Tours/Cairns and the Tropical North/Cairns Combo: Cairns River Cruise & Small group Cairns City Sights
Viator · group up to 14 pax

Cairns Combo: Cairns River Cruise & Small group Cairns City Sights

4.9(14)Cairns and the Tropical North1 hour
VIATOR4.8(4)TRIPADVISOR4.9(10)

Description

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.

Tour Options

Cairns Combo: Cairns River Cruise & Small group Cairns City Sights

Itinerary

Admission included75 min

This 75 minute 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.

Admission included60 min

Relax and take in the waterfront views at Dundee's Restaurant short 2 minute walk from where your river cruise ends before joining Cairns Discovery Tours City Sights afternoon Tour.

Admission included20 min

Step inside one of Australia's most breathtaking cathedrals, featuring the World's largest themed stained-glass windows.

Admission included30 min

Visit Cairns Museum at the School of Arts Building, in the heart of the city. You will be greeted by a dedicated guide for an exclusive tour of the museum (free re-entry included, valid for 3 days)

Admission included25 min

Enjoy a traditional Devonshire Afternoon Tea, perfectly paired with your choice of tea or coffee

40 min

Discover the vibrant beauty of tropical flora with a guided walk through the Cairns Flecker Botanic Gardens.

15 min

Have your camera at the ready as we visit a spectacular lookout with views over the city of Cairns and the Coral Sea

25 min

Continue on to Palm Cove, one of Cairns’ most picturesque northern beaches. Walk along the jetty or feel the sand between your toes on Palm Cove beach.

Highlights

Afternoon tea
River Cruise includes 1 x complimentary non alcoholic drink
Driver/guide
Cairns and Northern Beaches Hotel drop-off
Enjoy lunch at Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront

What's included

Included
Afternoon tea
River Cruise includes 1 x complimentary non alcoholic drink
Driver/guide
Cairns and Northern Beaches Hotel drop-off
Enjoy lunch at Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront
Not included
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

4.9
14 reviews
5
12
4
2
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children under the age of 4 are not permitted to travel
  • 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
  • No wheelie walkers permitted
  • Meeting point is the Cairns Marlin Marina, Berth A1 at 10.30am
  • Cairns Hotel drop off is included
  • Motor scooters not permitted
  • Cairns River Cruise Vessel is non-smoking

Reviews(14)

B
Brenda_W
November 9, 2025
Recommend

It was a lovely experience, great guide, very interesting information. If you’re short on time perfect tour to do.

K
Kate_D
July 17, 2025
Best day trip ever!

What a fabulous way to explore the mangrove forest and sail round Admiralty Island. Joe, our skipper, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Small boat with total of 8 people, so nice to be off the tourist traps. Delicious lunch at Dundees, although had to eat quickly! The afternoon bus trip with Chris was fantastic. Explored the cathedral, just stunning. Then museum, where we could easily have spent hours (your tour ticket allows you to go back another day) then a small part of the botanic gardens. Chris explained about numerous trees and plants, all beautiful. Then scones and tea, before a drive into the hills and a panoramic view over the city. Baron Gorge not accessible currently due to landslides so unable to visit Lake Placid. But it meant we could spend longer on the beautiful beach at Palm Cove. A wonderful end to a brilliant day. So nice to be taken back to our hotel. Thank you Joe and Chris, you made our Cairns trip so memorable.

Operator response

Thank you Kate really appreciate the review and I will be sure to pass on your compliments to Joe and Chris. 3 small local companies combined to showcase the best of Cairns - Cairns River Cruises, Dundees on the Waterfront and Cairns Discovery Tours. It is a relative new tour and so pleased you enjoyed your day. Regards Maryanne

K
Kalita_S
November 4, 2024
Great trip with Joe & Chris

I must say our cruise guide Joe was amazing he was too good and made us comfortable and gave us very nice details He was just awesome - thanks Joe And so was Chris who took good care of us on the bus and gave us great service and information right thru - thanks Chris

Operator response

Thank you, I will let both Joe and Chris know how much you enjoyed your cruise and city sights tour with them. We appreciate you taking the time to review our combined tour.

M
Mladen K
October 15, 2024
Great day with great food and guides

Informative relaxing with very knowledgeable guides (Pat for the boat and Graeme city tour). Lunch and tea were great!

Operator response

Thank you - pleased you found the day relaxing and informative, we are 2 small owner operators who have combined our tours to create a special experience of Cairns

T
tricia1653
September 26, 2024
Great trip

This is a really varied tour with highlights of the city stopping to see a magnificent stain glass window in Saint Monica’s Cathedral, having a personal tour around Cairns museum and then out to have a superb afternoon tea, all the places are visited on the tour where extremely interesting and would definitely recommend this again,

D
denniscL5660IR
July 30, 2024
A totally enjoyable day

We started with the small group Cairns River Cruise which was very informative and relaxing, a great way to start the day. This was followed by a delicious lunch at Dundee’s on the wharf and the small group Cairns City Sights which was a really good way to have an overview of Cairns. A totally enjoyable day. Maryanne at Cairns Discovery Tours was very helpful with suggestion for our holiday in Cairns.

Operator response

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're delighted that you had a totally enjoyable day on our Cairns River Cruise and City sights Combo tour. It’s great to hear that you found the Cairns River Cruise relaxing and informative, Dundee’s lunch was delicious and the Cairns City sights tour made an enjoyable day. We are 3 locally owned businesses who have combined our experiences to show off our beautiful city and surrounding area. It was my pleasure to assist you with your holiday and we hope to welcome you back again soon for more adventures! Regards Maryanne

E
elizabethcB9657WS
June 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.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us on the Cairns River Cruise and Cairns City sights tour. We are 2 small operators who have combined our experiences to show case our city, Lunch at Dundee's is one of my favourites as a local. Regards Maryanne

D
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.

C
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.

J
JennyS1709
July 14, 2022
Excellent

Enjoyable day, lots to see and well organised. Excellent firm to deal with. River Cruise was very informative.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to review your Cairns River Cruise and City sights tour with us. It is a new tour for us in 2022 combining two small owner operators who enjoy showcasing our city of Cairns

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