Wait A While
Rainforest Tours Cairns
Experience Australia’s oldest rainforest come alive at night.
Spotlighting Nocturnal Animals
90% Platypus Sightings
Small Groups
Ancient Rainforest Canopy
Meals Included
Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Rare Wildlife
Expert Guides

90% Platypus Sightings
Exceptional success rate.

Small Groups
Max 11 people tours, no crowds.

Meals Included
Afternoon tea and dinner provided.

Expert Guides
30+ years of rainforest knowledge.
Day and Night in the Tropical Rainforest
The Wait-a-While Rainforest Tour takes you wildlife spotting by both day and NIGHT! Visiting the World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest National Parks from Cairns. We have been hosting small (max 11 people) personal rainforest nocturnal wildlife spotlighting tours into the world’s oldest continuously surviving rainforest on The Atherton Tablelands near Cairns for more than 30 years. Our success rate in finding wildlife in its natural habitat is second to none.
Did You Know?
- The Atherton Tablelands rainforest is over 100 million years old.
- Local Aboriginal tribes use rainforest plants for tools and natural remedies.
Your Rainforest Wildlife Tour at a Glance
Including hotel pick up and drop off, afternoon tea, dinner, wet weather gear if needed, binoculars, and expert guide.
🕐 Departs
Cairns 13:30 (Northern Beaches 13:00)
⏰ Returns
21:30 (hotel drop-off included)
👥 Group Size
Maximum 11 guests
💵 Price
Adult $220 | Child $200 | Family $750
🚐 Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned van
🥾 Walking
Easy to moderate, 3–4 km over multiple sites
Spotlighting Nocturnal Animals
90% Platypus Sightings
Small Groups
Ancient Rainforest Canopy
Meals Included
Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Rare Wildlife
Expert Guides
Daily Wildlife Memories
Photos & Videos from Every Tour
Relive your rainforest adventure. Each day, we upload photos and short videos from our tours for you to view, share, and download.
Benyamin Y15 October 2025Verified Amazing experience! Paul was highly knowledgable and entertaining. We had a great time with him guiding us through some beautiful parts of nature, while explaining a lot of interesting facts about the local animals and plants. He answered every question and was also very funny. The dinner was also great. We got very lucky, as we got to see platypus, rat kangaroos, tree kangaroos, pademelons and many other exciting animals! Can definitely recommend the trip to everyone. Trail140716262288 October 2025Verified Best Tour It was a very nice tour.I couldn't speak English, but with the help of a translator app, I went on tour safely.Guides felt too professional.It was a happy time. Mary D7 October 2025Verified Possums and foxes and platypus oh my! We were excited to get to experience some of Australia’s wildlife and this tour delivered! Paul was our guide and he was very passionate about the flora and fauna of Australia. We were able to see three platypus, flying foxes, possums, wonderful birds and more! Walking in the dark was magical with Paul pointing out night sky constellations. This tour is closer to Cairns so is easy if you have just one free day and are unable to get up into the Daintree Rainforest. Culture399700236986 October 2025Verified Small group, amazing animals, local expert guide Wonderful experience, the guide was incredibly knowledgeable in a multidisciplinary fashion: he took us on a journey through the area’s geologic, anthropological, botanical, and zoological history during the drive and the 5 stops. We saw, among many other things, 3 platypuses, several wallabies, hordes of fruit bats, rainforest birds, lizards, and incidental fun moments (a darter struggling to eat the giant crayfish it caught, nighttime glowing mushrooms). Stig05056 October 2025Verified A very knowledgeable host The trip was great as we got to see a number of platypus, birds and mammals. The host was very knowledgable and engaging and ensured that people in the tour treated nature with respect. BasudevBasu2 October 2025Verified Unique rainforest experience One of the best nature and wildlife experiences we ever had, and we have been to the African bush, the rainforests of Borneo and the dry forests of India before. What made this tour unique was Paul's immense knowledge of the local flora and fauna and his keen eye. We saw many interesting plants and trees, varied wildlife including platypuses, possums, a couple of tree kangaroos, a rat kangaroo and heard some wonderful bird calls/songs. The dinner was one of the best we had in Australia. Highly recommended. Aaron W21 September 2025Verified Bucket list tour! This tour was everything I hoped it would be. The rainforest was beautiful. Our guide, Paul, did an excellent job of finding so much interesting wildlife and vegetation. We saw three platypuses in the river swimming around looking for food. Saw the rare tree kangaroo. We also so many other reptiles, wallabies, birds, etc. There is a trail he took us through so don’t worry that you are just wandering through the dense rainforest. We had a delicious dinner at a pub in Yungaburra. The food was included and you could purchase your own beer if you wanted. The walk at night was amazing seeing a gigantic strangler tree, bats, and other things. The night sky was an emotional moment for me. Seeing all the stars and the Milky Way without light pollution was absolutely incredible. I’ve never seen the sky like that before except in pictures or TV programs. I would recommend taking a little motion sickness medicine for the curvy road up to the rainforest if you ever have any sort of motion sickness issues. I usually never do at all but it even made my stomach a little weird. Trisha B14 September 2025Verified Amazing night walk in the rainforest We had a wonderful afternoon / evening exploring the tablelands. Paul was a really knowledgable and entertaining guide who obviously loves the area. He was incredibly patient and made sure everyone in the group was included. He went out of his way to make sure we saw plenty of wildlife and had a memorable time. Celina F11 September 2025Verified ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Absolutely amazing!! We had such a good time with Paul!! We saw not 1 not 2, but 5 platypuses!!! We saw many reptiles, beautiful birds and the world’s most dangerous plant! So interesting! It’s definitely worth it if you are ever in cairns or near by!
Private Charters
Rainforest Tours, Just for You
Looking for a more personal experience? Our private charters are perfect for families, small groups, or special occasions. Explore the rainforest at your own pace with a dedicated guide.
Spotlighting Nocturnal Animals
90% Platypus Sightings
Small Groups
Ancient Rainforest Canopy
Meals Included
Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Rare Wildlife
Expert Guides
Ready to Explore the World’s Oldest Rainforest?
Join us for an unforgettable rainforest and nocturnal spotlighting adventure in Cairns. See rare wildlife, enjoy a guided experience, and make lasting memories.