Council Waste & Recycling Tours
Cairns Regional Council offers a unique opportunity for schools, early learning centres, community groups, and residents to book free guided tours of our waste & resource recovery facilities in Portsmith, just 5 minutes from the Cairns CBD.
The tours provide an exciting exploration of Council’s waste and resource recovery facilities, including the CRC Materials Recovery Facility, Portsmith Transfer Station, and Capped Landfill site. Additionally, visitors will explore the Council's Buy Back Shop, a leading example of community waste reuse. Join us for a free tour to discover how waste is managed and transformed in Cairns, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Schools, Early Learning Centres, community groups, and individuals can submit their own tour (excursion) requests directly through our automated booking system (see below). Please note that terms and conditions apply to each tour.
Book your free Council tour below
Book a free school tour (excursion) of Council's Waste & Recycling Facilities in Portsmith. Students will learn about recycling, repurposing, and material recovery to reduce landfill waste. The tour includes a visit to the Rediscovery Centre, offering a bird's-eye view of the waste and recycling sorting process. Council also recommends a one-hour, in-school pre-tour presentation. Further terms and conditions apply.
Click on a 'Tour Type' link below to book online
| Tour type (click to book) | Timing | More information (including Risk Assessment) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard - School Waste & Recycling Facility Tour (2 hour) | 9:00-11:00am/12:00-2:00pm | Facility Tour Booking Guide - Earlier Sessions ( PDF, 0.61 MB ) |
| Standard - School Waste & Recycling Facility Tour (2 hour) | 9:30-11:30am/12:30-2:30pm | Facility Tour Booking Guide - Later Sessions ( PDF, 0.6 MB ) |
For schools unable to attend tours, Council also offers an incursion/presentation option covering the same content. View Council's Waste Education Presentation Page for further information.
Book a free Kindy tour (excursion) of Council's Waste & Recycling Facilities in Portsmith. Children will learn about recycling, repurposing, and material recovery to reduce landfill waste. The tour includes a visit to the Rediscovery Centre, offering a bird's-eye view of the waste and recycling sorting process. Council also offers a 30 minute incursion presentation for groups unable to take part in excursions. Further terms and conditions apply.
Click on a 'Tour Type' link below to book online
| Tour type (click to book) | Timing | More information (including Risk Assessment) |
| ELC Waste & Recycling Facility Tour | 10:00-11:00am | Early Learning Centre Excursion Booking Guide ( PDF, 0.64 MB ) |
For early learning centres unable to attend tours, Council also offers an incursion/presentation option covering the same content. View Council's Waste Education Presentation Page for further information.
Book a free community tour of Council's Waste & Recycling Facilities in Portsmith. Visitors will learn about recycling, repurposing, and material recovery to reduce landfill waste. The tour includes a visit to the Rediscovery Centre, offering a bird's-eye view of the waste and recycling sorting process. Council also offers a 1 hour incursion presentation for groups unable to take part in tours. Groups require a minimum of 15 and maximum of 30 participants. Further terms and conditions apply.
Click on a 'Tour Type' link below to book online
| Tour Type (click to book) | Timing | Detailed tour information including risk assessment |
9.30-11:30am |
For community groups unable to attend tours, Council also offers an incursion/presentation option covering the same content. View Council's Waste Education Presentation Page for further information.
Once a quarter Council offers a free community tour which residents of the Cairns Regional Council area can register their interest to attend. Upon reaching the quota of 15 participants Council's Waste Education Officer will contact registered participants of a pending tour.
The free tour will allow visitors to view Council's Waste & Recycling Facilities in Portsmith, 5 minutes from the Cairns CBD. Visitors will learn about recycling, repurposing, and material recovery to reduce landfill waste. The tour includes a visit to the Rediscovery Centre, offering a bird's-eye view of the waste and recycling sorting process.
The upcoming tour offerings on March 19, June 11, September 17, and November 20, 2026, are contingent upon sufficient public interest. These dates are not guaranteed and will only proceed if a minimum of 15 registrations are received.
Click the 'Tour Type' link below to register your interest for an available date. You’ll be redirected to our online booking system. Please note that additional terms and conditions apply.
| Tour type (click to book) | Timing | Detailed tour information including risk assessment |
| EOI -Waste & Recycling Facility Tour | 9.30-11:30am | Expression of interest - Community Tour Booking Guide ( PDF, 0.57 MB ) |
- Tours are available to Schools, Early Learning Centres, Community Groups and residents of the Cairns Regional Council area only.
- Tours are offered during operational hours from Tuesday to Thursday, between 9:00 am and 2:30 pm of the school term.
- Age and participant number restrictions apply based on the tour type (minimum of 15 participants)
- Particular to the 'expressions of interest public tour' individuals can register their interest to take part in quarterly tour offerings, however the tours themselves are subject to a minimum number of participant bookings before being confirmed.
- Tours are provided free of charge, transportation costs are not included.
- Presentations may need to be cancelled or rescheduled with short notice in the event of extreme weather conditions, staff illness or due to Council operational requirements.
- Further Terms & Conditions for each tour type apply.
For further information please contact Council Customer Service on 1300 69 22 47 or email wasteeducation@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Last Updated: 28 January 2026
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