Top Queensland Day Trips

Get close-up views of Australia's Great Barrier Reef on a full-day journey to Reefworld. The spacious, innovative pontoon provides gear, instruction, and expert guides for snorkeling and diving in the tropical waters. Alternatively, observe the reef without getting wet when taking a semi-submersible ride, accompanied by informative commentary by reef experts. This tour gives you the chance to experience this natural wonder and is suitable for all levels of experience.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. The activity platform at the reef provides opportunities to snorkel, dive, and swim, and to view it from the comfort of a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. An ideal day trip for the whole family.

Admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Daintree Rainforest while someone else takes care of logistics on this full-day, small-group tour. Get picked up from Port Douglas, spot crocodiles on a river cruise, learn about local flora and fauna at Marrdja Botanical Walk, explore Mossman Gorge, and soak up the scenery at Mt. Alexandra Lookout. Plus, take a beach walk to the spot where the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef meet.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife, and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rainforest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to Birdworld and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets, and more. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Jump off the ferry and immerse yourself in a special kind of island paradise with this full-day small-group tour of North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane. A great way to combine sightseeing with learning about the fascinating history and stories of the island, including its Traditional Custodians, the Quandamooka People, this full-day tour is entertaining and educational in equal parts. You’ll also have the chance to see koalas, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins in the wild.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef.

Exploring K’gari’s vast landscapes in a single day can be challenging without the right transport and local knowledge, but this full-day guided tour makes it easy to see the island’s highlights. Depart early in a custom 4WD and spend the day visiting key sites such as Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, and the Maheno shipwreck. With a local leading the way, learn about the island’s unique plant and animal life while enjoying time at its freshwater lakes, rainforest, and coastline.

If visiting the ancient coral cay of Green Island for the day wasn’t great enough, add a seawalker helmet dive to your package. Take a super-fast catamaran from Cairns to the island and choose between the use of snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat ride (included). Add more fun to the day by donning a glass helmet and taking a guided walk on the seabed, surrounded by coral and tropical fish while keeping your head dry.

Journey into the hinterlands on this 5-hour morning tour of the Springbrook National Park from the Gold Coast. Explore the UNESCO-listed Goondawanna rainforests by mini-van, stopping to walk through the jungle, peek into ancient caves and enjoy views of Mount Warning from the Best of All Lookout. Visit natural wonders like Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people for a personalised experience, and includes light refreshments and hotel pick-up from selected locations.

Travel by air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns Marina to our Moore Reef Pontoon located on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, perfectly positioned and equipped for you to explore this reef that is teeming with colourful coral and fascinating fish. Spend 4 hours exploring the reef by taking advantage of the free inclusions such as glass bottom boat tours, all snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, fish feeding presentation, an enclosed ocean pool for kids and buffet lunch. The pontoon also features an upper sundeck to relax in the sun and look out over the turquoise waters in between activities. This is where you'll find the waterslide - the only theme park waterslide on the reef! Dial up the adventure and add on optional extras like include Introductory or Certified diving, Seawalker Helmet dive, Guided Snorkel Tour or even a Scenic helicopter flight.

Explore the wild landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands on this full-day tour from Cairns. Cruise around Lake Barrine crater lake, spot native wildlife in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed wet tropics rainforest, and tour the magnificent Paronella Park. Along the way, see natural wonders such as the Curtain Fig Tree, swim beneath Millaa Millaa Falls, and enjoy an included lunch. Avoid the hassle of self-driving as you explore this beautiful area.

Maximize your chances of spotting whales on this half-day cruise from Hervey Bay. Hop aboard a purpose-built vessel designed for comfort, visibility, and responsible eco-tourism, and listen as the crew guides you through close-up whale encounters and shares insights into their behavior. Listen to whales sing via an onboard hydrophone, and watch for other marine life as you cruise the bay.

Experience the endless picturesque views from the Gold Coast to the unique heritage of Mt Tamborine. One of the first Tourism Destinations in QLD with ads in newspapers in the 1800s Our Luxury minibus will take through the winding valleys of the Gold Coast to the famous Tambourine Mountain. As we move through the valley, your senses will be stimulated by picturesque mountain views, breathtaking landscapes and fresh mountain air as you anticipate exploring the trails that lie ahead. Glow worms are dependent on rainforests and wet caves for their continuous survival since they need a home that is perpetually moist. However, due to climate change and human activities, Australia's rainforest habitats are dwindling. This specially designed glow worm cave at Tamborine Mountain offers the best conditions for glow worms in a controlled habitat, mitigating the effects of human activity.

Travelers looking to get more immersed in Brisbane's natural world can embark on this small-group eco day tour to North Stradbroke Island, one of the world's largest sand islands. Your guide leads you through popular sites, immersing you in the environment and providing insights. Enjoy watching iconic Australian wildlife, such as koalas, dolphins, and kangaroos, in their natural habitats, with convenient hotel pickup included.

Explore beyond the city as you travel from Cairns to the Kuranda Rainforest—a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rather than try to arrange an itinerary yourself, benefit from a comprehensive plan of activities, including an award-winning Army Duck (amphibious vehicle) tour, free time to shop in Kuranda Village, and rides on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Experience the magic of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island on this full day tour. Take in gorgeous views as you visit the pristine fresh water Lake Mckenzie, lush Central Station Rainforest, the seemingly endless 75 Mile Beach and more. With a maximum of 17 guests on this tour, you can be sure of a personalized experience.

The Daintree's highlights are spread across rainforest, river, and coast, which is a lot to link up on a self-drive day from Cairns. Take a guided walk through the ancient forest at Mossman Gorge, watch for crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise, and walk the sand at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the beach. A tropical lunch and a stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company round out the day, with hotel pickup included.

Set out on a half-day catamaran tour to stunning Whitehaven Beach for swimming at this postcard–perfect slice of paradise. Considered one of the world's top beaches and the most beautiful one in the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach is a must-see in the Great Barrier Reef region. Travel in comfort from Port Airlie on a motorized catamaran with air-conditioning. Morning or afternoon tea is provided on board and your crew supplies beach activities and informative commentary along the way.

Get an overview of the Atherton Tablelands region on a comprehensive day tour from Cairns. With a guide to show you the best spots, such as crater lakes, rain forest hikes, and waterfall swims, learn about the ecology and geology of the region. Highlights include Lake Eacham, Milla Milla Falls, Josephine Falls, and Babinda Boulders. A 2-course lunch, national park fees, and round-trip transportation from central Cairns accommodations included.

Make the most of limited time in Cairns with an easy, half-day sightseeing tour that's perfect for cruise passengers and short-stay visitors. Instead of juggling taxis and timetables, travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle as you visit highlights such as the Cairns Botanic Gardens, Palm Cove Beach, and Barron Gorge National Park.

Go kayaking with dolphins and 4-wheeling on the beach during a half-day tour on the Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane. Visit a National Park location that is only accessible by 4WD vehicle, and kayak around Double Island Point looking for dolphins, migrating whales, turtles, rays and more. Includes kayak equipment and instruction, light refreshments, and transportation by 4WD and ferry.

Spend a day immersed in nature, without worrying about logistics, on this day trip from Cairns. Experience the natural wonders of Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands and visit different parts of the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest. Explore waterfalls like Josephine and Millaa Millaa, swim in Lake Eacham, and see the Cathedral Fig Tree, with lots of time for swimming and a flexible itinerary adapts to weather and group preferences.