Cairns Aquarium
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Cairns Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium by Twilight Tour: Ancient Oceans ExhibitInstant Confirmation
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Cairns Aquarium
Marine Life Encounter at Cairns Aquarium with Optional LunchInstant Confirmation
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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.
Post-COVID-19 Safety Measures at Cairns Aquarium
Here are all the public safety measures in place:
- Cairns Aquarium tickets can now be booked online. Guests are advised to book their tickets online in advance.
- Hand sanitizers are available at various points throughout the facility for visitors and staff.
- Social distancing is enforced and must be followed by all individuals inside the aquarium.
- High traffic areas and frequent touchpoints are being regularly sanitized for additional safety.
- All guests must wear masks throughout the duration of their visit.
- Guides at the aquarium are required to regularly wash their hands for safe interaction with guests.
- Guests can use contactless payments for all purchases to minimize physical touch.
All Your Cairns Aquarium Tickets Explained
The Cairns Aquarium is a must-visit for anyone interested in life under the ocean. If you’re planning a visit, you can choose to book admission tickets, after-hours specials that include meals, exhibit tours, or adventure activities like shark dives.
Keep reading for a detailed look at everything that’s included with each type of ticket.
Admission Tickets
After-Hours Specials Tickets
Guided Tour
Shark Dive
Your admission ticket includes all-day access to the Cairns Aquarium where you get to explore 10 different marine life ecosystems. Participate in ongoing presentations and shows, and enjoy a fun feeding session. You can choose to upgrade your ticket to include lunch at the aquarium as well.
Why go for this ticket?
- Take all the time you need to explore the different ecosystems and the different plant and animal species that come with it.
- Discover over 16,000 animals from The Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Savannah, and The Wet Tropics.
- Upgrade to include a 2-course meal at the aquarium's Dundee restaurant.
Recommended Experiences
Walk through the different ecosystems and habitats in the aquarium where you can marvel at a variety of unique, friendly, and deadly species from the rainforests to the far oceans of Australia.
These tickets are special because they allow guests to visit the aquarium exclusively after closing. Without the regular crowd, explore all the different animal habitats at your own pace with a tour guide. The cherry on top? Enjoy delicious meals after you’ve completed your tour.
Why go for this ticket?
- Discover over 16,000 species of animals on a twilight tour after the crowds have left.
- Enjoy a 2-hour, highly informative guided tour of the different ecosystems and exhibits.
- Upgrade your ticket to include 'The Jurassic Platter’ at Dundee’s Restaurant or enjoy a 3-course dining experience after sunset.
Recommended Experiences
Go on a guided tour of Cairns Aquarium, and enjoy exclusive after-hours entry. Choose from a 3-course meal, drinks & appetizers, and a barrier reef seafood platter
Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to Cairns Aquarium with a VIP guided tour and a 3-course meal at Dundee's Restaurant.
Learn everything you need to know about Australia’s fascinating marine life from an expert ecologist who will guide you through your visit. With this ticket, you get first-hand information of some behind-the-scenes action at the Cairns Aquarium.
Why go for this ticket?
- Enjoy an exclusive Marine Life Encounter with an expert ecologist who will take you through the 9 Tropical North Queensland habitats.
- Learn all about how the aquarium takes care of its marine life and other interesting behind-the-scenes information.
- Try your hand at feeding giant freshwater rays and Cownose rays with your friends and family.
Recommended Experiences
Keep your ears open for some interesting information that will be given to you by your expert ecologist. Interacting with giant freshwater and Cownose rays for a lifetime worth of memories.
This ticket allows you to dive down and interact with some of the most majestic yet ferocious animals of the ocean. You will be accompanied by experts to make sure you’re safe during your dive so you can let go and reconnect with nature in the most exciting way possible.
Why go for this ticket?
- Get up close and personal with sharks and stingrays by diving into the Cairns Aquarium reef tank.
- Experience scuba-diving like never before with the help of expert guides.
- Enjoy entry into the aquarium for an entire day.
Recommended Experiences
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to swim and interact with the ocean’s deadliest and most fascinating creatures. Enjoy a full-day entry into the aquarium.
Plan Your Visit to Cairns Aquarium
Opening Hours
Getting There
Tips/Facilities
What are Cairns Aquarium opening hours?
Cairns Aquarium opening hours are between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. The last admission is at 2:00 PM.
What is the best time to visit Cairns Aquarium?
Most visitors plan their visit during June and October. These months bring with it pleasant weather to be able to enjoy outdoor activities. This season is often referred to as the ‘dry season’. Try to avoid the ‘wet season’ from November to March where there are high chances of flash floods, humidity, afternoon showers, and occasional hurricanes. April/May is also a decent time to travel where you might get cheaper flight tickets since it is off-season.
How long should I spend at Cairns Aquarium?
If you have a general admission ticket, 2 hours should be enough to explore the aquarium. However, if you’d like to take your time with the visit or have additional activities included in your ticket, you can spend anywhere between 3-4 hours here.
Where is Cairns Aquarium located?
Cairns Aquarium is located in Cairns City, Queensland. The complete address is 5 Florence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia.
Google Map Directions
Google Map Directions
How do I get to Cairns Aquarium?
You can get to Cairns Aquarium by foot, car, or bus. It is easily accessible by foot from nearby accommodation like The Esplanade, Lagoon Pool, and Cruise Terminal.
Can I take the metro/tram to Cairns Aquarium?
There are two platforms at the Cairns Railway Station. You can take the Kuranda Scenic Railway line, which is one of the tourist lines at the station, the other being Savannahlander. Hop on at the Kuranda station and get off at Cairns, after which you can take a bus or taxi to the aquarium. The train journey takes about 38 minutes and goes through National Route 1.
Can I take the bus to Cairns Aquarium?
Bus stops are located just outside the aquarium on Lake and Abbott Street.
Is storage facility available at Cairns Aquarium?
Yes. You can rent out lockers to store your luggage at the entrance of the aquarium.
Is parking available at Cairns Aquarium?
There is no onsite parking available at the aquarium, but you can park on nearby streets where there is metered parking.
Is Cairns Aquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All areas at Cairns Aquarium are accessible by wheelchair with multiple elevators, ramps, accessible washrooms, and wheelchair rentals.
Is photography allowed at Cairns Aquarium?
Photography is allowed inside the aquarium. Although, you should keep your flash off so the animals are not disturbed.
Is dining available at Cairns Aquarium?
Dundee’s is a unique restaurant located within Cairns Aquarium which overlooks swarms of fish and sharks swimming across the pier. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and open on all other days from 10:00 AM to late hours of the night.
What to Expect at Cairns Aquarium
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.
Cairns Aquarium Tickets FAQ
Is Cairns Aquarium open in 2021?
Yes. Cairns Aquarium is open in 2021 all year round for visitors with various safety measures in place.
What are the safety measures in place at Cairns Aquarium?
To ensure public safety, Cairns Aquarium now accepts online reservations of tickets. Hand sanitizers are also available, and it is mandatory that guests wear masks and maintain social distancing. All common touchpoints are also being frequently sanitized.
Are Cairns Aquarium tickets available online now?
Yes, Cairns Aquarium tickets are now available online for purchase.
What are the different types of Cairns Aquarium tickets?
Guests can choose to book admission tickets, after-hours specials that include meals, guided tours, or adventure activities like shark dives.
Are meals included in Cairns Aquarium tickets?
It depends on which ticket you book. After-hours tickets and some guided tours include meals, while standard admission tickets do not.
Are guided tours of Cairns Aquarium available?
Yes, guided tours are available at Cairns Aquarium. Learn about ecosystems, marine life, and much more from experts. Note that not all tickets include guided tours and you would have to specifically book those that do include the services of a professional guide.
What are Cairns Aquarium opening hours?
Cairns Aquarium is open daily between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The last admission is at 2:00 PM.