Far North Queensland

Landmarks & monuments

Take in the full spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef from the sky during a scenic flight from Cairns. Onboard a fixed-wing plane, see up to 140 kilometers of the Outer Barrier as well as many inner islands, reefs, and sand isles. Within 10 minutes of departing Cairns, the real adventure begins, as you get wonderful photo opportunities over Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolo Reef, Pixie Reef, and Arlington Reef. Sit back in air-conditioned comfort as you glide through the sky. Take in the spectacular hues of green and blue from your window seat while listening to the pilot's informative commentary about the sights below. Get a chance to spot marine life with manta rays, green turtles, dugongs, sharks, and, if in season, whales, in clear view from the aircraft. Once your journey comes to an end, fly right back to Cairns.

Climb aboard a modern catamaran to sail into Green Island National Park on a beach and snorkeling cruise from Cairns. Discover a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and explore its coral reefs with snorkeling gear. Choose to enjoy a buffet lunch and go on a semi-submarine tour. Make your way to the harbor to meet your friendly crew for the day and climb onto your catamaran. Relax in the sun as you set sail towards the Great Barrier Reef. Experience picturesque views of the ocean as you arrive at Green Island National Park. Stroll around the island and explore its tranquil beaches. Find a stop to relax and go for a dip in the ocean. Get access to snorkeling gear and take a peek into the region's thriving marine life. You can also opt to go on a semi-submarine or a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the colorful coral reef and fish in comfort.

Explore the village of Kuranda in a pristine World Heritage-listed rainforest. Be picked up from your hotel **Pickup and drop-off at most hotels in central Cairns (except for the northern beach area and Palm Cove and Port Douglas) and travel to the train station. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway and marvel at mountains on the way. Soar over waterfalls and over Barron Gorge on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Explore the markets, shops, and walking trails, or take a river cruise (seasonal) for 2.5 hours. Discover the food stalls and cafés, or dine with the water dragons at Frog’s Restaurant famous for its sauces and dressings. Take the famous Skyrail down, spanning 7.5km over the rainforest canopy. Spot native wildlife, including the cassowary, the world's 3rd-largest flightless bird. Next, take the 1:45PM Skyrail back to the bottom (Skyrail Smithfield station). Embark on a fascinating journey of discovery over and deep into the world’s oldest, continually-surviving tropical rainforest. The iconic Skyrail experience is a must-do Cairns attraction of Australia’s World-Heritage listed tropical rainforest, immersing you in one of the most botanically fascinating areas on earth. At the end of your Skyrail experience, be picked up again by bus at 3:15 PM to be brought back to the hotel.

After pickup from your accommodation, head to the marina in Airlie Beach by bus. Board the custom-built catamaran and enjoy fresh, homemade, gluten-free brownies as a morning snack. The first stop is at one of the area's many beautiful reefs to go snorkeling. Be blown away by the vivid colors, bountiful fish, and coral formations of the Great Barrier Reef's fringing reef. This spot offers a quieter way to experience the UNESCO-protected reef. Then, head to the second snorkeling spot on the northern tip of Hook Island. You will discover the area's underwater valleys, caves, and a variety of marine life. Continue to Whitehaven Beach for a buffet lunch of zucchini frittatas and quiche lorraine served with cold sliced meats, cheeses, salads, and fresh bread. After lunch, join a guided bush walk and history talk to Hill Inlet Lookout, located at the northern end of the beach. Admire the world-famous spot where white sands and turquoise waters blend in a unique swirling effect. Enjoy some free time to relax on the beach and soak up the scenery. An afternoon snack of fresh fruit will be provided before the scenic journey back to Airlie Beach by boat. Be dropped back at your accommodation at approximately 5:00 PM.

Hop aboard a catamaran for a day trip to remember to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, dive, or swim in the water, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, and take in the marine wildlife. Meet your crew at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, pay the reef levy, and hop aboard the luxury catamaran. The crew will select reef locations depending on the day's conditions from Flynn and Milne reef or further north at Norman and Hastings reefs. All offer diverse reef structures teeming with exotic marine life. Feel the wind in your hair as you set sail for the outer Great Barrier Reef. Relax with morning tea on the way, get to know the crew and learn all about the marine eco-system from a marine expert. Review snorkeling techniques with the crew during the journey. Arrive at the first outer reef location, where you can snorkel, dive or swim in the water. You may also choose to sunbathe, or chill on the boat on the upper sun deck or the netted deck trampoline at the bow of the boat. You can avail complimentary guided tours from the staff. A dedicated dive tender is available for experienced certified divers who want to explore deeper waters. All certified divers receive a complimentary dive guide. First-time divers will receive clear and concise scuba instruction in the water from qualified PADI professionals. Savor a fresh tropical buffet lunch prepared onboard. Treat yourself to a selection of hot and cold dishes including buffet meats, salads, and tropical fruit. Travel to the second outer reef location for the day for your choice of activity. Look out for corals, exotic marine life such as parrotfish, reef turtles and 'nemo' fish. End the day as the captain hoists the sails, and cruise back to Cairns. Enjoy a cold drink from the bar (own expense) and relax on the boom netting. Alternatively, watch presentations about the marine life from the passionate eco-certified staff.

Get picked up from your Airlie Beach accommodation and ride in a spacious van or meet directly at the Whitsunday Coast Airport to begin your adventure in the sky. Climb aboard your aircraft and enjoy a guaranteed window seat. Take off and get ready to experience the beauty of the Whitsundays. Fly over Conway National Park, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Listen to insightful commentary from your pilot as you ride. Take in the patterns and colors of the Great Barrier Reefs and see the swirling sands of Hill Inlet, created by the movement of tides and displaying different tones of blue and green hues. Finally, arrive back at the airport for the return trip to Airlie Beach.

Ride, snorkel, and bushwalk as you embark on the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world-famous beach. Take off on the ride of your life in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and enjoy a guided nature walk, inner coral reef snorkeling, personalized snorkel instruction, and more. Departing from Airlie Beach, climb aboard the fastest day boat in the Whitsundays. Experience an informative ride and thrilling adventure on super fast semi-rigid inflatable vessels capable of speeds of up to 35 knots (65 kilometers per hour). Select the North Whitehaven option for an eco-adventure popular amongst avid snorkellers. This includes two different snorkel destinations, a visit to the beach at Hill Inlet, and a guided National Park walk to the lookout above the silica sand of Whitehaven. Select the South Whitehaven option for more beach time. Enjoy at least two hours of relaxing on the white silica sand, and a guided walk to Hill Inlet for breathtaking views of the tropical waters. Snorkel for over an hour amid corals and fringing reefs. Whatever option you choose, enjoy the only tour in the Whitsundays to have direct access to Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven. Have peace of mind by traveling with an advanced ecotourism-certified, climate change business and green travel leader. A tropical lunch pack is available to be pre-booked at the check out and paid for on the day of the tour. Water, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices, and chocolates are also available for sale on board or you can bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and lunch.

Discover the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns with Divers Den. Embark on a 90-minute boat trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef where you'll spend five hours exploring two stunning dive sites carefully selected from our exclusive moorings at Norman, Saxon, and Hastings reefs. Encounter vibrant corals, playful Nemos, turtles, stingrays, and majestic Maori Wrasse amidst diverse marine life. The vessel, AquaQuest, is purpose-built for diving and snorkelling, featuring a spacious dive deck and sunken platform for easy water access, along with state-of-the-art equipment. Relax on expansive sun decks, cool off in air-conditioned indoor spaces, and freshen up with hot showers after your morning exploration. Refuel with a generous buffet lunch including hot and cold dishes, salads, rolls, and tropical fruits, preparing you for an afternoon of continued discovery on the Great Barrier Reef.

Join a guided day trip to K'gari (Fraser Island) in a 4WD bus and visit highlights, such as Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, and the Maheno Shipwreck, with return ferry transfers included. Let your driver traverse the tracks and tides to ensure an enjoyable experience on the world’s largest sand island. Begin your adventure with pickup from your Hervey Bay accommodation, or make your own way to River Heads. Take a 40-minute ferry ride to K'gari, keeping a look out for dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Once on the island, follow your local guide to see the stunning natural sights. If English is your second language, download the free foreign language app prior to the tour and use it offline for audio commentary. Learn fascinating facts about the island’s history, and its flora and fauna. Travel in an air-conditioned bus to Central Station, a former logging station. Then stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk to discover the ancient king ferns, towering ghost gums, and pine trees. Continue to Lake McKenzie and swim in the crystal blue waters or relax on the sandy beaches. Next up is the Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Choose to take a flight over the island (at an additional cost), or float down Eli Creek. Visit the Maheno shipwreck and enjoy a photo stop at the rusting wreck of the Maheno. Also, see The Pinnacles colored sands, and learn how these formations were created. Board the 5:00 PM ferry back to River Heads, and get dropped off at your accommodation.

Discover Fitzroy Island on a day tour from Cairns. Enjoy a scenic ferry ride and explore the many hiking trails. Admire the marine life native to the coral reef as you snorkel or observe from a glass-bottom boat. Choose from a range of packages, including transfers for you to explore on your own, or a package including snorkel or glass-bottom boat activities. Explore the Island's 339 hectares of lush rainforest that covers 94 percent of the island and is protected and managed as a National Park. Walking trails are suitable for all levels of fitness, allowing you to explore areas of the island at your leisure. The fast catamaran departs from the Marlin Marina, with check-in directly on the vessel. Cruise south along the calm waters of the coastline to reach Fitzroy Island in just 45 minutes, giving you up to 7 hours to explore the tropical island.