Day Trips in Queensland

Experience the natural wonders of Queensland's Atherton Tablelands to visit different parts of the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest on this outdoorsy day trip from Cairns. With a guide, you'll take easy walks to three waterfalls - Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Dinner Falls - and take a refreshing swim in Lake Eacham. See the Cathedral Fig Tree, take in views of the volcanic crater in Mt Hypipamee National Park, and enjoy lots of time for swimming and photo ops. Morning and afternoon snacks are picnic lunch provided

Enjoy a spectacular journey that is just as pleasurable as the destination: the historic township of Cooktown, home of Australia's first European settlement. Travel by 4WD through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park and the Bloomfield Track, two highlights of northern Queensland. Venture into the rainforest and cross the Daintree River before reaching Cooktown, where you have free time to visit the James Cook Museum (optional). Includes round-trip transport by 4WD and an optional flight for hotels in Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.

Marvel over two UNESCO-listed natural wonders with this great-value combo deal from Cairns. On the first day, set sail for a thrilling cruise around the Great Barrier Reef, spot exotic fish on a glass-bottomed boat tour and marvel at the colorful corals on an introductory scuba dive. On the second day, venture inland to explore the ancient Daintree rainforest, hike through the Mossman Gorge and admire views over the reef from Cape Tribulation. Best of all: the small-group tours both include lunch, hotel pick-up and all activities.

Start the day with a hot Aussie breakfast in the company of a cute koala and its keeper departing from Palm Cove. See crocodiles up close and take a boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon where you can witness crocodiles feeding. Get up close to kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, cassowaries, quolls and other iconic Australian wildlife. Enjoy entertaining and educational wildlife presentations throughout the day. Optional professional koala holding photos are also available (extra cost applies).

Across the state line from Brisbane and the Gold Coast is Byron Bay, a coastal town with popular beaches and ocean views. Save time spent on booking rental cars and planning your itinerary with this day trip down the coast to Byron Bay. Visit Cape Byron Lighthouse and try and spot dolphins or turtles in the South Pacific Ocean and then explore the Crystal Castle and Shambala Gardens, filled with massive crystals and tropical flora.

Experience the wildlife, mountains, sea and rainforest that define the Wet Tropics of Queensland on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Hand-feed kangaroos and observe other native creatures at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and explore the World Heritage-listed biodiversity of Daintree National Park. Take a guided nature walk through the rain forest of Mossman Gorge, savor a delicious lunch at Cape Tribulation, swim in the Coral Sea and cruise down the beautiful Daintree River.

Take a break from Gold Coast beaches to discover the livable urban charm of Brisbane on a full-day tour that offers plenty of time to explore Queensland's capital on your own. Take morning tea at a lookout atop Mt. Coot-tha or the Botanical Gardens, and see most of the main sights, including Kangaroo Point, King George Square, trendy South Bank, China Town, and more. Customize your day during free time to cruise along the Brisbane River, visit the Science Centre, or perhaps dine at one of downtime's excellent restaurants.

Experience the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest on a full-day tour from Cairns. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda where you first visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, the largest flight aviary in Australia. Tour the Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle, then see koalas, dingoes and more at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Take a dreamtime walk with a Pamagirri guide for the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, then feast on an Australian barbecue buffet lunch. Finally, return to Cairns on the scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Experience Australia's rich Aboriginal culture and the Daintree Rainforest on a full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Meet your local indigenous guide at Cooya Beach to learn traditions of hunting and gathering food supplies, then explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. This small-group tour that has a maximum of 18 participants, ensuring a hands-on experience with your guide. Choose from two afternoon options: a guided hike to a water hole; or upgrade to tour the forest with an Aboriginal guide who shares Dreamtime stories.

Escape the city for the day to explore the sublime nature and beautiful waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands on a flexible-length, small-group trip. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is known for its stunning rainforests, waterfalls and rolling dairy pastures. Visit several falls, including Malanda Falls, Milaa Millaa Falls, Ellinjaa Falls and Zilliee Falls, along with a historic dairy farm and numerous panoramic overlooks. This small-group trip, limited to no more than 10 guests, also includes a guide, morning tea, lunch, all entrance fees and round-trip coach transport from your hotel.

Experience Australia's natural beauty up-close on a thrilling 5-hour 4WD adventure from Cairns. Venture off-road in the Barron Gorge National Park and Kuranda National Park, and witness the startling contrasts of tropical rainforest, savannah and rugged mountains, as you drive along the Great Dividing Range. Stop along the way to snap photos of Lake Morris, Copperlode Dam and Surprise Falls; enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef from Lamb Range; and stand before the mighty Barron Falls. This small-group tour is limited to 13 people for a personalized experience.

Soak up the natural beauty of Queensland's Scenic Rim area on this small-group day trip from Brisbane. Enjoy a classic Devonshire tea, walk to Queen Mary Falls, admire panoramas over Condamine Gorge and the Scenic Rim mountains, and enjoy a wine tasting and kangaroo-spotting on route back to Brisbane. Your tour includes Devonshire tea, lunch, National Park fees, wine tasting, and air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup and drop-off.

Explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on this diverse full-day tour from Cairns. Take a guided nature walk through some of the oldest rainforest in the world, spot crocs on a cruise down the Daintree River and stroll on the famous Cape Tribulation Beach. Enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue at a private rainforest retreat, and learn about indigenous culture with a Kuku Yalanji heritage presentation at the Mossman Gorge Centre. Hotel pickup and drop-off and transport in a luxury coach complete this memorable adventure through the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia's tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy a close encounter with native wildlife on the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk and visit Cape Tribulation, the meeting point of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. After lunch at Cape Trib Beach House, embark on a scenic cruise along the Daintree River (optional).

Discover the natural beauty of Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a 4-wheel-drive day trip from Rainbow Beach or Noosa. As you traverse the island by purpose-built 4WD, make stops at lakes, white-sand beaches, the colored sand cliffs and other natural attractions, and keep your eyes open for wildlife like birds and reptiles. Lunch is included.

Venture off-the-beaten-track and explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness of Australia's tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Journey along the Captain Cook Highway; take a guided hike through the Mossman Gorge and cool off with a dip in the Mossman River. After lunch (included), look out for crocodiles on a scenic cruise down the Daintree River, then continue to Cape Tribulation to trek through the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy magnificent views over the Great Barrier Reef. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.

Escape to the jungle on this action-packed full-day adventure from Cairns or Port Douglas. Spot exotic birds, flying foxes and crocodiles as you cruise along the Daintree River, then look out over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Daintree rainforest from the Alexander Range Lookout. After a delicious Aussie-style lunch, journey to remote Cape Tribulation, where you can hike through the ancient rainforest, stroll along the beach and enjoy spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef.

Enjoy swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing on UNESCO-listed Fraser Island with this full-day boat cruise, including hotel pick-up from Hervey Bay. Spot dolphins as you sail out to the island, swim with turtles at Wathumba creek, then discover the island's wild side on a bush walk. After tucking into a delicious buffet lunch on-board (included), spend the rest of the afternoon kayaking, paddle boarding or snorkelling at the island's beaches and bays. During the Hervey Bay whale season from mid-July to October, be on the look out for humpback whales and experience the thrill of getting up close to these majestic creatures as they frolic in the calm clear waters off Fraser Island.

Discover Fraser Island's highlights on a full-day tour with an experienced guide that includes time to swim in pristine lakes, hit the beach, and explore the rainforest. Visit iconic spots including Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, the Maheno shipwreck and the Pinnacles. Learn about the animal and plant life both on land and in the ocean, where dolphins, dugong, sharks and humpback whales can be spotted. Depart early from Hervey Bay and travel by 4WD-vehicle on this comprehensive Fraser Island tour.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest and observe native Australian wildlife on a full-day tour from Cairns. View the rainforest as you ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda. Tour the Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle that offers another vantage point on the forest, visit the koalas, kangaroos and other critters at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Learn about Aboriginal culture at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. After a classic Aussie barbecue lunch, return to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.