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Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: Our most recommended tours and activities

Cairns: Best of the Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour & Lunch

1. Cairns: Best of the Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour & Lunch

Discover some of the finest scenery and fascinating culture of the Kuranda Rainforest on a guided tour. Visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, a Koala and Wildlife Park, and learn about about Aboriginal culture at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Start your immersion into the culture and nature of the Kuranda Rainforest with a ride aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Wind through the mountains and rainforest to the village of Kuranda.  Upon arrival, experience Australia's largest butterfly aviary at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary with 1,500 tropical butterflies, including the vibrant green Cairns Birdwing. Next, travel by shuttle to the Rainforestation Nature Park for a barbecue buffet lunch.  After lunch, explore the rainforest by 6WD amphibious vehicle as you climb aboard a World War II Army Duck that can drive over land and in water. Search for wildlife as you learn about the plants and trees of the surrounding rainforest. Then, sample some exotic fruits and locally-made ice cream at the Tropical Treats fruit orchard.  Find out more about Aboriginal culture at the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and watch spear-throwing demonstrations and traditional dances. Try your hand at throwing a boomerang, and hear all about the didgeridoo. Then, get up close to Australian animals including koalas, dingoes and the endangered Cassowary and Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo. See typical Australian critters including wombats, crocodiles, lizards and birds. Feed the kangaroos and wallabies by hand. Then, travel back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and ride over the canopy of the pristine rainforest. Transfer back to your accommodation at the end of the tour services.

Kuranda: Koalas, Birds and Butterflies Experience

2. Kuranda: Koalas, Birds and Butterflies Experience

Experience an unforgettable day with fantastic wildlife such as koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, rare birds, and colorful butterflies, as you enjoy access to three wonderful attractions. Find yourself among kangaroos and wallabies roaming around a free-range enclosure at Kuranda Koala Gardens, and take the opportunity to hand-feed them yourself! Marvel at the spectacle of tropical birds flying through their natural rainforest habitat at Birdworld, home to some of Australia's most precious bird species. Enjoy the magic of over 1500 magnificent butterflies fluttering above you in the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Learn fascinating information about the wildlife as you benefit from a guided tour at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, and a complimentary bird spotter's guide at Birdworld.

N. Queensland: Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour

3. N. Queensland: Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour

Explore the depths of the Kuranda Rainforest with rides on the railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and 6-wheel-drive amphibious Army Duck vehicle! Experience this enchanting region of Australia and see its wildlife, lush scenery, and aboriginal culture. Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a spectacular journey with stunning views of the Coral Sea, Cairns City, and more. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the pristine rainforest and skim the forest canopy just beneath you! See kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and crocodiles up close and personal. Explore the rainforest on a 6-wheel-drive World War II Army Duck amphibious vehicle, over land and water. Your experienced Duck Driver will help you search for wildlife and teach you about the plants and trees that make up the surrounding rainforest. After your Duck tour, you can sample exotic fruits and locally made ice cream at the Tropical Treats fruit orchard. The Koala & Wildlife Park offers the opportunity to get up close with native Australian wildlife including wombats, crocodiles, lizards, and birds. You can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies. Included also is the world-famous BBQ lunch. Go for a walk and learn about Aboriginal culture with spear-throwing demonstrations and ritualistic dances. Take the opportunity to try your hand at boomerang throwing, then visit Kuranda's markets and art galleries, or even the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Optional extra: For your Kuranda Scenic Railway journey, you are able to upgrade from Heritage Class to Gold Class. Gold Class includes the following: Dedicated host service, souvenir trip guide, a moist towelette, individual seating, lounge-style chairs, ambient, historical décor, including timber look flooring, historical photographs, and cedar interior. Kuranda Scenic Railway gift pack including Kuranda Scenic Railway badge, pen, and postcard. Queensland and local Tablelands produce such as Gallo Dairyland Cheese, Skybury Coffee, Wondaree Macadamias, Mango to Go (100% pure mango treat), freshly-baked muffins with local fruit, Sirromet wines, and Great Northern Brewing Company Super Crisp Lager.

Cairns: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

4. Cairns: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary provides a world-class wildlife experience in the heart of Kuranda. The all-weather experience is home to over 1,500 magnificent tropical butterflies. All butterflies in the sanctuary are local rainforest species, while the undisputed stars are the fluoro green Cairns Birdwings. Wear something bright (red, white, or hot pink are best) and let these beautiful creatures flutter all over you. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the aviary. Learn to identify each of the butterfly species, as the guides explain a butterfly’s life cycle and its behavior.  Visit the breeding laboratory, which houses up to 4,000 caterpillars. An opportunity to view first-hand the breeding laboratory through special viewing windows, where you will see the caterpillars in their varying stages of development. Watch as the laboratory staff collects eggs daily and “hand-raise” the caterpillars right through to the chrysalis stage, until they are released as beautiful butterflies into the sanctuary.

Cairns: 4 Attraction 7-Day Pass

5. Cairns: 4 Attraction 7-Day Pass

This 4 park package includes one-time admission to each of the following parks; Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Rainforestation Nature Park and Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. Get up close and personal with a range of iconic Australian animals at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas. Hand-feed wallabies and kangaroos, see the endangered cassowary and walk the world’s first Predator Plank over Estuarine Crocodile filled waters. Explore the Southern Hemisphere’s largest butterfly flight aviary at Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. See the vibrant Cairns Birdwing Butterfly and join a guided aviary and laboratory tour to learn about butterflies and their life cycles. Enjoy an action-packed smorgasbord of activities at Rainforestation Nature Park. Explore the rainforest on land and in water on an authentic World War 2 Army Duck. Learn about Indigenous culture on the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and enjoy a dance show, spear-throwing presentation, didgeridoo presentation and learn how to throw a boomerang. Meet Australian animals including dingoes,tree kangaroos and Tasmanian devils in the Koala & Wildlife Park. At Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome, meet adorable Aussie animals. Enjoy a range of presentations throughout the day, including the crocodile show with Goliath, the 4.5 meter Estuarine Crocodile.

Other Sightseeing Options in Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

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What people are saying about Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 178 reviews

It was very lovely to see all the beautiful butterflies the kids loved it too and the gift shop and town was a great walk with nice shops .

Bridgette was really good pointing out many bugs, frogs and other wildlife; she really knows her stuff. Highly recommend.

Excellent day trip. Very well organized and friendly atmosphere all day long.

The staff were fantastic and the butterflies were just gorgeous ❤

Amazing from start to finish. Enjoyed the whole experience