Best Non Touristy Tours To Do In Cairns
Heading to Far North Queensland and hoping to escape the tourist crowd? With plenty to do in Cairns City and the region, it’s not hard to have a unique experience if you know where to look! Of course, Cairns is home to the amazing Great Barrier Reef and lush Atherton Tablelands, but there is an abundance of local tours that will take you off the beaten tourist track, even through these world-famous wonders. Delve deeper into the rainforests, and try new adventurous experiences like river rafting, air ballooning and bungy jumping, or explore reef wonders in new ways with scuba diving, helmet diving and glass-bottom boating.
- Unique reef, island & educational boat trips
- Small group sailing trips
- Non-touristy scuba diving
- Cairns cultural experiences
- Unique rainforest & adventure tours
The tropics are full of unforgettable memories just waiting to be made, so let’s dive into the best, non-touristy tour experiences in Cairns.
Best non-touristy boat trips in Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef is undeniably the breathtaking gem of Cairns, and while popular, its vast beauty and variety mean you can swim alongside spectacular marine life without feeling like a tourist. There is an array of locally run, eco-accredited experiences that will educate, illuminate and immerse you in the wonderful underwater world. Here are our favourites, all of which have excellent options for scuba divers and snorkellers alike:
UNIQUE REEF, ISLAND & EDUCATION TRIPS
Ocean Freedom
While one of the more popular day boats, Ocean Freedom sets itself apart with a specialised naturalist, a visit to the quieter Upolu Cay and downstream snorkel drifting. Scuba dive with nudibranchs, turtles and blue-spotted rays on this locally-favoured day trip.
Great Adventures Green Island Eco Adventure
This experience is perfect for those wanting ample beach time, island rainforest walks, snorkelling opportunities and the option to add on interesting activities like cultural experiences, scuba diving, parasailing and helmet dives. Plus, the water is a crystal-clear, aqua dream and the island is one of the less busy in the area!
For scuba divers
In Cairns, the go-to experiences for scuba divers are liveaboards; spacious vessels with capacities of around 45, with courses for experienced, beginner and expert divers (check out our liveaboard breakdown here for more info). Pro dive, Down Under Den, Reef Encounter, Divers Den, Spirit of Freedom and Oceanquest are all excellent operators with a wide variety of scuba diving liveaboards. If you’re looking for PADI courses, Divers Den, Down Under Dive and Pro Dive all offer this. With an experience for every trip length, level of expertise and level of comfort, these trips are tailored to scuba divers, so are far from the standard tourist throng of reef discovery.
SMALL GROUP SAILING TRIPS
Reef Daytripper
One of the best eco-tours in Cairns, this catamaran has a capacity of 20 travellers, meaning it’s far more intimate than some of the bigger ferry-style trips. Head to quiet reefs, learn from onboard marine specialists and scuba dive alongside gorgeous coral reefs and marinelife!
Ocean Free Green Island Day Sail
Craving that ocean breeze and authentic sailing feel? One of the most peaceful ways to experience the Cairns Great Barrier Reef is with a smaller sailboat. Green Island is an idyllic stop for those wanting both snorkel/dive time, along with some stunning island time.
Overnight Coral Sea Dreaming Sail
Many groups and families go for the bigger, ferry-style day boats, so doing an intimate overnight sail is naturally an awesome way to slow down and really immerse yourself in the FNQ reef ecosystems. This two-day, one-night trip is an unforgettable nautical journey, complete with night dives and incredible, quieter reef stops.
Sailaway Low Isles Day Sail from Port Douglas
Escape the cyclic rush of popular day boats with a journey to the tranquil Low Isles. While this trip doesn’t offer scuba diving, jump into a day of snorkelling guided by a marine biologist, embark on a quiet natural heritage walk and learn more about the fish, corals and marinelife with an insightful glass-bottom boat tour and commentary.
Unique land tours in Cairns Region
Pamagirri Authentic Aboriginal Experience
Local aboriginal culture and history date back tens of thousands of years, and the area has deep and rich roots. The Pamariggi Experience is an excellent way to have a richer experience and delve deeper than the average “tourist,” with once-in-a-lifetime story, song, art and wildlife opportunities.
Photo: Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES IN CAIRNS
If you’re worried about getting caught in the visitor crowds, why not smoke ‘em as you head 15,000 ft in the air with an adrenaline-inducing skydive? Or head deep into the rainforest and leave with unique wildlife trips to remember. With an array of activities for the daring, Cairns is perfect for those looking for unforgettable things to do in untouched nature! Here our our favourite, non-touristy adventure activities:
Bungy Jumping & Giant Swing
Let go of all your fears as you barrel through incredible rainforest with the AJ Hackett Bungy Jump or Giant Swing - total bucket list items!
Skydiving
Soar over sprawling reefs, verdant rainforests and golden beaches with a 15,000 ft tandem skydive!
Rainforest Tubing & White Water Rafting
Discover the streams of the Atherton Tablelands with the adventurous Rainforest Tubing or White Water Rafting experiences, where adrenaline and wild nature collide!
Cape Tribulation Horse Riding
One of the most unique wildlife experiences in Cairns, trot along the shores of Cape Tribulation for special views of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat
Rub shoulders with this local, conservation-focused wildlife habitat where native critters like koalas, kangaroos and more await.
Outback Safari
Not many know that Cairns is just a short drive from Outback landscapes, so escape the city and get amongst the lush ranges, gorges, charming town history and local Indigenous history!
Waterfall Circuit Trip
Make a splash in the dazzling cascades of gems like Millaa Millaa Falls, with visits to lesser-known gems like Josephine Falls, Lake Echam and the Babinda Boulders.
Hot Air Ballooning
Mountains, sunsets and levitating charm await as you soar above the clouds - and away from the crowds - with a breathtaking Hot Air Balloon!
Can’t choose between Great Barrier Reef scuba diving and Daintree Rainforest eco-experiences?
Chat with our team of local Cairns experts, who can give you the run down on trip availability and personalised travel advice!
