Things to do in

Trinity Inlet

Experience the perfect end to a day in paradise aboard the Spirit of Cairns dinner cruise. Step onto our sailing catamaran and indulge in an evening of tranquil cruising on Trinity Inlet, where you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this tropical port city as day turns to night. Upon boarding, enjoy a refreshing pre-dinner drink and explore both the interior and exterior decks, soaking in the breath-taking views under a canopy of sparkling stars. Your journey will take you through the Trinity Inlet and along Cairns' waterfront precinct. Relish the calm waters as you make yourself comfortable inside our air-conditioned dining room. Here, savour a sumptuous buffet featuring a variety of hot and cold dishes, fresh seafood, and delightful local produce. Our luxurious Spirit of Cairns sailing catamaran is fully licensed, offering a selection of beverages to complement your meal and elevate your evening.

Experience Cairns from a unique perspective as you float down the peaceful Trinity Inlet and take in the stunning sunset from the water. Join a relaxing river boat tour and discover the sights and sounds of the local wildlife as they settle in for the night. Watch as the sunny daytime Cairns transitions into a balmy tropical evening. Unwind after a long day of activities by traveling along the quiet river as you listen to your captain's lively commentary. The perfect start to a Queensland holiday night. Make your cruise even more fun with your choice of chilled beer, wine, or soft drink. Enjoy a light savory snack and breathe in the lovely warm breeze coming from the ocean.

Experience a thrilling jet boat adventure on the stunning Trinity Inlet in Cairns. Departing conveniently from the Cairns Marlin Marina, the ride takes you on a 35-minute exploration of the sublime waterway that sits behind Cairns. The boat is specially designed for extreme maneuverability. It can do spins, slides, high speed slides and stunts, so the adventure is a bit like being on a roller-coaster on the water.  The ride is not all about the stunts and tricks that jet boats are famous for. Your Cairns local Skipper will also share some interesting local knowledge with you about the Cairns region and surrounding. The Trinity Inlet is beautiful and is home to some amazing wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled while you are out exploring. When your Captain is not telling you cool info about Cairns, he will be pumping out some great tunes on the boat's amazing sound system, so get ready to enjoy the vibes. Wear sun-safe clothing that you are happy to get wet - it's part of the fun! A locker box is available at the Bad Fishy base to store all of your belongings while you are on the ride. Hats can blow off, so it is recommended to wear sunscreen. On board Bad Fishy there are some sublime cameras taking snaps of all the action - photos can be purchased at the conclusion of your ride.

Enjoy an insightful trip and gaze at the local river wildlife as you relax in the safety of your boat. Travel along the calm waters of the scenic Trinity Inlet while sipping on a soft drink to unwind from all the high-action activities Cairns is known for. Admire the stunning Cairns skyline from afar and find yourself surrounded by the mountains and mangroves that line the inlet. Meander through pristine creeks, home to all kinds of wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles. Allow your captain to show you this peaceful part of Cairns and take in the lovely natural landscape as seen from the quiet river. If you want to discover the area without overexerting yourself, this is the perfect opportunity to explore while you sit back and ride along.

Discover the culture of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people, the traditional owners of the land that lies just across the waters from the Cairns Marina, on this guided tour. Enjoy a river cruise in Cairns Harbor, a soap-making lesson, and a traditional welcome to Country. Start your tour with a river cruise on the Trinity Inlet. Discover this environment as seen through the eyes of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people and learn about the work being done as part of the indigenous protected area program. This will be followed by a welcome to Country with guides using a traditional ochre paint called "Mugra" . Next, learn about the traditional flora and fauna of the region, in particular the Alphitonia excelsa (soap tree). Find out how to prepare traditional soap from the tree and get the chance to cool off and clean up before morning tea with your natural bush soap. During the morning tea, admire a table with a selection of tools and weapons which your guide will hand around and explain both their use and how they were made. You will also get the chance to admire a 3D map of the area which will help put the area recognized as Mandingalbay Yidinji Country into perspective. Whilst pondering the map, enjoy discussions around land management, pre-contact history, and traditional stories as well the Mandingalbay Yidinji People's aspirations for a sustainable future. Finish the day with a walk along an ancient pathway through the forest with your guide and learn about the impact each season had on the people. Find out about native bush foods, tools, traditional medicines, and how these things help the Mandingalbay Yidinji stay connected to their ancestors.

At 9.30AM, Make your way to the Cairns Marlin Marina, A Finger to join your Cairns Calm Water River Cruise. You will explore 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 too. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious so the tour is bespoke and personal and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns. The vessel is fitted with an onboard toilet and clears for comfortable year-round cruising. At 11.30 am- 12 noon - Walk the short distance to the award winning Dundees restaurant on the waterfront. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and take in the views before joining your afternoon city sights tour. At 1:00 pm, you will be collected from the Reef Fleet Terminal to explore Cairns and learn about the city's culture and history.  This tour will include a visit to the Cairns Museum in the School of Arts Building in the heart of the city. Meet a museum guide for an approximate 20 minute exclusive tour in the museum. Included is a complimentary re-entry pass to revisit the museum during your stay in Cairns. Step inside St Monica’s Cathedral to see the world's largest breath-taking stained glass windows. Indulge in a delicious afternoon tea and a guided walk at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Delight in the stunning city view, mountains, waterfalls at the Lower Barron Gorge National Park. Your final destination is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove Palm, this picture-perfect location, fringed with coconut trees and its’ magnificent paperbark trees. Watch as the sun begins to set before returning to your chosen Cairns or Palm Cove accommodation at approx. 6.00pm.

One of the most popular helicopter rides in Cairns, this 30-minute scenic helicopter flight departs Cairns airport, showcasing views of the city of Cairns and Trinity inlet, and passing False Cape where you can see the remnants of WWII defences, Mt Yarrabah, Mission Bay and Cape Grafton. From there we strike out to the inner edge of the Reef and Green Island, a 6,000 year-old coral sand island that boasts its own native rainforest eco-system. Tracking to the north, your scenic Cairns helicopter tour will explore the western side of Arlington Reef, home to a diverse range of marine creatures – turtles, sharks and sting rays. Continuing north we’ll circle Vlasoff Cay, a tiny sand island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef that reduces to only a few square metres in size at high tide. From Vlasoff Cay we head west, over Upolu Cay and back to Cairns taking in fantastic views of the North Queensland coastline framed by the lush rainforest-covered eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

Explore the wild side of the Cairns waterfront – hire a boat and journey into Trinity Inlet, with its mangrove forests, numerous tributaries, saltwater crocodiles and more. This fascinating marine ecosystem is fantastic for fishing and sightseeing, and you can do both on a Cairns boat hire with us. Fishing – Trinity Inlet is a popular fishing spot for locals and is home to Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Golden Snapper, Barred Grunter, Bream, Spotted Estuary Cod, Flathead and more. If you don’t have your own rods, no worries, you can hire those too – we also have bait, ice, eskys and BBQs. Sightseeing – This beautiful estuary has something for everyone. It’s so close to the city, but as you travel away from Marlin Marina and into its calm waters, you feel a world away. The backdrop is rainforest mountains, including the iconic Walshs Pyramid in Gordonvale, the soundtrack is your boat and the pops and clicks of the mangroves, and its thousands of tiny crabs. Our tinny boats are shaded and have two bench seats, with pillows provided. Driving and navigation is made easy thanks to the central console driving system. The tinny boats are perfect for mates, couples or small families. Your destination, the beautiful Trinity Inlet which offers sightseeing and fishing opportunities. If you don’t have your own rods, hire ours – other optional extras include bait, ice and an esky – you just bring your yourselves and your smiles. You do not need a marine licence to drive, but you must be at least 18 years of age – or you can hire one of our skippers to drive for you.

Hire a pontoon boat in Cairns and explore the waterways of Trinity Inlet at your own pace. Enjoy a comfortable ride on a boat with a canopy for shade, and take advantage of the opportunity to add fishing rods, bait, and BBQs to your hire package. Collect your boat from Wharf A, Marlin Marina Cairns, and set off on your adventure. No marine license is required to drive the boat, and the crew will provide an introductory and safety briefing, as well as tips on the best fishing spots for the tides and day and time of travel. If you don’t have your own fishing rods, no problem at all, you can hire a fishing rod and bait pack. You can also hire a BBQ to take on board, or choose to have a BBQ lunch pack prepared for you (24 hours notice required). BYO drinks are welcome. The boats are suitable for all ages. Fuel and life jackets are included in the hire rate. It is mandatory that children aged 8 years old and under wear a life jacket.

Explore Cairns' highlights on this afternoon tour with a local guide. Discover St. Monica's Cathedral, Cairns Museum, Cairns Botanic Gardens, and more. Enjoy a dinner cruise in the evening, and savor a 3-course hot and cold buffet. Begin your tour with pickup at your hotel, then head to St. Monica’s Cathedral. Step inside to admire the world's largest themed stained glass windows. Next, visit the Cairns Museum, with a local guide who has plenty of stories to share about living in the tropics. Hear tales of heat, cane, railways, rainforests, and reefs. From there, move on to the Cairns Botanic Gardens to visit one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. Learn about the various plants you see along the way with the help of your guide. Take a break after the walk and experience an afternoon tea at a local cafe in the leafy suburb of Edge Hill. Take in the panoramic view of Cairns' city and the Coral Sea before exploring the lower section of the Barron Gorge National Park and Surprise Creek Falls. Traveling further north, discover one of Cairns' northern beaches, Palm Cove, fringed with coconut palms and paperbark trees. After exploring Cairns by day, see it's charming beauty by night. Your guide will drop you off at the Cairns Marina from where you'll join the dinner cruise. Sail aboard a 26-meter catamaran as you cruise the calm waters of Trinity Inlet. Enjoy a 3-course hot and cold buffet dinner featuring some of the region's best produce, including seafood.