About Cairns Aquarium

About the Aquarium

About the Aquarium

The Cairns Aquarium is one of Australia’s most exciting new world-class tourist attractions. Located in the heart of Cairns, this iconic three level land mark attraction showcases the animals, plants and habitats of the only two adjoining World Heritage protected areas – The Great Barrier Reef and The Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Protecting and conserving the biodiversity of these World Heritage listed ecosystems is the vision and the overriding passion of our founding partners and this commitment underpins our business philosophy and environmentally sustainable business practices. 

10 North Queensland ecosystems and 71 habitats

Cairns Aquarium

Your journey through the Cairns Aquarium follows a drop of rain as it descends from the tropical rainforest covered range, to join creeks, streams and rivers before travelling through the rainforest, across the mangrove flats and coral reef systems before entering the Coral Sea.

10 North Queensland ecosystems and 71 habitats have been meticulously researched so that these natural environments could be recreated in Cairns Aquarium to ensure the ongoing health and longevity of the species on display.

Bringing Nature to You

Bringing Nature to You

From the World’s oldest living rainforest, The Daintree, to the twisted roots of the shoreline tropical mangroves to the spectacular colours and shapes of the Great Barrier Reef, to the fast flowing rivers of misty mountain forests, The Cairns Aquarium will truly cover all aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the region.

More than 5000 creatures from land, lakes, mangroves, shoreline, reefs, and open ocean ecosystems will be on display. Major themed exhibits will include: The Open Ocean, The Great Barrier Reef, River Monsters, Rivers and Streams, Life in the Mangroves, Coral Atoll, Reptiles and Amphibians of the Rainforest, Dangers of the Reef, and much more.

One of the many highlights of The Cairns Aquarium will be a two part thirty metre long 270º Acrylic underwater viewing tunnel through into a 360º open ocean viewing shark lagoon where you’ll experience Australia’s only school of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks in a 2 million litre, 5 metre high deep water exhibit. Here you will witness the awesome forces of the open ocean from all angles and see the interactions of 3 metre sharks, giant stingrays, fearsome guitarfish, fast swimming unicorn fish and dozens of other reef species.

After Hours and Special Occasions

After Hours and Special Occasions

The Cairns Aquarium is a premier destination for corporate events and functions; a unique and perfect setting with giant Aquarium back drops to make a lasting impression on your employees, clients, shareholders, or friends.

The Dundee's at the Cairns Aquarium Restaurant is specifically designed to open up as an indoor/ outdoor 220 seat venue for the most intimate of Weddings, Conferences or functions with floor to ceiling Aquariums on one side and lush Tropical rainforests on the other. A professionally fitted industrial kitchen and expert catering team are on hand to provide the most exquisite menu choice for the ultimate function or event.


News By Cairns Aquarium

Happy 2019 Chinese New Year!

Happy 2019 Chinese New Year!

By Cairns Aquarium

05 Feb 2019

The Year of the Pig is here and we are celebrating with Under The Sea Dragon Shows daily at 11:45am (until the 8th of February) in our 1.8 million litre Oceanarium. Want a sneak peak? Head to our Facebook Page to watch the video!

Chinese Traditional Bamboo Brush Painting will be happening from 10am to 2pm, starting Saturday the 2nd of February and running until the 8th of February.

Cairns Aquarium opens new turtle rehabilitation facility

Dianne is first admission as Cairns Aquarium opens new turtle rehabilitation facility to support marine turtle

By Cairns Aquarium

29 Aug 2018

June 16th, 2018 is World Sea Turtle Day, a day that recognises and celebrates these amazing, but highly threatened, marine creatures. It is also a fitting day for Cairns Aquarium to launch a new marine turtle rehabilitation facility that provides the final stage of the rehabilitation processes carried out by the dedicated volunteers at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC), prior to the release of the turtles back into the ocean where they were found.

Consisting of several large holding tanks complete with life support systems and observation windows, a raised viewing platform, interpretive signage, video footage and 3D models the development of the new rehabilitation centre has been a truly collaborative effort. The space, water and ongoing monitoring of the facility is being donated by the Cairns Aquarium, the infrastructure is provided by Australian Government funding secured by the CTRC co-founder Jennie Gilbert and administered by the Reef Trust, while Paul Barnes, Life Support Systems Manager at Cairns Aquarium and the other co-founder of the CTRC volunteered his time and constructed the facility during his annual holidays.

Now operational, the first turtle admission is a sub-adult green sea turtle “Dianne” who was named as a touching tribute to the local Cairns fishermen lost when the “MV Dianne” sank off the Town of Seventeen Seventy in October 2017. Dianne is well on her way to recovering from a shark bite which removed a section of shell and rear right flipper. “She” (at sub-adult age sex is not easily identified) is in her final days of care and will remain at the aquarium until deemed strong and healthy enough to be returned to the ocean. In the meantime she will be the star of the daily Turtle Tours offered at the aquarium with funds being donated to the CTRC.

A facility of this nature, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef which is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles, and where many of the sick and injured turtles are found, is a very positive development. Jennie Gilbert, whose unwavering dedication to the rescue and treatment of marine turtles saw her recently awarded the 2017 Serventy Conservation Award, believes that engaging with other partners dedicated to threatened species conservation and leveraging their unique assets is vital, as it is only through collaboration that each contributing partner’s combined efforts are not only focused, but maximised, for the overall benefit of sea turtle conservation. Jennie said “There are so many ongoing, and emerging, threats to marine turtles that it is a never-ending struggle to stay on top of the numbers of sick or injured turtles being presented for treatment. It is only through support like this from the Australian Government, Cairns Aquarium, Fitzroy Island Resort, Ports North and very passionate people that we are able to do what we do to keep turtle populations alive to thrive”.

Cairns Aquarium founder and CEO Daniel Leipnik who has been a dedicated supporter of the rescue, research and rehabilitation work undertaken by the CTRC said “It is a truly wonderful experience to see healthy marine turtles swimming in their natural environment. The conservation of these iconic, graceful animals is everyone’s business and Cairns Aquarium is proud to be playing a small, but very vital role in ensuring marine turtles can have the very best chance of survival when they return to the ocean.”

 

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Cairns Aquarium Reviews

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Jessica

We really enjoyed the aquarium and would definitely recommend a visit to anyone staying in Cairns. It's very family friendly with the tanks being low enough for kids to see everything, staff were very friendly and there was a great variety of animals. Not only fish but also lizards, monitors, insects, snakes, frogs and geckos - a nice addition that most aquariums I have been to do not offer.

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Michelle

Loved our visit to the new Cairns Aquarium and thought it was a great layout and very well done. The impromptu behind the scenes tour was fantastic and of particular interest to my fish tank enthusiast partner. Our included lunch at Aqualuna restaurant was lovely too and it was so nice to sit next to the under water fish tank. Would highly recommend a visit.

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Cairns Aquarium

Walk Cairns Aquarium is within easy walking distance of most accommodation. We are one block from The Esplanade, two blocks from the Lagoon Pool and an easy 5 mins walk from the Cruise Terminal. Drive The Cairns Aquarium is easily accessible by car however there is no onsite parking. Car parking is available in the surrounding streets, also hourly and daily fees may apply for metered parking. Drop Off Tour and school buses can drop off passengers in front of The Cairns Aquarium on Florence Street. Please ask our Reservations Coordinator for details when making arrangements for your group. Public Transit We have bus services on Lake and Abbott Street, right outside the Aquarium. The Cairns Aquarium is conveniently located in the heart of Cairns, next to Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and opposite DoubleTree by Hilton.


Direct Contact Info

Hours: Open Every Day, 10am - 3pm (Last admission 2pm)

Address:
5 Florence Street
Cairns City
Queensland 4870
Australia


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Encourage students’ innate curiosity for the amazing creatures of the Great Barrier Reef and the North Queensland Wet Tropics Rainforest with our hands-on approach to teaching and learning.
Cairns Aquarium offers educational programs available to students from prep to tertiary.