Cairns Aquarium Marine Life Encounter

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General admission to Cairns Aquarium plus a guided behind-the-scenes tour, including hand feeding cownose rays and a visit to the Cairns Turtle Hospital.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Max 4

Start / finish

Cairns Aquarium, Cairns City / Cairns Aquarium
Tour finishes 2:30pm

Return

Tour finishes 2:30pm

Transport

No transport — on foot within the aquarium

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Cairns Aquarium Marine Life Encounter

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Included experiences

Cairns Aquarium — nine Tropical North Queensland habitats
Behind the scenes — quarantine and food preparation areas
Feeding platform — hand feed cownose stingrays
River Monsters — feed giant freshwater rays and barramundi
Cairns Turtle Hospital — meet rescued sea turtles

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE MORNING: CHECK IN AND MEET YOUR GUIDE

Check in at the front counter of Cairns Aquarium in the city centre at 11:30am. A wildlife educator meets you in the foyer, and with no more than four people on a booking, the tour feels like a private visit. Your ticket also covers general admission, so you can walk the galleries again afterwards, from the rainforest rivers of the Wet Tropics to the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.

FRONT OF HOUSE AND BEHIND THE SCENES

Your guide takes you through the galleries and then through the staff doors. You see the fish food preparation room, the filtration plant that treats millions of litres of water, the coral propagation area where new coral is grown, and the reptile breeding facility. Then comes the River Monsters exhibit, where you scatter food for the giant freshwater rays and barramundi, a fish that starts life male and usually turns female as it grows.

HAND-FEEDING THE COWNOSE RAYS

With the curatorial team, you kneel on the feeding platform to hand-feed the cownose rays, named for their rounded, double-lobed heads, while bigger hunters of the Coral Sea circle in the tank. Children under 12 watch rather than feed and get a souvenir gift instead. It is a rare chance to feel how gently a ray takes food from your hand.

THE TURTLE HOSPITAL

The last stop is the Cairns Turtle Hospital, run by a volunteer charity inside the aquarium. Australia is home to six of the world's seven sea turtle species, and the patients here have been rescued from boat strikes, plastic and illness. A short audio-visual presentation shows how they are treated, released and tracked. The tour wraps up mid-afternoon, and the galleries are still yours to wander.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Self-guided entry from 11:30am; meet your guide at 12:45pm.
Finishes: 2:30pm.
Please note: 100% of the turtle hospital's proceeds go to the turtles' vet care, food and tracking devices.

What is included

General admission to Cairns Aquarium
Guided behind-the-scenes tour with a wildlife educator
Cownose stingray hand feeding with the curatorial team
Freshwater ray and barramundi feeding
Cairns Turtle Hospital visit

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

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.

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