Explorer Tour by Cairns Waterfalls
Description
Uncover the hidden gems and iconic sights of Tropical North Queensland on a flexible full-day tour from Cairns. This adventure blends lush rainforest, crystal-clear swimming spots, and scenic coastlines, offering a perfect snapshot of the region’s natural beauty. Begin with a guided walk through the Cairns Botanic Gardens, then enjoy a scenic drive with tropical views. Swim at Crystal Cascades and marvel at Clamshell Falls in Behana Gorge. Stop at a tranquil Northern Beach, see Walsh’s Pyramid, and pass the Gordonvale Sugar Mill. Each tour adapts to weather and group interests, ensuring a safe, tailored, and unforgettable experience in the tropics.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start the day discovering Cairns Botanic Gardens, a haven of diverse tropical plants and vibrant birdlife, be enriched by the descriptions and stories told by the ever growing and dieing Pre-Historic Rainforest, Setting you up for the rest of your journey with a deep understanding and mindfulness.
A quick stop at the view over Cairns and out to the Great barrier reef.
Explore Crystal Cascades, tucked away in the lush and verdant rainforest, where cascading waterfalls and peaceful swimming holes are enveloped by intoxicating greenery and the soothing melodies of flowing water. Please note that there will be a travel time between each location, guides will adjust site visit times accordingly. (Swim and relax longer or move onto the next site)
Pass-by the Gordonvale sugar-mill where raw sugar is refined and shipped via train and truck, all around the world. Be immersed in the history of the town and identify the historic decisions made here that still impact Australia today. A quick bakery stop for some snacks as well before moving on.
Visit and enjoy Behana Gorge, a hidden gem south of Cairns, offers an intoxicating blend of adventure and natural beauty. A 10 minute drive along a sealed path, encroached by rainforest to Clamshell Falls, where a pristine swimming hole awaits beneath a cascading waterfall. The gorge's granite cliffs and verdant rainforest provide a breathtaking backdrop, making it an ideal spot for swimming, picnicking, sunbathing and immersing oneself in nature's tranquility.
Get one of the most instagrammed shots in Cairns.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We can pick up from other Accomodation please email or call to confirm.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(20)
The tour was canceled by the operator approximately 3 hours before the scheduled start. The reason given was weather and downed trees. I am still waiting on the requested refund to our account.
Thank you for your feedback, and we sincerely apologise for the late notice regarding the tour cancellation. Safety is always our highest priority at Barefoot Tours. Due to unsafe conditions caused by weather and fallen trees in the canyon, we made the necessary decision to cancel the tour to ensure the safety of all guests and guides. As your booking was made via Tripadvisor / Viator, the refund will be processed directly by their team. We kindly recommend contacting them through your booking confirmation or account, as they manage the payment and refund process. Refund timelines may vary depending on their system and your bank. We understand how disappointing this situation is and truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Please don’t hesitate to contact us directly if you need any further assistance from our side.
Great friendly guide who either picks up from your hotel and drops you back or collects and returns from Reef Terminal. Very knowledgeable guide who knows his way around Cairns and surrounds. Takes you to some beautiful places where you could not go on your own if on vacay. I would recommend it. Waterfalls, cascades, swimming in them if weather permits, stop at the best bakery for snacks, visit to the Cairns Botanic Gardens which is the starting point. Make sure you have aeroguard for mosquitoes, although guide has that and umbrellas for rainy weather.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review — we really appreciate it. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the flexibility of the pick-up options and that your guide helped make the experience both informative and relaxed. Showing guests those special spots around Cairns that are hard to find on your own is exactly what we love doing, so it’s great to know that came through on your day. Thanks as well for the handy tips — aeroguard is always a winner in the tropics! We’re glad the waterfalls, swims, bakery stop and Botanic Gardens all made for a memorable experience. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Tropical North Queensland in the future. 😊
The small group setting allows for greater interaction with the tour guide providing for a dipper dive into the local flora, fauna and culture.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the small-group setting — it really does make it easier to dive deeper into the local flora, fauna and culture, and to have those quality conversations with the guide. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Was a wonderful trip Very very good tour guide. She went the extra mile for sure. Luv all the things we did.
Thanks heaps for the awesome review! So glad to hear you had such a great trip and that your guide went the extra mile — she’ll be wrapped to know you appreciated it. Sounds like you made the most of every moment! Hope we get to show you around again sometime soon.
Anton was fabulous. He was so knowledgeable and imported great nuggets of information throughout the trip and went out of his way to make it a special day for us both.
Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great day out with Anton. He’s a real gem and takes a lot of pride in making every experience special. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to him. Glad you enjoyed the trip, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Wolf was a great guide, very knowledgeable and a very good driver. Excursion was just the right length of time
Hi there, Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your excursion and that Wolf made such a positive impression with his knowledge and driving skills. It’s great to know the tour length was just right for you as well. We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Great experience, lovely tour guide, great price. Stunning views and beautiful drive. Would rate 10/10
G’day! Thanks so much for your kind words – we’re stoked to hear you had such a great time on the Explorer Tour with us. Our guides genuinely love what they do, and it's fantastic to know that came through on your trip. The waterfalls in this region really are something special, and we’re glad you enjoyed the stunning views and scenic drive. We truly appreciate your 10/10 rating – it means the world to us! Hope to see you again for another adventure soon. Cheers, The Cairns Waterfalls Team
Had a lovely time visiting some beautiful locations outside Cairns. With the opportunity to swim in the refreshing waters in two different spots in the rainforest.
G’day and thanks for the great review! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring a bit beyond the city with us. There’s nothing quite like a dip in those refreshing rainforest waters – it's a real Far North Queensland experience! Thanks for choosing to tour with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon. Cheers, The Cairns Waterfalls Team
My Partner and I did the explorer tour with this company and have nothing bad to say! Our tour guide Vanessa was so welcoming and engaging which made our day super exciting and comfortable. The views were amazing and Vanessa continued to amaze us with her interesting facts about Cairns. Would definitely recommend for those wanting a half day tour as you still got to experience the incredible scenery. Will definitely do this again!
G’day and thanks a million for the cracking review! We’re absolutely stoked to hear you and your partner had such a top-notch time on the Explorer Tour. Vanessa will be chuffed to know she made your day so memorable – she’s a real gem and loves sharing her knowledge and passion for Cairns with our guests. We couldn’t agree more – the scenery around here is something else, and we’re glad you got to soak it all in on a half-day adventure. Can’t wait to welcome you back for round two! Cheers again and safe travels!
We booked very last minute and they were extremely accommodating. The whole trip was brilliant. We saw lots of tropical plants at the Botanical Gardens before heading the the Crystal Cascade Falls which were stunning. Not only was swimming under a waterfall just a dream, we also saw the biggest spider we have ever seen, from a safe distance and a turtle chilling on a rock. Our visit to the Behana Gorge Falls surpassed even the Falls. Stunning and really remote. By the end of the day we had seen so many highlights and views we would have never have experienced without this tour. So much packed into one your. Highly recommended.
G’day and thanks heaps for the ripper review! We’re wrapped to hear you had such a brilliant time on the tour — especially booking last minute! It’s always our goal to make things as smooth and enjoyable as possible, and it sounds like you got the full tropical experience — waterfalls, wildlife, and all! Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge are true local treasures, and we’re stoked you got to enjoy their beauty (and a cheeky swim under the falls too!). Sounds like you spotted one of our eight-legged locals as well — all part of the Far North adventure! Thanks again for the recommendation — hope to see you back in Cairns for another adventure soon. Cheers!
