Cairns Combo: An Exciting River Cruise Experience and Exclusive Small Group City Sightseeing

See the best of Cairns in a day with a 1.25-hour morning Cairns River Cruise Tour, cruising the calm waters of Trinity Inlet. Enjoy lunch at Dundee’s Restaurant on the waterfront before joining the afternoon Cairns city sightseeing tour.

Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cairns River Cruises - This 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 too. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious and carries a maximum of 14 guests - so the tour is bespoke and personal and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns.

  • St Monica’s Cathedral - Step inside St Monica’s Cathedral to see the worlds largest stained glass windows.

  • Cairns Museum - Visit the Cairns Museum in the heart of the city to see the highlights of yesteryear. We will meet a museum guide for an approximate 20 minute exclusive tour. Includes complimentary re-entry pass to revisit the museum during your stay in Cairns

  • Cairns Botanical Gardens - Discover the unique flora of the tropics on a guided walk in the Flecker Botanical gardens.From the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden to the Zhanjiang Friendship Garden, there’s so much to explore in the Cairns Botanic Gardens.

  • Barron Gorge National Park - Stop at Cairns sceniclookout, overlooking Cairns city and the Coral Sea. Have your camera at the ready. Next, visit Lower Barron Gorge National Park and Surprise Creek Falls where there are plenty more photo opportunities.

  • Palm Cove Beach - Palm Cove, one of Cairns’ most picturesque northern beaches. Walk along the jetty or feel the sand between your toes on Palm Cove beach before the tour concludes. You will be returned to your accommodation in the Northern Beaches or Cairns City at the end of the tour.

  • Dundees on the Waterfront - Enjoy lunch overlooking Trinity Inlet before joining your afternoon city sights tour

What's Included
  • Afternoon tea
  • Driver/guide
  • Gratuities
  • Cairns and Northern Beaches Hotel drop-off
  • Lunch
Additional Information
  • Not recommended for child aged 5 and under
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Location
Cairns River Cruises
Cairns River Cruise is located at Wharf A, The Cairns Marlin Marina, 1 Spence St
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(9 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Elizabethcb9657ws
Jun 7, 2024
Wonderful experience. - The sights were amazing. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and had fabulous personalities. The lunch at Dundee's on the waterfront was perfect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidcy811zl
May 17, 2024
Cairns in a Day - We were the only visitors on our morning river cruise. The weather was cloudy with occasional heavy showers. This didn't dampen our experience. The skipper was Jacob, and he was very knowledgeable about the Trinity Inlet and its surrounding countryside. As we were the only passengers, he was able to give us his full attention and answer any questions. We were unable to spot any crocodiles even though the extensive mangrove forests make a great hiding spot. We did see an Australian Jabiru, or Black-Necked Stork with a 2.3 metre wingspan. Lunch was at Dundee's Restaurant, a short stroll along the boardwalk from where the river cruise boat moors. We both had fried salmon with salad and Cajun spicy sauce. The salmon was mouth-watering and superbly cooked, and the staff were friendly, attentive and efficient. After lunch we had sufficient time to walk back to our nearby hotel, avoid the passing showers, and freshen up for our afternoon City Highlights bus tour with Chris the driver and commentator. His commentary was almost continuous, as well as being informative and amusing. While we'd visited most of the highlights on previous visits to Cairns, it was well worthwhile seeing them again. Highlights were the magnificent stained glass "Creation" windows at St Monica's Catholic Cathedral, the Cairns Museum, and the delicious freshly made scones at Ozmosis Cafe in Edge Hill and, Cairns Botanic Gardens. From Campbell's Lookout there was a great view out over the growing city of Cairns, towards Trinity Inlet and Mt Gorton in the distance. Finally, we drove further north to Palm Cove on the Coral Sea. There was a strong wind and a rough sea, so not the more common scene of golden sand and coconut palms. We did see one person braving the crocodiles and rough sea and zooming up and down on a Hydrofoil Board. Unfortunately, we were unable to drive up Barron Gorge to see the waterfalls as the road had been badly damaged from heavy rainfalls since last December. We had an enjoyable day, the combined tour was good value, and provided a good tasting of things to see and do in Cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ceried
May 12, 2024
Perfect for first time visitors to Cairns - This tour was perfect for getting to know and understand Cairns. The river tour was excellent and Joe was a marvellous guide, very passionate about the river system and a wealth of knowledge. The coach tour gives a taste of Cairns highlights which covers the history (the museum is excellent) and the botanical gardens are lovely. Chris was a great guide and made the tour very enjoyable. Highly recommend if this is your first time in Cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Miho_d
Jun 27, 2022
Got to know Cairns - Great to have guides during the trip otherwise we would not have known so many things about Cairns. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly. Recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Nette36
Jun 8, 2022
Recommended - The tour of the city was informative and covered many of Cairns local sights. Our guide Eric was very knowledgeable and entertaining More time could be spent at the museum but were told if we go back within three days and say we were on the tour we get in for free. The dinner cruise well organised,staff friendly and the food really good. To be frank, not much to look at, mainly industrial views, felt I was going in circles at times.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U5738ktvall
May 20, 2022
Excellent service - Botanical gardens were amazing and Marianne went out of her way to make special arrangements for our afternoon tea on a public holiday. Guide was very informative and cruise very enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terrydl4521at
May 11, 2022
Cairns by Land & Sea - Excellent interaction with our guides. They were knowledgeable and fun! It was a wonderful snapshot of Cairns and great to do it at the beginning of our trip to help identify where we would like to revisit for longer. And so many gems of interest on the Inlet itself. We learnt so much. Highly recommend. The arvo tea and lunch were very yummy too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennys1709
Jul 14, 2022
Excellent - Enjoyable day, lots to see and well organised. Excellent firm to deal with. River Cruise was very informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today