Cairns Waterfalls Tour

Cassowary Coast waterfall and culture tour from Cairns

An intimate small-group day tour from Cairns, with an exclusive Goondoi Culture tour experience, swims at Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders, and the chance to spot Southern Cassowaries at Etty Bay.

Where the Wet Tropics meets unique heritage

Our signature day tour opens up the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest on the Cassowary Coast, entwining wildlife, waterfalls, and the indigenous connection with Goondoi Culture tours.

Delivered in exclusive partnership with Goondoi tours, this is a day of swimming at Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders, a Welcome to Country ceremony with the Traditional Custodians of the Dyirribarra Bagirbarra people, and the chance to spot a Southern Cassowary at Etty Bay, all in an intimate group of 4 to 11 guests.

What's included

The Tour at a glance

Duration

Full day (approx. 9 hours)

Group size

Small group, 4 to 11 guests

Departures

Northern Beaches 8:30 am, Cairns 9:00 am

Departure point

Your accommodation (Cairns city and Northern Beaches)

Price

Adult: $255 · Child (4-12 years): $205

Fitness level

Easy to moderate: short walks on formed paths, optional swims

Includes

Hotel transfers, all entry fees, lunch, expert local guide, Goondoi cultural experience

Cancellation

Cancel up to 48 hours before for a full refund

Small-group tour guests learning about bush foods with Goondoi Culture Tours on the Cassowary Coast

See our Cassowary Coast waterfall and culture tour in action

Your day on the Cassowary Coast

Five stops, one unforgettable day, here’s where we’ll take you.

Wooroonooran National Park & Josephine Falls

A guided rainforest walk to Josephine Falls in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics, at the base of Queensland's highest mountain.

Innisfail Art Deco township

A scenic drive through this historic township, shaped by its striking Art Deco architecture and multicultural heritage.

Goondoi Cultural Experience

Welcome to Country with the Traditional Custodians of the Dyirribarra Bagirbarra people. Hear the Dreamtime story of Goondoi, the Cassowary.

Etty Bay

Where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. A palm-fringed beach and natural habitat of the iconic Southern Cassowary.

Babinda Boulders

A pristine rainforest gorge with crystal-clear waters flowing between granite formations, with the option to swim.

Journey south from Cairns into the lush landscapes of the Cassowary Coast, where your day unfolds through a seamless blend of nature, culture, and immersive discovery. Travelling through vibrant sugarcane fields and tropical countryside, your guide shares stories of the region’s rich history and unique ecosystems as you make your way into the heart of the Wet Tropics.

Your first stop is within the breathtaking Wooroonooran National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided rainforest walk to the stunning Josephine Falls, where cascading waters flow over smooth granite boulders, surrounded by ancient rainforest. As you walk beneath the towering canopy, your guide will interpret the incredible biodiversity of this remarkable environment, bringing the rainforest to life through storytelling and local insight.

Continuing south, enjoy a scenic drive through the historic township of Innisfail, renowned for its striking Art Deco architecture. Your guide will share the stories behind this unique town, shaped by its multicultural heritage and tropical surroundings, offering a glimpse into a different side of North Queensland’s history.

Arriving on Dyirribarra Bagirbarra Country, you are warmly welcomed by Traditional Owners for the Goondoi Cultural Experience. This is the heart of the journey, a deeply personal and interactive experience where culture is shared through storytelling, language, and hands-on connection. Learn about family traditions, bush foods and medicines, and hear the Dreamtime story of Goondoi (the cassowary) to gain a meaningful understanding of one of the world’s oldest living cultures.

From here, the journey continues to the stunning coastline of Etty Bay, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Take time to soak in the beauty of this palm-fringed beach, a natural habitat of the iconic Southern Cassowary, with the chance to spot this extraordinary bird in the wild.

Your day concludes at the iconic Babinda Boulders, a place of both natural beauty and cultural significance. Set within a pristine rainforest gorge, crystal-clear waters flow between striking granite formations, creating one of the region’s most tranquil settings. Here, your guide shares the powerful cultural stories of this sacred place, and, conditions permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool, clear waters of the rainforest.

Throughout the journey, this small-group experience allows for genuine connection, personal interaction, and a deeper understanding of both culture and Country. This is more than a tour; it is an immersive experience that brings together people, place, and story in one unforgettable day.

Tour route from Cairns to the Cassowary Coast

Our day takes us south from Cairns into the Wet Tropics, through Josephine Falls in Wooroonooran National Park, the historic township of Innisfail, the Goondoi wetlands, Etty Bay, and Babinda Boulders.

What to bring

Hat

full-day outdoor tour

Camera

for waterfalls, rainforest, and wildlife

Clean hiking shoes

formed paths, mostly flat, 1–2 km total walking

Water Bottle

refillable, we’ll refill throughout the day

Swimmers and Towel

for Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders

Cardigan

for cooler months (May–September)

A note on our sustainability practices

As an Ecotourism Australia accredited operator, we ask guests to avoid insect repellent and chemical sunscreens on tour as these wash into the rainforest waterways we swim in. Sun-safe clothing in neutral, lighter colours offers better protection and keeps you cooler in the tropics.

Our commitment to protecting these environments extends beyond our tours through our financial support of the Mabi Reforestation Project on the Atherton Tablelands

Why travel with Tropic Tours

We’re Simon and Renae, a family-run, locally owned tour operator in Cairns. Our day tours are small, unhurried, and built around what makes this region special: the people, the place, and the stories.

Intimate group size of 4 to 11 guests

Never a coach. Always a conversation

Ecotourism Australia accredited

Plus financial partner of the Mabi Reforestation Project and member of QTIC and ATEC.

2026 Best of Queensland Experience award

Recognised for consistency in tour delivery and customer service.

Exclusive partnership with Goondoi Culture Tours

A co-designed cultural experience you’ll only find with us, on Dyirribarra Bagirbarra Country.

Fast booking

Secure online booking with instant email confirmation

Hear from our guests

Frequently asked questions about the Cassowary Coast tour

It’s a full-day small-group tour of 4 to 11 guests from Cairns. We swim at Josephine Falls in Wooroonooran National Park, share a Welcome to Country and Dreamtime experience with Goondoi Culture Tours on Dyirribarra Bagirbarra Country, stop in the Art Deco town of Innisfail, watch for Southern Cassowaries at Etty Bay, and finish with a swim at Babinda Boulders. Hotel pick-up, lunch, afternoon tea, and all park fees are included.

Quite possibly, but we want to be honest: this is a waterfall and cultural tour, not a wildlife tour. Etty Bay is one of the few places in the world where Southern Cassowaries walk along the beach, so the chance is real. Sightings depend on the day, the time, and a bit of luck. Your guide knows the patterns and will share where to look.

Goondoi Culture Tours is our exclusive cultural partner, and the experience is co-designed with the Traditional Custodians of the Dyirribarra Bagirbarra people. You’re welcomed to Country, then guided through Goondoi wetlands while learning bush foods, traditional knowledge of sacred trees, weaving, sand art, and language. You’ll hear the Dreamtime story of Goondoi, the cassowary, and share a lunch of tropical fruit, sandwiches, and cold drinks. It’s a quiet, personal exchange, not a performance.

Easy to moderate. Total walking is 1 to 2 km on formed rainforest paths, mostly flat. Swims at Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders are optional, you’re welcome to enjoy the setting without getting in the water. The pace is unhurried, and your guide will support anyone needing extra time. If you have specific mobility, fitness, or health concerns, get in touch before you book and we’ll talk it through.

Cancel up to 48 hours before your tour for a full refund, no questions asked, no fine print. We know plans change, especially for guests travelling from overseas or interstate. Within 48 hours, cancellations are non-refundable, but we’ll always work with you on rescheduling if there’s space on another tour date. The same policy applies if weather or safety forces us to cancel from our side, full refund or reschedule, your choice.

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