• Visit a wide range of habitats in one tour: rainforest and volcanic crater lakes.
• Fantastic opportunities to encounter many Australian species such as the Musky Red Kangaroo, Boyds Forest Dragon, the very unique Platypus and of course an array of rainforest birds.
• This is a fully guided tour. Our guides are very experienced in their field and will ensure you get the most memorable experience.

Join a small group tour to explore the picturesque Atherton Tablelands, a region teeming with biodiversity, offering a variety of habitats such as vibrant tropical rainforests and serene volcanic crater lakes.

What to Expect

Our Cairns rainforest tours offer rainforest and wildlife tours in the Atherton Tablelands region.

This is a great option for cruise ship passengers staying overnight in Cairns and not requiring to be tendered to mainland.

Visiting the World Heritage listed national parks from Cairns we have been hosting small personal wildlife spotting and nocturnal spotlighting tours into the world’s oldest continuously surviving rainforest near for more than 30 years.

Experienced and passionate wildlife guides will make their best effort to show you as many incredible native Australian birds and animals as possible in their natural habitat both day and night.

Most Australian Animals are Nocturnal

Did you know that more than 80% Australian animals are nocturnal? The best time to spot wildlife is at dusk through to night-time so early afternoon departure is perfect.

You will have a 90% success rate in seeing a platypus which is incredible considering how elusive and private these amazing creatures are.

You are also likely to spot possums, gliders, bandicoots, flying foxes, echidnas, frogs, snakes, spiders, tree kangaroos and many others.

Your rainforest tour guide will have a torch to find all the animals and you will be given the binoculars so you can zoom in on everything and everyone he points at.

Small Group Tour Sizes for the Best Wildlife Experience

It makes sense that you will not see much wildlife if a huge tour bus full of people run into the rainforest and make lots of noise.

That is why our bespoke Cairns tours keep the passenger numbers minimal (11 people max) so you will have the best chance of spotting the local wildlife.

That way people are not causing unnecessary stress to rainforest inhabitants and you can hear all the quirky tropical rainforest sounds- it gets pretty loud there at times!

Learn About the Rainforest Plants

Although the main focus of this tour is on the native Australian wildlife, rainforest trees and plants are equally interesting to learn about.

For example you will learn which ones are good to eat when you get lost in the forest, which ones to avoid and which plants were important for local Aboriginal tribes as medicines.

Take a Look at the Atherton Tablelands

A big part of your wildlife animal tour takes place in Atherton Tablelands or Cairns Highlands which refers to the fertile plateau which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, Australia.

Although it is in the tropical latitudes, its elevated position provides a climate suitable for dairy farming. It has an area of around 32,000 km2 with an altitude ranging between 500 and 1,280 m (1,640 and 4,200ft).

The volcanic origins of the land have contributed to fertile soils. That is why all the freshest and tastiest food in Cairns comes from Atherton Tablelands.

Your dinner takes place also in a country restaurant in Yungaburra.

Features and Highlights

• Pickup and return from Lake Barrine or your Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation
• Light refreshments at the world-renowned Lake Barrine
• Dinner at a charming country restaurant in Yungaburra
• Wet weather gear provided if needed
• Expert guide with informative commentary throughout

Self Drive Option

For guests with their own vehicles or staying on the Cairns Atherton Tablelands we also offer a self drive option where you meet our tour at Lake Barrine at 3.00pm to return at approximately 8.30pm.

Private Charter Option

We can also taylor our tour to your needs; by booking a private charter tour you can choose what to add to your day or alter the itinerary so you have more time at a specific location. Discuss your personal requirements today with us.

Private charter tours from Port Douglas are now available and depart at 12.15pm to return at 10.30pm.

See more Cairns rainforest tours.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Departs & Returns Northern Beaches: 1.00pm – 10.00pm
• Departs & Returns Cairns: 1.30pm – 9.30pm
• Self Drive Option: Departs & Returns Lake Barrine: 3.00pm - 8.30pm (guests to make their own way to Lake Barrine)

Pickup Locations

• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

Destinations

• Atherton Tablelands
• Lake Barrine
• Yungaburra

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Blockout Dates include 03 April 2026, 24 - 26 and 31 of December 2026, 1 January 2027 and 26 March 2027.

Duration

9 hours approx.

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

Please be aware that an average level of fitness is required to participate as this tour which includes walking through terrain that may be uneven and occasionally wet, with gentle inclines along the way.Over the course of our adventure, we'll cover a total walking distance of 3-5km, exploring 4-5 different sites. To ensure a pleasant experience, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes that provide good support, avoiding open-toed sandals. Casual attire like shorts and a t-shirt is suitable, but it's worth noting that evening temperatures from June to August typically hover around 15 degrees Celsius, while the rest of the year ranges between 15 and 25 degrees. Don't forget to bring along a water bottle for personal hydration throughout the journey.

Additional Information

• We reserve the right to alter any itinerary as required due to road and weather conditions and passenger safety.
• We cannot be held responsible for any loss of property or injury due to circumstances beyond our control.
• There is no guarantee of animal sightings as we are dealing with wild native animals in their own environment.

Comfortable shoes that provide good support, avoiding open-toed sandals. Casual attire like shorts and a t-shirt is suitable, and something warm for the cooler months (Jun to Aug)

• Child age is 4 – 12 years old - Infants not catered for
• Family is 2 Adults and 2 Children