Cairns Reef and Outback Tour includes two days: one day discovering the Great Barrier Reef and one day exploring the Queensland Outback.
We will take you to the Outer Great Barrier Reef on a day to remember with Reef Experience and then out west over the Great Dividing Range to the Queensland Australian outback and Chillagoe Caves.
You can decide which order to experience this package deal.
Day One of your Reef and Outback Experience
Reef Experience is the only “Fully Inclusive” Great Barrier Reef Trip departing from Cairns. Inner City Bus transfers, BBQ Bacon and Egg Rolls and fruit platters, Coffee or Tea for breakfast, unlimited snorkelling, a Certified Dive or Introductory Dive (Subject to Medical Conditions), Government Reef Levies.
Join the crew aboard “Reef Experience” for an unforgettable 90-minute journey on a fast catamaran to 2 (two) pristine outer Great Barrier Reef locations and explore the spectacular underwater world of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef Inclusions
Visit two Outer Barrier Reef locations with unlimited snorkelling!
1 x FREE Certified Scuba Dive or Resort Scuba Dive (no-experience necessary) for everyone who is over the age of 12 and medically fit scuba
All snorkelling & scuba diving equipment & tuition
BBQ breakfast roll & fruit platters lunch prepared fresh at the reef
Afternoon wine, cheese & biscuits
Tea & Coffee
Marine Biology Presentation
Transfers to and from the marina if you are staying in the Cairns business area.
Departs every day
Great Barrier Reef Itinerary
07:30 Board Reef Experience vessel at the Marlin Jetty, Cairns
08:00 Departure Marlin Jetty for the trip to the Great Barrier Reef
15:30 Glass of wine, tropical fruits, cheese & biscuits
16:30 Arrive back in Cairns
Day Two of your Adventure – Chillagoe Caves
Embark on a one-of-a-kind full-day adventure into the Outback from Cairns, exploring the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and other captivating highlights of Tropical North Queensland.
Your journey begins with a pick-up by a friendly, accredited guide in a custom-built, air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. After introductions and getting to know your fellow travelers, you’ll ascend the McAllister Ranges, keeping an eye out for native bush birds, including emus, wedge-tailed eagles, squatter pigeons, kangaroos, and frilled-neck lizards. The first stop is at Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba for morning tea.
As you make your way to Chillagoe, your guide will provide fascinating commentary about the region’s wildlife, history, and Aboriginal culture. You’ll explore the Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves National Park with an expert local guide, travel through historic mining towns and quaint outback communities, visit the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, and stop by Balancing Rock for a stunning photo opportunity. The tour also includes learning about Aboriginal rock art and a visit to Granite Gorge to see the wallabies. Along the way, you’ll enjoy lunch at an authentic Aussie Outback pub.
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Outback & Chillegoe Caves Inclusions
Courtesy pick-up and drop-off from Cairns City Accommodation
Accredited driver-guide for the day
Morning Tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation with coffee or tea and a morning tea snack
Guided National Parks Chillagoe Cave tour
National Park Fees covered for all sites: Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, Aboriginal Rock Art, Balancing Rock, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves
Entry/Admission to Granite Gorge to see wallabies
Travel in an air-conditioned custom-built 4WD vehicle
Lunch at an Aussie pub
Booster seats for children if required (please note at the time of booking)
Outback & Chillagoe Caves Itinerary
Days of travel for your Outback Day tour are: MONDAY’S – WEDNESDAY’S – FRIDAY’S
0700 Pick-up from your Accommodation
1830 Return to your Accommodation
There is no set Itinerary
What to Bring
Extra cash for cold drinks, souvenirs or ice cream.
Hat, camera, closed in footwear, comfortable clothing, sunscreen and water bottle
Please ensure that you wear closed in footwear for the cave tour, please. No Thongs or High Heels on this tour.
A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour as there are steps into the caves.
The tour may not operate, or itinerary may change due to the wet season where conditions may close roads and access to the caves.
Your 2 -day Reef and Outback Experience does not include Accommodation.
A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any changes to the booking (date, names, etc) incur a $20 administration fee.
We must notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to ensure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 24 hours or more prior to departure
100% cancellation fee within 24 hours prior to departure
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. No refund or compensation will be issued for unused equipment, prepaid/pre-booked courses and/or Scuba dives, or guides if you cannot complete the entire tour. Please see Scuba Diving – Important Information below.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
Check-in: If you are Making your own way (no return transfers booked), please check-in and board at 7.30 am. Reef Experience is located on A Finger, at Cairns Marlin Marina.
Terms and Conditions:
Children’s prices are from 4 to 11 years of age. If booking as a certified diver, adult rates apply.
If you have used a credit card to purchase your ticket for either Reef Experience or Reef Encounter directly from our websites, email or phone, please have this card present along with a matching valid photo ID of the cardholder at check-in. Boarding will be denied without them, or you may be asked to pay again.
Open-Dated Ticket: In certain cases, Open-Dated tickets may be issued. These tickets are valid indefinitely but are non-refundable. Any fare increase must be paid at the time of rebooking. Once a customer accepts an Open-Dated ticket, the cancellation policy applicable to the original booking date will remain in effect.
Schedules, vessels, dive locations, and itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances, with full consideration for your safety and enjoyment. We reserve the right to adjust tours, schedules, prices, and itineraries at any time without notice. We are not liable for any changes, cancellations, or delays, and we accept no responsibility for any loss, additional expenses, or out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result, whether caused directly or indirectly.
Neither this site nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, any loss, any damage, delays, deaths or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance that covers personal injury and the events, including but not limited to your cancellation for any reason and the cancellation or alteration to the scheduled itinerary for reasons involving weather or passenger, crew or vessel safety. Please read your insurance policy's wording carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. Please be aware that all travel insurance companies do not cover scuba diving and other in-water activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical expenses, or other expenses are the passenger's financial responsibility.
The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter taking photographs or video recordings during the course of this activity/tour. The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter receiving and using images of the passenger from third parties and using these images for marketing and promoting its services.
Please inform us of any special requirements 48 hours before your travel date, such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done in the ‘Booking Message’ section of your online reservation or by contacting our friendly reservations team.
Scuba Diving – Important Information:
All Certified Divers must present a valid Certification Card. Failure to present a Certification Card may result in the customer being unable to participate in scuba diving. They can enjoy snorkelling activities instead. No refunds would be offered.
The minimum age for Introductory Diving is 12 years old. The minimum age for certified diving and Open Water Courses is 10 years old. All junior divers must either be accompanied by a certified parent or guardian or must dive with a dive professional at an additional charge. If the diver is under the age of 18 years, parental or guardian consent is required for that diver to undertake a dive. The parent or guardian should sign the medical declaration as witness.
Upon arriving at our vessel and before commencing any dive activities, all passengers must complete our liability forms. All information provided must be strictly accurate. If during the tour, it becomes apparent that a form has been incorrectly completed, either by omission or false statement, we reserve the right to prevent any customer from undertaking any scuba diving or snorkelling activities while on board our vessel. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Crew aboard the vessel.
The dangers and risks associated with scuba diving in an open ocean environment under variable conditions apply to our tours. We reserve the right to prevent any customer from participating in scuba diving if we determine that they are physically or medically unsuitable to do so or if it is in the best interests of our crew or other scuba divers. Our crew are trained professionals, and it is up to their sole discretion who they take diving and/or snorkelling. No refunds would apply.
Please remember you must allow 24 hours from your last dive before flying.
Medical Conditions & Medications:
Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules, including medical, as is the law.
All passengers participating in any Scuba activities must complete a
Medical Questionnaire
. If you’ve answered yes to any questions or take any prescribed medication, you will need further medical clearance. This must be arranged prior to your day of departure.
Medication: DO NOT presume that by taking medication is controlling your medical conditions, and you should be fine to scuba dive, as it is the medication that can be the problem when scuba diving. Particularly prescribed medication may require a medical clearance.
The medical certification should be provided in English, preferably by a medical practitioner with experience in diving medicine, within 90 days prior to the scuba dive. The certificate must state that the person is medically fit to dive.
No refunds are given for uncompleted dives due to medical conditions and/or prescribed medications or changes of mind.
Peak Season Surcharge - To be paid onboard on the day of travel:
➢ A Surcharge of $100 per person applies to 25 December 2025 & 2026 – Christmas Day
➢ A Surcharge of $50 per person applies to the following days:
• 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
• 3, 4, 5 & 6 April 2026 – Easter Weekend
• 26 December 2026 – Boxing Day
Chillagoe Caves Australian Outback Tour
Cancellation Policy
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any changes made to the booking (date, names, etc.) will incur a $20 administration fee.
We are required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to: [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day. Please be aware that cancellation attempts made through online chat or phone will not be processed.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 24 hours or more before departure
100% cancellation fee within 24 hours before departure and for "No Show"
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather, etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
• Neither this site, nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, loss of damage, delay or personal injury.
• All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical or other expenses are the financial responsibility of that passenger.
• Please inform us of any special requirements prior to your date of travel; such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done by contacting our friendly reservations team.
Best value outer Great Barrier Reef tour! Snorkel, scuba dive & glass bottom boat the Barrier Reef with Cairns' only all inclusive reef tour! Visit two pristine locations and enjoy up to 6 hours in natures paradise - Reef Experience is our NUMBER 1 day trip in Cairns. An unbeatable outer reef tour...