Cairns Without a Car – 7 Must-do Day Tours

Stressing over not having a car in Cairns? You’re not alone.

But as someone who explored every corner without one, I’m here to show you how to enjoy your trip without the stress of rentals or parking.

Cairns is a popular holiday destination, but not everyone wants to rent a car while there. Here is how to visit Cairns without a car and still see all the amazing attractions the area is known for.

This article may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission. Read the full disclaimer here.

Why Cairns?

Cairns is a city in Queensland, Australia, known for its natural beauty and warm climate. It’s a popular destination for travellers who enjoy beaches and rainforests.

Cairns is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, where visitors can experience snorkelling and diving. The city has a vibrant waterfront, bustling markets, and a range of seafood restaurants.

Whether you’re snorkelling the reef, exploring the rainforest, relaxing in the sun, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Cairns offers something for everyone – including the adrenalin junkies.

Before I visited Cairns, I researched all the things to do in Cairns without a car and I had these seven tours on my wishlist. I did four of them, the other three I will do the next time I am in town.

So do you need a car in Cairns? I say no, you can easily explore the area with a few tours and use other means of transport to get around.

Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef

My guess is this is the reason you have come to Cairns, to experience the amazing GBR! There are dozens of different ways to experience the Reef but the most common one is a day trip from Cairns.

Since this is a bucket list experience, you want to make sure you can do everything you can to get the most out of your day.

When researching my own trip I considered lots of options, read countless reviews and looked up many different tours to find one that ticked all my boxes.

I chose to do a tour out to the reef with Down Under Cruise & Dive.

I had read lots of great reviews about their cruise, and I liked that it combined a snorkelling trip with something else I had on my bucket list – a helicopter ride over the reef.

That’s not the only option, you can also include scuba diving for those already experienced or an introductory dive for those who would like to give it a go.

All dive and snorkel equipment is provided on board.

At the second stop, there is also (for an extra fee paid on board) a submarine that will take you to view the reef without getting wet.

The cruise visits two different reef sites and includes a buffet lunch and some snacks.

They cater for all sorts of dietary requirements – I got an individual vegan meal and snack provided, but I would have been happy with the bread and salads available to everyone else as they were vegan and were delicious.

Take a look at all the cruise details here – to see the options, put in a date and click “Check Availability” and you will see the diving and helicopter options appear.

Ride the Rails to Kuranda

Kuranda is a cute little town nestled amidst the rainforest, it’s a haven for nature enthusiasts. Kuranda is known for its scenic beauty, with cascading waterfalls and panoramic views.

The town is famous for its vibrant arts and crafts scene, offering unique handmade souvenirs.

A Kuranda day trip means you can explore the Kuranda Rainforest, take a scenic train ride, cuddle a koala, or visit the Butterfly Sanctuary.

With its relaxed atmosphere and natural wonders, Kuranda is a delightful destination for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty.

There are two ways to get to Kuranda, and both are worth experiencing – the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail.

In both directions, there are stops to view the impressive Barron Falls, walk in the rainforest and learn some of the history of the area.

This is a really popular day trip from Cairns and there are a number of options.

We took this tour with Global Travel Services because it combined the train on the way to the Kuranda and the Skyrail on the way down.

The time in Kuranda is free, so you can do whatever you choose. We wandered the shops and markets on the main street and then we visited the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Another thing to do here in Kuranda is to visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens, where you will see all sorts of Australian wildlife, and have the opportunity to cuddle a koala.

While a tour may seem excessive since the Kuranda Scenic Railway leaves from right in the centre of Cairns, you will need to have transport back from the Skyrail, and this way you are picked up and dropped off right from your accommodation.

Enjoy an Indigenous Experience

Take a day out during your visit to Cairns to learn a little with one of the Indigenous tours available.

I highly recommend this fun tour from Down Under Tours. It started with an Aboriginal bus driver providing information as we were driving north to the Daintree area past Port Douglas.

We spent our morning fishing in the traditional way with Brandon, a local Kuku Yalanji man who grew up here on Cooya Beach. We had spears to help us catch fish and crabs, and searched for scallops and other shellfish as we walked across the mudflats at low tide.

Fishing is not complete without tasting the catch, which was cooked up by Brandon in his childhood home.

Lunch was at the Mossman Gorge visitor centre before our afternoon tour through the surrounding rainforest.

Again we were guided by a local Kuka Yalanji man, who started the walk with a traditional smoking ceremony, before teaching us about how some of the forest plants are used, and which plants we should avoid.

There is a second option for this tour that instead has an Indigenous art class in the morning if fishing does not sound like something you would like, but honestly, it was so relaxing and fun.

Both tours had the same bus driver and met again for lunch and the afternoon visit to Mossman Gorge.

Visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

You can’t help but notice the “Beware of Crocodile” signs that you will come across all over this region – there is even one right on the beachfront in Cairns – so while here, learn about their impressive power and see how big they can really get at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

This half-day tour will take you to the crocodile farm and sanctuary where you can see some of their rescued crocodiles up close. The biggest one is 5 metres long and incredible to see.

We were able to see the daily reptile show, the crocodile attack show, the cassowaries being fed and take a cruise around the lagoon to see the crocodiles jump vertically for food.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is also home to many other Australian native animals, and while here, you can have your photo taken holding a koala or a snake.

Hartley’s is located about 40km north of Cairns, so the benefit of a tour means all the transport is included. The downside is that your time is limited, but unless you arrange your own transport, I could not find a full-day tour here.

If you do want to arrange a taxi or Uber, you can pick up your entry tickets here.

Admire the Decay of Paronella Park

I ran out of time for visiting Paronella Park, but it is certainly on my list next time I am in Cairns.

Paronella Park is a popular attraction around 100km south of Cairns. It has a castle and gardens built by José Paronella in the 1930s.

Over the years the castle has been destroyed by fire and further damaged by a cyclone, leaving it in a decayed, but beautiful state.

Today visitors can see the ruins, beautiful waterfalls, and paths to walk on. It’s a popular spot for taking pictures because there are pretty bridges and lots of tropical plants.

When you visit, you can learn about the history of the park and enjoy the combination of nature and buildings.

This full-day tour also includes stops at the Lake Barrine crater lake, shows you a magnificent 600-year-old curtain fig and provides the opportunity for a quick swim under the Millaa Millaa waterfalls.

Go 4WD’ing at Cape Tribulation

So many times I have heard how beautiful the Daintree and Cape Tribulation are.

We briefly touched the southern Daintree with our visit to Mossman Gorge but this tour brings a whole new dimension to this UNESCO World Heritage Listed area.

This full-day tour includes a river cruise in the Daintree, multiple scenic viewpoints and a walk along the beach at Cape Tribulation. There’s a guided boardwalk stroll through the forest and the opportunity to cool off with a swim at Emmagen Creek.

You may even spot some crocodiles – but hopefully not in the swimming hole!

Spend a day on Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island is one of those perfect tropical islands from the tourism brochures. Think pristine white beaches and sparkling blue water. If you’ve made the effort to come to Cairns, a second day out on the water is no hardship.

This full-day tour includes the ferry transfers from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, and then a selection of activities while you are there – or you can simply relax on the beach.

Choose from snorkelling right off the beach, a glass-bottom boat tour, or hiking one of the five island trails. This could be a great option for those who want to see the reef but don’t want to snorkel.

More Tips for Getting Around Cairns Without a Car

Tours are great, but you might still be wondering how to get around Cairns without a car. Here are a few more tips on how to explore Cairns without driving.

• Airport Transfers – The airport is not far from the centre of town and there are several options for your transfers. I recommend a taxi or Uber, or the shared airport shuttle.
• Cairns public transport – There are public buses that serve Cairns and the surrounding areas, from Gordonvale in the south to Palm Cove in the north. Find the maps and fares here.
• Walking – The CBD is compact and very walkable, so getting around Cairns on foot is easy. You can stroll along the Esplanade, visit the Cairns Lagoon, or pop into restaurants and shops without needing a car.
• Jump on a scooter or bike – For a bit more speed, try one of the many electric scooter or bike rentals available in Cairns. Companies like Beam or Neuron have e-scooters that you can grab via their app, perfect for a quick ride between attractions.

I hope this all helps you with what to do in Cairns without a car and you have a great trip to this amazing area. Like me, you will be booking another trip back soon.

Still planning your Cairns trip? Read these next
Eating Vegan in Cairns
18 Best Things to Do in Cairns for Free

Found this post useful? Share it with your friends and pin it for later