Ut Cover
Wildlife Sanctuary

The 10 Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Cairns, Australia

In the heart of Cairns, Australia, lies a treasure trove of wildlife sanctuaries that promise an unforgettable encounter with nature’s wonders. From the lush rainforests of Kuranda to the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef, these sanctuaries offer a unique opportunity to observe and interact with some of the most iconic creatures of the Australian wilderness.

Journey into the depths of these wildlife sanctuaries and discover a world teeming with koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and a myriad of other fascinating creatures. Witness the majestic flight of eagles, the playful antics of dolphins, and the gentle grace of turtles, all against the backdrop of stunning landscapes that will leave you awestruck.

Top Wildlife Sanctuary in Cairns, Australia

This is an accurate list of zoos in Australia. For aquariums, see List of aquaria in Australia.
Zoos are primarily facilities where animals are displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred. Such facilities include zoos, safari parks, animal theme parks, aviaries, butterfly zoos, and reptile centres, as well as wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves where visitors are allowed.

Top Wildlife Sanctuary in Cairns, Australia

Cairns Aquarium

  • Address: 5 Florence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (5453)
  • Phone: +61 7 4044 7300
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Thursday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Sunday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Centenary Park in Cairns, Australia
Centenary Park in Cairns, Australia

[mbag-comment]

Embark on a thrilling journey through the diverse array of Wildlife Sanctuary in cities like Townsville, Hobart and Geelong across the Oceania continents, revealing hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a local business or a multinational company, these cities proudly display a rich tapestry of profesional services designed to cater to a wide array of preferences.

Explore  The 1 Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Bunbury, Australia

The 10 Best Wildlife Sanctuary near Cairns, Australia

Centenary Park in Cairns, Australia
Centenary Park in Cairns, Australia

Kuranda Koala Gardens

  • Address: 2/4 Rob Veivers Dr, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.3 (2430)
  • Phone: +61 7 4093 9953
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Razvan Bogasiu✭✭✭
    a month ago
    The place is really small. I wasn’t expecting a huge park but it was smaller than I imagined. The queue for taking photos with koalas was huge and if you were the last in the line you will have to probably wait for an hour. Otherwise it wasn’t that busy. Kudos to the ladies that take pictures. You really need a lot of patience.
    Borui Liu✭✭✭✭✭
    2 months ago
    From the moment we stepped into Kuranda Koala Gardens, it was clear that we were in for a treat. The gardens provide a serene setting that brings you face-to-face with some of Australia’s most beloved animals. The koalas are the undeniable stars here, and the opportunity to see them up close, munching on eucalyptus leaves or snoozing in the crooks of trees, is genuinely heartwarming.

    Not only are the koala encounters memorable, but the chance to meet and learn about wallabies, wombats, and a variety of reptiles adds to the experience. The staff are passionate about their work and the welfare of the animals, offering insightful information about each species’ habits and conservation status.

    The gardens are well-maintained, and the layout ensures an intimate experience, avoiding the feeling of a commercial zoo. It’s an educational and engaging visit for both kids and adults, fostering a deep appreciation for Australian wildlife.

    We left the gardens with a camera full of pictures, a heart full of joy, and a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation efforts. Kuranda Koala Gardens is a must-visit for anyone looking to embrace the unique charm of Australia’s fauna.

    Martin Bishop✭✭✭
    a week ago
    The main attraction is the chance to hold a koala. That was good. The rest of the gardens has crocs, wombats, snakes, and some kangaroos. Every single animal was asleep!
    Tami✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    It’s a nice experience! The place is small, but has interesting animals for non Aussies. I think it could be cheaper as it is a quick entertainment. You can view the place in half an hour. For people willing to pay extra, there’s an opportunity to take a photo holding a koala.
    Emily Guile✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    Nice experience with the ability to get up close to some Australian critters. I was actually taken aback at the lack of pens and fences. The animals were very active! It was small but well done. We opted to go to Bird World after as well (that is a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ experience!).

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

  • Address: 8 Rob Veivers Dr, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (2074)
Explore  The 10 Largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Gladstone, Australia

Wildlife Habitat

  • Address: Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas QLD 4877, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (1862)

Rainforestation Nature Park

  • Address: 1030 Kennedy Hwy, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (1801)

Birdworld Kuranda

  • Address: 8 Rob Veivers Dr, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (756)

Centenary Park

  • Address: 2 Pecten Cl, Trinity Beach QLD 4879, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.3 (216)

Cairns Cattana Wetlands

  • Address: Dunne Rd, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (209)
Explore  The 10 Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Geelong, Australia

Mount Whitfield Conservation Park

  • Address: Collins Ave, Whitfield QLD 4870, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (155)

Batreach Bat Rescue & Rehabilitation

  • Address: 13 Barang St, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (15)

FNQ Wildlife Rescue

  • Address: Shop 4/114 Hoare St, Manunda QLD 4870, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.2 (14)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best Wildlife Sanctuary in Cairns, Australia, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!

5 Replies to The 10 Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Cairns, Australia

  1. Fantastic aquarium…. The best I have been to in Australia. The exhibits were carefully thought out and clean. If I ever come back as an aquarium fish in my next life … I want it to be here. We took our 3 kids with us and there was something for everyone. One improvement for the customer experience would be to make kids 3 and under free. At the moment it is 2 years and under is free. Keep up the good work guys!

  2. Not going to lie. I was a tourist ?

    My best friend got me out of the house on Christmas day as we needed a little something to take our minds off of cleaning and sorting after the floods in Cairns.

    From the time we walked in, the staff were all very friendly & knowledgeable.

    I felt there could be a whole lot more to see but at the same time I was not disappointed in any way.

    Thanks guys and girls.

    I’ll definitely be back when I’m in the area again.

  3. We have spent more than 2 hours in the aquarium and it was a surreal experience. It was my first time experiencing a big aquarium like this. I can assure you that it is going to be a feast to your eyes and also educational for both kids and adults. Love to come back here again. Highly recommend this place for everyone.

  4. Loved all of the different enclosures and the huge variety of fish. I was surprised to see that even during school holiday times there was still room to get an amazing look at everything. As well as it being an aquarium it also has it’s fair share of reptiles and amphibians to cater to everyone. The Dundee restaurant attached was very good and I would highly recommend it!!! Lots of funs for kids and adults and will be returning. ???

  5. The Cairns Aquarium is fairly new (6 years old). Cameron was the BEST! He was kind, answered ALL of our questions, and had intimate knowledge of the animals there. He had some pretty funny stores to share about the fish and sea turtles. We were lucky enough to do the 30-minute Turtle Talk (behind the scenes, turtle hospital tour) with Cameron as well. Definitely go to the Aquarium!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *