Coastal highway winding past beaches and rainforest between Cairns and Port Douglas
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3 Day Reef Rainforest and Outback

from A$620
3 days
Cairns
All Ages (4+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

Three full days, three very different sides of Tropical North Queensland. Snorkel two outer reef sites from the superyacht Evolution, cruise the Daintree River and swim in a rainforest stream before Cape Tribulation, then head west into Chillagoe's outback for ranger guided limestone caves, Aboriginal rock art and rock wallabies at Granite Gorge.

  • Coastal highway winding past beaches and rainforest between Cairns and Port Douglas
  • Daintree River cruise boat gliding past rainforest lined banks
  • Tour group exploring historic smelter chimney ruins in outback Queensland
  • Tour group on a boardwalk surrounded by tree ferns in tropical rainforest
  • Snorkeller in clear water beside a Great Barrier Reef cruise boat
  • Coastal highway winding past beaches and rainforest between Cairns and Port Douglas
  • Daintree River cruise boat gliding past rainforest lined banks
  • Tour group exploring historic smelter chimney ruins in outback Queensland
  • Tour group on a boardwalk surrounded by tree ferns in tropical rainforest
  • Snorkeller in clear water beside a Great Barrier Reef cruise boat

Quick read before you book.

  • Reef, rainforest and outback in one booking
  • Snorkel the outer reef from a 35 metre superyacht
  • Stand where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation
  • Head underground with a ranger in Chillagoe's limestone caves
  • Swap the coast for red dirt, kangaroos and emus on the outback day
  • Local Cairns crew running small group tours for over 40 years
  • Save up to $133 per person on booking each day separately

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.7 Stars|1,071 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. It's a full on few days, so grab a front seat if bumpy 4WD tracks bother you, and pack swimmers for the creek.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Full day outer Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns on Evolution
  • Around 5 hours at two outer reef sites
  • Unlimited snorkelling with equipment and flotation devices
  • Lycra sun suit hire
  • Tea and coffee on arrival
  • Aussie BBQ lunch on the reef
  • Glass of wine and a light snack on the return cruise
  • $20 per person reef levy
  • Rainforest day return transfers from Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas
  • Outback day return transfers from Cairns
  • Small group, air conditioned 4WD with a local guide on the rainforest and outback days
  • All National Park fees
  • 1 hour Daintree River cruise with light morning tea
  • Guided rainforest boardwalk walk
  • Lunch in the Daintree
  • Freshwater swim stop, conditions permitting
  • Cape Tribulation Beach
  • Daintree River cable ferry crossing
  • Homemade tropical fruit ice cream
  • Morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation
  • Ranger guided Chillagoe Caves tour
  • Chillagoe Smelter ruins, Balancing Rock and Aboriginal rock art stops
  • Pub lunch in Chillagoe
  • Granite Gorge rock wallaby visit

Commonly asked questions.

You get a full day outer reef snorkelling cruise on the superyacht Evolution with a BBQ lunch, a small group 4WD day through the Daintree to Cape Tribulation with a river cruise, lunch and a freshwater swim, and an outback day to Chillagoe with a ranger guided cave tour, morning tea and a pub lunch. Rainforest day transfers and Cairns outback transfers are included, while reef day hotel transfers are extra.

The outback day departs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the reef and rainforest days run daily, so plan your three dates around it. Still working out your stay? Our guide to how many days in Cairns helps you fit everything in without rushing.
For the reef day, check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, between 7.15am and 7.45am for an 8am departure. Rainforest pickups start around 7am in Cairns, and outback pickups start around 6.45am in Cairns, so reconfirm your pickup at least 48 hours before each day. Staying out of town? Our guide to getting around Cairns without a car covers how to reach the terminal.

Cancel more than 24 hours before your first tour day for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours, or missing your pickup, aren't refunded, and a $50 rebooking fee may apply.

If a full tour day is cancelled for weather or safety, you'll be rebooked on the next available date at no cost or refunded. On the rainforest and outback days the guide may skip or change stops for weather or road conditions, and those partial changes aren't refundable.

Children aged 4 to 16 travel at the child rate, and the family rate covers 2 adults and 2 children. Children under 4 aren't catered for on the rainforest and outback days, and prams aren't allowed in the caves. Pregnant guests can snorkel with a flotation device but can't scuba dive.

The rainforest day suits a beginner fitness level with a leisurely boardwalk walk. The outback day needs reasonable fitness for an hour long cave walk with stairs, uneven ground and tight passages, and it isn't suitable for wheelchair users. Snorkelling needs basic fitness and the ability to swim, and flotation devices are provided.

Pack closed in shoes for the caves, plus swimwear, a towel, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle and a change of clothes. Lycra sun suits are free on the reef day, and our Cairns stinger season guide explains why they matter in the warmer months.

More about this tour.

Most people leave Cairns having seen the reef and maybe the rainforest. Very few make it west to the outback around Chillagoe. This package gives all three their own full day with Billy Tea Safaris, a locally owned Cairns operator that has been taking small groups out on tour for over 40 years, and puts your reef day on the 35 metre superyacht Evolution.Reef day starts at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns, where Evolution heads out at 8am to two outer Great Barrier Reef sites for around five hours of reef time. Snorkelling gear, flotation and a lycra sun suit are all included, along with an Aussie BBQ lunch and a glass of wine with a light snack on the way home. Keen to go deeper? Up to three introductory or certified dives, or a scenic helicopter flight, can be added as upgrades. Only after the reef? The same boat runs as the Evolution Outer Reef Cruise.Rainforest day is a small group trip north in a custom air conditioned 4WD with a local guide. You'll spend an hour on the Daintree River looking for crocodiles and birdlife, walk a guided boardwalk through the rainforest, have lunch in the Daintree and cool off with a freshwater swim before reaching Cape Tribulation Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef. A cable ferry crossing and a homemade tropical fruit ice cream finish things off. Our Cape Tribulation day trip guide covers what to expect up north.Outback day heads west over the range, starting with morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba. From there the backroads lead to Chillagoe, where a ranger guides you through limestone caves with fossils in the rock. You'll also see the old Chillagoe Smelter ruins, Balancing Rock and Aboriginal rock art, share a pub lunch in town, and finish by meeting the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, emus and wedge tailed eagles along the way.The outback day runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so build your dates around it. Explore the itinerary, then check availability.

Additional info.

  • Reef and rainforest days depart daily. The outback day runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday only, with no departures on Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day or Cairns Ironman day.
  • Reef day: check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, between 7.15am and 7.45am. Evolution departs at 8am and returns about 4.30pm. Hotel transfers for the reef day aren't included.
  • Rainforest day approximate pickup and return times: Cairns CBD 7am to 7.15am, back about 6.30pm; Northern Beaches 7.20am to 7.45am, back about 6pm; Port Douglas 8.20am, back about 4pm to 4.30pm.
  • Outback day: Cairns City pickup 6.45am to 7am, back about 6.30pm to 7pm. Transfers from the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas cost extra. It's a long day of around 12 hours on a mix of sealed and unsealed roads.
  • Reconfirm your pickup location and time at least 48 hours before travel. Missing your pickup is treated as a cancellation with no refund.
  • Children aged 4 to 16 travel at the child rate, and the family rate covers 2 adults and 2 children. Children under 4 aren't catered for on the rainforest and outback days, and prams aren't allowed in the caves.
  • The rainforest day suits a beginner fitness level. The outback cave walk takes about an hour over stairs, uneven ground and some tight passages, so it needs reasonable fitness and isn't suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Snorkelling needs basic fitness and the ability to swim. Pregnant guests can snorkel but can't scuba dive.
  • Closed in shoes are required in the caves. Also bring swimwear, a towel, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, a change of clothes, a camera and cash or card for extras. Pack a raincoat from December to March and a light jacket in the cooler months. Thongs and heels aren't suitable.
  • Share any dietary requirements when you book, at least 48 hours before travel.
  • There's no WiFi on the tour vehicles and mobile reception is limited outside Cairns.