Tropical North Queensland is diverse in natural treasures. There are so many unique attractions and activities to see when you visit Cairns, so please take this opportunity to explore what Tropical North Queensland has to offer.

Several exciting full-day and half-day touring options are listed below. To download the various day tour options as a pdf file, click here.

All tours will depart from Cairns Convention Centre unless specified otherwise. Costs are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD).

In addition, several attractive pre and post conference touring options are available. To view the pre and post touring options, click here. To download the pre and post touring options, click here.

To book your day tours or pre / post tours, please use the Tour Booking form (click here).

FULL DAY OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF CRUISE
Operates: Sunday 8 July, Monday 9 July and Thursday 12 July
Departs from Reef Fleet Terminal 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
Cost per person: AUD $172

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is yours to experience when you cruise by luxury catamaran to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef enroute an informative presentation by a marine naturalist. The pontoon features undercover seating and tables to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, full bar facilities, a swimming enclosure for children, change rooms with freshwater showers, sundeck, and scuba diving facilities with semi-submerged platform. You will be able to snorkel and dive amongst some of the most spectacular coral gardens and marine life diversity on the Great Barrier Reef. Or if you choose to stay dry, you can still embrace the natural wonderland below in our underwater observatory and spacious, air-conditioned semi-submersible vessel or glass bottom boat. Your day includes all snorkelling equipment, semi-submersible coral reef viewing or glass bottom boat viewing, underwater Observatory. Optional activities (own expense) to personalise your day on the water including Certified and Introductory Diving, Seawalker® Platform Helmet Diving and Guided Snorkel Tours; and Scenic Helicopter Flights are also available and may be booked onboard.

HALF DAY TJAPUKAI CULTURAL PARK
Operates: Tuesday 10 July 08.30 am to 12.30 pm
Minimum requirement of 15 passengers
Cost per person: AUD $60

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture from the beginning of time into the future and showcases the culture of the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland. Seven separate arenas allow visitors to experience different facets of the rainforest people’s culture - from the provocative History Theatre to the inspiring Creation Theatre, and the original Dance Theatre and the interactive Camp Village, where visitors can learn didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing.

TJAPUKAI BY NIGHT
Operates: Sunday 8 July 6.45 pm to 10.00 pm
Minimum requirement of 15 passengers
Cost per person: AUD $99

In the evening you will transferred to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Only from the darkness do we see the light… A powerful and personal experience will leave you with a deep and lasting memory, and open your heart to the beauty and power of Australia’s ancient indigenous culture!

Thunder and lightening herald the Gadja, a Dreamtime spirit in glowing, UV fibre-optic costume. A good spirit, he tells of the past. Suddenly, his opposite appears from nowhere – the Quinkan towers 6 metres above the audience, bidding them to enter the past. After, the audience is handed tapsticks and asked to join the Tjapukai lakeside, where they become part of an ancient corroboree ritual which climaxes in the ceremonial making of a fire. The Tjapukai hurl the fire spear across the lake where it contacts with the ancient tribal lands to become a mushrooming fireball, illuminating the lakeside and the audience. A canoe appears, guided by Tjapukai carrying flaming torches. The dancers from the corroboree guide the canoe and its people to the shore. Here, they bid the audience to follow their light, as their flame torches magically create a pathway from the darkness up into the glowing restaurant overlooking the Caravonica Lakes. Here, guests are served a beautifully presented buffet dinner which uses the best of the region’s fare, and enjoy great Australian wines. Afterwards, the lights dim, heralding the finale of the night. In an all-new production, the Tjapukai claim the stage, presenting their culture with their inimitable blend of theatre and black humour.

FULL DAY DAINTREE AND CAPE TRIBULATION TOUR
Operates: Sunday 8 July 7.00 am – 6.00 pm
Minimum requirement of 15 passengers
Cost per person: AUD $152

Meet your local representative at reception. You travel along one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives to the village of Port Douglas. Your guide will explain the unique geographic and historic features of the area enroute to Mossman Gorge, part of the Daintree Rainforest. At Mossman Gorge join your guide for a guided rainforest walk. Embark on a one hour Daintree river cruise. The Daintree River is home to a diverse ecosystem and the cruise guide will help you spot some of the wildlife. After the river cruise, we travel up to the spectacular Alexander Range Lookout before arriving for lunch at a tropical location. After lunch, we travel further north to the isolated Cape Tribulation, where the beach beckons for you to stroll along its coral sands or boardwalk. There is time to visit the Lookout before departing for an informative guided walk through the Cape Tribulation National park. By visiting this area, you can appreciate the importance of this rainforest and why it has recently been given World Heritage status. Then you will transverse the Alexander Range where you will see the rare and primitive King Ferns growing in abundance. We then recross the river by Cable Barge and enjoy a leisurely drive back to Cairns with spectacular views of the Coral Sea.

HARTLEYS CROCODILE ADVENTURE
Operates: Monday 9 July 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Thursday 12 July 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Minimum requirement of 15 passengers
Cost per person: AUD $65

Meet your local representative at reception. Depart for half day tour at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is the best place to see crocodiles and native wildlife in Tropical North Queensland. Set in the foothills of the MacAlister Range, in a World Heritage listed area, and is home to a range of habitat types including melaleuca wetlands, rainforest and eucalypt woodland. Experience an innovative approach to viewing and interacting with wildlife and become immersed in a natural environment with safety. A series of timber boardwalks provide elevated viewing of wildlife as you journey through a range of natural habitats. Hartley's is famous for its exciting and educational wildlife presentations including crocodile shows, wetland wildlife, snake show, cassowary feeding and koala feeding.

CAIRNS NIGHT ZOO TOUR
Operates: Thursday 12 July 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Cost per person: AUD $115

A great Australian night out for all ages. A guide will meet you upon arrival at the Night Zoo entrance and escort you to the famous Aussie BBQ. Enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner followed by dessert. Relax with a drink from the licensed bar (own expense). After dinner your guide will provide you with a torch and lead you into the darkness to meet the creatures of the night. Learn how owls hunt, touch a possum and pat a koala. On clear nights the guides will take you star gazing. See the Southern Cross, the Big Dipper and other well known constellations. In the Aussie bush there’s always a chance you will cross paths with a ‘Swaggie’ (an original Australian bushman). Join our hospitable Swaggie and enjoy billy tea and damper with him by the campfire. His friends, the kangaroos, will come down to say G’day and maybe even share a bite to eat! After a complimentary cold beer, or wine, join in the fun as the guides teach you some famous Aussie Bush Dances.

HALF DAY WHITE WATER RAFTING
Operates: Thursday 12 July 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Cost per person: AUD $95

The Barron River Gorge is located 20 minutes drive north of Cairns and lies along a traditional pathway used by the original indigenous Djabugay people. The spectacular Barron Falls, further upstream, are considered a sacred site. The famous Kuranda Railway and Skyrail Cableway also traverse sections of the gorge. The heart thumping ride spears through The Barron Gorge National Park and the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics. In the calmer sections you will get to enjoy the ethereal beauty of the world’s oldest rainforest and waterfalls from a unique waterline perspective. Includes return transfers, all safety equipment and light refreshment.

N.B. Government and National Park fees of AUD $25 per person is payable on the day.

FULL DAY SCENIC RAIL, KURANDA & SKYRAIL
Operates: Wednesday 11 July 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Minimum requirement of 20 passengers
Cost per person: AUD $145

This morning a coach transfer to Freshwater Station to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Travel the beautiful route up the mountainside, through long tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges. A stop at Barron Gorge to view the Falls before arriving at Kuranda, the “Village in the Rainforest”. Spend some time exploring this quaint village and Heritage Markets or visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld or the Kuranda Koala Gardens (own expense). Lunch is included at a local Kuranda restaurant before boarding the Skyrail for the world’s most beautiful rainforest experience. Glide over the Rainforest canopy and take advantage of the two stops enroute to enjoy a walk through the rainforest or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre. On arrival at Caravonica Lakes join your coach transfer to the city.