Family observing sharks during Night at the Aquarium tour.
Colorful fish illuminated during Night at the Aquarium tour.
Visitors observing marine life during a Night at the Aquarium guided nocturnal tour.
Spotted stingray swimming in aquarium during nocturnal tour.
Dining area at Dundees Restaurant inside Cairns Aquarium with large fish tank at night.

Cairns Aquarium Night Tour with Optional Dinner

Cairns
Guided Tours
Google Verified Seller

Duration: Varies (2 hours to 3.5 hours)

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Meals included
Meals included
Guided tour

Expert local tour guide

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Experience Cairns Aquarium like never before with this unique Night Tour in Cairns, Australia. Explore how marine life transforms under the moonlight on a guided twilight tour that offers an intimate glimpse of aquatic wonders post-sunset. If you choose to upgrade for dinner, enjoy a 2-course meal at Squires Loft Restaurant after your visit, complete with views into the main reef tank.

Explore the aquarium after dark on a 1.5-hour guided tour through 10 tropical ecosystems—from mountain streams to the Great Barrier Reef.

Watch the shift in behavior as nocturnal predators like sharks, rays, and moray eels begin their nightly hunt.

Learn from expert wildlife educators as you witness the glow of coral and elusive rainforest species at night.

Upgrade to include a 2-course dinner with dishes like fried calamari and lamb chops in Squires Loft, an aquatic-themed restaurant.

2-hour guided night tour

After-hours entry to Cairns Aquarium

English-speaking wildlife educator

2-course dinner at Squires Loft Restaurant (as per option selected)

Family observing sharks during Night at the Aquarium tour.

Family observing sharks during Night at the Aquarium tour.

See the Great Barrier Reef like never before—on a quiet, guided twilight tour that reveals how marine life transforms after sunset.

Getting started

Arrive at Cairns Aquarium after public hours and check in at the entrance using your mobile or printed ticket. Staff will guide you to your group and introduce your wildlife educator. If you’ve selected the dinner upgrade, your 2-course meal will be served at the end of the tour at the aquatic-themed Squires Loft Restaurant, with views into the main reef tank.

What to expect

Cairns Aquarium

This award-winning aquarium reveals a different side of marine and rainforest life at night.

Features

  • After-hours access: Explore in peace after the daytime crowds have left.

  • Twilight transitions: Watch as colorful reef fish settle and nocturnal predators like sharks, rays, and moray eels emerge.

  • Expert-led tour: Follow a wildlife educator through 10 ecosystems, from mountain streams to the Coral Sea.

  • Optional dinner: End the tour with a relaxed 2-course meal at the aquatic-themed Squires Loft Restaurant.

Colorful fish illuminated during Night at the Aquarium tour.

Colorful fish illuminated during Night at the Aquarium tour.

Visitors observing marine life during a Night at the Aquarium guided nocturnal tour.

Visitors observing marine life during a Night at the Aquarium guided nocturnal tour.

Spotted stingray swimming in aquarium during nocturnal tour.

Spotted stingray swimming in aquarium during nocturnal tour.

What to bring

  • A valid ticket and a camera with good low-light capability.

What's not allowed

  • Pets, outside food and drink, taking photos for commercial use without permission, flash photography, and smoking in non-designated areas are not allowed.

Accessibility

  • The tour is wheelchair accessible. Ramps and elevators are available.

Additional information

  • Service animals are welcome with legal documentation and an ID vest.

  • Luggage storage is available on-site for a fee.

  • Children under 3 years of age are admitted free.

  • Children aged 14 years and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over.

  • Presentation times may vary slightly based on group size or animal behavior.

  • The on-site restaurant will be closed for renovations. A new restaurant, Squires Loft, will open on September 20th, 2025.

  • This experience is only available at 5:45pm.

Dining area at Dundees Restaurant inside Cairns Aquarium with large fish tank at night.

Dining area at Dundees Restaurant inside Cairns Aquarium with large fish tank at night.

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Operating hours

Cairns Aquarium

Monday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Tuesday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Wednesday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Thursday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Friday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Saturday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
Sunday
9:30am - 3:30pm • last entry 2:30pm
  • Timings are displayed in the venue's time zone.

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

Flash photography is prohibited. Commercial use of photos requires permission.
You need a valid ticket and a camera that performs well in low-light conditions to capture the unique nighttime scenes of marine life.
Yes, you can upgrade your experience with a 2-course meal at the Squires Loft Restaurant after completing the aquarium visit.
Pets are not allowed, but service animals with legal documentation and an ID vest can accompany you.
Luggage storage facilities are available at Cairns Aquarium to keep your belongings safe while you explore.
You'll observe nocturnal predators such as sharks, rays, and moray eels starting their nightly hunt along with glowing corals and elusive rainforest species.
Yes, ramps and elevators are available throughout the aquarium to ensure accessibility for all visitors.
The tour lasts for 2 hours, including a guided night exploration through various tropical ecosystems.
Arrive at Cairns Aquarium after public hours using your mobile or printed ticket to check in at the entrance, where staff will guide you to your group.
The experience includes a guided night tour through ten tropical ecosystems, after-hours access to the aquarium, insights from an English-speaking wildlife educator, and optionally, dinner at Squires Loft Restaurant if selected.

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