A man and woman smile and point at a large stingray swimming overhead in an aquarium tunnel, illuminated by blue light during a Twilight Guided Tour at the Cairns Aquarium.
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Aquarium by Twilight Guided Tour Cairns (Check-in by 3:00PM)

from A$89
3 hours
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (48 hours prior)

See Cairns Aquarium after closing time on a two hour guided twilight tour with a wildlife educator. Check in at 3:00pm, then watch rainforest creatures wake up, reef fish settle into coral caves and sharks, rays and groupers come alive as day turns to night.

  • A man and woman smile and point at a large stingray swimming overhead in an aquarium tunnel, illuminated by blue light during a Twilight Guided Tour at the Cairns Aquarium.
  • A man and woman stand in an aquarium tunnel at Aquarium Cairns, looking up and pointing at a shark swimming overhead in the mesmerising blue-lit aquatic environment—an unforgettable moment on their Twilight Guided Tour Cairns.
  • Four adults stand inside the Cairns Aquarium, observing a large wall display of underwater marine life, as a guide gestures towards the exhibit during a Twilight Guided Tour.
  • Four people stand in front of a large aquarium tank at the Cairns Aquarium, observing colourful fish and coral. The adults and children are looking and pointing at the marine life, fully engaged in their Twilight Guided Tour experience.
  • A group of people, guided by a woman in uniform, observe animal exhibits and educational displays in an indoor rainforest-themed museum during the Cairns Aquarium Twilight Guided Tour.
  • A man and woman smile and point at a large stingray swimming overhead in an aquarium tunnel, illuminated by blue light during a Twilight Guided Tour at the Cairns Aquarium.
  • A man and woman stand in an aquarium tunnel at Aquarium Cairns, looking up and pointing at a shark swimming overhead in the mesmerising blue-lit aquatic environment—an unforgettable moment on their Twilight Guided Tour Cairns.
  • Four adults stand inside the Cairns Aquarium, observing a large wall display of underwater marine life, as a guide gestures towards the exhibit during a Twilight Guided Tour.
  • Four people stand in front of a large aquarium tank at the Cairns Aquarium, observing colourful fish and coral. The adults and children are looking and pointing at the marine life, fully engaged in their Twilight Guided Tour experience.
  • A group of people, guided by a woman in uniform, observe animal exhibits and educational displays in an indoor rainforest-themed museum during the Cairns Aquarium Twilight Guided Tour.

Quick read before you book.

  • Have the aquarium almost to yourself once the day crowds leave
  • Watch nocturnal sharks, rays and groupers start their night shift
  • See reef fish hide away in coral caves at dusk
  • Rainforest frogs, reptiles and insects waking up
  • Finished by early evening, with time left for dinner in town

What people say about this operator.

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4.6 Stars|7,501 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Give yourself a couple of hours so you can catch the talks and feeds without rushing.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • After hours entry to Cairns Aquarium
  • Two hour guided tour with a wildlife educator
  • Access to 10 tropical ecosystem exhibits during the tour

Commonly asked questions.

Check in at Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, by 3:00pm and the guided twilight tour begins at 3:15pm. It runs for about two hours, Tuesday to Saturday.

You'll follow 10 tropical ecosystems from the Wet Tropics rainforest to the Coral Sea, watching nocturnal animals become active while reef fish shelter for the night. Sharks, rays and groupers are the stars as the light fades.

Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice, and no shows, incur a 100 percent fee. Moving to another date is at the aquarium's discretion, so book once you're sure of your plans.

Yes, the tour suits all ages. Child prices apply to ages 3 to 14, and every child aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

The aquarium has lifts, escalators and accessible toilets throughout, with even floor surfaces. Companion Cards are not accepted on this tour.

Not on this tour. If you'd like a meal afterwards, book the twilight tour with three course dinner instead, or head out to one of the city's eateries; our guide to things to do in Cairns has ideas for the rest of your evening.
The Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a separate daytime experience. Book the Cairns Turtle Hospital tour to go behind the scenes with the turtles being cared for before release.
Because it finishes in the early evening, the twilight tour slots neatly after a reef or rainforest day. Our guide on how many days to spend in Cairns can help you plan the rest.

More about this tour.

Once the day visitors head home, Cairns Aquarium changes shift. On the Aquarium by Twilight tour, a wildlife educator walks your group through the building after hours as the light drops and the night crew wakes up.Over about two hours you follow the water from the mountains of the Wet Tropics to the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea, crossing 10 tropical ecosystems. Watch frogs, reptiles, insects and nocturnal fish stir in the rainforest zones, then see reef fish tuck themselves into coral caves while sharks, rays and groupers, the Coral Sea's big night hunters, start to patrol.You check in at 3:00pm and the tour starts at 3:15pm, Tuesday to Saturday, so you're done in time for dinner on the Esplanade. Want to make a night of it inside? The twilight tour with three course dinner adds a sit down meal straight after. If you'd rather wander at your own pace in the daytime, Cairns Aquarium general admission is the way to go.Explore the after hours option, check availability for your Tuesday to Saturday date, then book your spot on the twilight tour.

Additional info.

  • Runs Tuesday to Saturday. Check in at 3:00pm at 5 Florence Street; the tour starts at 3:15pm.
  • Bring the credit card used to book.
  • Children under 15 must be with an adult aged 18 or over.