Cairns Wildlife Parks

Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is home to a variety of animal parks and Wildlife Habitats. Whether you want to see crocodiles, birds, butterflies, snakes, cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and more... Cairns and our surrounding areas have a wildlife attraction to please everyone.

Cairns Tropical Zoo - This venue was sold and closed in 2016, some still see information on it but it no longer exists. The land was sold to a property developer.

Cairns Wildlife Dome - Cairns City (Casino)

The Cairns Wildlife Dome is a wildlife exhibit on top of the Reef Hotel Casino located in the Cairns city. An enclosed 20 metre high glass dome on top of the Casino creates a spectacular all-weather wildlife enclosure. It is an open and interactive exhibit where you can immerse yourself in a rainforest environment whilst parrots, cockatoos and other native birds fly around you freely. You can also see other Australian animals such as turtles, snakes, crocodiles, lizards, koalas and sugar gliders.

Open daily 9.00am - 8.00pm (closed Christmas day)

• The Wildlife Dome is also host to many other activities such as the Cairns Zoom, which is the world's first Challenge Ropes Course in a wildlife immersion exhibit. It consists of 65 elements of crossings and zip lines -including one that takes you directly above the top of the crocodile enclosure! Smaller ropes courses are available such as the Hi-Zoom and Mid-Zoom. For those seeking more adrenalin activities the Power Jump and Dome Climb are also available.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - Hartley's Creek

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures will gives the best crocodile shows in the best environment in Tropical North QLD. This award winning eco-tourism attraction has been created on 10 hectares in a World Heritage location. After many years of habitat restoration it is now a true sanctuary. Over 2100 metres of boardwalks and pathways allow you to discover this wildlife park. There is also a huge lagoon on which you can enjoy a boat cruise to see crocodiles lunge out of the water during pole feeding sessions and see a live demonstration of the crocodile death role. The shows have a balance between entertainment and educational facts. Whilst the focus of the park is on crocodiles, there is other Australian wildlife to see such as snakes, reptiles, birdlife, koalas and kangaroos. Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is located 45 mins drive north of Cairns. 

Open daily 8.30am-5.00pm (closed Christmas Day and reduced hours on Anzac day)

Wildlife Habitat -Port Douglas

The Wildlife Habitat is located 1 hours drive north from Cairns in Port Douglas. This advanced Eco-accredited Wildlife Habitat is a wildlife immersion exhibit - an open and interactive environment for guests and animals to mingle in a spacious natural setting. Visitors wander along elevated boardwalks, observing up close a huge range of flora and fauna as birds fly and kangaroos roam freely throughout their exhibits. Experience wildlife from the surrounding environments including wetlands, rainforest, grasslands and savannah. Each habitat focuses on the relative native species. You will see animals such as crocodiles, tree kangaroos, kangaroos, koalas, reptiles, quolls and an array of bird life. Different presentations and feedings are conducted throughout the day. 

Open daily 8.00am-5.00pm (closed Christmas day)

• The Wildlife Habitat also does Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets where you can enjoy delicious food at the Wetlands Restaurant and experience the sights and sounds of wildlife whilst being visited by the birds and an accompanying keeper.

Birdworld - Kuranda

Join the birds in their beautiful world when you surround yourself in their rainforest habitat. Flying around you are species from the vanishing rainforests of the world, including some of Australia's most precious birds. Birdworld replicates the natural habitats of almost 60 native and exotic species that roam the unique rainforest immersion exhibit. It is the largest free flight display of its kind in Australia. You will walk through elevated boardwalks and can even handfeed some of the more friendly birdlife. Birdworld is located 40 mins drive north/west of Cairns in Kuranda Village. 

Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm (closed Christmas day and reduced hours Anzac day)

Koala Gardens - Kuranda

Koala Gardens is a delightful, award winning venue where visitors can see and experience Australia's most popular wildlife. Enjoy the unique opportunity to hold a koala for a photo and hand feed tame kangaroos and wallabies. Other wildlife includes wombats, freshwater crocodiles, lizards and the only walk through python house in the North. Koala Gardens is 40 mins drive north/west of Cairns in Kuranda Village. 

Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm (closed Christmas day and reduced hours Anzac day)

Butterfly Sanctuary - Kuranda

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in Australia - a quality wildlife park in the heart of Kuranda Village. Situated next to the Kuranda markets, The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies that are hand reared on the premises. All are local rainforest species, including an iconic Kuranda butterfly, the electric blue Ulysses Butterfly, and the majestic fluoro green and yellow Cairns Birdwing. The aviary, set in the midst of Kuranda rainforest, was opened in 1987 and has been visited by over a million people since. Guided tours through the aviary and laboratory are conducted throughout the day, detailing a butterfly's life cycle and behaviour.  Prices start from $9.75 per child.
Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm (closed Christmas day and reduced hours Anzac day)

Koala and Wildlife Park - Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda

The Rainforestation Nature Park is located a short shuttle bus ride out of the Kuranda Village. The Big Nature Park has a variety of activities on offer. In 1996 an exciting new addition was added - the Koala and Wildlife Park. Wander through at your own leisure or join a guided group with their experienced Wildlife Keepers. You can handfeed the free roaming kangaroos in the landscaped gardens, see the endangered cassowary, wombats, snakes, crocodiles and other reptiles. Entry prices start from $8.50 per child.
Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm

Cairns Aquarium - Cairns City

Located on Florence Street between Abbott and Lake Street you can easily spend upwards of 3 hours there if reading the information and enjoying sitting and watching the marine life. Modern, air conditioned and spacious with a gift shop and italian restaurant/cafe on site.