Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Welcome to Cairns
Arrive at Cairns Airport at any time and make your own way to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can stroll along the Cairns Esplanade and eat at the Night Markets.
Day 2
Day 2: Great Barrier Reef
Make your way to Cairns Marina for a full-day catamaran cruise to Moore Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. From a floating pontoon in a coral-fringed lagoon, snorkel with provided equipment or explore on semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours. Visit the underwater observatory and marine-life touch tank presentations, swim in the enclosed ocean pool, or take the 30-metre spiral waterslide. A lifeguard watches over the water, with access from two snorkel platforms. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before returning to Cairns.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 3
Day 3: Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail
Transfer to Freshwater Station and ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway through tropical rainforest, past Barron Gorge and waterfalls, to Kuranda. Explore the village and its arts and crafts; optional visits include Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Kuranda Koala Gardens. Return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping at Red Peak and Barron Falls Stations to explore the Rainforest Discovery Zone and Edge Lookout. From Smithfield Station, take a coach back to your accommodation. This day’s itinerary will be modified during Skyrail renovation works from 20 July to 25 October 2026.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Day 4: Depart Cairns
The Short Break concludes after breakfast. Make your own way to Cairns Airport; flights may depart at any time.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Dining Summary
- 3 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Fitness Requirement
- Leisurely
Flight information
- Day 1: Flights to arrive anytime into Cairns AirportDay 4: Flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Airport to Hotel transfers are available to purchase on request.
Flights to and from your tour are not included in the tour price.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
Warm layers in cooler months
Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
Water bottle
Camera
Kuranda Village & Heritage Markets
Explore Kuranda village and its Heritage Markets, browsing stalls of arts, crafts and locally made goods amid the tropical surroundings of the Atherton Tablelands. The village offers a chance to see a different side of Far North Queensland from the coast and reef.
Take time to look closely at the work on display and enjoy the market atmosphere. This included visit centres on the village and markets; purchases and separate wildlife attractions are not included.
Operated By
AAT Kings
Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Moore Reef Experiences
Cruise from Cairns to Moore Reef for a full day at a floating pontoon in a coral-fringed lagoon. Snorkel among colourful fish and coral with equipment provided, or view the reef from a semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat.
Look for turtles and Maori wrasse, visit the underwater observatory, and learn about reef life through touch-tank and conservation presentations. A lifeguard-supervised ocean pool, spiral waterslide and tropical buffet lunch add different ways to enjoy the day above and below the water.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway from Freshwater Station into the rainforest-clad mountains above Cairns. Watch for Barron Gorge and its waterfalls as the train rounds tight curves, crosses bridges and passes through tunnels on its climb towards Kuranda.
The railway’s hand-hewn tunnels recall the demanding work of the pioneers who built this mountain route. Its leisurely pace gives you time to take in the changing views of rocky gorge, forest and distant ranges.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway & Barron Falls Lookouts
Glide above World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway between Kuranda and Smithfield. The gondola journey opens up views across the forest canopy, with opportunities to explore at Red Peak and Barron Falls stations.
Visit the Rainforest Discovery Zone and Edge Lookout for a closer perspective on this ancient environment and the Barron Gorge landscape. The itinerary will be modified during Skyrail renovation works from 20 July to 25 October 2026.
Birdworld Kuranda
Visit Birdworld Kuranda to observe birds in a walk-through aviary within the rainforest village. Look for differences in plumage, movement and calls as birds fly and perch around you, rather than viewing them only through enclosure windows.
This is an optional way to focus your time in Kuranda on Australian and other birdlife. The visit is at additional cost and bookable on tour; it is not part of the included village and markets experience.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Step into the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda and watch butterflies moving through a tropical aviary. Slow down to notice their colours and patterns as they settle on leaves or pass through the planted habitat.
The sanctuary offers a close-up look at the insects associated with North Queensland’s rainforest environment, making it a distinctive wildlife choice during a village visit. Entry is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Kuranda Koala Gardens
Visit Kuranda Koala Gardens for a closer look at koalas and other Australian animals while exploring the rainforest village. Observe the animals at your own pace and learn to recognise some of the native wildlife that makes this region distinctive.
This optional attraction adds a wildlife-focused experience to your time in Kuranda without changing the included railway, markets or rainforest cableway experiences. Entry is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
