What to do and see in Cairns, Queensland: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

Do you want to have your own private tour guide and vehicle all to yourself? Exclusive half day tour takes in three Wet Tropics Rainforest National Parks, and includes a visit to the most famous waterfall in Cairns, the Barron Falls. You’ll see stunning scenery, ranging from lush tropical rainforest to outback Savannah. Visit mighty trees, swim in crystal clear waters and taste some tempting tropical fruit. Our exclusive permit allows us to visit areas not open to the public, while your naturalist guide will provide informative commentary. If you have limited time, want to escape the crowds and experience the true tropical rainforest of North Queensland, book this tour today.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Bottled water, Light refreshments, Local guide, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Cairns is amazing Town steeped in History. Famous not only for its Reef and Rainforest but also for its early history and the trials and tribulations of the early settlers. Your tour not only encompasses the natural environment of Cairns and it’s surrounds but some of its early history and architecture. Kuranda Skyrail and the Historical Train can be included by prior arrangement.

Inclusions: Bottled water

Exclusions:

Visit the Cairns Aquarium independently and at your leisure to meet 16,000 animals from Tropical North Queensland’s two world heritage listed areas - the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. See live shark and ray feeding, marine and reptile touch n talk show and from river to reef eco-system presentations. Complete your experience with a 2 course lunch at Dundee’s Restaurant with a stunning sea life backdrop. You will be collected from the Cairns Aquarium by Cairns Discovery Tours for your afternoon city sights and surrounds guided tour. Enjoy Devonshire afternoon tea, prior to visiting the Cairns Flecker Botanical Gardens, Lower Barron Gorge National Park, beautiful Palm Cove beach and more

Inclusions: 2 course lunch with glass wine/beer or soft drink at Dundee’s Restaurant with a stunning sea life backdrop., Delicious Devonshire afternoon tea with tea or coffee, Entrance to Cairns Aquarium, Air-conditioned vehicle, Return hotel transfers at the completion of city sights tour, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Transfers to the Cairns Aquarium, make own way

At Cairns To Cooktown 4WD Tours, we offer fun, interesting and informative day tours in our purpose built air conditioned 4WD coach. Having crossed the mighty Daintree River on a vehicle ferry, we head North through the lush, ancient Daintree Rainforest where we enjoy a stroll on secluded Thornton Beach. We now tackle the iconic 4WD Bloomfield Track taking in the wonderful sights along the way, before we arrive at the histiric 1875 Lions Den Hotel for a well earned "coldy". Shortly after we arrive in the charming settlement of Cooktown and take in the amazing Endeavour River, Grassy Hill Lookout & of course Capatain James Cook's monument. We'll buy you a tasty pub lunch at the 1874 Cooktown Hotel, better known these days at The Top Pub, before we head to the best regional museum in Australia, The James Cook Museum, where we'll take care of your admission. Heading home via the inland, outback route we stop at the mysterious Black Mountains and the remote Palmer River Goldfields.

Inclusions: You'll enjoy a tasty old fashion pub lunch with a beer or glass of wine at the historic Cooktown Hotel, better known these days as The Top Pub., Your admission to Cooktown's James Cook Museum. , We'll provide you with iced coffee, cold bottled water & snack bars throughout your day

Exclusions:

Our tour was established in 1997 and is the Original Tablelands-Paronella Park tour. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini coach with local naturalist guides and experience the uniqueness of the tropics and the diversity of our beautiful tropical rainforests. Tour south of Cairns for a full day out traveling through the magnificent World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, swimming in waterfalls, traveling through the Atherton Tablelands, viewing Volcano’s and visiting local must see attractions such as Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, extended touring time at Paronella Park and much more.

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Entry & Guided Walk & Commentary at Paronella Park

Exclusions: Pick Up from Cairns Northern Beaches Hotels - Additional $22 per person (return)

Experience the Daintree Rainforest and Australia's rich Aboriginal culture on this full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Learn about traditional hunting and gathering techniques on Cooya Beach with an indigenous guide, then visit the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Gain insight into Australia's indigenous heritage and marvel at the natural beauty of the Rainforest at Mossman Gorge, with two options for the afternoon: Guided walk through the World Heritage rainforest; or upgrade to the Ngadiku Walk with an Aboriginal guide who shares Dreamtime stories and deep knowledge of the land. Throughout the day, enjoy a hands-on experience on this small-group tour limited to 16 participants.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Travel by air-conditioned coach, Local knowledgeable guide, Two-hour coastal and cultural walk, Lunch, Mossman Gorge Rainforest

Exclusions: Gratuities, Drinks, NO pickup from Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob.

Northern Experience Eco Tours was established in 1997 and is the original Tablelands-Paronella Park tour. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini coach with local naturalist guides and experience the uniqueness of the tropics and the diversity of our beautiful tropical rainforests. Tour south of Cairns for a full day out traveling through the magnificent World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, swimming in waterfalls, traveling through the Atherton Tablelands, viewing Volcano’s and visiting local must see attractions such as Milla Milla Falls, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, extended touring time at Paronella Park and much more.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, As per option chosen in itinerary

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Cairns Northern Beaches - AUD$22 per person, Tour does not operate from Port Douglas

The only full experience tour Live commentary, storytelling & audio podcast Afternoon tea on the beach Cassowary wildlife spotting and stargazing Private tour of park and Hydro Power Station Free pick up and drop off from/to selected pick up zones  Impressive evening light show with music Dinner with a Country pub experience

Inclusions: 1 Per Adult / Child, Admission to Paronella Park (with 24 month return pass), Live Commentary, story telling & audio podcast, All Fees and Taxes, Free gift, WiFi on board, Infant & child seats, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Dinner

The only Outback Full Day Tour from Cairns and Port Douglas! Explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other gems of the Australian Outback on a full-day tour from Cairns. With a naturalist guide, you'll travel by 4WD vehicle through the McAllister Ranges, the Great Dividing Range and the Australian Outback while listening to informative commentary about the region’s wildlife, history and Aboriginal culture. Tour Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, drive near the wetlands to spot Australian native wildlife, see historic mining towns, and enjoy morning tea at local Skybury Coffee Plantation and lunch at a 100-year-old Chillagoe Pub during this small-group tour limited to 17 people.

Inclusions: Local driver guide, Lunch at a 100-year-old Aussie pub, Transport by air-conditioned vehicle, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Tour, Hotel pickup and drop-off (Cairns and Northern Beaches area only), Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, Visit Balancing Rock and see Aboriginal Rock Art, Granite Gorge National Park and see Wallabies, Morning Tea at Skybury Cafe

Exclusions: Port Douglas transfers (min 2 people, contact reservations after booking to confirm)

Experience the ultimate Kuranda visit with a skip-the-line ticket for the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Kuranda Skyrail, plus Gold Class service on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Be amazed at the views of the rainforest and Cairns' beautiful coastline as you glide along the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Have your camera handy as you travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, passing Stoney Creek Falls, Barron Falls and Horseshoe Bend. With plenty of free time to shop and to visit the wildlife exhibits in Kuranda, you'll enjoy the best of the region on this popular day trip.

Inclusions: One way Kuranda Scenic Railway ride in Gold Class, One way by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, NO pickup from Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob.