Top Queensland How to Get Around in 2026

Go snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Relax on board your 80-foot (25-meter) luxury catamaran as your captain sails to two exclusive locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to snorkel or dive, with full instruction provided by guides, and see an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, and corals. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase.

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.

Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest independently can be time-consuming and complex, with transport, tickets, and timing to manage. This full-day tour from Cairns simplifies the experience by combining the region’s highlights into one seamless itinerary. Journey to Kuranda aboard the historic Scenic Railway, visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, tour Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck, and see koalas, dingoes, and native wildlife at the Koala and Wildlife Park. An immersive Dreamtime walk with a Pamagirri guide, and an Australian barbecue buffet lunch are included, before returning to Cairns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Discover the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day tour from Cairns. Glide across the Coral Sea on a catamaran ride to a premium outer reef location with diverse marine life. Spend hours at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed reef with exclusive access to an activity platform staffed by marine biologist guides. Snorkel, scuba dive, or opt to take a glass-bottom boat tour.

Some call Hervey Bay the Whale Watch Capital of the World for the migrating humpbacks which glide through between July and late October. Marvel at these playful 44-ton (40-tonne) mammals from the comfortable MV Amaroo catamaran with guaranteed sightings (conditions apply). While packages include morning or afternoon tea on board.

Benefit from a full-day sailing tour from Port Douglas to the Outer Barrier Reef to swim, snorkel, and sail in one of Australia’s most famous destinations. Visit the northern portion of the Great Barrier Reef, where coral cays and turquoise ocean are home to colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. Includes a buffet lunch, guided snorkel tour, glass-bottom boat tour, and commentary from a marine biologist guide.

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.

A cruise along Port Douglas provides a quintessential Australian experience, including the chance to spot crocodiles in their natural environment. Make yourself at home in this uniquely Australian habitat, spot some of the historic buildings along the Port Douglas shoreline and seize on the opportunity to meet an Australian croc in its real-life habitat.

Discover the Whitsunday Islands on a sailing day trip from Airlie Beach. Relax and admire the views from the decks of the spacious catamaran, Camira. Swim in the turquoise water, hike to the Hill Inlet Lookout, and spend time on beautiful Whitehaven Beach. Lunch, snacks, and refreshments are included throughout the day, and both snorkeling gear and stinger suits (protection against jellyfish) are available to use.

Discover the Kuranda Rainforest from a unique perspective on a Skyrail and train tour that saves you the hassle of booking separate activities. Marvel at panoramic views of the rainforest, and let expert guides introduce you to the culture of Kuranda village. Plus, you can tailor your tour according to your interests, and add on activities such as horseback riding and ATV experiences.

Spend a blissful day on Moreton Island exploring the beaches, reef, and dunes on this tour from Brisbane or Surfers Paradise. Travel with an experienced guide in a rugged 4WD. You’ll snorkel or bodyboard, paddle transparent kayaks, and try sandboarding on the dunes: If sea conditions are unfavorable, take a 4WD island tour. Your day includes a picnic lunch on the beach but excludes national park fees and ferry tickets.

Reaching Moreton Island's clear waters and shipwrecks means a boat trip from Brisbane, easier to book as one package than pieced together. Take an all-inclusive day tour that handles the journey, then snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide. Relax on the beach and break for a buffet lunch, watching for turtles, dolphins, and dugongs, which are often spotted in these waters.

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!

Sunlover Reef Cruises takes you from Cairns to its own pontoon at Moore Reef, on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, every day. Depart at 10:15am, arrive about 12 noon, spend about 4 hours at the reef and be back about 5:30pm. Unlike a boat-only reef trip, you step onto a two-storey pontoon as steady as solid ground, with room to spread out and set your own pace. A good fit for families and couples alike. Moore Reef is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 47 km from Cairns, and Sunlover has exclusive access to its section of the reef. The 9,000 m2 lagoon runs from 1 m shallows to a 15 m drop-off. Snorkel gear and a lycra suit are included, with lifeguards on watch. Non-swimmers see the reef from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible (weather permitting) and underwater observatory. Kids have a snorkel training area and a 30-metre waterslide. Marine biologists give reef talks, and buffet lunch is included. Operating since 1991, Sunlover is an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member.

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.

Enjoy the thrills, splashes, and spins of a jet boat ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater from Surfers Paradise. Zip through the scenic waterway, passing landmarks such as Southport Yacht Club, the Versace Hotel, and SeaWorld. Hang on as your expert captain takes your high-speed vessel through a series of high-octane tricks that are tons of fun. Includes the use of lifejackets, to keep you safe.

Enjoy a full day to unwind at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Whitsunday Islands: postcard–perfect Whitehaven Beach. A private boat takes away the stress of ferry timetables—keeping the trip relaxed and unrushed. Have ample free time to swim far from the crowds, enjoy beach activities, walk to Whitehaven Beach Lookout, and take a guided hike to Hill Inlet for amazing views. Protective stinger suits are provided to keep you safe, and you can refuel with the included lunch and snacks.

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.

Combine two popular Australia destinations in one day: the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Following a scenic flight by fixed-wing aircraft, embark on an ocean rafting adventure to Whitehaven Beach. The bird’s-eye views, including Heart Reef, are unparalleled. A buffet lunch and snorkeling on the coral reef are included. Opt for more beach time with the Southern Lights tour or extra snorkeling with the Northern Exposure itinerary.

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.

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.

Make the most of the beautiful Whitsundays—without the hassle of planning or organizing—with this full-day adventure. Head out on a high-speed, 80-passenger boat (complete with air-conditioning and a spacious outdoor area to sunbathe) and spend the day relaxing on the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach. Enjoy a guided walk to South Whitehaven Lookout and dine on a buffet lunch served onboard the boat. Upgrade your day with the option to include snorkeling at a secluded reef location—all snorkel equipment is provided for ease. As you swim, spot tropical fish and maybe even a sea turtle or two.

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.

See the beauty of cains on this sunset cruise of the Cairns Trinity Inlet. Check out the mountain-lined waterway at dusk and get your camera ready for some lovely shots. Your guide will tell you stories about the history, wildlife, and culture of the city, too. Sit back and relax for about an hour and a half on the comfy boat while you take in the skyline.