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Turtle Hospital Tour & Aquarium Visit at Cairns Aquarium - Cairns

Turtle Hospital Tour & Aquarium Visit at Cairns Aquarium

Cairns Cityeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

30 minutes + general admission access

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels as the tour involves minimal walking and stationary observation.

Overview

Step inside Cairns Aquarium’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre for a guided 30-minute tour that reveals the challenges sea turtles face and the rescue efforts fueling their recovery. Discover this hands-on marine conservation experience in tropical Queensland’s aquatic heart.

Cairns City, Queensland

General Admission & Turtle Hospital Tour

Open from 9:30am-3:30pm • Last admission at 2:30pm • Turtle Tours @11:30am & 12:30pm Daily

Guided Tour

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About This Adventure

Experience an intimate 30-minute guided tour of our Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where you can observe sea turtles up close. Discover the challenges these magnificent creatures face and learn about our vital rescue, treatment, and tracking efforts, making this an unforgettable opportunity to connect with marine conservation.

Tours of our Turtle Rehabilitation Centre operate daily at 11:30am & 12:30pm.

Get up close and personal to the sea turtles in our care on a 30 minute guided tour of our Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Learn about the dangers that sea turtles face, and how we rescue, treat, release and track these precious animals.

What you need to know:

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your Turtle Hospital Tour start time.
  • All children must be accompanied by, and supervised by an adult at all times
  • NO Flash Photography and no touching the sea turtles, as this may harm their recover
  • General Admission is included in your ticket. See 16,000 aquatic animals and habitats endemic to Tropical North Queensland. Learn about the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Open daily 9:30am–3:30pm. Last admission at 2:30pm

Turtle Hospital Tour Terms and Conditions:

Please read below before you book tour

  • Be mindful of your noise, do not make loud noises.
  • Do not touch the animals or the contents of their enclosure.
  • Do not hang over the side of the enclosure, disturb the water or bang on the outside of the enclosure.
  • Photography is permitted unless otherwise stated, please turn your flash off.
  • Children are the responsibility of their parents/guardians or carer and must be supervised at all times. Children cannot attend this tour without a guardian present.
  • A reminder that this is an educational tour, with an educational presentation that may run for 15 – 20 minutes, please follow the directions of the tour guide whilst on the tour.
  • Please tread carefully in this area, do not run in this area. There may be water present on floor from sea turtles.
  • Do not remove or take any artefacts or items belonging to the Cairns Turtle
  • Rehabilitation Hospital or Cairns Aquarium from this area.
  • Guests are required to follow COVID-19 guidelines; maintain 1.5m social distance from other guests, do not touch the glass, sanitize your hands-on entry, if you are unwell, we advise that you return to book the tour at another time when you are healthy.
  • If you are bringing an infant on the tour, please be advised that we can’t have loud noises near sick or injured sea turtles in the hospital, so you may be asked to leave the hospital area in the event of loud noise.

Accessibility:

  • Lifts, escalators and accessible toilets throughout the attraction.
  • If you are unable to walk onto the viewing deck, you can still see the turtles in the tank through a viewing window.
  • Free Wheelchair hire is available.
  • Companion Cards are not accepted for this experience.

Adventure Tips

Arrive Early

Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled Turtle Hospital Tour to ensure a smooth check-in and timely start.

No Flash Photography

Flash can distress the recovering sea turtles — please turn off flash to protect these sensitive animals during your visit.

Maintain Quiet

Keep noise levels low to avoid stressing injured turtles; this preserves a calm environment crucial for their rehabilitation.

Accessible Facilities

Lifts and accessible restrooms are available; wheelchair hire is free, making the Aquarium and Turtle Hospital accessible for all visitors.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Green sea turtles
  • Coral trout

History

Cairns Aquarium opened to shed light on the ecological richness of the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics, emphasizing conservation since its inception.

Conservation

The Turtle Rehabilitation Centre plays a critical role in local sea turtle rescue and release efforts, promoting marine wildlife recovery and educating visitors on sustainable reef stewardship.

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Adventure Hotspots in Cairns

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable walking shoes

Essential

Light footwear ensures comfort during your time inside the Aquarium and Turtle Hospital facilities.

Reusable water bottle

Essential

Stay hydrated, especially during hot Queensland days before or after your visit.

summer specific

Light rain jacket

A compact rain jacket helps manage tropical showers common in spring and summer.

spring specific

Camera (no flash)

Essential

Capture memories of the Aquarium and Turtle Hospital while protecting animals by disabling flash.