Day trips from Cairns
Day trips from Cairns open up the towns and sights around it. The most comfortable months are July and August, with highs around 80°F (27°C) and about 5 rainy days a month.
Photo: Frances76 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top day trips in Cairns
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from CairnsFrom $115View 
Green Island Reef Cruise - Half-Day Trip from CairnsFrom $78View 
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from CairnsFrom $222View 
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Day Trip from CairnsFrom $115View 
Green Island Day Trip from CairnsFrom $87View 
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from CairnsFrom $196View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Places to go from Cairns
Towns and sights within day-trip range, with the straight-line distance from the centre:
- Kuranda
- A rainforest village reached by scenic railway and cable car. About 12 miles away.
- Daintree Rainforest
- Ancient rainforest where it meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. About 71 miles away.
- Green Island
- A coral cay on the reef, 45 minutes by boat. About 17 miles away.
- Fitzroy Island
- A national-park island with snorkelling and walking trails. About 15 miles away.
- Mission Beach
- A long beach backed by rainforest, known for skydiving. About 69 miles away.
- Port Douglas
- A resort town and gateway to the outer reef. About 37 miles away.
How to pick a good day trip
- Work out the real travel time each way. A two-hour drive each direction leaves about four hours on the ground.
- Trains are often cheaper than a tour if you only want one town; tours earn their price when they combine several stops.
- Leave early. Popular towns are quietest before the tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
- Check what's closed on Mondays. Museums and churches in many towns take that day off.
Cairns month by month
Averages for Cairns, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 89 (32) | 88 (31) | 85 (30) | 82 (28) | 80 (27) | 79 (26) | 81 (27) | 84 (29) | 86 (30) | 88 (31) | 89 (32) |
| Low °F (°C) | 75 (24) | 75 (24) | 74 (23) | 72 (22) | 68 (20) | 65 (19) | 63 (17) | 63 (17) | 66 (19) | 69 (21) | 73 (23) | 75 (24) |
| Rainy days | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:57 pm | 6:50 pm | 6:32 pm | 6:08 pm | 5:53 pm | 5:51 pm | 5:59 pm | 6:08 pm | 6:12 pm | 6:17 pm | 6:28 pm | 6:46 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for day trips in Cairns?
July and August. Expect highs around 80°F (27°C) and about 5 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and February.
What's the closest day trip from Cairns?
Kuranda, about 12 miles away: a rainforest village reached by scenic railway and cable car. Fitzroy Island, about 15 miles away: a national-park island with snorkelling and walking trails. Green Island, about 17 miles away: a coral cay on the reef, 45 minutes by boat.
Where can I book day trips in Cairns?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
