Top Attractions Around Cairns & Port Douglas

Curated by Andrew Sorokin, Your Expert Private Guide in Australia

Welcome to the only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites meet: The Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest. If you are planning a trip to Cairns or Port Douglas, here is our ultimate guide to the best natural wonders and adventures in the region.

View Reef Tours

1. The Great Barrier Reef

The World's Largest Coral Reef System

The Cairns region provides some of the best opportunities for reef viewing because the Outer Reef is much closer to the coast here. Covering an area larger than Great Britain, you can snorkel, scuba dive, or see the marine life from the comfort of a semi-submersible glass-bottom boat.

Local Guide Tip: If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking a larger catamaran or booking a scenic helicopter flight to view the reef from above.

Explore the Rainforest

2. Australia’s Wet Tropics (Daintree)

Older than the Amazon

To visit Australia’s tropical rainforest is to peer into the world’s ancient past. It is older than the Amazon by 80 million years! While it covers just a tiny coastal strip, it contains 36% of Australia’s mammal species and 60% of its butterfly species.

Local Guide Tip: Mossman Gorge is an absolute must-visit. The crystal clear, cool waters rolling over smooth granite boulders offer a magical (and safe) swimming spot.

Tour the Tablelands

3. Atherton Tablelands

Cairns' Best Kept Secret

Ascend the mountain ranges to discover a cooler, agricultural heartland. The Atherton Tablelands is home to crater lakes, giant fig trees, and boutique farms. The region produces quality exotic fruits, mango wines, tea, coffee, and dairy products.

Local Guide Tip: Stop at the Mareeba Coffee Works for unlimited tastings of local coffee and chocolates, or visit Granite Gorge to hand-feed wild rock wallabies.

Visit Kuranda

4. Kuranda: The Village in the Rainforest

Accessible by Skyrail or Scenic Train

Kuranda is famous for its Heritage Markets and Indigenous culture. The journey there is half the fun: take the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway (opened in 1891) up the mountain, and return via the Skyrail Cableway, gliding just meters above the rainforest canopy.

Local Guide Tip: Make sure to visit the Rainforestation Nature Park while in Kuranda to ride an amphibious WWII Army Duck through the jungle.

See Crocodiles

5. Wildlife & Saltwater Crocodiles

Prehistoric Predators

The North is famous for its unique wildlife, including the endangered Cassowary and Tree Kangaroos. But the undisputed king of the rivers is the Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile. You can spot these ancient reptiles in the wild on a Daintree River Cruise.

Local Guide Tip: For guaranteed, up-close action, visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Their boat cruise features massive crocs leaping from the water to snatch food!

View All Cairns Tours

6. Extreme Adventures & Activities

The Adrenaline Capital of Australia

If you are an active person and love a rush of adrenaline, Cairns has it all. Go white water rafting down the Tully River, skydive over the reef, or take a hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the Tablelands.

Local Guide Tip: If extreme sports aren't for you, try our "Waterfalls and Crater Lakes" tour for a fun day of swimming and sliding down natural rock slides in the rainforest.

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