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Things to do:

Dive:
Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef's true home and there are loads of tour operators to choose from. If you don't fancy doing the full PADI dive course there is a good range of day trips to choose from. Day trips start from around $60 for a trip from 8am to 5pm. Contact Golden Plover Tall Ship Adventures (07 4053 2024) for details. Try to get feedback on some of these as you could spend 7 of the 9 hours on the boat with only 1-2 hours actually in the water.

For diving one of the better known operators is Down Under Dive (1800 079 099). There are too many to mention for both day trips and dives so shop around for the best prices.

White-Water Rafting:
The closest river to Cairns to raft on is the Barron River. This river's rapids only reach Grade 3 and aren't as hectic as those on the Tully. Like rafting on the Tully, RnR Rafting (07 4051 7777) do the best trips. Day trips cost around $79. But the best thing to do is travel south to Tully and do it there if you never went rafting from Mission Beach.

Trips to Cape Tribulation:
Cape Tribulation, where the reef meets the rainforest, is a great place to go, either for a day trip or a few days. Jungle Tours (1800 817 234) do day tours around the $100 mark, and their guides really know their terrain. Right in the middle of the jungle there is also the option of doing crocodile cruises in the day trips for a few extra dollars. Another option is to rent out a jeep with a few mates and do it yourself.