Top Queensland Shore Excursions

Take off on a flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, and see sights including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet. Catch a bird’s-eye view of many of the Whitsunday Islands and fly over Whitehaven Beach and picturesque Hill Inlet before heading toward the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll see one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. The comfortable fixed wing aircraft offers big window viewing, plus enjoy pilot commentary.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: With full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Enjoy aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic flight from Cairns. With window seats guaranteed, this flight features informative commentary from your pilot as you fly over the city of Cairns, then head out over the turquoise sea to Green Island and Palm Cove. Pass over Arlington Reef, Upolu Reef, Double Island and North Queensland’s coast before heading back to the mainland. Your flight also includes a free transfer courtesy bus from your centrally located accommodations in Cairns.

Experience the beautiful Gold Coast on this private guided cruise. Enjoy a flexible itinerary—cruises last from one to five hours—and a quiet ride on this custom built boat with an electric motor. Check out amazing views of sites like Main Beach, Southport, Cronin’s Island, and Isle of Capri. Marvel at the million dollar homes and gorgeous canals, elegant bridges and marine life that could include dolphins, turtles, and sea eagles.

Get set for a wet and wild adventure as you hurtle down the Mulgrave River on a giant tube! Hang on tight as you navigate small rapids and then soak up the scenery as you drift through the rainforest. This fun-filled morning tour includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns, plus around 2 hours of tubing. Best of all: there’s no experience necessary, so everyone can give it a go!

Avoid the hassle of waiting in long taxi lines by booking this door-to-door one-way airport transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport to/from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, and Shute Harbour. Travel in a shared air-conditioned bus that seats up to 24 passengers, which means fewer stops as compared to larger coaches, so you'll get to your destination quicker.

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.

This Tully River rafting trip offers an unforgettable full day of adventure in North Queensland, perfect for thrill-seekers. The Tully River carves its way through the spectacular Tully Gorge, and you’ll paddle through 40 exciting rapids, some reaching Grade 4/5, surrounded by the stunning World Heritage-listed rainforest. The experience wraps up with a pub dinner and includes convenient hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairns.

The Clarke Ranges rise steeply behind the coast, and at their peak sits Eungella National Park, home to the longest continuous stretch of subtropical rainforest in Australia and one of the country's most reliable spots to see wild platypus. This eco-certified small-group day tour departs Airlie Beach at 10am and climbs through the Pioneer Valley, stopping for a famous Pinnacle Pie at the Pinnacle Family Hotel before continuing on to Broken River, where completely wild platypus move through the creek. Your guide holds EcoGuide Certification from Ecotourism Australia, positioning the group at the viewing platform and talking you through what you're seeing. Platypus sightings here are common. On the way home, you'll stop at the Eungella Sky Window for cheese and wine, then head back through the Pioneer Valley and along the coast, returning to Airlie Beach around 6pm. Airlie Adventure Tours holds the 2026 Best of Queensland Experiences Gold Award.

Experience the best of both worlds! Start your day with a birds-eye view of Cairns, Green Island, and the Great Barrier Reef on a Reef Hopper flight, before departing on a full day adventure cruise to Green Island with Big Cat on board Reef Rocket.

Early evening is a special time to be on the water. As everyone else heads for harbour marine wildlife comes out to play. You'll find the peacefulness of the water perfectly reflecting the evening light, and the lights of Hervey Bay twinkling in the distance mesmerising.

The unique part of my sunset trip is we actually sail it’s a genuine sailing experience with only 8 guests. Other sunset trips can have up to 30 passengers on board and only put up a small forward sail we off a proper hands on sailing experience Ranked number 2 out of 134 things to do in the Whitsundays on Trip Advisor.

Explore some of the most incredible natural landscapes of far northern Queensland the easy way on this full-day group tour. Avoid the hassle of self-driving and just sit back and enjoy the views. Take a walk in Mossman Gorge, cruise in the Daintree Rainforest, check out Cape Tribulation Beach, and much more. This tour includes hotel pickup for added convenience and is a must for nature lovers.

Experience the best of the Daintree Rainforest with our specially designed tour for cruise ship passengers, offering a seamless and unforgettable adventure from the Port Douglas Marina.

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.

Sail out to sea on a 3600 series 36 ft. cougar catamaran and learn how to catch some of the most famous deep sea fish off the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy a stable, comfortable experience captained by a crew of professionals—ideal for inexperienced or nervous sailors. A covered deck makes sure you’re safe from the sun in the heat of the day, and full bathroom facilities are available on deck.

Be your own boat captain with a leisurely private cruise through the Gold Coast’s scenic canals. Even without experience or a boating license, you can pilot a canopy-covered electric vessel with room for up to 10 friends or family members. You decide where to go and when to stop, enjoying unparalleled views from the water of Gold Coast luxury homes, beaches, and marine life.

Plan ahead and book roundtrip shuttle service to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) to your Airlie Beach accommodations or the cruise ship port. Travel comfortably in air-conditioned buses, which means fewer stops, so you'll get to your destination quicker. Plus, you'll avoid the hassle of waiting in a long taxi line.

A Segway tour offers an offbeat experience and the ability to cover more ground than walking. On this tour from Airlie Beach to Cannovale, you can zip along the Whitsunday Bicentennial Boardwalk, and glide by Pioneer Bay, Shingley Beach and the Coral Sea Marina while listening to your guide share insights into the area. Wrap up the tour with a stop for some dinner while watching the sun set over the Whitsunday Islands.

Experience the beauty of Brisbane on this full-day wildlife and wilderness coastal tour. Offering visitors the chance to come face to face with kangaroos, birds, and even a shipwreck, this private tour is a great way to get out of the city and discover the beauty of Brisbane’s northern coastline. You’ll also visit the Osprey House Environmental Centre and swing by Scarborough boat harbor for lunch (at own cost).

Enjoy an efficient and affordable shuttle ride from Port Douglas to Cairns with this service. Skip the hassle and expense of using a taxi and instead simply meet this shuttle at a prearranged time or enjoy hotel pickup, then head off to your destination. A range of departure times are available from 8:30 in the morning to 8:30 in the evening.

Spend an adventurous, nature-filled day in Daintree Forest and leave all the logistics to someone else. You and a small guided group will swim in the sparkling-clear waters of Cassowary Falls, go on an ATV riding adventure, and embark on river cruise—look out for crocodiles!—as you learn about this ancient forest. Stop for lunch (included in the price) in Daintree Village.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia's Tropical North Queensland on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy lunch in the Daintree Village. After lunch, join a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River where you might see a crocodile, and learn about the fragile ecosystem of this impressive, serpent-like river system. Finally, head to Thornton’s Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef.