Your Cairns, Queensland Shore Excursions
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Cairns, Queensland
Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Cairns or Port Douglas
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From GBP 62.72
Cairns, Queensland
Rainforest River Tubing from Cairns
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 46.55
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 56.35
Cairns, Queensland
Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 126.91
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns Shore Excursion: Cairns City Sights & Surrounds Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 56.35
Cairns, Queensland
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 129.85
Cairns, Queensland
Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran
Duration: 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From GBP 131.81
Cairns, Queensland
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Duration: 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 123.85
Cairns, Queensland
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From GBP 134.75
Cairns, Queensland
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
Duration: 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 102.96
Cairns, Queensland
Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour
Duration: 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 129.85
Cairns, Queensland
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 63.21
Cairns, Queensland
Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 158.76
Cairns, Queensland
Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From GBP 144.55
About your Carnival Cruise Line cruise on Carnival Encounter
Make the most of your upcoming Carnival Cruise Line sailing aboard the Carnival Encounter with high-quality, top-rated tours and experiences matched to your exact itinerary.
After departing Brisbane, Queensland on 12 Dec 2025, Carnival Encounter will take you and your travel party to remarkable destinations - and FindMyExcursions is here to help you experience more in each port.
We've partnered with the world’s largest tour marketplaces, including Viator, to offer a curated selection of excursions that go beyond what’s available in your Carnival Cruise Line planner. Our intelligent matching system analyses your port times and schedule to recommend only the best-rated, time-compatible experiences — so you can relax, explore, and get back to the ship with confidence.
From scenic adventures and cultural immersions to foodie tours and historical walks, each excursion is selected because it's highly-rated by previous users, and tailored to fit the time you actually have ashore. With convenient port pick-up and drop-off included in most experiences — and a “Worry-Free Shore Excursion” policy available on selected tours — you’ll enjoy a seamless, stress-free outing every time you step off the ship.
Best of all, our selection often includes more variety — and better value — than the limited options offered directly by your cruise line.
Let FindMyExcursions turn your Carnival Cruise Line cruise aboard the Carnival Encounter into a truly unforgettable journey. Start browsing now and discover the excursions that will take your trip to the next level — port by port.
About Cairns, Queensland
Tourism is the heartbeat of Cairns (pronounced “Caans”), a vibrant city serving as the gateway to Queensland’s wild north. Many travellers use Cairns as a base to explore the Great Barrier Reef through scuba diving and snorkelling, or to enjoy boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rainforest treks. The region’s environment is challenging, with intense heat and unique wildlife. You might spot wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah, or tree kangaroos in the rainforest. However, caution is needed as saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and deadly jellyfish are also present, making some beaches off-limits for nearly half the year. Despite these natural challenges, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are welcoming and accessible. The locals are warm and friendly, the scenery is breathtaking, and during the right season, the beachside relaxation is simply world-class.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the ‘Worry-Free Shore Excursion’ on some of the excursions?
Viator’s Worry-Free Shore Excursion policy means that if your tour runs late and you miss your ship, they’ll arrange transport to the next port at no additional cost to you. This offer applies only to shore excursions specifically marked with the ‘Worry-Free’ badge on Viator. When you use FindMyExcursions, we help match you with these eligible tours where available, so you can book with confidence knowing you're covered if unexpected delays occur.
Why choose FindMyExcursions?
FindMyExcursions is designed by cruise travellers for cruise travellers. Here’s what sets us apart:
- •We match your itinerary to top-rated excursions from Viator, one of the most trusted global tour platforms.
- •We filter by time-in-port, so you only see tours that fit your schedule.
- •Many tours offer port pick-up and drop-off, removing the guesswork.
- •We highlight tours with excellent reviews, local expertise, and clear cancellation policies.
- •You book direct with Viator, benefiting from their trusted payment platform and customer service.
In short, we make discovering and booking cruise-compatible tours easier, safer, and more tailored to your plans.
What are the risks of booking with third-party providers?
When you book excursions independently (i.e., outside of the cruise line), you’re responsible for managing your time ashore. If you miss the ship’s departure, the cruise will not wait, and you’ll have to make your own way to the next port.
That’s why FindMyExcursions only features tours that fit within your port timings, with enough buffer to get you back in good time. Many also offer port pick-up/drop-off for added convenience and peace of mind. You get all the flexibility of third-party booking, with smart, cruise-specific filtering built in.
Will I get a refund if the ship doesn’t dock or our itinerary changes?
If your ship is unable to dock or your itinerary changes at short notice, most tour providers on Viator offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. However, cancellations within 24 hours usually aren't refundable. We recommend checking each tour’s cancellation policy before booking, as they can vary. Also, having comprehensive cruise travel insurance is key. Some policies may cover missed ports or excursions, but this usually depends on the circumstances and how much notice the cruise line provided. We’re not qualified to offer legal or financial advice so always check the fine print of your policy or speak to your insurer for specifics.