family activities & tours in cairns and the tropical north queensland region
Cairns Tropical Zoo
Cairns Tropical Zoo is the “Hands On” wildlife experience that has it all!
Cairns Tropical Zoo is the largest and the most diverse wildlife attraction in the Far North, set on six hectares of tropically landscaped gardens, and is home to hundreds of exotic species many of which are indigenous to Tropical North Queensland.
See awesome crocodiles, stunning snakes, adorable red pandas, wobbly wombats, free flying eagles, cuddly koalas and lots of skippy kangaroos to hand feed. Learn more about Australia’s fabulous wildlife presented twice daily. Cuddle a koala for a great souvenir photo (extra cost). Free wombat and crocodile photo opportunities continue...
Australia’s best “Hands On” wildlife experience!
Cairns Night Zoo
Experience some great Aussie culture and entertainment at the one and only Cairns Night Zoo, now in its 10th year of operation. The night includes a fabulous BBQ buffet including fresh prawns, delicious desserts, and complimentary beers, wines & softdrinks. Highlights include a spotlighting tour, billy tea and damper with the kangaroos and live Australian music. This is a “Must Do” for any holiday itinerary! continue...
A Great Australian Night Out!
Birdworld Kuranda
Birdworld in Kuranda was designed to “create a centre where birds would be showcased in their natural environment without the barriers of cages coming between them and their admiring public.” At Birdworld Kuranda you will find the largest assemblage of free flying birds in Australia with over 75 different species and over 500 birds. Birdworld allows guests to get an exclusive and personal encounter with these amazing living things in an exhibit that perfectly replicates a natural environment. continue...
Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Adventures
Situated on the magnificent coastal drive between Palm Cove and Port Douglas, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is the best place to see crocodiles and native wild life. Set in the foothills of the McAllister Range, in World Heritage Rainforest, Hartley's has a diverse range of habitats being Melaleuca Wetlands, Riverine Rainforest and Eucalypt Woodland.
Marvel at the colourful water birds, prehistoric looking lizards, the grand Cassowaries and the cute and cuddly Koalas in a truly natural environment.
You will also find in Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Adventures an education centre, wildlife displays and licensed restaurant. Open 8:30am–5:30pm daily (except Christmas Day). Please see your tour desk for bookings & transfer details continue...
Tjapukai
By Day
Tjapukai, Australia's most awarded attraction, is a meaningful and authentic Aboriginal experience, boasting 3 theatres, traditional camp, museum, retail gallery & international buffet restaurant. Come and marvel at the Tjapukai art. Try boomerang, spear throwing or didgeridoo playing. Witness the traditional song and dance on a hand crafted stage. Listen in at the history theatre. Become familiar with their natural bush remedies and see an Aboriginal camp which gives you a meaningful glimpse of a rich and ancient culture continue...
By Night
Experience Tjapukai By Night's fire explosions, special effects, music, dance & giant spirits coming to life on a dreamtime journey, followed with a superb buffet dinner & performance by the world famous Tjapukai dancers. Enter the great hall in light and then be thrown into the darkness. Thunder and lightning excite the senses as the Gadja, a glowing good spirit, takes centre stage and tells of the past, then his opposing spirit Quinkan appears towering 6 metres above the audience, bidding you to enter the past. This haunting spirit welcome leaves you breathless...Don't miss it! continue...
Cairns Habitat Cruises
With Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Trinity Inlet Cairns supports a diverse and fascinating ecosystem. Enjoy a calm water cruise while discovering the secrets of mangroves, the wildlife, the history and culture of the harbour & its trade. See crocodiles and a variety of native birds in their natural habitat, and then get really close to crocodiles during the Crocodile Farm Tour. Enjoy the first half of your day on a calm water cruise on Trinity Inlet and a tour of the Cairns Crocodile Farm and then in the afternoon a half day cruise to Green Island. continue...
Sunset Cruise
This is an extraordinary opportunity to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the Cairns Inlet at the end of the day. You can also admire the beautiful sunset over the mountains and the tropical city of Cairns and its vibrant Esplanade. This is a perfect way to end a day, or begin the night before going to a restaurant! continue...
Cairns Discovery Tours
Cairns Discovery Tours presents the ultimate "City Sights" tour of Cairns and its spectacular tropical environs. A truly rewarding afternoon Half Day tour will surpass your highest expectations guaranteed! The qualified guides are passionate, experienced, and so entertaining. You will be amazed at the diversity of interests covered, and the professional, entertaining way the guide shares everything of interest. with a real Aussie sense of humour! continue...
The Rainforest Habitat
The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is a leader in its field of wildlife immersion exhibits. Situated on eight acres of land allowing visitors to wander through and discover over 180 species in three unique environments; Rainforest, Wetlands and Grasslands. The Rainforest Habitat is the home of the famous Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets! continue...
Wonga Beach Equestrian Centre — Ride the Beach
“The natural way to journey through two world heritage wonders.”
Situated at pristine Wonga Beach, 25 mins north of Port Douglas and 10 mins south of historical Daintree Village. Enjoy a relaxing half day horse ride along beautiful Wonga Beach where the rainforest meets the reef and through pristine Daintree Rainforest trails. Where else in the world can you ride through two world heritage wonders? As you journey along Wonga Beach you have the Great Barrier Reef on one side and world heritage Daintree Rainforest on the other... truly spectacular! continue...
Ocean Spirit Dinner Cruise
Imagine — sailing aboard a luxury catamaran, the sails flickering in the breeze, a sense of anticipation as you glide towards the absolute best that nature has to offer.
Ocean Spirit Cruises offers daily cruises to Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Set sail and enjoy a reef experience second to none, whilst capturing the spirit of the Great Barrier Reef.
Discover the delights of our Dinner Cruise and savour the sights of the city lights set against the rainforest clad mountains, whilst enjoying an award winning gourmet tropical feast. continue...
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is a spell binding experience as you wander or take a free guided tour through the pristine gardens with thousands of butterflies floating through the air. The Sanctuary is located in the heart of Kuranda Village with easy access to the Markets and other local attractions. For your convenience, the Shuttle Bus to Rainforestation picks up and drops off outside the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. continue...
North Queensland Watersports
Jet skiing is the ultimate fun machine! The speed, the spills, the thrills! It is a wild ride bumping through the waters of the Coral Sea, wind sweeping through your hair and a great big sunny smile on your face. North Queensland Watersports’ jet skis blast through the water at a maximum of 85km/h and are upgraded every two years for the ultimate ride and safety. continue...
Skybury Australian Coffee Centre
Welcome to The Australian Coffee Centre, located at Australia's oldest coffee plantation, Skybury. This stunning, multi award winning timber building enjoys spectacular views across the surrounding countryside, with breakfast and lunch served daily in our restaurant.
Join us on a fully escorted tour of the coffee plantation covering everything you've ever wanted to know about the origins, life cycle and production of coffee! continue...
Koala Golf
Koala Golf, Cairns is a locally owned subsidiary of Australia’s only national golf tour company, Koala Golf Tours, which has been established since 1986, with daily departures to the finest championship courses. All tours include return hotel transfers, green fees, pro shop check-in & porterage and starter kits (balls, tees, snack, water bottle and course guide.) Motorised carts are also included at the resort-style courses. Koala Golf also has an extensive range of rental equipment available from beginner sets through to top of the range Callaway clubs; they cater for all levels of golfer, and what a great way to “test drive” the latest gear. continue...
TPO Meet the Locals
Sit back and relax in the luxury air-conditioned bus while you travel to your first destination through the beautiful World Heritage-listed rainforest, Granite Gorge, to meet the rock wallabies. Afterwards the guide will take you into the countryside to seek out native wildlife in various locations along the way, including an amazing bird show and a guaranteed sighting of the famous platypus. continue...
Blazing Saddles
With courtesy transfers, come and experience a leisurely horse ride through rainforest and native bushland while enjoying the happenings of a working cattle farm, and/or get down and dirty with Blazing Saddles on the All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the heart of the Australian bush! continue...
Rainforestation Nature Park
Award winning Rainforestation Nature Park near Kuranda, is situated in the midst of World Heritage Rainforest offering three diverse experiences to the visitor in one convenient setting.
Unique Army Duck tours of the Rainforest and Tropical Fruit Orchard, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Troupe with Dreamtime Walk and interact with native Australian animals in the Koala and Wildlife Park.
Rainforestation licensed restaurants are available for tropical BBQ lunches and private functions, and Tropical Treats for snacks and light refreshments.
Tropic Wings
Tropic Wings Coach Tours are the largest and longest established coach touring company in Far North Queensland. All tours are suitable for people of all ages. Tours range from the Famous Kuranda Village, to the Tropical Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Tropic Wings extends to the outback with tours of the Atherton region and Undara. Tropic Wings offers customers the best this region has to offer.
Cairns Wildlife Dome
The Cairns Wildlife Dome is a spectacular all weather wildlife exhibit encased by a 20 metre high glass on the roof top of the prominent Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns. Get up close and personal with the magnificent rainforest animals and birds that roam freely throughout the enclosure that replicates their natural environment.
Jungle Surfing
Set in the pristine Daintree rainforest at Cape Tribulation, the Queensland Tourism Award-winning Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours takes you on a unique rainforest tour where your feet don’t touch the ground. Jungle Surfers fly through the trees on flying fox ziplines, stopping at five tree platforms to take in spectacular bird’s eye views over the treetops, down to cascading streams and out to the Great Barrier Reef. continue...
