Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome
The basics
While watching the various Aussie critters wander through the indoor forest makes for a memorable visit, it’s the Cairns Zoom that gets visitors’ adrenaline pumping. The Zoom’s 60-plus experiences include high-flying ziplines that cruise over crocodile-filled waters, tunnels, cargo nets, and the power jump, a 43-foot (13 -meter) free fall from a tower. The Dome Climb experience lets you walk outside the roof of the dome for sweeping 360-degree views of Cairns and the ocean. Guides offer plenty of educational information and wildlife shows entertain, especially those involving hand-tamed birds and cute koalas.
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Things to know before you go
- Admission fees vary depending on whether you just want the wildlife experience or to include the activities.
- The Zoom experiences have height restrictions.
- For Zoom activities, wear enclosed shoes (shoe hire is available), shorts/pants, and no loose jewelry that may get caught on your harness.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
- Check the website for wildlife talk and demonstration timings.
- Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
How to get there
Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome is located on top of The Reef Hotel Casino, 10-minute walk from the Esplanade. Enter the casino lobby via either Abbott or Wharf Street, then take the elevator. If you come by car you can park either underneath The Reef Hotel Casino, at the parking lot located near the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, or use the parking spaces surrounding the casino complex.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Opening hours are around 9 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. every day (last entry into the Wildlife Park and for Zoom activities is around an hour before closure), excluding Christmas Day. It is busiest on weekends and during school holidays.
Cairns Aquarium
If you are looking for another fun, family-friendly attraction nearby, Cairns Aquarium–just a 15-minute walk away–is a great choice. The only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase aquatic life from Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, the aquarium is home to more than 70 exhibits of marine life, including grey reef sharks, humphead Maori wrasse, Amethystine pythons, and Boyd’s forest dragons. Visitors can also enjoy daily talks and presentations, watch feeding sessions, and get a hands-on experience at the marine and terrestrial touch tanks.
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