cairns flight tours

+61 (0)7 4034 9000

CAIRNS HELICOPTER SERVICES

Scenic flights, tours, charters & airwork.

Only from the air can you truly appreciate the beauty, variety and sheer scale of the stunning natural landscapes that comprise the Cairns and Port Douglas region.  This is the only place on earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites exist side by side, being Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropical Rainforest.

Nautilus Aviation has a team of highly experienced pilots and in-house privately-owned maintenance facilities. We have the capacity and capability to support almost any technical or Commercial helicopter requirement in the Cairns region along with Emergency Services capabilities.

Change Location Cairns Great Barrier Reef Port Douglas Townsville Darwin & The Top End Horn Island

Helicopter Flights, Charters & Tours

Discover cairns.

Witness a vast panorama of sprawling coral reefs, tropical islands and sand cays merging seamlessly into lush rainforest covered mountains housing vast river systems and spectacular seasonal waterfalls with breathtaking views as far as the eye can see.

See it from our perspective! 

SELECT SPECIALITY

Experience the difference, experiences.

Explore Cairns from above

CAIRNS HELICOPTER TOURS

Private charters, commercial services, emergency & rescue, how to find us, tourism scenic flight departures.

Pier Heliport, 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870 Telephone +61 (0)7 4034 9000

Head Office, Airwork and Limited Tourism Departures

Hangar 7, Bush Pilots Ave, General Aviation Aeroglen QLD 4870 Telephone +61 (0)7 4034 9000

WHERE WE FLY

Nautilus Aviation operates from 7 bases across Northern Australia, including Cairns ,  Port Douglas ,  Townsville ,  Horn Island in Queensland and Darwin , Kakadu (Jabiru) and Nhulunbuy (Gove) in the Northern Territory.  Nautilus Aviation also has multiple Helicopter Landing Spots (HLS) across Northern Australia.

[drawattention]

You don't have permission to register

absolutely stunning k'gari

formerly Fraser Island

accommodation of all descriptions

click here for accommodation options

another stunning sunset

Daintree rainforest

not to be missed

Cairns Scenic Flights

Welcome to Cairns Scenic Flights, your gateway to the most unforgettable aerial adventures in North Queensland. As a leading advertising platform, we specialize in connecting you with the finest scenic flight experiences, offering a unique perspective on Cairns' world-renowned natural wonders. From the majestic Great Barrier Reef to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, prepare to see these iconic landscapes like never before.

Cairns holiday

Holiday in Australia

Australian sightseeing

Visitor Centre

A flight for every adventure.

Our curated selection of scenic flights includes: Helicopter Tours: Get up close and personal with the Great Barrier Reef's intricate coral patterns, or fly over the lush Daintree Rainforest, witnessing its breathtaking biodiversity from above. Light Aircraft Adventures: Soar over the Cairns hinterland or witness the stunning contrast of the outback meeting the sea, all from the comfort of a light aircraft. Hot Air Balloon Rides: Experience the serene beauty of a sunrise over the Atherton Tablelands, offering a peaceful and picturesque start to your day.

Why Choose Cairns Scenic Flights?

Unmatched Views: Discover unparalleled vantage points of Cairns' most famous natural attractions, providing photo opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. Safety and Quality: We partner with operators who share our commitment to safety, quality, and exceptional service, ensuring a seamless and secure experience. Variety of Experiences: Whether you're seeking the thrill of a helicopter ride, the expansive views from a light aircraft, or the gentle ascent of a hot air balloon, we have a flight to match your dream adventure.

Your Adventure, Our Mission

Cairns Scenic Flights is dedicated to making it easy for you to find and book the scenic flight that best suits your interests and needs. Our platform is designed to provide detailed information on each flight option, from duration and routes to unique features and environmental sustainability practices. We believe in responsible tourism and advocate for operations that respect the delicate ecosystems of our region.

Book Your Scenic Flight Today

Ready to take to the skies and experience the beauty of Cairns from an entirely new perspective? Browse our selection of scenic flights and embark on an aerial adventure that promises to be the highlight of your visit to North Queensland. Let Cairns Scenic Flights be your guide to the most breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences above the wonders of Cairns.

ADVERTISING PRODUCTS

FIXED PRICE ADVERTISING

KNOW YOUR COSTS

limited advert slots

ADVERTISING GROUPS

EXTEND YOUR BUDGET

limited membership

CORPORATE ADVERTISING

USE YOUR EXPERTISE

put on your best face

I want to do that...

Cairns helicopter tours

  Outer Reef Odyssey  

Great Barrier Reef scenic flight

A fabulous scenic Cairns helicopter flight. In forty minutes, we’ll go beyond the inner reef, to the outer regions of the Great Barrier Reef where the frequency of coral structures is outstanding. The additional time allows us to explore more widely, watching out for the incredible reef wildlife flourishing in this World Heritage listed icon.

  from  

  $ 499  

  per person   .

40 mins      map        min 2    

Book now  ,    guaranteed window seats   .

  Inner Reef Explorer  

This 30-minute Great Barrier Reef scenic flight takes in the highlights of the inner reef. There is simply no better way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the Great Barrier Reef than from the air. Expect picture-postcard views of the reef and an abundance of wildlife - sharks, turtles, rays and even whales (July to Nov).

  $ 399  

         30 mins      map        min 2    .

  Zoom around Cairns   

Cairns helicopter flight.

Get a taste of the thrill of a scenic Cairns helicopter flight as we showcase the ultimate view and distinctive beauty of Cairns. Circle the city while taking in Marlin Marina, Trinity Inlet and Admiralty Island. With the rainforest clad slopes of the Great Dividing Range as your backdrop, it’s a view that's Instagram worthy!

  $ 169  

            10 mins      map        min 2  

  Reef Rainforest Duo  

Scenic cairns helicopter flight.

A spectacular reef & rainforest combination. For 60 minutes, cruise over 120km from Cairns City to the highlights of the Great Barrier Reef. Upolo - Vlasoff Cay, Arlington Reef and Green Island. Heading coastal, the Northern Beaches pass under as we soar the Great Dividing Range passing Barron Falls, Kuranda and Lake Morris.

  $ 699  

        60 mins      map        min 2    .

  Barron Gorge & Falls  

Cairns scenic flight.

Your Cairns helicopter tour will take you high over the Barron River as the Gorge carves its way toward the rainforest village of Kuranda, perched 1,000 feet up on top of the Great Dividing Range. Passing over the Kuranda scenic railway and world famous Skyrail rainforest cableway we complete our climb directly above the mighty Barron Falls.

  $ 299  

        20 mins      map        min 2    .

  Beyond the Range  

Climbing over the city of Cairns we cross the Great Dividing Range taking in Lake Morris, the waterholes of Crystal Cascades and the Barron Gorge with Barron Falls. Your Cairns helicopter will circle the rainforest village of Kuranda and descend the lush eastern slopes of the range, passing Double Island, Palm Cove and the Northern Beaches of Cairns.

  $ 39 9  

  Coral Cay Bubbles  

Private cairns helicopter tour.

Nestled in the blue waters of the Coral Sea, capture those Instagram moments on your own private Sand Cay. Make this the highlight of your visit to the Great Barrier Reef – add an unforgettable element to the inner reef scenic tour by including a 30-minute landing on breathtaking Vlasoff Cay. Conditions apply.

IMPORTANT - Sand Cay landings are restricted by availability and tides - Read more

  $ 599  

60 mins total      map         min 2  

  Reef Rainforest Fusion  

Cairns helicopter tour.

This flight offers real ‘bang for your buck’ in spectacular fashion. Savour our beautiful Inner Reef as Green Island, Arlington Reef and iconic Vlasoff Cay sweep below. Then fly the coast - Double Island and Palm Cove herald a climb to 2,500ft over the Range with crystal clear views of Kuranda, Barron Falls to Stoney Creek with the Reef shining in the distance on your return.

  $ 549  

  per person*   .

45 mins       map          min 2  

  The Reef Spectacular  

The Reef Specialists. A motto we’re very proud of and this hour-long extended reef tour clearly shows why. We tailor each flight over the vast Outer Reef archipelago. Flying south of Cairns peninsula past Fitzroy Island we explore Sudbury, Elford and Moore Reefs then track north to massive Arlington Reef and world famous Vlasoff Cay. This really is the ultimate reef experience.

  $ 6 9 9  

  per person  , 60 mins       map         min 2  .

  Taste of the Tablelands  

This spectacular Cairns to Atherton Tablelands scenic flight is dotted with volcanic water formations - Crater and Tinaroo Lakes, Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham feature as we approach our lunch destination, Skybury Coffee plantation where your reserved table awaits. Spend a leisurely hour enjoying the crisp mountain air as you take in beautiful mountain views from the deck.

  $ 849  

 2.5 hrs total      map        min 2  ,     *food & beverages payable on the day.   .

• Barrier Reef Australia
• Things To Do

Cairns Scenic Flights | Great Barrier Reef 40 Minutes Scenic Flight | DAIN

Tour Code: 65

Departing: Cairns

Tour Highlights

• On your Great Barrier Reef scenic flight take in the views of Cairns northern beaches, Green Island, Vlassoff Cay, Oyster and Arlington Reef, Michaelmas Reef, Upolu Cay, Cape Grafton, False Cape, Double Island and Palm Cove.
• Learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s unique eco system and many natural landmarks with inflight commentary from your knowledgeable Cairns airplane pilot.
• With guaranteed window seats for every guest in our airplanes, you will have plenty of selfie opportunities on your scenic flight as you soar above the Great Barrier Reef.

Description & Tour Inclusions

Included in price.

•  All passengers have a window seat
• All government taxes
• National and Marine park fees
• Standard aviation public liability

The best way to truly experience a World Heritage Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns is from above. Your 40 minute scenic flight will have you soaring above the many sand cays, tropical islands and unique reef formations of the world’s largest living structure

We have allocated our most comfortable and fully air-conditioned aircraft to our Great Barrier Reef scenic flights from Cairns  and all scenic flight passengers have a window seat to enjoy and photograph the view of the reef, islands and sand cays below.

Our beautifully customed fixed wing airplane is designed with comfort first and big windows for our guests to get the best views of the Great Barrier Reef as we take them on a 40 minute scenic flight along Australia's coral reef coastline.

On our 40 minute Great Barrier Reef scenic flight from Cairns you will see up to 140 kilometres of the reef, islands, lagoons and solitary sand cays.

This is the prefect scenic flight from Cairns for groups of passengers looking for a Great Barrier Reef tour to fit in with cruise ship shore excursion time frames.  

During the annual whale migration months of July to August you may just see some whales breaching from the waters below or pods of them travelling north to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs where they calve in amongst the safe coral boundaries away from predators.

Other marine life we may encounter on our 40 minute Great Barrier Reef scenic flight are Manta Rays, large Green Sea Turtles and Sharks. 

The Great Barrier Reef encompasses over 2,900 coral reefs, 900 sand cays and is home ot 1,500 species of fish, 360 types of hard corals and around one third of the worlds soft corals.

No wonder they call it the Great Barrier Reef! Come and take a 40 minute scenic flight from Cairns with us today!         

Please note on all Cairns scenic flights minimum numbers may apply.

Perfect Selfie

Share your selfie on our Facebook page and tag your best Instagram pics with #barrierreefaustralia for your chance to be featured.

Scenic Flight Great Barrier Reef - 40 Minute Scenic Flight

Our airplane scenic flights depart daily from Cairns, offering the ultimate way to truly soak in the vast expanse and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Guests can enjoy a guaranteed window seat on the airplane with endless photo opportunities and return transfers from accommodation in Cairns.  

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight 40 Minutes

There’s no denying it. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most stunning and unique of natural wonders.

Boasting over 2,900 coral reefs, 900 sand cays, 1,500 species of fish and 360 types of hard corals, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living organism on the planet.

Stretching a whopping 2,300 kilometres in length, it even has its very own post box!

The best way to really soak in its unique beauty? A scenic flight of course!

As you take off from Cairns, you will immediately be greeted with views of Cairns city and its northern beaches as you continue north along the coastline and potentially over the humble beach side village of Port Douglas .

From here, your pilot will begin your journey over the Great Barrier Reef as you soak in the spectacular views of the blue azure waters, swirling reef formations and coral cays.

Soon you will find yourself arriving at Arlington Reef, a large reef system that boasts many sand and coral cays and of course, the infamous Green Island .

Have your camera in hand as you soar above the island’s lush rainforest canopies and white sandy beaches.

You will then make your way over Vlasoff Cay, a unique sand cay that sits upon the Great Barrier Reef and is home to abundance of bird life.

The lagoons and surrounding reefs are a popular spot for marine life and your pilot will help spot for Manta Rays, Green Turtles, Dugong, Reef Sharks and if you are lucky, Humpback Whales.

See Michaelmas Reef, Upolu Cay and marvel at the lace like patterns of the coral lagoons below your aircraft. 

After marveling at the reef’s unique landscape you will then circle back to the mainland.

As you begin your descent to Cairns, you will have rewarding views of the city and its surrounding palm tree lined beaches before arriving back to Cairns Airport. Upon arrival, you will enjoy return transfers back to your accommodation in Cairns. 

See more Great Barrier Reef  scenic flights.

Tour Details

Tour languages offered.

Departs From

Departure time.

Variable departure times

Destinations

Great Barrier Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Excluding Christmas Day

Fitness Level Required

Restrictions.

Due to Aviation Weight Restrictions a client’s body and luggage weight must be advised prior to the reservation being confirmed. Please note prices may vary depending on body and luggage weight.

Weight: Up to 115 Kg / 254 Lb

What to Bring

Sunglasses, camera and bottle of water

Child Policy

• Children aged 2 years old and up, must be accommodated on a seat with a standard seat belt.
• Infants aged up to 2 years old travel free of charge. Infant must sit on parents lap and be secured by a suitably approved harness, which is provided by the operator

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be in writing.

We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.

In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.

Please see our   terms and conditions  for details prior to booking.

Operators policy:

• If the client cancels within 48 hours of the flight the client forfeits the full amount. 
• If the client cancels between 48 hours to 14 days of the flight the client forfeits a 10% deposit. 
• If the client cancels outside 14 days of the flight the client will receive a full refund.
• If Daintree Air cancel for any reason the client will receive a full refund. 
• All Passengers have a window seat.

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au $199.00 Family: au $796.00

Choose Your Option

15 yrs & over

Ages of Children

(discounts may apply), 1300 231 118, +61 427 074 745, you may also like.

Kayaking & Snorkelling Tour Airlie Beach | SALTY

Half Day Sea Kayaking tour suitable for experienced paddlers and beginners. Daily trips from Airlie Beach Shute Harbour.

Departing: Shute Harbour

Pickup: Airlie Beach

Full Day Sail Around Magnetic Island | From Townsville or Magnetic Island | RAG

Full day sail around Magnetic Island. Visit locations only accessible by boat. Small & personalised trip with 10 guests maximum. Departs from Townsville or Magnetic Island.

Departing: Townsville city

Whitsundays Scuba Diving Tours

Small group scuba diving tours Whitsundays. Departs Airlie Beach, maximum 8 guests on board, catering for experienced divers as well as beginners and snorkellers.

Departing: Airlie Beach

Charter Boat Port Douglas - 12 Guests - Snorkelling

Enjoy a private charter dive and snorkel tour from Port Douglas on a boat with crew to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Departing: Port Douglas

• Search Barrier Reef Australia
• Explore All Places To See
• Explore  All Bundaberg North Burnett
• Lady Elliot Island
• Explore  All Cairns Tropical North Queensland
• Green Island
• Fitzroy Island
• Port Douglas
• Mission Beach
• Explore  All Capricorn Region
• Great Keppel Island
• Rockhampton
• Explore  All Fraser Coast
• K'gari (Fraser Island)
• Explore  All Gladstone Region
• Lady Musgrave Island
• Agnes Water
• Seventeen Seventy
• Heron Island
• Explore  All The Wild North
• Cape York Peninsula
• Lizard Island
• Explore  All Townsville North Queensland
• Townsville city
• Magnetic Island
• Explore  All Whitsundays
• Airlie Beach
• Hamilton Island
• Whitehaven Beach
• Daydream Island
• Shute Harbour
• Explore All Things To Do
• Explore  All 4WD Tours
• Explore  All Aboriginal Tours
• Explore  All Adrenaline Experiences
• Jet Boating
• White Water Rafting
• Explore  All Christmas Day
• Explore  All Combo Package Tours
• Explore  All Cruise Ship Tours
• Explore  All Family Tours
• Explore  All Great Barrier Reef Tours
• Great Barrier Reef Cruises
• Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
• Overnight Tours
• Sailing Tours
• Great Barrier Reef Pontoons
• Island Tours
• Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights
• Helicopter & Reef Combo
• Snorkelling and Diving
• Non-Swimmer Reef Tours
• Explore  All Half Day Tours
• Half Day Island Tours
• Half Day Adrenaline Experiences
• Half Day Family Tours
• Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tours
• Half Day Whale Tours
• Half Day Scenic Flights
• Half Day Private Charter Tours
• Explore  All Hot Deals
• Explore  All Luxury Yacht Charters
• Explore  All Nature & Wildlife
• Explore  All Private Charter Tours
• Charter Boats
• Private Rainforest Tours
• Explore  All Rainforest Tours
• Daintree Rainforest Tours
• Rainforest Tours
• Explore  All Scenic Flights
• Helicopter Rides
• Hot Air Balloon
• Airplane Flights
• Explore  All Sunset Cruise
• Explore  All Whale Tours
• Whale Watching
• Swim with Whales
• Accommodation
• Explore All Plan Your Trip Pages Explore Plan Your Trip Pages
• About The Reef
• Wet Tropics Rainforest
• Popular Itineraries
• Visitor Information
• 0 My Favourites
• Great Barrier Reef Blog
• Explore All What's On

1300 231 118 Intl +61 7 4059 59 59

Office Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST

Barrier Reef Time: 13:49

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Things to do
• Scenic Flights
• Great Barrier Reef & Ocean

Fly high above the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef offers amazing underwater experiences but what many people don’t realise is that the view from above is equally sensational. Add a scenic flight to your itinerary and you’ll get a whole new appreciation for the scale of this incredible ecosystem, the only living organism visible from outer space.

You can choose between a flight on a helicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft with departure points in Cairns and Port Douglas. With heli pads located at numerous sites on the Great Barrier Reef, combining your snorkelling tour with a scenic heli flight just got a whole bunch easier. Opt for a full-day adventure packed with highlights. Explore one of the reef’s remote islands in the morning, then touch down on a pontoon in the afternoon to enjoy some snorkelling action. If you’re in the mood for romance, choose a flight that includes breakfast for two on a secluded coral cay. Looking to make the most of the experience?

You can even add a touch of rainforest to the experience. Some tours will take you high above the mainland, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the dense forest that spreads across rugged mountains and verdant valleys. Ask your pilot to point out the area’s highlights, such as waterfalls that cascade over sheer cliff edges.

Or explore Queensland’s northernmost point, Cape York, on a scenic flight from Cairns that not only features all the landmarks of the final frontier but also over Lizard Island, the Daintree River, Cooktown and Lakefield National Park.

A private sand cay experience

Snorkel and swim on the fringing reef of Vlassof Cay near Cairns

Picnic with friends at Turtle Beach near Cairns

Snap the best photos of the Great Barrier Reef during a scenic flight

The view from up here

Take to the air to see the Great Barrier Reef in a whole new light.

Top Scenic Flights

From scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest to flying to an ancient aboriginal rock art site or undertaking an epic helicopter pub crawl, take to the sky on your Tropical North Queensland adventure.

Vlasoff Cay: the most incredible place to picnic

Feel grounded the moment you arrive at a private sand cay on the Great Barrier Reef.

Dreamy sand cays you must visit on the Great Barrier Reef

We’ve all seen those gorgeous wisps of whiteness poking out from an azure sea on Great Barrier Reef. But what are they? More importantly, where are they? And how can we get a piece of sand cay action? We’re here to reveal all.

25 Fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef

As you’d expect from one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is home to some weird, wonderful and just plain loveable creatures. Here’s 25 fun Great Barrier Reef facts about a marine world larger than Italy.

Reef Talk – A chat with marine biologist Gareth Phillips

The Great Barrier Reef is a thriving, living marine environment. It inspires all who visit, even those who see it every day, like marine biologist and owner of Marine Discoveries, Gareth Phillips.

12 Famous residents of the Great Barrier Reef

Only 12 residents? There’s probably a gazillion of them, but let’s start things slowly shall we. It’s not easy to keep track of every single one of the Great Barrier Reef’s inhabitants but here are some of the most famous ones in Tropical North Queensland.

Explore Scenic Flights

Reef Magic Cruises

Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises

Quicksilver Cruises

Adventure North Australia

Sunlover Reef Cruises

Nautilus Aviation

Down Under Cruise and Dive

Culture Connect

Skytrans Airlines

GSL Aviation – Cairns

Zoom Helicopters

Privacy overview, accessibility, accessibility modes, online dictionary, readable experience, visually pleasing experience, easy orientation.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

• tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
• April 29, 2024

Compliance status

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.

Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported in our website

• Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
• Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
• Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
• ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
• Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
• Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

• Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
• Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
• Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
• Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
• Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
• Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
• Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

Browser and assistive technology compatibility

We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to

Subscribe to our newsletter

Opt in below to start receiving inspiration straight to your inbox

Cairns City Tours

Cairns area, reef day cruises, island day cruises.

Welcome to Cairns Discovery Tours

Cairns Dinner Cruise

Kuranda Day Tours

Stunning Palm Cove beach

Cairns Botanic Garden

Cairns Tours & Day Trips

Welcome to cairns discovery tours - locally owned and operating since 1995., book now pay later , our most popular tours.

Reef and Island • Moore & Fitzroy Island

Adult $285.00| Child $165 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $735 Helmet Dive Special to 30th June 2024 Pay only $87  - Normally $149.00  Departs Cairns 8.00am - 4.30pm Tue, Thu & Sat July - August Departs 8.00am Tue, Wed & Sat Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure combining 2 hours at Moore Reef Pontoon + 3 hour Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore Reef Pontoon includes coral viewing with semi-submersible, glass bottom boat, underwater observatory, snorkelling & kids waterslide. Then a leisurely time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

Join us for a unique outer reef tour where the Sunlover catamaran docks alongside a floating pontoon stationed in a natural lagoon fringed with beautiful coral. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, family traveller, experienced diver or on your first trip to the Great Barrier Reef, our expert team will deliver a unique reef tour experience for you. Experience the ultimate adventure combining 2 hours at Moore Reef pontoon on the Outer Barrier Reef + Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore reef has all of our standard inclusions with time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

Kuranda Scenic Train and Skyrail Day Tour with return hotel transfers

Adult $181|Child $95|Family $457 Departs daily 7.30am - 5.30pm Experience a day of adventure from your Cairns hotel with Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the rainforest in comfortable six-person gondolas and explore Kuranda in your own time. Enjoy the 1.5 hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that travels through the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Travel to the rainforest village of Kuranda in style with our Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway package! Fly over the rainforest canopy on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Explore the rainforest at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations and join a guided ranger tour. Experience The Rainforest Interpretation Centre and the new “Edge” lookout, which offers uninterrupted views of the mighty Barron Falls. Enjoy your spare time in Kuranda Village. Browse for jewellery gifts and more at the Original and Rainforest Markets or taste a range of culinary treats at Kuranda’s many quirky cafes. Visit the world’s largest butterfly flight aviary at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or enjoy a relaxing walk along the Barron River. Experience the world’s most beautiful railway journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and journey past stunning rainforest waterfalls and past steep gorges. Stop at Barron Falls station and see the stunning Barron Falls. Kuranda original and heritage markets open Wednesday through to Sunday

Optional Kuranda River Cruise & Lunch (Not available Monday and Tuesday)

Enjoy a tranquil 45-minute Wet Tropics calm water cruise on the Barron River in Kuranda aboard the MV Kuranda. The commentary highlights various aspects of the World’s most ancient tropical rainforest in Australia, river life and the history of Kuranda. The river is home to a host of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, turtles, snakes, fish and birds. Occasionally a wild cassowary may be spotted on the edge of the rainforest by the riverbank. Following your cruise make your way to Cafe Mandala for lunch where there will be a reserved table for you. Choose anything from Café Mandala’s menu to the value of $20 and pay the Cafe owner separately for anything ordered over the amount.

Cairns River Cruise & City Sights Tour

Adult $199|Child $149 Departs daily 9.30am to 6pm On this Cairns Tour you will experience a calm water cruise along Trinity Inlet, which is an oceanic inlet and serves as the port for the city of Cairns. It meanders through pristine creeks and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns too. Includes lunch on the waterfront at the award-winning Dundees restaurant before joining your afternoon Cairns City Sights Tour

Make your way to the Cairns Marina, 1 Spence St Cairns and board the Cairns River Cruise at Berth A1 "A" Finger. 9.30 am - (Return Hotel transfer included)

Cairns River Cruise 9.45 am - 11.00 am

• 1 1/4 hr guided calm-water cruise explores the stunning sights of the Trinity Inlet and waterfront of Cairns. The extensive and stunning Inlet is mountain-mangrove-lined and is a sanctuary for many types of wildlife. The tour meanders through pristine creeks (the home of saltwater crocodiles) and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious and carries a maximum of 18 guests - so the tour is bespoke and personal, and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns.

Free time for a stroll along the Marina or Pier Shopping Centre before enjoying a delicious lunch

• Lunch at Dundee's on the Waterfront at 12 noon. Relax and take in the waterfront views at Dundee's Restaurant short 2 minute walk from where your river cruise ends before joining Cairns Discovery Tours City Sights afternoon Tour.

Cairns City Sights & Highlights 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm

You will be collected at 1.00 pm from the Cairns Marina at the front of the Reef Fleet Terminal. Discover our vibrant city's history and learn about the rich cultural heritage unique to Cairns and the Far North.

• St. Monica’s Cathedral  - Step inside one of Australia's most breathtaking cathedrals, featuring the World's largest themed stained glass windows.
• Cairns Museum  - visit the Cairns Museum. join our exclusive tour of the School of Arts building in the city's heart to see yesteryear's highlights.
• Afternoon Tea  A true local delight of warm, fresh-from-the-oven scones with strawberry jam and cream and your choice of Tea, Coffee
• Cairns Botanic Gardens  - Enjoy a professional guided walk through the lush Flecker Botanic Gardens, renowned for having one of the best exhibitions in Australia's tropical plants. Meander through the butterfly-lined pathways under the green canopy as your guide explains the various plants and wildlife you see along the way.
• Cairns Lookout  - Take in the panoramic views of the city and the Coral Sea
• Lower Barron Falls  - Enjoy a walk at the lower section of the Barron Gorge National Park, Surprise Creek Falls.
• Palm Cove Take a stroll along the jetty or on the sand on this picture-perfect beach, fringed with coconut trees. Nestled behind the beach is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove, with its’ magnificent paperbark trees.
• Your day of discovery ends, returning to your chosen Cairns CBD accommodation at approx. 6.00 pm. Northern Beaches 5.30 pm

Please note - Wheelie Walkers and mobility scooters are not permitted as our vehicle is not equipped with a luggage area

Green Island & Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns

Special save up to $30 per person Normally Adult $318|Child $132|Family $816 Adult $288.00| Child $156|Family $740

Departs daily 8.30am - 5.20pm Enjoy the best of both worlds with this complete Great Barrier Reef and Island tour. Enjoy 2 hours on Green Island and  3 hours on the Outer Barrier Reef.  Fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy 2 hours on this iconic  coral cay, and then continue your day adventure and discovery with a further 45 minute ride  to Great Adventures spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

The complete reef and island experience awaits with this exciting tour. Take a fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. Then, you’ll depart Green Island to continue your day of adventure and discovery with 3 hours on board Great Adventures' spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island It is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – a premier world heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Grab your snorkel gear and head to the Lifeguard patrolled beach to explore the marine world off the beach, take a stroll thru the unique tropical rainforest, laze on the white coral sand beach or take part in some of the optional activities that Green Island has to offer

Outer Barrier Reef The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and/or dive, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub to view the surrounding coral or relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. The vibrant marine life of the reef awaits you.

Dreamtime Snorkel from Cairns

Adult from $219|Child $139|Family $577 Not available 20th May - 7th June inclusive Seasonal dates and prices apply Departs daily 9.00am - 5.00pm Step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous Sea Rangers   as they recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours of fun with unlimited snorkelling with 2 Reef locations   in air-conditioned lounges and a licensed bar.

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji , Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji & Gunggandji people, Traditional Owners of the Sea Country on which you will travel

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Enjoy one of Cairns’ most unique & exclusive Great Barrier Reef tours. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites you to step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers on a day tour of two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Reef sites visited may include Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford Reef. You will also experience our authentic Dreamtime experience with our Cultural Guides, sharing their stories of the history of the Great Barrier Reef. Indigenous sea rangers will recount the Dreamtime stories of the traditional people of this Sea Country and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour

Adult $149|Child 2-11yrs $129|Family 2A+2C $427 Departs daily 7.30am - 5.30pm On the Waterfalls and Wanderer tour you will travel south as you discover nature and the beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls. This is a MUST-SEE for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands and waterfalls.

Walk amongst boulders, slide into cool pools, soak in the spray of waterfalls and dive into crater lakes, and that’s just the ‘wet’ stuff! On this full day tour you'll also visit and learn about culturally important places, visit the biggest tree you’ll ever see (the Curtain Fig Tree which is believed to be 500 years old!), and have the chance to spy a diverse array of rainforest creatures - if you're lucky you'll even spot an elusive platypus!

Travel south and discover the majesty and beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls, a MUST-see for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands.

Waterfall Wanderers will provide morning and afternoon tea, lunch, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and fruit throughout the day, as well as heaps of games and puzzles to keep you entertained as we explore the Atherton Tablelands by luxury air-conditioned coach.

Pack your swimmers . Australia’s most famous rainforest waterfalls await. Our Cairns waterfalls and rainforest tour is an epic road trip, which will have you in and out of the water all day. It takes you from Cairns, up, over and through the beautiful rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands.

Babinda Boulders  – Stunning scenery and refreshing swimming. Culturally significant to the Yidinji Traditional Owners, learn the tragic love story that still ‘haunts’ this beautiful place.

Josephine Falls  – Ready to slide and take a wild ride down the rocks, into a cool rainforest pool? This is it, and it doesn’t get any better, bring the Go Pros.

Millaa Millaa Waterfall – World famous hair flick waterfall which tumbles 18m down into a natural amphitheatre. Strike a pose, swim and explore.

Volcanic Crater Lake  – Dive right into Lake Eacham, a 65m former volcanic crater, now filled with crystal clear rainwater.

Daintree Rainforest - Cape Tribulation Rainforest Day Tour

Adult $229| Child (4-16yrs) $179 Family 2A+2C $780

Departs Daily 7.00am Revised itinerary until further notice as some areas are not accessible or are closed due to Cyclone Jasper Dec 2023 Explore the Daintree Rainforest by 4wd air-conditioned vehicle as you journey north along the Captain Cook Highway with spectacular views of the coast. Take a Daintree River cruise to spot crocodiles, learn about the region on a guided boardwalk tour through Mossman Gorge. Guided beach walk in Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef. Enjoy a tropical fruit Daintree ice cream before your journey back to your accommodation

Group size is kept to under 17 passengers so you have a more personalised experience. As the oldest Rainforest in the World, this is definitely something to tick off your bucket list.

Scenic Coastal Drive Your day starts by being picked up by your local eco-accredited tour guide. As you meet and greet your fellow travellers, sit back and relax as we start to make our way to the Daintree Rainforest. This coastal scenic road is one of the best drives in the world, so have your camera ready!

Daintree River Cruise After a light morning tea refreshment, it's time to board your Daintree River cruise. This peaceful and relaxing 1 hour Daintree River Cruise is precisely what the doctor ordered, sprinkled with a little adventure spotting crocodiles, other native Australian wildlife and mangroves.

Alexandra Lookout Alexandra Lookout provides a fantastic photo opportunity. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Daintree Rainforest to the ocean.

Guided Rainforest Walk Mossman Gorge  Your local guide will then take you along an elevated boardwalk into the Southern end of the Daintree National Park, providing detail on the flora, fauna and cultural history and significance of the Daintree Rainforest.  Opportunity for a freshwater swim at Mossman Gorge, subject to conditions on the day.

4WD Bloomfield Track- CLOSED Billy Tea Safaris is one of the only operators who can travel on the Bloomfield Track due on their custom-made 4WD vehicles.

Emmagen Creek Freshwater Swim- NOT ACCESSIBLE Cool off with a freshwater swim at Emmagen Creek. This also makes for a fabulous photo opportunity and is relaxing and refreshing! Swimming in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest?! What more could you ask for?

Lunch  Enjoy lunch with your fellow travellers, and then it's off to Cape Tribulation Beach. The only place where the rainforest meets the reef. All dietary requirements must be notified at the time of reservation or at least 48 hours before travel. We cater for vegetarians and most other requirements within reason and providing they are of a medical nature.

Ice-cream stop No Daintree Rainforest day tour is complete without a stop for exotic homemade ice cream at the Daintree Ice-creamery. You will be amazed at the array of flavours made from the orchids on their property. After your sweet ice cream treat and a little exploration of this lush property, it's time to head home.

2 Day Reef and Daintree Rainforest

Adult $425| Child 4-16 yrs $295| Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1280 Departs daily Experience the very best of Cairns Reef and Daintree Rainforest Tours. This 2 day reef and rainforest package offers great value to visit our two amazing World Heritage National Parks - The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest during your stay in Cairns. Tours do not need to be taken consecutively .  

Day 1 -Great Barrier Reef Tour Departs Daily Check-in from 7.15am - 7.45am at The Reef Fleet Terminal Departs 8am | Returns 4.30pm

Great Barrier Reef Tour onboard 'Evolution'

Join the luxurious and spacious yacht, Evolution, to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for your snorkelling experience. The 35-metre vessel, Evolution departs Cairns with  5 hours spent exploring two spectacular and exclusive outer Great Barrier Reef locations for an adventure-filled day!

In the afternoon, you have the option to add additional reef activities. Join us on the Semi-Submersible Tour, learning about the reef with our marine biologist, or add a scuba dive or a scenic helicopter flight over the reef. Finally, you'll cruise back to Cairns while enjoying a free glass of wine and a snack while you reflect on your day on the Great Barrier Reef.​

Day 2- Daintree Rainforest Tour

Due to the impact of severe tropical cyclone Jasper and the associated flooding & road closures, there have been some itinerary changes to ensure you still have a great time in the Daintree Rainforest.

Includes pick up & drop off from your Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas accommodation.

Group size is kept to under 17 passengers for a personalized experience. Explore the oldest Rainforest in the World, an essential bucket list experience!

Journey north on the scenic coastal drive to the Daintree Rainforest with spectacular views of the Coral Sea coastline. Embark an informative one hour River Cruise on the mighty Daintree River where you spot and learn about estuarine crocodiles, mangrove forests and endemic wildlife as you unwind in nature's embrace. Light refreshment of tea/coffee and biscuits provided. Your experienced Guide will give an information commentary on the rich local flora/fauna and cultural significance of the area as you drive through the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Get sand on your feet as you join a guided beach walk where the "Rainforest meets the Reef".  Savour a delicious lunch at a local restaurant amidst the unique backdrop of the Daintree Forest (please advise in advance of ay special dietary requirements) followed by a stop for a a delicious tropical fruit ice-cream enroute to the Daintree Ferry. Your last stop is at the famous Mossman Gorge for a guided rainforest walk on a selection of trails and elevated boardwalks (easy grade) with time for an invigorating freshwater swim (subject to river conditions) before heading back to your hotel.

A forest so spectacular, Sir David Attenborough called it “the most extraordinary place on Earth.”

• Scenic Coastal Drive : Capture breathtaking views as we journey to the Daintree Rainforest.
• Daintree River Cruise : Spot crocodiles and native wildlife during a serene river cruise.
• Guided Rainforest Walk : Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Daintree with a knowledgeable guide.
• Lunch at Cape Tribulation : Enjoy a delicious meal at a local cafe.
• Ice-cream Stop : Indulge in exotic homemade ice cream before heading home.

Half Day Green Island with Great Adventures

Adult $116 |Child $62|Family $292 Depart daily 8.30am or 10.30am Returns 3.20pm Have a leisurely start to your day with a 10.30am departure from Cairns to Green Island, or if you are an early bird you can choose the 8.30am departure. Enjoy up yo 6 hours on Green Island to explore, relax, snorkel and swim. Paradise awaits.

Snorkelling Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available. Lycra suits available for hire

Glass Bottom Boat Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where abundant fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.

Lunch at Emerald Restaurant  is available to be pre-booked between 11.00am-2.00pm. Choose one of the following delicious menu options plus a Australian beer, wine or soft drink. Truffle pasta, Pesto barramundi, Grilled chicken breast with avocado salsa, Green Island beef burger or vegetarian burger. Adult $42.00 Child $20.00  Valid to 31.3.24

Optional Activity One of Green Island’s most unique attractions is indeed, Marineland Melanesia. Not only is it home to the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius, it is also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artifacts and aquariums. With twice daily crocodile shows and the chance to hold a baby croc, it’s definitely a family favourite, especially with the children.

From $25.00 per adult $12.50 per child

Established by two partners in the early 1960s, Marineland Melanesia has been proudly owned and operated by the Craig family since 1971. From working in Papua New Guinea, family patriarch George Craig (perhaps one of the original ‘crocodile hunters’) set about bringing to reality an island habitat for huge crocodiles and a magnificent range of carvings and ancient primitive tribal art from the region known as Melanesia.

Locally Owned & Operated Cairns Tours Since 1995

Established over 28 years ago, Cairns Discovery Tours is proud of its roots in the vibrant and tropical region of Cairns. We've been bringing unforgettable experiences to locals and visitors alike since 1995, delivering unique tour services that highlight the richness and natural splendour of the region. As a locally owned and operated business, we possess a deep connection to our surroundings and a passion for showcasing our beloved region's beauty to the world.

Over the years, we've nurtured strong relationships with local businesses and cultural institutions, which allow us to provide an authentically local tour experience rich in insights you won't find in your typical guidebook. With us, you're not just a traveller but fellow explorers ready to share the beauty of our unique tropical paradise.

We Tour Fascinating Sites, Great Views & Landmarks around Cairns

Embarking on a journey with Cairns Discovery Tours is a ticket to a mesmerising world of awe-inspiring landmarks, breath-taking views and unique wildlife encounters.

• Local Landmarks : We explore the heritage-rich areas with notable architectural wonders, revealing the hidden stories behind their existence.
• Panoramic Views : Our tours encompass some of the most scenic routes, offering panoramic views of stunning landscapes that will leave you inspired. Our tour routes are carefully designed to traverse unique habitats where you can experience the region's remarkable biodiversity.

Our tours go beyond sightseeing to provide a deeper understanding of our region's natural and historical heritage. That’s why each site is chosen not just for its inherent beauty but also for its cultural or ecological significance.

Informative, Knowledgeable Local Guides

At Cairns Discovery Tours, our team of professional local guides bring a wealth of knowledge and local insights to your tour, painting vivid pictures of the region's past and present, while introducing you to the nuanced ecological interactions that make our area such a biodiversity hotspot.

Our team aren’t just guides; they're storytellers, historians and nature enthusiasts, providing an enriching and educational adventure that you'll remember for a lifetime. Friendly and approachable, our guides encourage questions and create an engaging, interactive experience. Moreover, our team will prioritise your safety and comfort throughout the tour, ensuring you have the best possible experience.

Why Choose Cairns Discovery Tours

Choosing Cairns Discovery Tours means opting for an immersive, comprehensive and authentically local experience. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our service. As a locally owned and operated business, we bring a uniquely local perspective to our tours, showcasing the real essence of our region. With over two decades in the industry, we have perfected our tours to provide an unforgettable experience. Our local guides are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated to delivering an engaging, informative tour. We value each of our customers, tailoring our tours to accommodate specific interests and needs.

Join us at Cairns Discovery Tours for an adventure of a lifetime, as we guide you through the incredible sights, rich heritage and spectacular natural beauty of beautiful Cairns. Book a tour today and get ready to discover the undiscovered!

Featured Tours

Cairns Discovery Tours Reviews

Nautilus Aviation 30 Minute Scenic Flight

Departure Times

Pricing options.

Cruise over the Great Barrier Reef and see the sights from above!

• 30-minute scenic flight
• See Green Island, Fitzroy Island and more!
• On low tide see beautiful sand cays
• Spot turtles, rays, and even whales during the winter months!
• Low passenger numbers for a personalised experience

See the Great Barrier Reef from a unique point of view and enjoy the sites with Nautilus Aviation . Hop on our helicopter and take in all the views from the best perspective possible. Enjoy a low-altitude flight that will give you an amazing peep into the waters below — keep your eyes peeled for turtles, rays and more as you cruise above! In winter you may even be able to see humpback and minke whales which migrate to the Great Barrier Reef to raise their young. 

Join a scenic flight and enjoy the sheer size and beauty of one of the wonders of the world with Nautilus Aviation! 

• Amazing views of the Great Barrier Reef
• See the reef from above taking in a new point of view
• See islands such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island from above!
• Enjoy the chance to see reef animals such as turtles, rays and more as you fly around

Sample Itinerary

All Aboard Nautilus Aviation's Luxury Chopper!

Climb aboard your modern fully air-conditioned helicopter for the ultimate view of Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Throw on your headset to hear expert commentary from your pilot about the reef and islands passing below.

See the Great Barrier Reef from Above

Score the best possible view of the Great Barrier Reef in all its splendour ...

Score the best possible view of the Great Barrier Reef in all its splendour and glory. See dolphins and turtles frolicking along the surface, stingrays and manta rays, and even dwarf minke whales and humpbacks during migration! 

Unique Panoramic Views of the Islands

Gawk at the kaleidoscope of turquoise blue waters encompassing the sandy white shores and lush green canopies of Green Island, Lizard Island and countless sand cays.

More Information

What to bring.

• Sunglasses(polarised glasses make the reef clearer)
• Light jacket for cooler months

What's Included

• Views of the Great Barrier Reef and islands such as Fitzroy and Green Island 

What's Extra

Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry-on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payloa...

Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry-on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 110kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 110kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of the ticket price - this is non-commissionable and payable to Nautilus Aviation on the day of travel. 

Terms and Conditions

Tours and aircraft substitutions are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air traffic control and availability. All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Tour Operator. It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1.5% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees. You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Tours and aircraft substitutions are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air traffic control and availability.

Once a reservation has been made a cancellation fee of 100% will be charged if cancelled within 72 hours prior to departure. All cancellations outside of 72hrs will forfeit up to 30% of the total ticket price. If the company has to cancel the trip (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.  Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 2.5% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Thank you for booking with Mr Travel/Cairns Tours. If you would like any advice or assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Related products to this item...

Overall rating.

Based on 5 reviews

Review Your Nautilus Aviation 30 Minute Scenic Flight Trip

Your feedback keeps us on the right track. please take a second to leave a review below., we really appreciate your review, with your help we can constantly improve the quality of our products., reviews by our cairns tours customers.

OUR CAIRNS EXPERTS ARE READY TO HELP YOU

• Can answer all your Cairns questions
• We will build you exclusive packages to save you money
• Available by email or chat 24/7

Quick Enquiry

Cairns information.

Booking For Nautilus Aviation 30 Minute Scenic Flight

Check availability for nautilus aviation 30 minute scenic flight, manual availability check request for nautilus aviation 30 minute scenic flight, gift card - nautilus aviation 30 minute scenic flight, date of travel:.

Please select the date you would like to travel.

Please note: Calendar availability is based on total capacity - selected fare options may be limited.

Gift Card Booking Information

Open dated gift voucher.

CAPE YORK DAY TOUR

SEE CAPE YORK, BOTH BY AIR AND 4WD

THE CAPE YORK TOUR DEPARTS FROM COOKTOWN OR CAIRNS

• Cape York Day Tour
• Lizard Island Day Tour
• Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights
• Charter Flights
• Maintenance

Queensland premier Steven Miles questioned over taking two private jets on crime prevention tour

Live Moment Queensland premier Steven Miles questioned over taking two private jets on crime prevention tour

Queensland's premier has faced questions over his use of government-chartered jets, as he announced plans to bolster police numbers and give Cairns a dedicated chopper.

Premier Steven Miles said he believed the use of two private jets to travel across regional Queensland this week to make crime prevention announcements was appropriate.

Mr Miles, Police Minister Mark Ryan and newly minted Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski have travelled to several regional cities a day this week, including Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay.

To transport the travelling parties — which also included local MPs — two government-chartered jets were used on multiple days to travel between Brisbane and north Queensland.

Steven Miles said the planes were needed for the busy schedule.

"It was determined that was the most appropriate way to deliver the itinerary," he said.

"It just would not be possible for me to have done that without access to those QG Air planes."

Mr Miles said he used commercial flights for travel when possible.

"That itinerary was based on my desire to make sure that I, the police commissioner, and police minster are in regional Queensland as much as we can possibly be," he said.

Live Moment

Look back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live moment.

How can a Polair helicopter assist police?

• Police say Polair capabilities can enhance police operations in regional areas
• Polair helicopters have advanced camera, thermal imaging and night vision capabilities
• The helicopters are used daily to help police with tracking offenders, surveillance operations and search and rescue missions

That is where we will leave our live coverage. Thank you for joining us.

If crime rates are going down in Cairns why is a police helicopter needed?

Police Minister Mark Ryan says in the financial year to date, which is about nine months, the number of offences against properties in Cairns is down 12 per cent   and the unlawful use of a motor vehicle is down 20 per cent.

He says the new helicopter will be there to complement the work that police do.

"Polair is not just about apprehending offenders, it is about saving lives. "The very first call for service the Townsville helicopter was called to was a little boy lost in the bush. "Police tell me that they may not have found that boy if it was not for the helicopter. "That is why you need Polair."

MP says a police helicopter is a 'game changer' for Cairns

"If you are a crook out there you will now be observed from a very high altitude, you won't even know that the machine is even up there, but it will see you," Barron River MP Craig Crawford says. "It can lock on to the vehicle that you have stolen, it can see your heat signature when you are running through the park in the middle of the night. "You will be caught, you will be found, you will be charged and you will go in front of a magistrate."

Wondering what this is? Join us next time we're live and be part of the discussion.

On Monday, Mr Miles travelled from Brisbane to Cairns to hold a press conference alongside Mr Gollschewski after he was announced as the new police commissioner.

Mr Miles spoke in Cairns again on Tuesday, before he travelled to Townsville then Hervey Bay to make announcements about tackling youth crime with Mr Ryan and Mr Gollschewski.

The trio went from Brisbane to Cairns and Townsville again on Wednesday to spruik a new police helicopter and funding for more police officers.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the premier was   "wasting valuable resources with two luxury jets flying to the same location".

"The same five locations with his police minister," he said.

"They couldn't fly in the same plane together?"

Official guidelines state government jets should only be used when commercial flights are unavailable or inadequate.

'Aggressive recruitment campaign'

The dedicated police helicopter will be used to combat crime, as the state government announces plans to bolster the force with 900 new officers.

The ambitious recruitment target comes ahead of the looming state election and two days after Steve Gollschewski was appointed as police commissioner.

The commitment includes a boost of 500 sworn officers and 400 unsworn personnel over the next three years.

Despite a competitive labour market, the state government said an "aggressive recruiting campaign" had led to a 200 per cent jump in the number of recruits in the pipeline over the last year.

Nearly 700 aspiring officers are undergoing training and more than 2,000 applicants are in the recruitment process.

"The extra personnel will be allocated to areas across Queensland, ensuring we are future-proofing our police and keeping pace with population growth," Commissioner Gollschewski said.

"Despite the recruiting challenges being experienced in policing jurisdictions across Australia, the QPS is continuing to see a healthy pipeline of police recruit applicants."

New police chopper

With crime shaping up as a key issue in this year's state election, the Queensland government has also committed to purchasing a police helicopter for Cairns.

The aerial asset will include sophisticated thermal imaging cameras and night vision capabilities.

Townsville received a police chopper in January, which is flown daily to track offenders and stolen cars, conduct surveillance operations and search for missing people.

So far, it has taken 110 flights and located 74 persons of interest and 41 stolen vehicles. 

"We heard yesterday from the police in Townsville that the helicopter there can allow them to do some tasks that might have once taken weeks in just minutes," Premier Steven Miles said. 

Commissioner Gollschewski said he was "delighted" that Cairns would be getting its own chopper. 

"We've seen how extraordinarily successful these assets are both in south-east Queensland and in Townsville," he said.

"They are a game changer for our police here and they will be a game changer for the community."

The announcements are the latest in a suite of new government initiatives to combat crime.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

New police chopper and $13 million encrypted radio system to fight crime in north queensland.

New Queensland police commissioner heads to Townsville as $45m spend on victims of crime announced

• Crime Prevention
• State and Territory Government

Honor Flight tour

90 veterans from the korean and vietnam wars took the honor flight to washington dc to tour the war monuments..

Navy Veteran Father John Siebert shares a moent with Navy Veteran Moki Martin, after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024. 90 Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam wars took the Honor Flight to Washington DC to tour the war monuments. About 800 people were on-hand to greet the vets as they arrived home.  (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Well wishers greet Navy Vets after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.   (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Veteran Wayne Hampton greets supporters with his wife Diane after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.  (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Veterans greet supporters after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.   (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Veteran Ron Bell, a retired Navy Seal, greets supporters after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.   (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Veteran Father John Siebert greets supporters after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.   (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Vet John O’Brien, Middle Right, walks with his family after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.   (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Navy Medal of Honor recipient Veteran Mike Thornton, a retired Navy Seal, greets fellow Navy Seal Moki Martin after arriving back in San Diego from an Honor Flight tour, at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday, April 28, 2024.  (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Many airlines have 'stopover' programs that let travelers tour a city between connecting flights, and some will even pay for a hotel — here's how to book them

• Many people intentionally book flights with long connections so they can explore the layover city.
• Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food.
• These stopovers benefit travelers, airlines, and the carrier's home country by boosting tourism.

A special segment of adventurous travelers will purposely book itineraries with long connections in layover cities just to leave the airport and explore for a few hours or days between flights.

Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination.

It's basically a vacation within a vacation.

Although it sounds too good to be true, stopovers benefit everyone involved. Travelers get more choices and don't have to be confined to an airport, airlines gain customers who may have otherwise chosen a nonstop option on a competitor, and the carrier's home country sees a boost in tourism.

Plus, the cheap or complimentary accommodations typically come at a small cost to airlines, thanks to partnerships with local hotels or tour companies.

Not all stopover programs are structured with an emphasis on tourism, though, as some were created simply to offer conveniences during long layovers. Still, they are a way to secure a free hotel and explore an extra city.

Here are 22 global airline stopover programs, each lasting anywhere from hours to months.

Many carriers allow stopovers to be added to a regular cash booking, but some are only available via award tickets . This means the flight was paid for using points/miles or a combination of points/miles and cash.

Air Canada has a stopover option built into its Aeroplan loyalty program. It allows customers booking award flights to add a stop on international journeys and explore practically any city the airline flies to outside the US and Canada.

The add-on costs 5,000 Aeroplan points each way and can only be booked if the stop is at least 24 hours, capping out at 45 days.

Air France/KLM

Air France and Dutch carrier KLM's Flying Blue loyalty program offers a stopover of 24 hours or more in a connecting city on either carrier or their airline partners.

The option is free to add to award tickets, and passengers can stay up to a year in the stopover city.

China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines offers a free one-night hotel stay for transfer passengers with connection times lasting between six and 30 hours, though there are some time and route restrictions.

Breakfast and transportation are included for eligible travelers.

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines' Panama stopover program allows customers to spend anywhere from 24 hours to seven days in the nation's capital, Panama City, on their outbound or return trip.

The option is free for the first stopover, but a second stopover can cost up to $250 plus taxes. Copa offers discounted hotels and tours that can be booked via its stopover website.

Emirates allows a stopover in Dubai with the option to add discounted tours or hotel bookings to the itinerary via its website.

The UAE carrier also has a " Dubai Connect " program that gives passengers with layovers between 6 and 26 hours, depending on the cabin, a complimentary hotel, transfers, meals, and any needed visa.

Dubai Connect only triggers if the customer takes the next available flight. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines' transit program gives customers flying via Addis Ababa a free hotel, transit visa, and transfers during layovers lasting between eight and 24 hours.

The hotel on the airline's website is the Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel, located inside the airport.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways offers a stopover in its Abu Dhabi hub, which comes with an undisclosed discount at select three-star hotels for up to two nights.

Two and four-night stays can be booked at more luxurious four and five-star hotels at a 40% discount. The minimum stay is 24 hours.

Although Etihad's website says it is temporarily unavailable, the airline used to allow eligible travelers to use a so-called Transit Connect Package that provided a free hotel near the airport for layovers lasting 10 to 24 hours. It is unclear when or if the program is returning.

Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways offers a stopover program in Fiji for those traveling to and from Australia, New Zealand, and other South Pacific nations.

Related stories

Hotels and activities like ziplining and beach resorts can be booked through the airline as part of the stopover package.

Finnair allows passengers to book 6, 12, or 24-hour layovers in Helsinki at no additional fare charge and outlines itinerary ideas and information on its website , like transportation, free walking tours, and restaurants.

Customers can book a hotel through the airline and earn Finnair Plus points.

Iberia customers can plan a stopover in Madrid to or from an international destination for one to six nights at no extra cost.

Discounts on hotels, excursions, and transfers in the Spanish capital are available through Iberia.

Icelandair offers a stopover option for one to seven days in its capital city of Reykjavik on transatlantic itineraries for no additional charge.

The airline offers itinerary help and assistance in booking excursions and tours. Hotels need to be booked separately.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines considers itself one of the "most stopover -friendly" carriers in the world.

The stopovers, which trigger at 24 hours, are not limited to JAL's hubs in Tokyo but can be enjoyed in places like Osaka and Kyoto using the airline's multi-city booking tool.

Latam Airlines

Latam Airlines offers stopovers for between one and three days on flights that connect in São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, and Belem. Only international itineraries that connect in São Paulo.

Hotels and amenities can be booked via Latam, but the stopover booking is free.

Oman Air offers customizable stopover packages to give travelers time to explore the country's capital, Muscat, and beyond. An additional fare charge may be applicable, though the airline does not fly to the US.

Packages and a-la-carte options include discounted hotels for up to three nights, as well as organized tours, meals, and transfers.

Australian flag carrier Qantas offers its stopovers in a similar manner to JAL in that multi-city bookings can be manipulated to add extra days between flights in layover cities, like Bangkok, Osaka, or San Francisco.

This comes at no extra cost on eligible Qantas fares and can be used on its Oneworld partner airlines.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways' stopover program allows passengers with a minimum layover of 12 hours and up to 24 hours to choose from a list of deeply discounted four and five-star hotels. Certain flight itineraries allow for up to four nights.

Nightly hotel rates start at $14 per person for 1 night at four-star standard hotels, with premium five-star beach hotels starting at $30 per person for one night.

Royal Jordanian Airlines

Royal Jordanian Airlines' transit program gives economy and business-class travelers with at least eight and six-hour layovers, respectively, a free hotel room, meals, and transit, assuming certain fare conditions are met.

However, the connecting flight must be the earliest possible — meaning, similar to Emirates, passengers can't intentionally book a longer layover to be eligible for the complimentary perks.

Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss International Air Lines, or SWISS, has a multi-city stopover booking tool on its website that allows passengers to find itineraries with extra days in Switzerland.

The cost of hotels and other perks is on the customer, though.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. The stopover can last one to seven days.

Singapore also offers free transit tours to passengers with layover times between five and a half and 24 hours at Singapore's Changi Airport. It's first-come, first-serve and includes sightseeing around Singapore.

TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal allows customers to add a stopover in Lisbon or Porto between one and 10 days, offering discounts on hotels, food, and activities.

It also offers 25% off a domestic flight to a second Portuguese destination, like the Azores or Madeira islands, to take during the stopover.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Those traveling from the US in economy class can stay up to two nights in a four-star hotel, while those traveling in business can stay up to three nights in a five-star hotel.

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

• Main content