Barefoot Tours Explorer Tour - Waterfall and Rainforest Tour

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Five hours south of Cairns with a local guide and a small group: a rainforest walk in the Botanic Gardens, swims at Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge, and stops at Walsh's Pyramid, McGregor's Lookout and the Gordonvale sugar mill where the cane toad story began.

Days

About 5 hours

Age

8 years and over

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cairns Marina / Cairns Marina

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return shuttle from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Barefoot Tours Explorer Tour - Waterfall and Rainforest Tour

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Included experiences

Cairns Botanic Gardens — guided rainforest walk
Crystal Cascades — swim in rainforest pools
Behana Gorge — swim near Clamshell Falls
Walsh's Pyramid — photo stop below the peak
Gordonvale Sugar Mill — where the cane toad story began
McGregor's Lookout — views over the region

Barefoot Tours Explorer Tour - Waterfall and Rainforest Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MID-MORNING: CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS

The tour leaves mid-morning from the Cairns Marina, the same terminal the reef boats use, in a small group with a local guide. First stop is the Cairns Botanic Gardens in Edge Hill, set aside as a reserve in 1886. Your guide walks you through the rainforest plantings and explains how the Far North Queensland rainforest came to be: the Wet Tropics hold some of the oldest continuously growing rainforest on earth, with plant families that date back to the age of the dinosaurs. Look up for the huge buttress roots and the fan palms.

LATE MORNING: CRYSTAL CASCADES

Next it's into the hills behind Redlynch to Crystal Cascades, a run of waterfalls and clear pools on Freshwater Creek, tucked away from the crowds. Upstream, the same creek fills Lake Morris behind Copperlode Dam, the main water supply for Cairns. The granite pools are cool and clear, and this is the first swim of the day. Then a scenic drive south, with ocean views on one side and cane fields running up to the ranges on the other. Depending on the day, the tour also stops at a lookout and at one of the Northern Beaches, the string of seaside villages north of the city.

MIDDAY: WALSH'S PYRAMID AND GORDONVALE

South of the city, Walsh's Pyramid rises 922 metres straight out of the cane fields, one of the tallest free-standing natural pyramids in the world. Every year runners race to its summit and back. Below it sits Gordonvale and its historic sugar mill. In 1935, 102 cane toads from Hawaii were released near here to fight the cane beetle. They ignored the beetles, spread across northern Australia, and the town now has a cane toad statue to remember its mistake. Lunch isn't included, but there are stops to buy food, or bring your own.

AFTERNOON: BEHANA GORGE AND BACK

The last big stop is Behana Gorge near Aloomba, where Behana Creek, another of Cairns' water sources, runs through a steep granite gorge to Clamshell Falls. There's time to swim in the clear pools below the falls before you head back north. Your guide sets the order and the time at each stop around the weather, water levels and the group, and you're back at the marina about five hours after you left.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay 7, Cairns Marina (1 Spence Street), where the day boats depart.
Departure time: Mid-morning, Monday to Saturday. The exact time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 5 hours.
Minimum age: 8 years. Under 16s must travel with an adult.
Fitness: Suits people who are reasonably fit and steady on their feet; the guide adjusts the pace to the group. Not recommended from 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Please note: The tour runs in rain. Stops can change with weather, water levels and road conditions, especially in the wet season (about December to late March). A short activity waiver is signed before the tour.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Water bottle
Camera
A warmer layer in winter
Snacks or lunch if you like

What is included

Local guide
Return shuttle from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay 7
Botanic Gardens rainforest walk
Swimming stops at Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge
Stops at Walsh's Pyramid, Gordonvale Sugar Mill and McGregor's Lookout

Not included

Lunch — there are stops to buy food, or bring your own

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A great day with Anton visiting the Botanic Gardens and the waterfalls. As first-time visitors we learnt a lot about Cairns and the rainforest from his stories, and we got the photos he took all day.

Katrien Schroyens Verified· Travelled 17th October 2025

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(5/5)

I did the waterfalls and rainforest tour with Vanessa, with several waterfalls and lookouts. I was with my aunts and uncle in their late 70s, and Vanessa encouraged them and helped them down and back up a rocky bank. Her kindness and upbeat manner made it one of our best tours ever.

Andrew Paranavitana Verified· Travelled 15th October 2025

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