Cairns Aquarium Attractions & Things to do

Cairns Aquarium is an exciting, new all-weather visitor attraction located in the heart of Cairns, open daily. Guests of all ages will have guaranteed interaction with the spectacular beauty of over 16,000 marine and land animals from two World Heritage listed areas; the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Follow the journey from the river to the reef to enjoy daily animal and eco-system talks, a ray and shark feeding show and a hands on experience at the marine touch pool.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

As the sun goes down on the Great Barrier Reef, a whole new world awakens. Corals glow, colourful reef fish seek shelter and predators begin their night hunt. At the same time, coastal forests stir with life, as reptiles, amphibians and insects emerge from their burrows to seek out food in the safety of the shadows.

Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Meet our rescued turtles, and learn all about the threats and dangers Australia’s six species of sea turtles face in a guided Turtle Hospital Tour.

The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, located at Cairns Aquarium, is a Not-for-Profit, volunteer run, charitable entity, caring for rescued sea turtles.

Guests are taken on an exclusive tour of the onsite Turtle Hospital to meet the sea turtles in our care. This educational experience lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Single day admission entry is also included in this experience.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

Gain exclusive after hours entry to Cairns Aquarium and embark on a Ecologist guided tour. Learn how animals behaviours adapt from day to night and come face to face with over 16,000 animals.
Duration: 2 hours.

Visit the Cairns Aquarium independently and at your leisure to meet 16,000 animals from Tropical North Queensland’s two world heritage listed areas - the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Includes 30 minute Tour of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run, charitable entity caring for rescued sea turtles. Learn about the dangers that sea turtles face, like ingesting plastics, boat strikes and habitat loss.

Complete your experience with lunch at Dundee’s Restaurant with a stunning sea life backdrop. (NOT INCLUDED)

You will be collected from the Cairns Aquarium by Cairns Discovery Tours for your afternoon city sights and surrounds guided tour. Enjoy Devonshire afternoon tea before visiting the Cairns Flecker Botanical Gardens, Lower Barron Gorge National Park, beautiful Palm Cove beach and more
Duration: 8 hours.

The ultimate experience!
Imagine hand-feeding gentle Cownose Rays on a privately escorted behind-the-scenes tour including viewing of our food preparation, research and quarantine areas.
Duration: 3 hours.