Cairns and Region

Great Barrier Reef (Full Day from Port Douglas)

The Great Barrier Reef can be accessed from Port Douglas with Quicksilver and the Quicksilver VIII platform and Quicksilver VIII catamaran. The platform is equipped with a lift into the water. The catamaran is roll-on roll-off with level decking at both Port Douglas and the Outer Reef Platform. This is a full day with a 9:00 am departure and 5:00 pm return to Port Douglas.

Kuranda Scenic Railway/Skyrail/Kuranda Village (Full Day)

Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail can be done as a combination or as individual return journeys. Both of these options are a full day excursion to make the most of the trips and to take some time to enjoy Kuranda Village. The trip can be done as a self-drive option to Freshwater Station or Tropic Wings offer an accessible combination package with hotel pickup. Options include Rainforestation and Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Hartleys Crodile Adventures (Half Day)

40 minutes north of Cairns is Hartleys Crocodile adventures. This accessible crocodile farm includes an accessible boat tour and crocodile feeding. With travel time and the variety of activities this is a full day.

Mossman Gorge (Half Day)

The Mossman Gorge is located 77 km north of Cairns or a short 20 km north of Port Douglas. The trail to the Mossman River Lookout (Baral Marrjanga) is a boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs, mobility devices and strollers. It has tapping guides to aid visitors with low vision. Can be combined with Hartleys Crocodile adventures to make a full day trip. 

Wildlife Habitat (Half Day)

Wildlife Habitat is 10 minutes from the centre of Port Douglas and is the ideal location for an exotic and intimate nature experience. Can be combined with either Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for the ultimate wildlife experience or with an excurion to Mossman Gorge.

Cape Tribulation (Full Day from either Cairns or Port Douglas)

Cape Tribulation is renown as the place where the rainforest meets the reef. It is 2.5 hours north of Cairns. Within the rainforest, there are three accessible boardwalks and beach access points. There are picnic facilities and a variety of small cafes along the route. This is long full-day journey. It should be noted that group size is limited as the maximum sized vehicle permitted on the ferry across the Daintree River is a Toyota Coaster. This trip can only be done as a self-drive as no tour operator takes an accessible coach to the Daintree.

Fishing (2 hours to Half Day)

In addition to the land-based fishing opportunity from the jetty at Palm Cove, there are two commercial operators that cater for people with a disability. Broadbill is a blue water fishing charter vessel that offers both offshore and estuary fishing tours. It has a wide rear door for wheelchair access. Estuary tours are more suited to those with balance issues or lack upper body strength.

Cairns Calm Water Fishing, Fun and Food, is a shallow draft calm water fishing vessel offering fishing experiences in Trinity Inlet.

A self drive option is available from Cairns Boat hire with a wheelchair accessible pontoon boat.

Atherton Tablelands (Full Day)

The Atherton Tablelands adds another dimension to a visit to Cairns. Take the Gillies highway with a brief stop at Heales Lookout, and on to the Lake Barrine Teahouse. Highlights include the Curtain Fig, Millaa Millaa Falls Zillie Falls and  Manu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, returning to Cairns via Innisfail.