Top Queensland Sightseeing Tours in 2026

Getting from the airport to your hotel can be very stressful. Avoid the hassle altogether and prebook this Brisbane arrival transfer shuttle from Brisbane Airport. You’ll ride comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle from the airport to your hotel in the Brisbane or Gold Coast area. You’ll be able to bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag with you, too.

Busy Great Barrier Reef boats can make it hard to find a quiet spot between snorkeling stops. Travel in the Gold Class Lounge on a large catamaran to the Outer Reef, with a dedicated concierge looking after your group. Relax in a separate lounge area with extras provided, then head out to explore the waters.

Make the most of your time in Tropical North Queensland with this all-in-one day trip through the Atherton Tablelands. Take in natural beauty and cultural insight in one comprehensive experience. Start beneath the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree, where a guide reveals the rainforest’s deep spiritual and ecological roots. Take a dip in the waters of Lake Eacham, enjoy a hearty pub lunch made with local ingredients, and visit two of the region’s most scenic waterfalls—Millaa Millaa and Josephine Falls. Along the way, spot native wildlife such as tree-kangaroos, and end your journey at the Babinda Boulders.

Ride to the Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. You'll enjoy a full day relaxing on white-sand beaches, snorkeling and sailing the reef in a glass-bottom boat. With an expert marine biologist as your guide, explore pristine tropical waters filled with marine life. You're served a buffet lunch by an attentive crew aboard a luxury catamaran, limited to 33 passengers.

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.

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.

Spend a full day on Fitzroy Island with fast catamaran transfers from Cairns and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. Cruise from the Marlin Marina to the island, then enjoy up to seven hours to snorkel the surrounding reef, view marine life from a glass-bottom boat, relax on the beach, or walk rainforest trails within the national park. Choose from a range of packages, including simple transfers or options which include snorkeling or glass-bottom boat activities, depending on your interests and budget.

Explore Northern Queensland’s natural beauty on a full-day tour of Cape Tribulation and the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Daintree Rainforest from Cairns. Start the day spotting koalas, kangaroos, and crocodiles at a wildlife park in Port Douglas, then head to Cape Tribulation beach. Take a guided hike through the rainforest, looking out for native birds such as cassowaries. End with a cruise on the Daintree River and perhaps spy wild crocodiles.

Enjoy the most scenic 30 minutes of your life on this helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef. Fly over Green Island and see its unique forest canopy—it’s actually part of the reef, not an island—and see Mount Yarrabah and False Cape on your way. Spot marine life like rays and sharks from above as you travel to Arlington Reef, then enjoy unbeatable views of the Queensland coastline and the Great Dividing Range on your way back to Cairns.

The spread of the Gold Coast hinterland—its vineyards, pastures, and forest—can only be taken in from the air, which is hard to arrange yourself. Drift over it by hot-air balloon at dawn instead, picked up first from your Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach accommodation. Come back down to a buffet breakfast with sparkling wine at a local vineyard.

Leave busy Brisbane for a small-group full-day tour that showcases the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island. Swim in the surf or freshwater lakes, take a short guided hike, view whales and other marine animals from the beach and coastal lookouts, visit small towns including historic Amity Point, and go in search of the island’s population of wild kangaroos and koalas.

Explore the natural bounty of Queensland on this full-day tour to Lamington National Park from Gold Coast or Brisbane. Soak up spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from atop Mt Tambourine, and create your own adventure at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Encounter flocks of king parrots and other native bird species on a treetop canopy walk, and try your hand at bird feeding on a ground-level bush walk. Visit a local alpaca farm for a furry finish to the day!

Get a bird’s-eye perspective of Tropical North Queensland on an unforgettable hot air balloon flight at sunrise. Soar over the Atherton Tablelands as golden sunlight breaks across beautiful farmlands, rivers, and forests. Choose the duration of your flights and enjoy pickup and drop-off from your Cairns, Northern Beaches, or Palm Cove hotel. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful way to start your day!

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.

The best of the Sunshine Coast is spread out across a variety of locations—hard to reach alone, especially without a car of your own. Hop aboard a coach to explore beyond Brisbane on a guided tour that checks off the Hinterland and Noosa, including artisan villages, Eumundi Markets, and views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

Get a taste of the Atherton Tablelands during this 10-hour food tour and tasting experience from Cairns. Learn about how the volcanic soil allows cultivation of diverse range of produce and taste the spoils of this region. All tastings and meals are provided, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales off the coast of Hervey Bay with this morning or afternoon half-day cruise. Ride the sheltered waters of Platypus Bay in a stable catamaran that offers superior comfort and clear views of passing marine life, which may also includes dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and perhaps even a dingo on the sandy beach at Fraser Island.

Travel back in time to the golden era of train travel with a journey on the Mary Valley Heritage Railway. Experience the old world nostalgia as soon as you step into the historic Gympie Station, where you’ll learn about the history of steam locomotives before boarding the Mary Valley Rattler. Enjoy the countryside views as you head out to Amamoor, where the train is turned around for the journey back.

Mooloolaba is one of many resort towns along the Sunshine Coast–the kind of place where the beaches and bars get packed during the summer. Take a break with this lunchtime cruise along the Mooloolaba coast. Dine on fresh seafood (including locally caught prawns) and enjoy views of the town’s golden beaches from inside a cozy cruise ship on the Coral Sea.

Exploring the Whitsundays’ natural highlights can be a hassle on your own. This full-day tour from Airlie Beach takes care of the logistics for you, pairing a visit to Cedar Creek Falls with time to relax at the secluded Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill. Swim in freshwater rock pools, unwind on the beach, and enjoy included food and a drink, all without worrying about transport or planning a route between stops.

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.

See whales in their natural habitat as you embark on a whale-watching tour out to Noosa heads. Join a small group, board your vessel, and set out in search of humpback whales. These gentle giants make their way to the area in the winter months and put on a show for spectators, breaching the waters, tail slapping, and swimming with their calves.

Sunlover Reef Cruises runs two return ferries a day from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, about 45 minutes each way by fast catamaran. The 8:45am departure arrives at 9:30am and the 10:15am departure at 11:00am. Both leave the island at 3:30pm, back at Cairns Marina about 4:30pm. Fitzroy Island is a rainforest-covered national park on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the fringing reef straight off the beach at Welcome Bay, walk 15 minutes to Nudey Beach, or take a national park walk, from the 700 m Secret Garden to the 4.2 km Summit Circuit and its granite lookout over the Coral Sea. Book the ferry only, or upgrade to Island Essentials (snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour), Island Value (adds a lunch box) or Best of Island (full-day snorkel hire, glass bottom boat and lunch box). No fuel surcharge applies. Sunlover Reef Cruises has operated from Cairns since 1991. In 2025 it was one of 11 Australian operators inducted into the Ecotourism Australia ECO Certification Hall of Fame.

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).