Cairns Aquarium Entry Ticket

Cairns Aquarium: the reef and rainforest under one roof

Opened in the heart of Cairns, Cairns Aquarium tells the story of the water in Tropical North Queensland, following it from the mountain streams of the Wet Tropics rainforest, the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on Earth, down through rivers, mangroves and estuaries to the coral reefs and open ocean of the Great Barrier Reef. It is the only aquarium in the world to focus solely on these two World Heritage-listed areas.

The visit is laid out as a journey through ten ecosystems and 71 exhibits, so you meet freshwater turtles, crocodile relatives, rainforest frogs and rare fish before reaching the reef and the deep sea. Many species shown here are found nowhere else on the planet. Is Cairns Aquarium worth visiting? It is the easiest way to understand the region's wildlife before or after a reef trip, and it gives children close-up views that are hard to get in the wild.

Highlights inside: deep reef tank, oceanarium and river monsters

The deep reef tank is the showpiece: at ten metres it is the only exhibit of its depth in Australia, a towering wall of coral, reef fish, rays and turtles that shows how the reef changes from the sunny shallows to darker water. The 360-degree oceanarium surrounds you with sharks, giant groupers and schools of silver fish, best seen from the 20-metre underwater tunnel where they glide overhead.

The River Monsters exhibit is Australia's largest freshwater display, with sawfish, huge barramundi and other giants of tropical rivers. Through the day, educators give talks on sharks and rays, the open ocean, river monsters and the deep reef, and you can watch feeding sessions and touch sea creatures and reptiles at the hands-on tanks. Check the daily schedule on arrival and plan your route around the talks you most want to see.

Planning your visit to Cairns Aquarium

Cairns Aquarium opening hours are from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with last admission at 2:30 PM, so arrive in the morning to see the most talks and feeds. Most visitors spend two to three hours inside. The building is fully wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned and covered, which makes it one of the best things to do in Cairns on a hot or rainy afternoon.

The aquarium sits in the city centre, a short walk from the Esplanade, the free swimming lagoon and the marina where reef boats depart, so it fits easily into a day in town. A restaurant on site serves breakfast, lunch and dinner if you want to eat with a view of the tanks. Your ticket is valid for one day; show it at the admission desk and explore at your own pace.