Reef & Rainforest 2-Day Review
Cairns sits between two World Heritage areas, and trying to do both in a single day means seeing neither properly. This two-day combo is the package I steer most first-time visitors towards: day one on the outer reef aboard the Evolution superyacht, day two in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The days don't have to run back to back, so you can rest in between.
GuestTours Verdict
GuestTours award: Best Reef & Rainforest Combo. GuestTours rating: 4.9 / 5.
Reef & Rainforest 2-Day
Reef + Daintree & Cape Trib · Cairns
Operated by Down Under Cruise & Dive · booked through GuestTours
💰 Special package fare, two days in one booking
Package Prices
Adult
17+ years
$455
Child
4–16 years
$310
Infant
0–3 years
Free
Family Pass SAVE $150
2 Adults + 2 Children
$1380
What's included in your package
- Day 1: full-day outer Great Barrier Reef cruise
- Two outer reef sites · up to 5 hours at the reef
- Snorkel mask, fins & lycra suit
- BBQ buffet lunch on the reef + morning tea
- Glass of wine & light snack on the return crossing
- Day 2: full-day Daintree & Cape Tribulation 4WD
- Daintree River wildlife cruise (crocodile spotting)
- Guided rainforest boardwalk walk
- Cape Tribulation beach (where reef meets rainforest)
- Lunch on the rainforest day
- Rainforest-day return hotel/CBD transfers
- All national park & reef entry fees
Best for these travellers
Great fit
First-time visitors
The most complete "see it all" introduction to Far North Queensland in one booking.
Great fit
Families
Family Pass saves $150. Reef and rainforest both keep kids engaged.
Great fit
Couples
Wine on the reef return + a scenic rainforest day. A relaxed, rounded couple of days.
Not ideal
One-day visitors
If you only have a single day, choose either a reef tour or a Daintree day tour instead.
Your two days, hour by hour
Day 1, Great Barrier Reef
7:15 AM
Check-in, Reef Fleet Terminal
Cairns Harbour. Latest check-in 7:45 AM.
8:00 AM
Depart on the Evolution superyacht
Reef briefing and morning tea on the crossing to the outer reef.
~10:00 AM
First reef site + BBQ lunch
Snorkelling begins. BBQ buffet lunch served at the reef.
~1:00 PM
Second reef site
A second distinct location. Semi-submersible and optional dives here.
~4:30 PM
Back at Cairns
Wine and snacks on the return crossing. Times approximate.
Day 2, Daintree & Cape Tribulation
~7:30 AM
Hotel / CBD pickup
Small-group 4WD coach. Pickup time confirmed on booking.
Morning
Daintree River wildlife cruise
Estuarine crocodile spotting with morning tea.
Midday
Cape Tribulation + rainforest walk
Guided boardwalk through the Daintree, Cape Trib beach, lunch included.
~5:30 PM
Return to Cairns
Drop-off at your accommodation. Times approximate.
What each day looks like
Day 1 · The Outer Reef
35m superyacht · 2 reef sites
A full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef aboard the Evolution. Five hours in the water across two sites, BBQ lunch, and a glass of wine on the return.
Day 2 · Daintree & Cape Trib
4WD · World Heritage rainforest
A 4WD day north to the Daintree: a crocodile river cruise, a guided rainforest walk, and Cape Tribulation, where the reef meets the rainforest.
Optional extras for the reef day
Dive Package (reef day)
Add guided diving to your reef day, intro (no certification needed) or certified. Up to 3 dives available.
Recommended for divers
From $365 pp
Wetsuit Hire (reef day)
Full wetsuit recommended June–October. Lycra suit is included free.
$10 pp
Upgrade to 3 Days (+ Kuranda & Skyrail)
Add a third day with the Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail for the full reef, rainforest and Skyrail combination.
Best for longer stays
Ask when booking
Before you go
Reef Day
Departs 8:00 AM from Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns. Check-in 7:15–7:45 AM. Returns ~4:30 PM.
Rainforest Day
Small-group 4WD with hotel/CBD pickup ~7:30 AM, returns ~5:30 PM. Daintree, Cape Tribulation.
Order & Spacing
The two days can be taken in either order and do not need to be consecutive. Choose your dates at booking.
Meals
BBQ lunch + wine on the reef day; lunch + morning tea on the rainforest day. All included.
Children
Ages 4–16 child price. Infants 0–3 free. Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) saves $150.
What to Bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, swimwear, towel, hat, walking shoes for the rainforest, insect repellent.
The full review
Cairns is the only place on earth where two World Heritage areas sit side by side: the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest. Trying to do both in a single day means seeing neither properly. This two-day combo solves that, and it's the package I steer most first-time visitors towards.
Day one is the outer reef aboard the 35-metre Evolution superyacht: two reef sites, five hours in the water, a hot BBQ lunch and a glass of wine on the way home. Day two swaps the ocean for the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, a 4WD day with a crocodile-spotting river cruise, a guided rainforest walk and that rare stretch of coast where the reef meets the rainforest. The two days don't have to be back to back, so you can rest in between.
At $455 it's barely more than two separate day tours, and you skip the hassle of booking and coordinating them yourself. For couples and families with three or four days in Cairns, this is the most complete way to see the region.
Common questions
You can't do both properly in a single day, they're in opposite directions from Cairns. That's exactly why this package splits them across two days, so you get a full day at each rather than a rushed taste of both.
No. You choose both dates at booking, and they don't need to be consecutive. Many guests leave a rest day in between, especially in the warmer months.
The reef day is on the 35-metre Evolution superyacht, visiting two outer reef sites with up to five hours in the water, a BBQ lunch and a glass of wine on the return.
A small-group 4WD day to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation with a crocodile-spotting river cruise, a guided rainforest walk, time at Cape Tribulation beach, lunch and return hotel transfers.
Yes. The combo is priced below the two day tours bought individually, and you save the effort of coordinating two separate bookings.
Yes. Children aged 4–16 travel at the child price and infants 0–3 are free. The Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) saves $150. Flotation aids are provided on the reef day.
No. Lycra suits and flotation aids are provided, and the crew stay close. Non-swimmers can also see the reef from the semi-submersible.
Yes, on the reef day. A dive package (intro or certified, up to 3 dives) and scenic helicopter options can be added. Select them in the booking form or we'll confirm them with you when you book.
The rainforest day includes hotel/CBD pickup and drop-off. For the reef day you make your own way to Reef Fleet Terminal, a 10-minute walk from the Cairns CBD.
It runs year-round. June to October brings the calmest seas and best reef visibility; November to May is warmer and greener in the rainforest (stinger suits provided on the reef day).
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before each day's departure. Within 48 hours the booking is non-refundable. Weather cancellations are refunded or rescheduled.
Estuarine crocodiles are very commonly seen on the Daintree River cruise. Cassowaries are wild and shy, so sightings aren't guaranteed, but the Daintree is one of the best places in Australia to spot one.
Reef & Rainforest 2-Day
Reef + Daintree & Cape Trib · Cairns
Operated by Down Under Cruise & Dive · booked through GuestTours
💰 Special package fare, two days in one booking
Package Prices
Adult
17+ years
$455
Child
4–16 years
$310
Infant
0–3 years
Free
Family Pass SAVE $150
2 Adults + 2 Children · $1380 total
$1380