Top Cairns & the Tropical North Attractions & Museums

Secure your admission to one of Cairns' top attractions with a prebooked entry ticket for the blockbuster *Tomb of the Pharaohs* exhibition. Admire examples of some of the most lavishly decorated tombs of Ancient Egypt, each of them filled with hieroglyphic wall inscriptions, engraved plaques, mummified remains, and over 450 meticulously crafted items.

Discover Two Worlds in One Day: Tomb of the Pharaohs & Cairns Aquarium Immerse yourself in two unforgettable experiences in the heart of Cairns. Step back in time at the Tomb of the Pharaohs, where you’ll explore life-sized recreations of 11 ancient Egyptian tombs, complete with detailed hieroglyphics, burial treasures, and over 450 museum-quality replicas. Then, dive into the wonders of Tropical North Queensland at the Cairns Aquarium, home to over 16,000 marine creatures from the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding ecosystems. From mummies to marine life, this unique cultural and natural journey is perfect for families, history lovers, and curious explorers alike—all within walking distance in the city center.

• Enjoy over 60 species of birds in a natural rainforest habitat • See some of Australia’s endangered and Endemic Birds • Rare Southern Cassowary Australia’s largest flightless bird • Australian Eclectus Parrots, Black Cockatoos, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, King Parrots • Amazonian Macaws • Beautiful surrounds with lots to see and photograph

Make the most of your time in Kuranda with a single ticket to Rainforestation Nature Park—no need to juggle multiple bookings or plan a complex itinerary. Just minutes from Kuranda village and easily reached from Cairns, this all-in-one experience combines wildlife encounters, a rainforest tour in an amphibious Army Duck, and the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. It’s an effortless way to see native animals, explore lush rainforest, and connect with Australia’s First Nations culture, all in one place and at your own pace.

See Kuranda’s top wildlife attractions in one easy visit with this multi-attraction pass—ideal if you’re short on time and want to avoid booking separately. Enjoy entry to Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda, and Australian Butterfly Sanctuary—with the chance to spot endangered species at each. A supervised koala photo is included for a memorable souvenir.

Not only do you have general admission to the Cairns Aquarium, this ticket also provides a tour of the Turtle Hospital. Here rescue turtles are cared for by experts. The hospital experience lasts around a half hour, but you are free to take as much time as you like in the aquarium. There are tens of thousands of Great Barrier Reef species to learn about.

Visit two of the most popular wildlife venues in the Cairns area with this combo admission to the Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld. Aussie animals are renowned for various reasons—from adorable (koalas) to elusive (wombats). You’ll have the chance to see an array of wildlife. Some activities are an additional fee.

Learn more about Cairns' unique culture and history at the interesting Cairns Museum. This ticket saves you time, so you can straight into the museum and check out its interactive exhibits. There are family friendly displays that all members of the family can enjoy, plus refreshing air conditioning when the heat of tropical North Queensland gets too much.

Observe how Cairns’ marine wildlife behaves at night in this after-hours tour of the Cairns Aquarium. Enjoy exclusive evening entry to the aquarium after closing time and benefit from your ecologist guide's insights insights into the nighttime behavior of reptiles, amphibians, insects that make their home in Cairns.

As the sun goes down on the Great Barrier Reef, a whole new world awakens. Corals glow, colourful reef fish seek shelter and predators begin their night hunt. At the same time, coastal forests stir with life, as reptiles, amphibians and insects emerge from their burrows to seek out food in the safety of the shadows. Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness.

Enjoy a day at the Kuranda Koala Gardens by pre-booking your admission ticket. Discover this unique wildlife experience that is home to an array of Australian species including koalas, quokkas, wallabies, and wombats. Learn about the gardens' efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife and restore habitats, and experience the only nocturnal exhibit in the Tableland region, home to night-loving marsupials such as the greater bilby, northern bettong, and rare mahogany glider.

As the sun goes down on the Great Barrier Reef, a whole new world awakens. Corals glow, colourful reef fish seek shelter and predators begin their night hunt. At the same time, coastal forests stir with life, as reptiles, amphibians and insects emerge from their burrows to seek out food in the safety of the shadows. Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness. Complete your evening at Squire's Loft Restaurant with a perfectly matched dining experience while you enjoy a stunning sea life backdrop.

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife, and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rainforest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to Birdworld and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets, and more. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Head out on a rainforest adventure on the original Daintree Rainforest Tour. Take a guided walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest and along the flawless white beaches of Cape Tribulation with your guide. Then, hop aboard a river cruise and listen to commentary about the local wildlife as you try to spot crocodiles. Then, take a freshwater swim in the heart of the rainforest and enjoy a homegrown tropical fruit ice cream.

Discover the secrets and stories of 19th-century Queensland with a visit to the Historic Village Herberton. Just over 90-minutes inland from Cairns, this huge outdoor pioneer museum gives visitors a chance to peek back to a long-ago era. Walk through the streets and you’ll discover the original buildings from the town, including the school, jail, bank, grocery, bottle shop, apothecary, and mechanic—complete with antique cars. You can also enjoy the natural surroundings and go wildlife-spotting on purpose-built trails.

A visit to the Historic Village Herberton is like stepping back in time. Showcasing Australia’s rich and diverse history this outdoor pioneer museum is testament to an era that is long gone. This incredible museum collects, preserves and displays fascinating historical exhibits from across Australia. The history of this museum is also closely tied with the township of Herberton and features many priceless antiques as well as buildings that have come from the town’s ancestors. The Village currently features over 60 original buildings that date from Herberton’s foundation years and are as they were originally constructed. Walking through the Village, visitors are given a sense of being in a real township complete with apothecary, bottle shop, school, bank, grocer’s store, frock salon, toy shop, mechanic, jail and more. There is just so much to see and do in this amazing village that it needs to be experienced to understand the full depth of history it offers.

Journey through Australia’s diverse landscapes for a family fun and educational-focused experience. Australia's stunning Great Barrier Reef, a vibrant ecosystem teeming with marine life, is a real-life testament to the planet's natural beauty. Our lush, abundant Rainforest and Mangrove environments are a sanctuary for distinctive wildlife, providing shelter and sustenance for countless species. The rugged Outback, with its harsh, yet mesmerizing terrain, is another integral part of our natural heritage while the precious Woodlands is home to one of our Australian icons, the koala. Each of these unique areas play a crucial role in maintaining Australia’s biodiversity. Learn and understand about the significance of protecting these invaluable natural landscapes for future generations. Don’t forget to purchase your koala souvenir photo for an unforgettable memory.

To visit the Cairns Aquarium without the crowds, get special after-hours access. You can take your time without jostling with others for the best views of the sharks, rays, and tropical fish. The glass viewing tunnel is a highlight. Learn more about the creatures you see from your personal guide. After the tour, top off your night with dinner at Dundee’s Waterfront, with beautiful views.

Avoid waiting around outside in the tropical heat with priority access to the Cairns Museum. Save money with a family ticket, and head right on inside to enjoy interactive exhibits on the history, culture, and geography of Cairns and Northern Queensland. Conveniently located in the central city, you can enjoy great views from the upstairs veranda.

The Ultimate Way to Experience the Cairns Aquarium Imagine being able to hand feed Cownose Sting Rays on a privately escorted Aquarium tour! This VIP experience offers you a fully guided tour with a Wildlife Educator through the Cairns Aquarium and also the behind-the-scenes workings, with views and explanations of the fish food preparation room, innovative plant and equipment that filters the millions of litres of water on site, coral propagation facilities and a stop at the onsite turtle hospital to see how we care for and rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles. You will also enjoy a scatter feed to the outback river monsters and hand feed the gentle Cownose rays as well as a look at the onsite reptile breeding facility.