The 15 Best Day Trips From Cairns

The best day trips from Cairns include the Great Barrier Reef, the surrounding rainforests and waterfalls, and more! Cairns itself is a lovely tropical city, but the real magic of Cairns lies outside the city centre. You have numerous World Heritage Sites, from the world's largest coral reef system to the world's oldest rainforest.

Definitely spend some time exploring the CBD of Cairns, but also make time for at least a couple of day trips. Book guided tours, hire a car or campervan, and pack a day bag so you can adventure through the natural beauty outside Cairns!

15 Best Day Trips From Cairns

Here are the top 15 day trips from Cairns, though this only scratches the surface of beautiful things to do in this part of Queensland. No matter how many days you have planned for Cairns, it's absolutely essential to venture out to the Great Barrier Reef or the rainforest. These parts of the Australian tropics are too incredible to miss!

1. Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour

The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly the best day trip from Cairns! Many refer to Cairns as the "Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef", and with good reason. Exquisite reef sites lie just offshore, and you can book a boat tour that gets you out there in an hour. Most reef day trips include 2 snorkel sites, all snorkel gear, and lunch aboard the boat. Passions of Paradise, Reef Experience, and Evolutions are some top options for Great Barrier Reef day trips!

2. Josephine Falls

One of the most beautiful waterfalls near Cairns, Josephine Falls is a quick and easy day trip from the city. These tranquil cascades are located about an hour south of Cairns in Wooroonooran National Park. You can visit on a guided waterfall day tour, or spend the day road-tripping through this lush national park and plan a self-guided trip to Josephine Falls. 

3. Green Island

Spend a day in a tropical paradise with a visit to Green Island! Boasting powdery white sands, calm blue waters, and swaying palm trees, Green Island is the perfect place to relax on a day trip. Those looking for more adventures besides lounging on beaches can do some bushwalks or go snorkelling with the sea turtles surrounding the island!

4. Kuranda

Travellers interested in art, nature, and culture should consider a day trip to Kuranda. This charming, colourful jungle town is perched in the lush green hills right outside Cairns. Soak in the views on the historic Kuranda Railway or soar over the rainforest in the panoramic Scenic Cableway! In the Kuranda town centre, you can visit rainforest bird and wildlife sanctuaries, browse the heritage markets, and join Aboriginal cultural experiences. 

5. Port Douglas

Port Douglas is another one of the best day trips from Cairns. This small but stunning coastal city is located about an hour north of Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway. The drive itself is amazing, and once you arrive there are lots of cafes, restaurants, coastal walks, parks, and reef tours awaiting you in Port Douglas. 

6. Fitzroy Island

Another island getaway from Cairns is Fitzroy Island, which offers a slightly more rugged and mountainous terrain than Green Island. Fitzroy Island has some epic hikes, and it's home to one of Queensland's most stunning beaches: Nudey Beach! Take the ferry to Fitzroy Island from Cairns to spend a day snorkelling, sunbathing, and exploring nature. 

7. Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge is a secluded, pristine location where visitors can connect with nature and the Indigenous culture of the Kuku Yalanji people. Surrounded by the dense Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge is home to magical nature walks where you can view the gorge in all its glory. Be sure to check out the Indigenous Art Gallery, and consider joining a guided walking tour with a Kuku Yalanji guide to learn more about their history and traditions. 

8. The Frankland Islands

The Frankland Islands are a lesser-known island day trip from Cairns. You'll likely encounter far fewer tourists here than on Fitzroy Island or Green Island! But this collection of small islands is absolutely stunning, with fringing reefs full of wildlife and calm waters for kayaking, snorkelling, or paddleboarding. 

9. Crystal Cascades

Crystal Cascades is one of the quickest and easiest day trips from Cairns. This beautiful series of small waterfalls is just 30 minutes outside the city centre. Here you can swim and escape the tropical heat, have a picnic, or try an adrenaline activity such as canyoning!

10. The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is about 3 hours north of Cairns, but it is 100% worth the trek. If you have to spend a few days here you won't regret it, however day tours from Cairns are very popular. As the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth, the Daintree has uncrowded beaches, sprawling forests, and unique wildlife. Day tours often include river cruises where you can spot crocodiles, trips to panoramic lookouts, and a visit to the Daintree Ice Cream Company where you can sample homemade tropical fruit treats. 

11. Lake Eacham

One of the coolest day trips from Cairns that not many people know about is Lake Eacham. This emerald lake is set in an ancient volcanic crater, giving it an otherworldly look. People like to go swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and rope-swinging at Lake Eacham, and it's often included in Atherton Tablelands tour itineraries. 

12. Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit

Another rainforest destination is the Atherton Tablelands located just southwest of Cairns. The top activity here is driving the Waterfall Circuit, a scenic loop through the forest that includes breathtaking cascades like Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls, Elijnaa Falls, and more!

13. Palm Cove

Palm Cove is a beloved little town that is only 30 minutes north of Cairns. You can stop here on your way to other day trips in the north such as Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, or the Daintree Rainforest. Palm Cove is a great place to relax on the beach or have a nice breakfast in a more laid-back setting than Cairns. 

14. Babinda Boulders

To escape the Queensland heat on a hot day in Cairns, head inland to Babinda Boulders! This tranquil collection of streams and freshwater pools provides a safe place to swim and hang out in nature. Babinda Boulders are in the same area as Josephine Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls, so they are often combined into one day trip from Cairns. 

15. Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures on a day trip from Cairns! This interactive wildlife centre is a great place to see mighty saltwater crocodiles, either on a boat cruise through the lagoon or at the guided animal demonstrations. You can also see other native animals like koalas, rainforest birds, and more. 

Check out our East Coast Itineraries from Cairns to continue your Aussie adventures! Or feel free to contact our travel experts and we'll help you plan your perfect trip to Cairns and beyond.