Cairns Aquarium Night at the Aquarium Tour + 2 Course Dinner

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An evening at Cairns Aquarium after it has closed to the public: a 90-minute night tour with a wildlife educator from 6pm, then a 2-course dinner of entrée and main at Squires Loft, the restaurant inside the aquarium that sits beside a 70,000 litre marine tank.

Days

About 2.5 to 3 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Guided group tour

Start / finish

Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, Cairns City
Dinner at the aquarium from 7:45pm

Return

Dinner at the aquarium from 7:45pm

Transport

No transport included; walking distance of city hotels

Meals

2-course dinner (entrée and main)

Route

Map of Cairns Aquarium Night at the Aquarium Tour + 2 Course Dinner

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Included experiences

Night tour — 90 minutes after hours with a wildlife educator
Coral reef displays — glowing corals and sheltering reef fish
Coral Sea — sharks, rays and groupers on the night hunt
Squires Loft — 2-course dinner beside a 70,000 litre marine tank

Cairns Aquarium Night at the Aquarium Tour + 2 Course Dinner

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY EVENING: CHECK-IN AT CAIRNS AQUARIUM

Your evening starts as the day visitors leave. Check in at Cairns Aquarium on Florence Street by 5:45pm, a short walk from most city hotels, and meet the staff and the rest of your small group. The aquarium opened in 2017 and was built to show the animals of Tropical North Queensland in one building, from mountain streams to the open ocean. With the doors closed to everyone else, the halls are quiet and dim, and that is exactly the point: tonight you see the animals as they are after dark.

6PM TO 7:30PM: THE NIGHT TOUR

At 6pm a wildlife educator leads you through 10 tropical ecosystems, following the water from the rainforest ranges down to the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. In the forest displays, reptiles, frogs and insects come out of their burrows to hunt, the way they do in the wild once the sun goes down. On the reef, many corals carry fluorescent proteins and seem to glow in the low light, while the bright day fish tuck themselves into crevices to sleep. Out in the Coral Sea tanks, the big hunters wake up: sharks, rays and groupers begin to move. Ask your educator anything; the night shift is when the questions get good.

7:45PM: DINNER AT SQUIRES LOFT

The tour finishes around 7:30pm, and at 7:45pm you sit down at Squires Loft, the restaurant inside the aquarium. Your table looks onto a 70,000 litre marine tank, so the fish carry on their evening beside you while you eat. Dinner is two courses, an entrée and a main, with a separate menu for children. Tell the team about any allergies or dietary needs when you book. From check-in to the last bite, allow about two and a half to three hours, then it is a short stroll back to your hotel.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, Cairns City. Arrive by 5:45pm.
Departure time: Tour 6pm to about 7:30pm, dinner from 7:45pm. It does not run on Sundays; available nights show when you book.
Duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours including dinner.
Suits: All ages. Adults are 15 and over, children 3 to 14 with a kids' menu. An infant who will eat needs a child ticket.
Dietary needs: Tell us about any dietary needs or allergies when you book.
Please note: Arrive on time, as late arrivals may miss the tour. Lifts, escalators and accessible toilets throughout. Companion Cards are not accepted for this experience. It is indoors, so it runs in any weather.

What to bring

Shirt and shoes, which must be worn inside

What is included

90-minute guided night tour with a wildlife educator
Exclusive after-hours entry to Cairns Aquarium
2-course dinner (entrée and main) at Squires Loft Cairns

Not included

Drinks with dinner (none are listed as included)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

My son and I did the night tour followed by dinner, and our guide Jade explained everything so well and made it great fun. The restaurant was beautiful, the staff kindly took photos for us and the food was outstanding.

Chilli Alder Verified· Travelled 15th October 2026

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