1 / 3Cairns Aquarium
📍 Cairns City, QLD
Cairns Aquarium showcases over 16,000 aquatic animals across 9 ecosystems including a 20-metre underwater tunnel, touch pools, a 360-degree oceanarium, and a turtle rehabilitation centre. Daily shark and ray feeding shows run throughout the day.
Really nice aquarium with some great displays. The aquarium also has a turtle hospital where they rehabilitate the turtles for release back into the wild. This cost an extra $20 but it all goes to the hospital. Several talks throughout the day by marine biologists. Highly recommended.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children aged 4 and up who are drawn to marine life and want genuine learning alongside spectacle. The shark tunnel captivates across all ages; touch pools hold younger kids attention.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →6,958 Google reviews
Basil’stravels
a month ago
“Really nice aquarium with some great displays. The aquarium also has a turtle hospital where they rehabilitate the turtles for release back into the wild. This cost an extra $20 but it all goes to the hospital. Several talks throughout the day by marine biologists. Highly recommended.”
Vikas Hali
3 weeks ago
“We had an absolutely wonderful experience visiting the Cairns Aquarium. The entire facility is beautifully designed, well maintained, and offers an incredible opportunity to learn about the unique marine life of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical North Queensland. What truly made our visit exceptional was the guided tour with Sasha. She was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about marine life. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and she explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way. She took the time to answer questions and shared fascinating insights that we would never have learned just by walking through on our own. Sasha’s passion for conservation and the ocean really shines through, and it made the entire experience much more meaningful for us. Highly recommend visiting the aquarium and, if you get the chance, joining one of Sasha’s tours – it truly elevates the whole experience!”
Kyle Watson
2 months ago
“5/5, what an absolutely awesome evening. The night tour of the Cairns aquarium is definitely worth it. Our tour guides were Sasha and Cameron and we couldn’t have asked for better guides. They were both packed full of knowledge and were engaging throughout the entire tour. Being able to walk through the aquarium at night and see the exhibits without the usual hustle and bustle was a treat and you feel so much more immersed in the environment. I highly recommend either the Twilight or Night tours for those that want to make the trip just that bit more special.”
Deb J Hill
a month ago
“Credit in spades to all the staff at the Aquarium. The organised talks once you enter are fantastic to understand the landscape and journey that many of the species have to make as the seasons change. The presenters' stories make you remember how amazing these underwater creatures are. Well worth a visit! It's also been voted the best in Australia. A+++”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Cairns Aquarium presents Tropical North Queensland marine ecosystems across nine themed zones — freshwater rivers, mangroves, and Great Barrier Reef habitats. The 20-metre underwater tunnel puts sharks and rays directly overhead. Touch pools allow hands-on interaction with marine species. Marine biologist talks run throughout the day and receive high praise for depth and accessibility. A turtle rehabilitation centre tour is available as an add-on.
