Cairns Aquarium Aquarium by Twilight Tour

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A two-hour guided tour of Cairns Aquarium with a wildlife educator, starting at 3:15pm as the day visitors leave, to watch reef and rainforest animals change from their daytime to their night-time behaviour. You move through 10 tropical ecosystems, from the mountains to the Coral Sea, and finish with the sharks, rays and groupers that hunt after dark.

Days

2 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Guided group tour

Start / finish

Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, Cairns City
Back at the aquarium, about 5:15pm

Return

Back at the aquarium, about 5:15pm

Transport

No transport included; walking distance of city hotels

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Cairns Aquarium Aquarium by Twilight Tour

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Included experiences

Rainforest exhibits — reptiles, amphibians and insects stirring at dusk
Coral reef displays — reef fish sheltering in coral caves
Coral Sea — sharks, rays and groupers starting their night hunt
Wildlife educator — guided talk on day-to-night behaviour

Cairns Aquarium Aquarium by Twilight Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

3PM: CHECK IN AT CAIRNS AQUARIUM

Check in at Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street in the city centre, at 3pm. Your tour starts at 3:15pm, just as the day visitors are leaving, so most of it runs after hours with a small group and a wildlife educator. The theme is the daily change-over: how the animals of the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef shift from their day lives to their night ones.

THE RAINFOREST AT DUSK

You start up in the mountains and rainforest. The Wet Tropics hold some of the oldest rainforest on earth, and many of its animals only come out after dark. In these exhibits the reptiles, frogs and insects that hid all day start to stir and leave their hiding places, and your guide explains what each one is waking up to do.

THE REEF AND THE NIGHT SHIFT

The route follows 10 tropical ecosystems down to the reef and the Coral Sea. Here the bright reef fish slip into coral caves for safety, while the coral polyps open their tentacles to feed. Then the night shift takes over: sharks, rays and big groupers, the largest night-time predators of the Coral Sea, become restless and start to hunt. It is a side of the aquarium day visitors never see.

5:15PM: THE TOUR ENDS

You finish back where you started at about 5:15pm, as the evening comes down over Cairns. The Esplanade and its restaurants are a short walk away if you want to make a night of it.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, Cairns City. Check in at 3pm.
Departure time: Tour starts at 3:15pm and finishes about 5:15pm. It does not run on Sundays; available days show when you book.
Suits: All ages. Adults are 15 and over, children 3 to 14.
Please note: Lifts, escalators and accessible toilets throughout. Companion Cards are not accepted for this tour. It is all indoors, so weather doesn't matter.

What to bring

Shirt and shoes, which must be worn inside

What is included

Two-hour guided twilight tour with a wildlife educator
After-hours entry to Cairns Aquarium

Not included

Food and drink
Three-course dinner (sold as a separate package)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.