Top Queensland Half-day Tours

Enjoy the sun, sand, and marine life of the Low Isles without the midday crowds—the early-morning or early-afternoon departures avoid the busiest times. Snorkel in the coral gardens, walk around the tiny islands, or take a glass-bottom boat tour so you can stay dry while admiring the underwater world. Choose whether to snorkel with or without a guide, depending on your confidence level.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

Green Island is one of the closest parts of the Great Barrier Reef to Cairns, but planning a day trip visit there can be complicated. However, your options are all laid out in front of you with this half-day trip. Easily book activities, such as a ride on a semi-submarine or glass bottom boat, together with your catamaran ride between Cairns and the island.

This is a great tour for those who only want to spend a half-day out or are short on time. We visit two areas on this trip, Daintree River and Mossman Gorge. We begin with a drive along the Captain Cook Highway, on the way to the Daintree River, and share a little history along the way. Here, we board a cruise along the Daintree River, looking out for local wildlife, including the estuarine crocodile, snakes, birds, frogs, and more. After the Wildlife Cruise, we enjoy morning tea with Lamingtons and tea/coffee. Once in Mossman Gorge National Park, we conduct an interpretive walk along an elevated boardwalk. Weather dependent, we can enjoy a dip in the crystal-clear rainforest stream, whilst being surrounded by the beautiful and healing Mossman Gorge rainforest. What a memorable way to spend your morning!

Enjoy an unforgettable animal encounter with a visit to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures from Cairns. Brave a face-to-face meeting with menacing crocodiles or hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies with guidance and supervision from the friendly staff, then get up-close to other Aussie creatures like Koala's, cassowaries, quolls and snakes. Best of all, your self-guided tour includes entrance tickets, hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns.

Discover the beauty of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island from the water on this sightseeing and swimming cruise. Leaving from Hervey Bay, you’ll cruise through the turquoise waters of the Great Sandy Strait and along the western coast of Fraser Island (weather dependent), past lush forested islands and secluded beaches. If you fancy, you can even jump in the water and come face-to-face with dolphins and sea turtles in the purpose-built boom-net.

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.

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, Numinbah valley and Rainbow Falls. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people for a personalised experience, and includes light refreshments and hotel pick-up from selected locations.

Embark on an exclusive small-group adventure through the breathtaking Southern Daintree Rainforest, guided by experienced experts. This unforgettable experience includes: Morning tea and a light lunch. Informative and engaging commentary from knowledgeable guides. Intimate groups capped at 20 guests for a personalized experience. A wildlife-spotting river cruise to explore the region's unique fauna. A visit to the stunning Mossman Gorge. Comfortable travel in air-conditioned vehicles. Discover the wonders of this ancient rainforest in style and comfort!

Hop aboard a luxurious, air-conditioned catamaran for a dinner cruise from Cairns, and experience a new perspective on the city from the water's edge. Sip a complimentary welcome drink as you glide along the Cairns waterfront precinct and along the idyllic Trinity Inlet, then tuck into a delicious hot and cold buffet dinner featuring seafood and fresh local produce. Vegetarian and other dietary options can be catered for.

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge. Whether you're short on time or just prefer comfortable itineraries, this half-day tour lets you see and do a lot but without cramming everything in. Cruise along the Daintree River, looking out for crocs, birds, and other wildlife. Take a nature walk in Mossman Gorge and cool off with a swim in a rainforest stream if you like.

Relax and see Brisbane from a different perspective on this half-day river cruise. Instead of navigating busy streets or planning separate sightseeing activities, enjoy a smooth ride along the Brisbane River, with live commentary and scenic views of historic and modern landmarks. Back on land, enjoy an included lunch at a nearby pub.

Discover Fitzroy Island’s beauty on a half-day trip! Snorkel vibrant reefs, relax on Nudey Beach, and soak in tropical views. Book your adventure now! Departs Fitzroy Island's jetty at 5.00pm.

This small-group bus tour is an efficient way to save time and check off the top landmarks of Brisbane. Rather than spending hours researching and planning a route, enjoy an expertly planned sightseeing route that takes you between the city’s must-see spots—including Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, and Brisbane Powerhouse, all with insightful commentary from your guide between stops. Hotel pickup adds convenience to your experience.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the outback as the sun sets over the horizon on this evening cruise from Longreach. Cruise down the mighty Thomson River on a unique paddlewheeler, designed for small groups rather than massive ferry crowds. Disembark at a campground in the heart of the local bush and continue your outback experience with intimate performances and a 2-course stockman’s dinner around the campfire.

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.

Cast a line and experience the thrill of the catch on a guided sportfishing tour in Port Douglas. Half-day small-group and private charters for groups of up to 6 guests are available. Fish inshore reefs and estuaries or visit the outer reef for a full day. The tours are suitable for both novice and experienced anglers.

Whether you’re on a quick shore excursion from a cruise ship or are staying around Airlie Beach and don’t want to self-drive, this shuttle bus service makes it easy to visit Cedar Creek Falls. With departures throughout the morning and afternoon, you can find a time to suit your schedule. Admire the natural beauty of the falls, swim in the clear waters, and look out for birds and animals.

Sunday is market day in Port Douglas, and the lively seafront markets draw shoppers from all along the coast. With this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Cairns, stopping along the way to take in the views from Flagstaff Hill and Rex Lookout, and browse Rusty’s Market in Cairns. At Port Douglas, enjoy plenty of time to shop for hand-made crafts, artisan goods, and unique souvenirs, then perhaps visit the Palm Cove Markets or Holloways Beach Markets on the way back.

Explore more of the Whitsundays’ Conway National Park on a fun small-group Segway tour. Learn to operate the vehicle: full instruction and practice time is provided so no experience is necessary. Then follow your guide on a scenic tour through the rainforest, going further than you would on foot. Glide along serene rainforest trails, following part of the Whitsunday Great Walk, and hop off to enjoy a filling morning tea.

Quickly see the highlights of Airlie Beach with this Airlie Hopper sightseeing tour: Hop on a minibus and relax while your guide takes care of planning and logistics. Make the rounds of the Queensland coastal resort town, seeing Airlie Beach Lagoon, Cedar Creek Falls, and the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation. Then, stop for lunch at a retro 1950s diner (own expense).

Magnetic Island has so much to offer travelers, it can be hard to know where to start. But if you’ve seen the Netflix show “Izzy’s Koala World”, you may already know your host for this tour. Visit a wealth of bays, including the wreck of the Presto, look out for wildlife including rock wallabies, turtles, and dugong, learn about the island’s World War II history at the forts, and more.

Follow the trail of Australia’s outback pioneers on this tour down the Longreach-Windorah mail route. Gallop through the bush and down dusty roads on a restored stagecoach, just like settlers used in the 19th century. This family-friendly outback throwback includes a traditional smoko (scones with jam, cream, and tea), a classic Australian bush movie screening, and time to browse the Cobb and Co Courtyard collection.