The 9 Wildlife Parks in Cairns That Earn Their Price

1.Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 99 reviews · from $27Our pick

Visit Kuranda Koala Gardens and nearby Birdworld on a self-guided wildlife outing. Feed kangaroos and wallabies under supervision, see koalas, wombats, quokkas and rare nocturnal animals, then walk to a rainforest-style aviary with more than 80 bird species. Paid koala photos and bird food are extra.

“The bird world was kinda sad. The birds have very little space to move around. We thought it would be little more open.”

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2.Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 90 reviews · from $15Best value

Visit Kuranda Koala Gardens beside the Heritage Markets for a close look at Australian wildlife. You can see koalas, quokkas, wallabies, wombats, reptiles, crocodiles, bilbies, bettongs, and rare gliders. The one-hour visit also includes a pioneer display and the Tableland’s only nocturnal exhibit. Koala photos and handling cost extra.

“Great small animal garden. Not so many aminals to see. Please note that if you pay extra for the korala photo that it's taken at a distance from the korala and not holding the korala, as they have changed their policy since the last time we came 4yrs ago. Overall, good value for money.”

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3.Kuranda Koala Gardens Park Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 85 reviews · 1 day · from $15

Spend a day at Kuranda Koala Gardens, an accessible wildlife park inside the Kuranda Heritage Markets. See koalas, wallabies, wombats, quokkas, gliders, freshwater crocodiles, and reptiles. Entry costs $15 per person. Animal photos with a koala or python cost extra. The park is open from 9:30am to 4:00pm.

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4.Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures: Hartley’s Koala Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 78 reviews · 1 day · from $56Top rated

Arrive early at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for bacon, eggs, sausages, hash browns, toast, juice, tea, or coffee beside the lagoon. From 9:00 to 9:30am, a keeper introduces a koala for gentle patting, photos on your own device, and questions. Your ticket also includes the boat cruise, wildlife talks, and a full day in the park.

“had the best day, did breakfast with the koalas. Food was really good and you get up close with koalas and can pat it take photos. The staff at park are all amazing freindly, informative and great sense of humour. The park well set up and so much to see The boat ride was great and the staff hand feeding big croc on land and in the water was something else. Highly recommended this tour.”

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5.Cairns Koalas & Creatures at the Pier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · from $15

At Cairns Koalas & Creatures, you move through displays covering the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, mangroves, Outback, and woodlands. The 30-minute visit is designed for families and curious adults, with an optional paid koala-holding photo experience. Admission is $15.78 per person, and mobile tickets are accepted.

“Nice exhibits. Lots of information regarding the biodiversity of this region, really informative video regarding the geologic evolution of Australia and the rest of the world. Highlight of our visit was being able to hold a koala. For the welfare of the koalas, they only allow you a few seconds to hold the koala. Just as an FYI, there is an extra charge to hold the koala.”

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6.Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 64 reviews · 1 day · from $39

Visit Cairns Koalas and Creatures for a compact look at reef, rainforest, mangrove, outback, and woodland habitats in central Cairns. Your $39 ticket includes entry and a souvenir koala photo. The venue suits families wanting a short wildlife stop, but the 6x9 photo is designed for one person or a couple, not a full family group.

“Ganz furchtbar. Die Werbebilder haben nichts mit der Realität vor Ort zu tun. Wirkt wie ein winziger Zoo in einem Kaufhaus. Kaum mehr als zwei, drei winzige Aquarien, zwei Terrarien mit eingepferchten Vögeln und Schlangen, und dazu die - ja, sicherlich sehr süßen - Koalas abgesperrt in einem Mini-Bereich. Besser in ein echtes, weitläufiges Sanctuary im Freien gehen, von denen es etliche wirklich sehr schöne gibt in Australien, etwa in Brisbane.”

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7.Kuranda Wildlife Experience: Koalas, Birds & Butterflies

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 42 reviews · 1 day · from $43

Spend a full day visiting Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Feed kangaroos and wallabies, watch rare birds fly through rainforest habitat, and walk beneath more than 1,500 butterflies. Ask about the sanctuary’s guided tour when you arrive, and collect your Birdspotter’s guide at Birdworld.

“We had the chance to speak with one of the staff in the butterfly world. She was very knowledgeable, loved her work, and made for a fabulous visit.”

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8.Kuranda: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 40 reviews · 1 day · from $17

At Kuranda’s Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, you explore Australia’s largest butterfly aviary, see local rainforest species flutter close, and view up to 4,000 caterpillars in the breeding laboratory. Join a free English guided tour, visit the museum, and wear red, white, or hot pink to attract butterflies.

“loved it, ladies were amazing! just a bit hot”

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9.Friends in the Rainforest Package: Koala Gardens & Birdworld

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 34 reviews · 1 day · from $27

Spend a full day visiting Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld in Tropical North Queensland. See quokkas, wombats, crocodiles, wallabies, kangaroos, reptiles, and more than 350 birds. Hand-feed selected animals, enjoy a koala or python photo opportunity, and explore rainforest gardens with waterfalls, ponds, and native plants.

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