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Far North Queensland Garden & park tours

Our most recommended Far North Queensland Garden & park tours

Cairns: Paronella, Lake Barrine & Millaa Millaa Falls Tour

1. Cairns: Paronella, Lake Barrine & Millaa Millaa Falls Tour

The departure is from Cairns, we head south travelling past Walsh’s Pyramid, one of the largest naturally formed pyramids in the world. Here your guide will stop so you can grab a photo of this unique North Queensland landmark. Now it’s time to travel up the World Heritage-listed Gillies Highway climbing 730 metres above sea level whilst enjoying the breathtaking views over the Goldsborough Valley. Just before the top of the amazing Gillies Range is a short photo opportunity at the Heales Lookout before heading into the gorgeous Atherton Tablelands. The first stop is the beautiful World Heritage Listed Lake Barrine Crater Lake National Park. On arrival, your tour guide will take you on a short walk to visit the 1000-year-old Twin Kauri Pines, true giants of the rainforest. Enjoy a Devonshire morning tea with freshly-baked scones before departing for the historical town of Yungaburra, which has the most Nationally Listed Heritage buildings in Queensland. Go on a driving tour around this quaint town, showcasing the many Nationally Heritage buildings. Next stop is The Curtain Fig Tree located in the Curtain Fig Tree National Park. This amazing feat of nature reaching 45+ metres up into the tropical rainforest canopy. Follow your guide on the boardwalk to learn about the amazing formation of this 600-800-year old epiphyte. Spy endemic wildlife species in the rainforest canopy, like the rare Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo. From here, head through the historical dairy town of Malanda, home to Australia’s oldest continuously running commercial picture theatre. Your guide will drive you around this charming town showcasing the beautiful old pub and theatre. Travelling through extensive beef, dairy, sugar cane, and other diverse types of farming areas, arrive at Millaa Millaa Falls, one of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls. Have an option of swimming under the cool waters or you sit back, relax, enjoy the tranquility of nature. Now it’s time to descend from the mountains down the Palmerstone Highway through sugar cane & banana fields to the coastal town of Innisfail, after leaving Innisfail you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Paronella Park is the next destination with a 45-minute guided tour in English, Chinese or Japanese. Be guided through the extensive National Trust Gardens while learning the rich history of Hose Paronella’s wonderful achievements and the colorful history of how he built his Spanish Castle in the rainforest; you will have amazing photo opportunities of the breathtaking Mena Creek and Theresa falls. Spend approx 2.5 hours here allowing plenty of free time to enjoy the rest of the park at a leisurely pace. Then, return to Cairns.

Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk Ticket Combo

2. Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk Ticket Combo

Spend a great day out south of Cairns at 2 top attractions. Plan your own day and embrace the flexibility of staying as long as you like at each location. At Mamu Tropical Skywalk, listen to the stories of the original indigenous peoples of the rainforest and the early European settlers. Enjoy the scenic majesty of this world heritage and learn more about the site with audio guides provided in 8 languages. This wheelchair and stroller-friendly attraction offers light refreshments for sale. At Paronella Park, a short 35-minute drive from the Skywalk, join a 45-minute guided tour telling the story of one of Australia's early settlers, Jose Paronella. Spend the rest of your time strolling the avenues and learning about the flora and fauna with a comprehensive botanical guide. You can also choose to have lunch at the cafe on the deck, feed the fish, cross the suspension bridge above the falls, or stroll 200 meters up the road to the wonderful Mena Creek Hotel for lunch or a cool drink.

Cairns: Paronella Park Ticket

3. Cairns: Paronella Park Ticket

Allow a minimum of 3-hours to experience the wonder of Paronella Park. All you need is to purchase your Paronella Park ticket, and then you have the choice to join the following tours if you wish. Alternatively, you can walk around as you please. Paronella Park is open every day, from 09:00 until 19:00. Step back in time and be amazed by the ingenuity and determination shown by one man with a dream. Today, Paronella Park is a celebration of the Paronella family's achievements, particularly those of its founder, José Paronella. Paronella Park has something for everyone. Fantastic photo opportunities, remarkable architecture, an incredible story, 5 acres of tropical gardens, a fully restored and operational 1930s hydroelectric generator, wildlife and fish feeding, a boutique caravan and camping grounds, a café with fresh local produce and much more. You will arrive not knowing what to expect, and depart with memories you will cherish forever. You can join in the following ways, as you wish: - The Dream Continues Tour: A 35 minute guided walk takes the visitor through the highlights of the park and tells the story of José Paronella’s dreams and vision. Departs every 30 minutes from 09:30 until 16:30 - The Darkness Falls Tour: You will be shown the secrets and delights of Paronella Park at night - a special way to extend the Paronella Park experience. 18:15 each night. Duration is approximately 45 minutes

Cairns: Night Walk in Cairns Botanic Gardens

4. Cairns: Night Walk in Cairns Botanic Gardens

Experience the rainforest boardwalk of the Cairns Botanic Gardens as the nocturnal creatures wake up for the night with this small group tour. Have a quick safety briefing at the meeting point and start a walking route that has been adapted for the season. Visit a number of host plants that are habitats for regularly seen creatures. Take the opportunity to capture photographs of some nocturnal creatures Find white-lipped tree frogs and northern stony creek frogs. Marvel at busy spiders such as net-casting spiders, garden orb-weavers, and Huntsmans. See critters that only come out at night and usually go unseen. Listen to a chorus of frog croaks, cricket chirps, and cicada buzzes as the rainforest comes alive. Keep your eyes peeled for micro-bats, Papuan frogmouth birds, striped possums, speckled flying foxes, longicorn beetles, Pademelons and Echidnas.

Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour

5. Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour

Make your way to the Cairns Aquarium, opens from 10am and start your day with a self-guided tour through the aquarium and explore the ecosystems and habitats of Tropical North Queensland. You will be collected from the aquarium for your afternoon guided sightseeing tour of Cairns and beyond from the entrance of the Cairns Aquarium at 12.45pm You will discover Cairns in air-conditioned comfort with your local guide as you explore the city’s rich history. Get glimpses of its cultural heritage and iconic landmarks. Marvel at the world’s largest themed stained glass windows at Saint Monica’s Cathedral. Enjoy a 20-minute guided tour of the Cairns Museum with free re-entry included. Afterward, indulge in a delicious afternoon Devonshire tea before visiting the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Take delight in the stunning city and mountain views before visiting Lower Barron Gorge National Park and Surprise Creek Falls. Also visit stunning Palm Cove, one of Cairns' Northern Beaches. You will be taken to your Cairns accommodation at the end of your tour approx 6.00pm

Discover Cairns: Cairns River Cruise & City Sights Tour

6. Discover Cairns: Cairns River Cruise & City Sights Tour

At 9.30AM, Make your way to the Cairns Marlin Marina to join your Cairns Calm Water River Cruise. You will explore the stunning sights of the Trinity Inlet and waterfront of Cairns. The extensive and stunning Inlet is mountain & mangrove lined and is a sanctuary for many types of wildlife. The tour meanders through pristine creeks (the home of saltwater crocodiles) and takes in some of the quirky sites of the backwaters of Cairns too. The Cairns River Cruises vessel is spacious so the tour is bespoke and personal and everyone has access to the fantastic views of Cairns. The vessel is fitted with an onboard toilet and clears for comfortable year-round cruising. At 11.30 am- 12 noon - Walk the short distance to the award winning Dundees restaurant on the waterfront. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and take in the views before joining your afternoon city sights tour. At 1:00 pm, you will be collected from the Reef Fleet Terminal to explore Cairns and learn about the city's culture and history.  This tour will include a visit to the Cairns Museum in the School of Arts Building in the heart of the city. Meet a museum guide for an approximate 20 minute exclusive tour in the museum. Included is a complimentary re-entry pass to revisit the museum during your stay in Cairns. Step inside St Monica’s Cathedral to see the world's largest breath-taking stained glass windows. Indulge in a delicious afternoon tea and a guided walk at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Delight in the stunning city view, mountains, waterfalls at the Lower Barron Gorge National Park. Your final destination is the quiet seaside suburb of Palm Cove Palm, this picture-perfect location, fringed with coconut trees and its’ magnificent paperbark trees. Watch as the sun begins to set before returning to your chosen Cairns or Palm Cove accommodation at approx. 6.00pm.

Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour

7. Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour

Photograph some stunning mushroom specimens on this walking tour of he Cairns Botanic Gardens. Let your guide share her passion for kingdom fungi with you on this unique tour. After conducting a short safety briefing, stroll to the gardens to visit your guides favorite go-to spots for fungi. See mushrooms such as stinkhorns, polypores, fans, boletes, ascomycetes (zombies), corals, birdnest fungi and slime molds. Get help with your camera settings, composition ideas, and techniques. Listen as your guide gives you tips and suggestions for capturing amazing images of the mushrooms your encounter. Enjoy taking the only specialized mushroom and fungi photography walking tour in Australia.

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What people are saying about Far North Queensland

It was a long drive. However, the trip was worth it. The scones served at the Teahouse at Lake Barrine were delicious. We enjoyed a big and sumptuous lunch before heading to our next destination. It was fascinating to see the Millaa Millaa waterfalls and Paronella Park was interesting. Besides being a good driver, Danny was friendly & very knowledgeable as well. It was an excellent tour. We highly recommend it!

Although the road trip there and back was long, the journey was worth the effort of an early start. The guide was knowledgeable and courteous and it was a pleasure to have him as our guide. Paronella was the highlight.

Jimbo was an amazing guide. His knowledge about every single thing related to the tour was rich. Morning tea was great, lunch was amazing and the tour itself just couldn’t be better. Hope to see u again

Michelle was sensational and I honestly had such a fantastic day! I really enjoyed the whole day! Was so fun and really engaging!

Absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable staff, which made for a wonderful experience overall. Would definitely recommend