Cairns Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium is a tropical paradise where you can discover the wonders of Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the unique marine life of North Queensland. Dive into immersive exhibits, interactive displays, and breathtaking underwater encounters in this aquatic haven.
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Meet over 16,000 animals from Queensland’s rich ecosystems, including crocodiles, reef sharks, and freshwater fish.
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Explore 10 immersive habitats, from the Wet Tropics to the Coral Sea, inside one of Australia’s largest aquariums.
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Walk through a 20-meter tunnel, gaze up at a 10-meter deep reef tank, and enjoy a 360-degree Oceanarium.
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Attend daily ecosystem presentations and animal feeding sessions included with your ticket.
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Fun fact: Crocodiles do “cry”—their tears are caused by excess air affecting their lacrimal glands.
More details
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Meet over 16,000 animals from Queensland’s rich ecosystems, including crocodiles, reef sharks, and freshwater fish.
-
Explore 10 immersive habitats, from the Wet Tropics to the Coral Sea, inside one of Australia’s largest aquariums.
-
Walk through a 20-meter tunnel, gaze up at a 10-meter deep reef tank, and enjoy a 360-degree Oceanarium.
-
Attend daily ecosystem presentations and animal feeding sessions included with your ticket.
-
Fun fact: Crocodiles do “cry”—their tears are caused by excess air affecting their lacrimal glands.
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Explore the aquarium after dark on a 2-hour guided tour through 10 tropical ecosystems—from mountain streams to the Great Barrier Reef.
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Watch the shift in behavior as nocturnal predators like sharks, rays, and moray eels begin their nightly hunt.
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Learn from expert wildlife educators as you witness the glow of coral and elusive rainforest species at night.
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Upgrade to include a 2-course dinner in an aquatic-themed restaurant with views of a massive reef tank.
More details
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Explore the aquarium after dark on a 2-hour guided tour through 10 tropical ecosystems—from mountain streams to the Great Barrier Reef.
-
Watch the shift in behavior as nocturnal predators like sharks, rays, and moray eels begin their nightly hunt.
-
Learn from expert wildlife educators as you witness the glow of coral and elusive rainforest species at night.
-
Upgrade to include a 2-course dinner in an aquatic-themed restaurant with views of a massive reef tank.
-
Spend the day exploring 11 immersive ecosystems, from the Wet Tropics Rainforest to the depths of the Coral Sea.
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See over 16,000 creatures, including sharks, rays, and crocs, across Australia’s only 10-meter Deep Reef Tank and a 20-meter underwater tunnel.
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Join a 30-minute guided Turtle Hospital Tour and meet rescued sea turtles recovering from injuries and illness.
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Learn about the threats these turtles face and how the aquarium’s conservation team nurses them back to health.
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Fun Fact: 100% of the proceeds from the Turtle Hospital Tour go towards the care of the rescued sea turtles.
More details
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Spend the day exploring 11 immersive ecosystems, from the Wet Tropics Rainforest to the depths of the Coral Sea.
-
See over 16,000 creatures, including sharks, rays, and crocs, across Australia’s only 10-meter Deep Reef Tank and a 20-meter underwater tunnel.
-
Join a 30-minute guided Turtle Hospital Tour and meet rescued sea turtles recovering from injuries and illness.
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Learn about the threats these turtles face and how the aquarium’s conservation team nurses them back to health.
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Fun Fact: 100% of the proceeds from the Turtle Hospital Tour go towards the care of the rescued sea turtles.
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Combo ticket includes entry to both Tomb of the Pharaohs and Cairns Aquarium, plus all aquarium shows and presentations.
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Walk through 11 ancient Egyptian galleries and 300+ authentic artefacts at Tomb of the Pharaohs.
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See over 16,000 marine animals and walk through Australia’s only 10m deep reef tank at Cairns Aquarium.
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Enjoy daily expert-led feeding presentations, touch tanks, and interactive exhibits for all ages.
More details
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Combo ticket includes entry to both Tomb of the Pharaohs and Cairns Aquarium, plus all aquarium shows and presentations.
-
Walk through 11 ancient Egyptian galleries and 300+ authentic artefacts at Tomb of the Pharaohs.
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See over 16,000 marine animals and walk through Australia’s only 10m deep reef tank at Cairns Aquarium.
-
Enjoy daily expert-led feeding presentations, touch tanks, and interactive exhibits for all ages.
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Enjoy exclusive after-hours entry to Cairns Aquarium, with a two-hour guided twilight tour through 10 unique tropical ecosystems.
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See the fascinating transition as animals adapt their behaviors from day to night in the Wet Tropics.
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Come face-to-face with the Coral Sea’s largest nighttime predators, including sharks, rays, and groupers.
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Discover how reptiles, amphibians, and nocturnal fish emerge at dusk while colorful reef fish seek shelter.
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Savor a delicious meal afterward, against a sealife backdrop should you wish to upgrade your ticket.
More details
-
Enjoy exclusive after-hours entry to Cairns Aquarium, with a two-hour guided twilight tour through 10 unique tropical ecosystems.
-
See the fascinating transition as animals adapt their behaviors from day to night in the Wet Tropics.
-
Come face-to-face with the Coral Sea’s largest nighttime predators, including sharks, rays, and groupers.
-
Discover how reptiles, amphibians, and nocturnal fish emerge at dusk while colorful reef fish seek shelter.
-
Savor a delicious meal afterward, against a sealife backdrop should you wish to upgrade your ticket.
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Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Cableway with round-trip transfers from Cairns.
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Enjoy all-day access to Cairns Aquarium with 16,000+ animals across 10 vibrant ecosystems.
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Perfect combo: Rainforest adventures and marine encounters for families and nature lovers.
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Travel through Kuranda tunnels on historic rail, then glide over the rainforest on a 7.5km cableway.
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Walk a 20m underwater tunnel, see a 10m deep reef tank, and explore the 360° Oceanarium at Cairns.
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Fun fact: Skyrail is the world’s longest gondola ride over a World Heritage-listed rainforest.
More details
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Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Cableway with round-trip transfers from Cairns.
-
Enjoy all-day access to Cairns Aquarium with 16,000+ animals across 10 vibrant ecosystems.
-
Perfect combo: Rainforest adventures and marine encounters for families and nature lovers.
-
Travel through Kuranda tunnels on historic rail, then glide over the rainforest on a 7.5km cableway.
-
Walk a 20m underwater tunnel, see a 10m deep reef tank, and explore the 360° Oceanarium at Cairns.
-
Fun fact: Skyrail is the world’s longest gondola ride over a World Heritage-listed rainforest.
5% off
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Join a wildlife educator for a guided front and back of house tour, including exclusive animal encounters and behind-the-scenes access.
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Visit the onsite turtle hospital to see how sick and injured sea turtles are cared for and rehabilitated.
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Watch the River Monsters scatter feed and hand feed gentle cownose sting rays for a truly interactive experience.
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Go behind the scenes at the reptile breeding facility and discover how rare species are nurtured and protected.
More details
-
Join a wildlife educator for a guided front and back of house tour, including exclusive animal encounters and behind-the-scenes access.
-
Visit the onsite turtle hospital to see how sick and injured sea turtles are cared for and rehabilitated.
-
Watch the River Monsters scatter feed and hand feed gentle cownose sting rays for a truly interactive experience.
-
Go behind the scenes at the reptile breeding facility and discover how rare species are nurtured and protected.
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- Aquariums are a wonderful way to connect with the oceans and its flora and fauna, which is usually hidden from our everyday lives. At the Cairns Aquarium, you get a close look at the most beautiful creatures from The Great Barrier Reef, The Wet Tropics, The Gulf of Savannah, and Cape York regions. If you’re planning a visit, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Cairns Aquarium ticket options, opening hours, and other essential visitor information.
- At Cairns Aquarium you will find an ocean world dedicated to the tropics of North Queensland. Get a close look at the habitats and species of the natural wonders of Australia right in the city of Cairns.
River Systems
Take a trip down the far rivers of Northern Queensland, observing the unusual shapes, sizes, colors, and other features of many of its inhabitants. The wide range of species that thrive in these regions includes catfish, gudgeon, perch, and even the one-of-a-kind freshwater stonefish.Creeks & Streams
Freshwater plants and animals form their unique ecosystems that live in unison with other marine life. The luscious green plants and colorful freshwater fish are bound to catch your eye, providing some unique, breathtaking sights. Here you can get a glimpse of giant prawns and brightly colored crayfish.Waterways & Billabongs
Australia is well known for its rarest and most unique species, particularly in Cape York and Gulf Savannah regions. You can spot some bizarre yet magnificent creatures like the Freshwater Sawfish with its long sharp teeth on its long bony snout! Watch out for barramundi, mangrove jacks, sooty grunters, and the largest species of freshwater whip rays that you’ve ever seen!Tropical Rainforest
Many animal species venture out into the wild only at night, which is why they are often hard to spot. The special displays at Cairns Aquarium will let you get a first-hand look at some of these spectacular nocturnal creatures, including unique species of snakes, lizards, and frogs.Forest Floor
If you’re a nature buff, you’ll know that forest floors form their unique habitat with a wide array of unique species that thrive in these environments. In the forests of Tropical North Queensland, you can find the richest and most diverse collection of insects, spiders, and plant systems. Catch a glimpse at some of the largest forest giants that you’ve ever seen!Life in the Mangrove
Plant systems play a vital role when it comes to marine life. Mangroves in particular filter out sediment from mountain water, providing a rich habitat for unique species to survive such as the fighting crab, crocodiles, reef stars, and other reef fish. The trees themselves have evolved over time to adapt to salt and freshwater, the concentrations of which keep changing.Great Barrier Reef & Dangers of the Reef
The world-famous Great Barrier Reef is the largest collection of coral systems and islands spread across 344,400 square kilometers. You can even see it from space! Get an insight into the unusual shapes, colors, and behaviors of many species that live here, including a few dangerous ones that are potentially fatal to human life!The Coral Sea
Australia is famous for its numerous colorful reefs spread across its oceans. Now you can take a look at these coral reefs right at the Cairns Aquarium at the main Oceanarium. In this area, you will find the highest number of fish in comparison to other reef zones including Reef Sharks, Stingrays, Leopard Sharks, and Coral Trout.Ribbon Reefs
The Reef face at Cairns Aquarium is a 10-meter high, 200,000 liter tank containing rich complex growths of coral and algae. These usually serve as food for other marine animals, attracting them to the surface. The Ribbon Reef is visible from both levels of the aquarium, where you can watch how these creatures move around between shallow and deep surfaces of the ocean.Under the pier
Some animals have grown to adapt to certain man-made structures like jetties and piers. They can make these structures their homes over a certain period. At the Aqualuna Restaurant, you get a close look at Baby Blacktip reef sharks, wrasse, stingrays, and angelfish swimming around a 70,000 liter shark exhibit.
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