Looking for an unforgettable marine adventure in Cairns? The Cairns Aquarium offers a captivating deep-dive into the aquatic world of Tropical North Queensland. This blog will guide you through all the aquarium has to offer, from twilight tours and turtle encounters to dining with underwater views.
Ready to take the plunge? Let’s start exploring!
Key Takeaways
- Cairns Aquarium lets you see unique sea life from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.
- There are many fun tours to go on like twilight tours, marine encounters, and turtle rehab center tours.
- You can eat good seafood at Dundee’s Restaurant while looking at a big fish tank.
- Besides the aquarium, Cairns offers outdoor fun, rich history, and tasty local food for visitors.
The Magic of Cairns Aquarium
Stepping into the Cairns Aquarium immerses you in the exotic marine wonder of Tropical North Queensland. This aquatic marvel showcases a diverse array of unique life from ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.
An Overview of the Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium is open every day from 9:30am to 3:30pm. You can see many animals and places that are only found in Tropical North Queensland here. There is also a lot about the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef for you to learn.
The aquarium lets people go on special tours too. One of them even lets you feed Cownose Rays by hand!
The Unique Aquatic Life
Cairns Aquarium is home to a wide range of ocean life. Here, you can see creatures that live only in Tropical North Queensland. This place shows off the amazing and different beings from the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
You will meet Cownose Rays. They are very unique! Also, there are daily shark feeds for everyone to watch. Each sea creature at Cairns Aquarium is special, showing how rich and varied our oceans really are.
Highlights of Cairns Aquarium
Explore popular aquarium experiences such as the marine touch pool, shark and ray feeds, and behind-the-scenes tours. Dive deep into discovery with underwater world journeys that showcase biodiversity, nocturnal behaviors, and unique animal presentations.
Unwind at the premier Dundee’s Restaurant while relishing seafood platters against a captivating sea life backdrop.
Popular Aquarium Experiences
Explore the magic of Cairns Aquarium with these popular experiences:
- General admission lets you see animals and places that are only found in Tropical North Queensland. You will learn about the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
- The turtle rehabilitation center tours show you Australia’s sea turtles. You can see how they get saved, treated, let go back into the wild, and tracked.
- On the marine life encounter tour, you get to go behind the scenes. See how the aquarium takes care of marine life at this stop. It also includes a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where you can hand feed Cownose Rays.
- Enjoy a special after-hours guided tour with our Aquarium by Twilight option. After your tour, have a great 3-course meal at Dundee’s Restaurant as part of your evening.
- For those who love to touch and feel, step over to the Marine touch pool for an exciting close – up interaction with some sea creatures.
- Taste fresh seafood from Dundee’s restaurant with a nice sea – life backdrop view.
- Learn through animal presentations and habitat talks given by our wildlife educators every day.
- Watch sharks and rays eat during their daily feeds at Cairns Aquarium.
Discovering the Underwater World
You can dive into the underwater world at Cairns Aquarium. You will follow a raindrop’s path from mountains to the Coral Sea. Get close with Cownose Rays and feed them by hand. Daily shark and ray feeds are fun to watch! The marine touch pool lets you feel sea life.
On a marine life encounter tour, you go behind the scenes. You will see how they care for animals in the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and more. Ecosystem chats teach you about animal homes.
You’ll see animal presentations too!
The Premier Seafood Restaurant
Dundee’s Restaurant is a top seafood spot inside the Cairns Aquarium. Here, top-notch chefs cook fresh fish and other dishes from the Tropical North Queensland area. The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner every day of the week.
It gives you an amazing view of sea life while eating.
The most striking part about Dundee’s is its huge 70,000 litre saltwater marine tank. This big tank sits right in the middle of the dining area! It holds Australia’s largest collection of marine life inside a restaurant.
Eating at Dundee’s feels like diving into a beautiful underwater world without getting wet!
Visitor Feedback
Tourists often share glowing reviews about their experiences at the Cairns Aquarium. Visitors praise the educational and immersive animal presentations, as well as the vibrant and interactive exhibits.
The behind-the-scenes tours are a big hit, especially for those who hand fed sea turtles under guidance from wildlife educators. Many TripAdvisor reviews highlight Dundee’s Restaurant with its delicious seafood and the unique sea life backdrop as highlights of their visit to this aquatic attraction in Cairns.
First-Hand Experiences
Here is a taste of what you can expect at the Cairns Aquarium.
Impressions of the Aquarium
People love the Cairns Aquarium. They talk about the amazing sea life and cool exhibits. Guests love to see animals from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. The touch pool with rays is a huge hit! Many people also enjoy feeding time for sharks and rays.
Some folks even get to hand-feed Cownose Rays during their visit! The behind-the-scenes tour gets great reviews too. People learn a lot about how they care for the animals at this place.
Also, eating seafood at Dundee’s Restaurant makes guests happy. They say it tastes good with a nice view of marine life in the background.
Planning Your Visit
Before your visit, check the Cairns Aquarium website for admission details and information about child-friendly amenities. Purchase your general admission or Aquarium by Twilight tickets online for a seamless entry experience.
Consider adding Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Tours to your itinerary for an in-depth marine life encounter. Also, explore options like behind the scenes tours or hand feeding experiences to enrich your aquatic adventure.
Admission Details
To plan your visit at the Cairns Aquarium, it is essential to be aware of the different types of admission experiences available. This information will help you tailor your experience to best suit your interests. Here are the specifics:
| Admission Type | Description | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| General Admission | This ticket allows visitors to explore various animals and habitats endemic to Tropical North Queensland. You’ll learn about the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. | 365 days a year, 9:30am to 3:30pm |
| Twilight Tours | A unique, after-hours guided tour of the aquarium. You can also opt for a 3-course dining experience at Dundee’s Restaurant. | Upon request |
| Turtle Rehabilitation Center Tours | Learn about the threats faced by Australia’s six species of sea turtles and witness how they are rescued, treated, and released. | Schedule can be checked at the aquarium |
| Marine Life Encounters | A behind-the-scenes look at how the aquarium cares for its animal residents. Also includes a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and the opportunity to hand feed Cownose Rays. | Schedule can be checked at the aquarium |
Gift cards are also available for purchase online or at the admissions counter. The last admission to the aquarium is at 2:30pm each day.
Child-Friendly Amenities
Taking kids to Cairns Aquarium is a great idea. The place has many things that kids will like.
- They can touch safe sea animals at the touch and talk shows.
- Kids can also see sharks and rays eating their food daily.
- At the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, they can learn about sea turtles and how they are saved.
- Dundee’s restaurant lets families eat lunch while looking at fish in both salt and freshwater.
- Many activities let kids play around and learn about fish, sea life, and how to keep them safe.
- The aquarium wants to teach kids about safe tourism, so our seas stay clean for the fish.
Beyond the Aquarium: Other Attractions in Cairns
Explore the breath-taking beauty of Cairns beyond the aquarium. Engage in thrilling outdoor adventures such as boat tours and water sports. Discover rich biodiversity at The Wet Tropics Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit vibrant cultural attractions, including art museums and historic landmarks. Embark on a unique journey through local flavors at Cairns’ top-rated restaurants after visiting iconic sites like Esplanade Boardwalk or Atherton Tablelands.
Rest assured that whether you prefer green hotels, luxury resorts or cozy bed-and-breakfasts, Cairns offers accommodation to suit every traveler’s taste and budget.
Outdoor Adventures
Tourists can have great fun at the Cairns Aquarium. Here are some important facts:
- You can go on twilight tours. These tours let you see marine life when it’s dark.
- Have a look behind the scenes with the Marine Life Encounter tours. You will learn many new facts about sea creatures.
- The twilight tours even offer a tasty treat. After your tour, enjoy a three – course meal at Dundee’s Restaurant.
- You can buy gift cards for these adventures. It is an excellent gift for someone who loves sea life and outdoor fun.
Cultural Tours
Cairns is more than just an aquarium. It’s a place full of culture and history.
- Learn about the sea turtles on the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tours.
- See how they take care of these wonderful creatures.
- Tour guides share stories about Australia’s unique marine life.
- The Marine Life Encounter tour lets you see behind the scenes.
- You can visit where they treat and care for sick sea turtles.
- There’s also a twilight tour after hours.
- If you like, add on a 3 – course dinner at Dundee’s Restaurant.
- Here, you get to eat fresh seafood with views of the Coral Sea.
Conclusion
FAQs
1. What can I see at the Cairns Aquarium?
At Cairns Aquarium, you can explore marine life care and view endemic animals from freshwater rivers, mangroves, shallow lagoons to mountainous waterfalls.
2. Are there any fun activities in the Cairns Aquarium?
Yes! You will find modern and colorful exhibits and even a turtle hospital tour where animal rescue takes place.
3. Can I buy tickets for the aquarium online?
Absolutely! The Cairns Aquarium offers an Online Gift Card option for people who wish to visit or give it as a gift.
4. Is lodging available near the Cairns Aquarium?
There are many options like Cairns accommodation including hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, hostels, resorts or even campgrounds if you prefer outdoor lodging.
5. Do they offer any food services within the aquarium area?
Indeed! There’s a dedicated restaurant called ‘Cairns Aquarium Restaurant’ inside which serves variety of meals appealing all taste buds; ensuring your visit is not only about sights but also flavors!
6. After visiting the aquarium what other places can I spend time in Cairns?
You will never run out of things to do! Along with zoos & amazing museums; boat tours and spa wellness centers are present around every corner. Don’t forget checking out beautiful natural spots like Green Island & Josephine Falls too.
