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Reef & rainforest · Cairns itinerary

Cairns Reef & Rainforest: The Best Itinerary

Cairns is where two World Heritage wonders meet. Here is how to see both — with the best-rated tours to book.

At a glance

  1. 1Great Barrier Reef
  2. 2Daintree
  3. 3Cape Tribulation
  4. 4Mossman Gorge

The reef

A Great Barrier Reef cruise.

The rainforest

The ancient Daintree.

The meeting point

Cape Tribulation, where reef meets rainforest.

Cairns reef & rainforest — FAQ

Where do the reef and rainforest meet near Cairns?
At Cape Tribulation, where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef — a rare meeting of two World Heritage sites.
Can you do the reef and rainforest from Cairns?
Yes — both are easy day trips, and many visitors do one of each on consecutive days.
What makes Cairns unique?
Cairns is one of the few places where two UNESCO World Heritage wonders — reef and rainforest — sit side by side.