About this tour
Spend 2–3 hours at Cairns Aquarium exploring over 16,000 animals from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. This indoor attraction in central Cairns lets you track creatures from river to ocean depths, watch rays and sharks fed live, and touch marine species in a dedicated pool. Daily talks reveal the ecology behind what you're seeing, making it equal parts spectacle and learning.
Highlights
- Touch and interact with rays and sea stars
- Watch live feeding demonstrations with sharks and rays
- Walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by fish
- See Australia's only deep reef tank with pelagic species
- Hear expert commentary on rainforest and reef ecosystems
- Visit year-round in air-conditioned comfort
- View creatures from two World Heritage-listed areas
What to expect
You'll move through interconnected tanks following a thematic path—starting with freshwater rainforest life before reaching the reef zones. The oceanarium's tunnel immerses you in a 180-degree view of schools and larger fish. Between exhibits, staff deliver short presentations on animal behaviour and conservation; timing varies, so check the daily schedule on arrival. The touch pool is hands-on but controlled; handlers guide interaction. The shark and ray feeding happens once daily (times posted at entry). Crowds build mid-morning, so arrive early or late afternoon for quieter viewing.
Good to know
Open 9:30am–3:30pm daily; last entry 2:30pm. Fully wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and transport options nearby. Bring cash or card for food and drinks sold on-site. Service animals welcome. Children must stay with an adult at all times.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.