Sometimes it takes a deep look beneath the surface to really discover some of the very best things out there in the world. That may sound a little bit cheesy, but in places like Australia, it’s quite hard to fully grasp and appreciate the beauty of your surrounding because it feels larger than life.

The state of Queensland is particularly vulnerable to this kind of effect but if we all come together and really get the word out, we’re confident it can become what it always should’ve been - one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.

Our journey takes us to the latest in a long line of parks that need to be seen in order to be believed: the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

The name alone makes it sound like a haven of joy and year-long happiness, but there’s a whole lot more to it than meets the eye.

What are the best things to do and see at Australian Butterfly Sanctuary?

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is awesome, but if you don’t believe us, perhaps you’ll believe the parade of activities that are readily available upon arrival.

Butterfly Myths & Legends

These butterflies are so unbelievably beautiful and as such, they’re often at the core of some really interesting myths and folklore. If you want to learn more about just how far a butterfly dream can take you, metamorphosis and everything in between, this is the kind of spot to visit.

Educational Exhibits

A butterfly’s life cycle isn’t exactly common knowledge, and neither is the anatomy of a butterfly - outside of, perhaps, what we’ve come to learn about caterpillars. The aim of the Sanctuary is to preserve and protect the spirit of these animals, but it’s also the educate the masses about where they’ve come from and why they’re so magical.

Main Aviary

The main aviary is where we all go to get lost in just how remarkable this place is. It completely and utterly replicates the atmosphere of a natural rainforest and the environment that comes with it, with close attention paid to the details that make it feel homely.

Laboratory

The guided tour through the laboratory hands visitors an insight that is quite extraordinary. Through special viewing windows you’ll be able to see these caterpillars in their various different stages before they emerge out into the butterflies we know today. Between that and how informative the whole thing is, you really can’t lose.

How much do Australian Butterfly Sanctuary tickets cost?

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary tickets are incredibly reasonable and it all begins with the initial entry fee. This comes in at A$20 per adult and A$10 per child (4-14 years), with a family of two adults and two children being able to get in for A$50. The entry price also includes a guided aviary & laboratory tour, so everyone’s a winner!

From there we also have a range of separate combo tours involving a string of other parks around the area with each one catering to the needs and desires of every individual traveler.

How long does it take to get to Australian Butterfly Sanctuary from Cairns?

If you want to hop in the car and jet off to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary from Cairns, then don’t worry, because it doesn’t actually take too long to complete the journey.

Some find the route to the Kuranda region a little bit bumpy but we think it actually enhances the sense of adventure that comes with this part of the world.

As you head past the Skyrail and into the wilderness it should take no longer than 35-40 minutes from the city, although that may change depending on just how busy the traffic is and whether it’s the weekend.

What are the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary’s opening hours?

The great thing about the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is that it’s open every single day from Monday to Sunday with visitors coming in their thousands regardless of what time of year it may be.

The actual park is open from 10am to 3pm, and yet while the hours may not be that long, trust us when we say it’s possible to cram a whole lot into that amount of time.

Are there any other fun theme parks in Cairns?

With the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary being located in the heart of Kuranda, it only makes sense for everyone to go and check out the Skyrail, Scenic Railway and Rainforestation Nature Park if and when you get a chance on your visit.

There’s also actually a 4 Park Package combo tour that includes entry to Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas and Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. Beyond that the ABS isn’t shy when it comes to promoting some of the other awesome brands and parks out there, including Tropic Wings and a whole host of Jungle Tours that operate throughout most of the year.

In short, we’re pretty sure Cairns should be known as the gateway city for way more than just the Great Barrier Reef.

Travel tips

In the name of keeping the butterflies comfortable and safe, the majority of the facilities within the Sanctuary are kept at quite a high temperature. Now, it may seem silly to suggest this given we’re talking about Australia, but preparing for the heat - perhaps by bringing along a small fan or two - would be smart, alongside a cold bottle of water.
Nobody wants to be the one who ruins the fun for the rest of the group and as much as it pains us to say it, things can get a bit frustrating within the Butterfly Sanctuary. Therefore, we’d suggest avoiding touching any of the butterflies or creates you may see, because, in the least surprising news of the year, they’re quite delicate.
There are actually certain colors that attract the butterflies so if you do or don’t want to become their best friends, let it be known that red, white and pink are their favorites.