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Cairns Aquarium Animals & Zones

Cairns Aquarium animals & zones: A journey through diverse ecosystems

​Cairns Aquarium recreates the diverse ecosystems of North Queensland through zones teeming with life. Each area reveals native species in carefully crafted habitats—whether it’s crocs lurking in mangroves or reef sharks gliding past the ocean tunnel.

Cairns Aquarium map

Ground floor

Explore river monsters, freshwater whiprays, and leopard sharks at the Oceanarium. Find the gift shop, restrooms, and Coral Sea Amphitheatre here.

First floor

See reef fish, jellyfish, and crocodiles up close. This level hosts the Turtle Hospital, marine touch tanks, and daily presentations.

Cairns Aquarium Events & Daily Presentations

Explore 10 stunning aquatic zones at Cairns Aquarium

Freshwater Streams & Rivers

See Barramundi, turtles, and freshwater stingrays in habitats modeled after Cape York’s rivers.

Wet tropics rainforest

Spot tree frogs, forest dragons, and creepy crawlies hidden under the rainforest canopy.

Mangrove habitats

Watch Archerfish spit jets of water at prey and see baby fish dart through mangrove roots.

Floodplains & billabongs

Home to hardy freshwater fish, eels, and reptiles that thrive in seasonal wetlands.

The Great Barrier Reef

See colourful clownfish, venomous stonefish, and reef sharks.

The Coral sea

A deep-sea zone featuring groupers, trevally, and large ocean predators.

Touch tanks

Interact with sea stars, cucumbers, and anemones in a supervised setting

Oceanarium tunnel

Walk through a 360° underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and reef fish.

Turtle Hospital

Learn about turtle rehabilitation and meet recovering sea turtles.

Marine Life Encounter lab

Get behind-the-scenes access to how animals are fed, cared for, and studied.

For more information on daily events and presentations, click here.

A glimpse of the animals at Cairns Aquarium

Leopard shark swimming

Leopard shark

A sleek predator of the Coral Sea.

Freshwater whipray resting on gravel in an aquarium setting.
Clownfish swimming among coral
Hartley's crocodile feeding and Cairns Aquarium marine life exhibit.
Cairns Aquarium marine life exhibit with coral reef and diverse fish species.

Frequently asked questions about Cairns Aquarium animals & zones

Yes, and that’s what makes it so special! Cairns Aquarium focuses solely on native species from Queensland’s rivers, reefs, rainforests, and oceans—many of which you won’t find in any other aquarium globally.

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About Cairns Aquarium

Plan Your Visit to Cairns Aquarium

Cairns Aquarium by Twilight