Down Under Tours Cairns Cruise Ship Shore Excursion to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

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Made for cruise ship guests: a short walk from the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal to your coach, or a coach waiting at Yorkeys Knob if your ship tenders there, then a coastal drive to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, a lagoon cruise among big saltwater crocodiles and free time with koalas, kangaroos and cassowaries, then back in time for your ship.

Days

About 5 hours, or 4.5 from Yorkeys Knob

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared coach tour

Start / finish

Pacific Hotel, Cairns, or Yorkeys Knob / Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Wangetti / your start
Pacific Hotel before 3:30pm, Yorkeys Knob about 3pm

Return

Pacific Hotel before 3:30pm, Yorkeys Knob about 3pm

Transport

Return luxury air-conditioned coach

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Down Under Tours Cairns Cruise Ship Shore Excursion to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

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Included experiences

Great Barrier Reef Drive — coastal drive with Coral Sea views and commentary
Hartley's lagoon — boat cruise among saltwater crocodiles
Crocodile feeding — watch crocs lunge from the water
Hartley's wildlife park — koalas, kangaroos, wombats and cassowaries

Down Under Tours Cairns Cruise Ship Shore Excursion to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE MORNING: FROM YOUR SHIP TO THE COACH

If your ship berths at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, walk about seven minutes along the waterfront to the Pacific Hotel on the Esplanade. If it sends you ashore by tender at Yorkeys Knob, the coach waits at the Boat Club at Half Moon Bay Marina instead. Either way, be outside 10 minutes before the 10:30am departure, where an air-conditioned coach is ready to go.

THE DRIVE NORTH: THE GREAT BARRIER REEF DRIVE

The road north follows the Great Barrier Reef Drive, the coastal stretch of the Captain Cook Highway, where the rainforest ranges come right down to the beaches and the Coral Sea sits just off your window. Your local driver gives commentary along the way. Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is at Wangetti, about 40 minutes from Cairns, halfway between the city and Port Douglas.

AT HARTLEY'S: THE CROCODILE LAGOON

The highlight is the boat cruise through Hartley's lagoon, a melaleuca wetland where the paperbark trees shed their bark in thin papery sheets. You come within metres of big saltwater crocodiles, the largest living reptiles on earth, which can grow past 6 metres and 1,000 kilos. When the crew holds out food, watch them launch out of the water and snap their jaws shut, a strike faster than you'd believe from an animal that has just been lying perfectly still.

AFTERNOON: WILDLIFE AND BACK TO YOUR SHIP

After the cruise you have free time in the park's woodland and rainforest sections, home to koalas, kangaroos, wombats and southern cassowaries, flightless birds that can stand close to two metres tall. Croc shows, koala talks, cassowary feeding and snake shows run through the day, so check the times when you arrive. Buy lunch or a snack at the Lilypad Café, which looks out over the lagoon, before the coach takes you back to your pick-up point before 3:30pm, in good time for your ship.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Outside the Pacific Hotel, 143 Esplanade, Cairns, a 7-minute walk from the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Be there 10 minutes before departure. From Yorkeys Knob: outside Yorkeys Knob Boat Club at Half Moon Bay Marina, also 10 minutes before departure.
Departure time: 10:30am.
Finishes: Back at the Pacific Hotel before 3:30pm, or at Yorkeys Knob Boat Club at about 3pm.
Duration: About 5 hours, or about 4.5 hours from Yorkeys Knob.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Suits: All ages.
Please note: Runs only on days when a cruise ship is in port. Choose the Cairns cruise terminal option if your ship docks at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, and the Yorkeys Knob option if it tenders there.

What to bring

Hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle

What is included

Return luxury coach transfers from the Pacific Hotel, Cairns, or from Yorkeys Knob Boat Club at Half Moon Bay Marina
Driver commentary along the Great Barrier Reef Drive
Entry to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Crocodile cruise on Hartley's lagoon through melaleuca wetland

Not included

Food
Drinks
Souvenirs
Personal expenses

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 1 review

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)

As a family of four off a cruise ship in Cairns, we booked this Hartley's Crocodile Adventures tour and had our guide Mark to ourselves. He was friendly and full of information on the way, knew the animals well in the park, and got us back to the ship with plenty of time.

Jess Greaves Verified· Travelled 4th July 2026

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