tours and Day Trips from Cairns
Cairns is one of the only places on earth where the reef and the rainforest sit side by side, and the whole family can tick off both in the same trip. From a glass bottom boat over coral at Green Island to a croc spotting cruise through the Daintree, here's where to point the family for a proper Far North Queensland adventure.
Green Island Full Day Trip
The Green Island Full Day Trip is a 45 minute catamaran ride from Cairns to a genuine 6,000 year old coral cay, with up to 7 hours to explore once you land. Kids can choose to snorkel straight off the beach or stay dry with the glass bottom boat tour, and everyone gets use of the island pool. Child pricing applies for ages 4 to 14, with infants 0 to 3 free and a Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Fitzroy Island Adventure
The Fitzroy Island Adventure gets you across on a comfortable ferry in about 45 minutes, leaving up to 6 hours to snorkel, kayak or wander the rainforest trails to Nudey Beach. Little ones love a visit to the on island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where injured turtles are cared for before heading back to the reef. Child pricing applies for ages 4 to 15, with infants 0 to 3 travelling free.
Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail
The Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail combo is a proper day out without a single step of hard walking, a heritage train ride through the Barron Gorge followed by a cableway glide back over the World Heritage rainforest canopy, with stops at Red Peak and the Barron Falls lookout. Kids can browse the Kuranda Heritage Markets and the village's wildlife attractions on free time in between. Children under 4 travel free, and hotel pick up is included.
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
The Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Half Day Tour takes the family through the Melaleuca wetlands on a lagoon cruise where saltwater crocodiles are fed straight off the boat, followed by the Crocodile Attack Show, a snake show, and cassowary and koala feeding sessions. Child pricing applies for ages 4 to 14, with a Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 kids, infants 0 to 3 free and hotel transfers included both ways.
Daintree Rainforest Full Day Tour with Wildlife Cruise
The Daintree Rainforest Full Day Tour starts with a Welcome to Country and Smoke Ceremony at Mossman Gorge, then heads to the Daintree River for a wildlife cruise where crocodiles are often spotted sunning themselves on the bank. The day wraps up with a rainforest and beach walk at the spot where the reef meets the rainforest, plus an optional stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Co. Child pricing applies for ages 2 to 11, with infants under 2 free, and lunch is included.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cairns tour suits the youngest kids?
Green Island is the easiest first stop for younger kids, the glass bottom boat lets non swimmers see the reef without getting wet, and the island pool is a handy backup if the little ones get tired.
Do kids need to know how to swim for the island trips?
No, both Green Island and Fitzroy Island offer a glass bottom boat option alongside snorkelling, so non swimmers can still see the coral and marine life from the comfort of the boat.
Is lunch included on these Cairns tours?
It varies, the Daintree Rainforest tour includes lunch, while Green Island and Fitzroy Island have cafes and restaurants on site for lunch at your own cost.
How much walking is involved on the Kuranda trip?
Very little, the scenic railway and Skyrail cableway do the hard work, leaving the family free to wander the Kuranda markets at an easy pace in between.
Will kids see real crocodiles on these tours?
Yes, both the Hartley's Crocodile Adventures wetlands cruise and the Daintree River wildlife cruise give kids a genuine chance to spot saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat.
Local tip: pack reef safe sunscreen and a hat for the island trips, the Far North Queensland sun is no joke even on an overcast day.
All good days are waiting. Book your family's Cairns tour above, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Kuranda or the Daintree.
