Cairns Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Set in the heart of Cairns, the Cairns Aquarium provides a world-class venue for seeing and interacting with the incredible animals and eco-systems found only in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland. This region which borders two World Heritage-listed environments: The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Explore over 71 different habitats, playing home to over 16,000 animals. Enjoy daily animal talks, shark feeds, and get your hands wet in the marine touch tank! Visit by day and add on a Marine Life Encounter, Turtle Hospital Tour, delicious lunch at Dundee's Restaurant, or take the plunge as you Dive with the Sharks. For an exclusive after-hours experience join us for Aquarium By Twilight, where you will learn all about the nocturnal animals of the aquarium. With dimmed lights, you will get a unique insight into the region's noctural animals as they move about in the shadows.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
2,012 reviews
Excellent
1,389
Very good
431
Average
138
Poor
37
Terrible
17
Edmund
Singapore7 contributions
Dec. 2023 • Couples
It was a unique experience. Quite different from the aquarium that i have visited back in Singapore. Its informative, fun, unique and awesome.
Great place to be.
Great place to be.
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hi there! Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are so happy that you had such a great time. Hope to see you back again soon🐊🐡🐠🦈
Written 4 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rio66
4 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
The Aquarium is a great place to visit and offers a variety of optional tours. The Coral Biobank proved to be an exceptional experience. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and showed enthusiasm for the project. It shows the steps being taken to preserve the corals which are being destroyed by a variety of threats from climate change to human actions. The project is taking action so the Great Barrier Reef can thrive and continue for people to enjoy. It makes you aware that corals need preservation and how this can be achieved. Well worth going on the tour.
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Thank you so much for this lovely review! Our main focus here at the Cairns aquarium is education and conservation and our Coral Bio Bank is one that aids in the preservation of coral reefs for the future. We have a whole team of dedicated staff that also share this focus. Thank you for your support by participating within the tour your donation is directly contributing to the success of this project🪸
Written 1 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa M
19 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
I am an education volunteer at public aquarium in the US and the Cairns Aquarium is top tier! Exhibits are beautifully and logically presented with great educational information about the aminals on display. The variety of fish, turtles, crustaceans, etc. is fantastic and the live presentations are both entertaining and enlightening!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hi there Lisa. Thank you so much the amazing review. We are so glad that you had such a great time, here at the Cairns Aquarium. Hope to sea you again soon🪸🦈🦀🐠
Written 30 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
petermS4862IU
Brisbane, Australia35 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Booked the tour wuth dinner.
The tour was great. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. To be able to view the exhibits without a crowd was great.
Dinner was also very very good. Good slection of a set menu and delicious food
The tour was great. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. To be able to view the exhibits without a crowd was great.
Dinner was also very very good. Good slection of a set menu and delicious food
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hello there! Thank you for the amazing review. We will be sure to pass on this incredible feedback. Hope to sea you again soon🦈🪸🐠🐢
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2486forry
Tweed Heads, Australia52 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Great place to visit it is a fantastic aquarium with a wonderful display make the time to go here when you are in Cairns
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hello there! Thank you so much for the amazing review. So glad that you had a wonderful time. Hope you’ll be back to visit us again soon🐠🪸🦈🦀
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Isja V
6 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Solo
This week I visited the Cairns Aquarium, and I also booked the Turtle Hospital and Coral Biobank tours. In the aquarium itself I saw a lot of different animals and learned some new things about them. So cool to see the big sharks and rays up close! I especially loved the Turtle Hospital and Coral Biobank tours. It's clear that they care a lot about the reef and conservation, and it's cool to learn a bit more about it. Can't wait to see how the Coral Biobank is gonna develop! The money you pay for both tours is a donation to the causes - so worth it!
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Thank you for this jawesome review! 🦈 We are so grateful for your support towards our turtle rehabilitation centre and the Forever Reef coral bio bank facility. Both of these tours support two non for profit organisations and the future conservation of our beautiful marine turtles and the Great Barrier Reefs coral. 🪸🐢 Thank you kindly for visiting, we’re so happy you had a turtley awesome time and we hope to SEA you again soon! 🌊
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
krisyn01
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Nov. 2023
While it was much smaller than expected, the coral & fish were wonderful. The large tanks & overhead tunnel was great.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hello there! Thank you so much for a fintastic review. Hope to see you again soon🐠
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joley S
Gambier Island, Canada26 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Solo
This lovely aquarium was an unexpected delight. It was entertaining and educational. My favourite display was the marine tunnel. I sat there for about half an hour watching sea life swim beside me and overhead. It was nice to see it so well visited by all ages yet not too crowded.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hello there! Thank you for the incredible review. So happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience🐠🐢🪸🦈
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shajini
Toronto, Canada18 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Solo
The coral BioBank tour at the aquarium was incredible! As a diver and environmental educator, I had a great time learning about the Forever Reef project and what they're doing to protect coral biodiversity. You get a behind-the-scenes look at the project and learn about the diversity of corals. This experience changed what I look for during my dives. I definitely appreciate and notice corals more after this experience.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Hello there. Thank you so much for the beautiful review. We are so glad to see that you had an amazing time inside the coral bio bank.
Written 8 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arran H
Brisbane, Australia28 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
every part of the aquarium was brilliant had a great time looking through all the exhibits and the shows
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAQowner
Thank you for the awesome review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the diverse displays we have on offer 🪸🐠🦈
Written 6 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jen
Singapore88 contributions
Can I exit and enter again on the same day?
caribblu
87 contributions
Yes you can, any problems then see the ticket staff. We found them extremely helpful and accommodating. The objective is to go through in a circular route but they told us to go in the backway through the shop (ie the reverse way) as it was feed time for the sharks and rays. The sharks are located at the end of the tour so we would have missed the divers if we'd followed the normal pathway. Wasn't that nice of them.
D3677ULnataliec
Cairns, Australia84 contributions
what time does the restaurant open for breakfast?
CairnsAquarium
Cairns, Australia11 contributions
Hello. Aqualuna restaurant opens at 7am for breakfast. Thank you.
Good afternoon. Im looking forward to bringing my family to your aquarium while we're on holiday in Cairns from Melbourne, but I've been seeing news stories down here about the high amount of aquatic deaths in your aquarium. Can you please tell me, are the articles I've read about the deaths of the Maori Rasse, Potato Cods, Leopold shark, countless tropical fish, rare lizards, pythons and of course Australias first captive Hammerhead sharks true or are they all still there alive and well?
I just don't want the kids to be disappointed or have to explain about "fish heaven" let alone justify to the wife how an institute that claims to support the preservation of the reef and marine life can kill over $350,000 worth of fish and reptiles in less than 4 months.
Thank you very much.
Concerned Aquadad.
Thanks for your replies everyone. I really appreciate your time and help but unfortunately SOME of the reports I'd heard turned out to be correct. I was hopeful but quietly pessimistic when we arrived in Cairns and entered the aquarium. The maori wrasse, leopard shark and both hammerheads were nowhere to be seen so I covertly quizzed a couple of the staff. They ALL told me they were "out the back" but one boy was slightly less convincing and not completely equipped for my concerned aquadad "interrogation" techniques and broke under pressure. I felt like the environmental FBI!
Turns out the maori wrasse died about 2 weeks ago, 1 Hammerhead died around 3 weeks ago and 1 a week ago. The leopard shark could possibly still be alive "out the back" but he didn't seem hopeful.
I've got to hand it to the young staff, they all fed me the same and obviously prepared line handed down to them from above to not alarm the public to the worrisome state of affairs at their aquarium... with the exception of the poor kid I grilled who I actually feel a bit sorry for. He seemed genuinely distressed by being forced to lie.
All in all it was a good day at the Cairns aquarium and the lil demons (my kids) absolutely loved it! But for us adults who care about what's going on behind the scenes and the environment it was more than a little disheartening.
Roger W
Oulton Broad, UK828 contributions
Will the Aquarium be open on Christmas Day
CairnsAquarium
Cairns, Australia11 contributions
Hello. Apologies for the delayed reply. We will be open Christmas Day. We are open 365 days of the year. Thank you.
kayg884
Brisbane, Australia1 contribution
How much does it cost for a ticket
CairnsAquarium
Cairns, Australia11 contributions
Hi, thank you for your enquiry. All of our ticket prices and information are available via our website. Thank you.
Guest S
1 contribution
When will this attraction open?
Nisojumazo
Paris, France25 contributions
19 september 2017 ;-)
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Claim your listingCairns Aquarium: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cairns Aquarium
- Cairns Aquarium admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost AU$53.30, while a popular guided tour starts around AU$73.81 per person.
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Cairns Aquarium:
- Cairns Aquarium Admission Ticket (From AU$53.30)
- Night at the Aquarium Tour (From AU$80.98)
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour (From AU$183.49)
- Cairns Aquarium by Twilight Tour and 3-Course Dinner (From AU$183.49)
- Cairns Aquarium by Twilight Tour (From AU$80.98)
- Hotels near Cairns Aquarium:
- (0.09 km) Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
- (0.16 km) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
- (0.13 km) Mercure Cairns
- (0.13 km) Cairns Girls Hostel
- (0.07 km) Ramada by Wyndham Cairns City Centre
- Restaurants near Cairns Aquarium:
- (0.01 km) The Stanley Cairns
- (0.05 km) Dundee's at the Cairns Aquarium
- (0.06 km) Treasure Court Seafood Restaurant
- (0.25 km) Devine Gelato
- (0.26 km) Cairns Burger Cafe