There are so many things that come to mind when we consider the beauty and overall mystique associated with Australia. The fact that it’s so remote almost invites more questions than answers and while the ability to travel there has improved as the years have gone on, there’s still so much left to discover - and we absolutely love that.

One thing that’s well known about the country, however, is just how marvelous the animals and wildlife that live there are. From the stereotypes to the birds very few of us have ever heard of, it’s quite the journey to be taken on.

Alas, if it’s not a kangaroo that immediately comes to mind when thinking about Australian animals, it’s the beloved koala bear.

If you’re one of the many, many travelers out there who absolutely adore these creatures, then perhaps picking up some Kuranda Koala Gardens tickets would be a good idea.

What are the best things to do and see at Kuranda Koala Gardens?

It may have become pretty evident from the word go here but let’s just say it anyway: Kuranda Koala Gardens is all about seeing some incredible animals. With that in mind, we’re going to run through a few of our favourites.

Koalas

They love cool temperatures, they love hanging onto things and they’re all about the cuddle life - what’s not to enjoy about these little guys? The koalas make up the core attraction for the park as you can probably imagine, and they really do make this whole place what it is.

Quokkas

These little things are so unbelievably cute that they need to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated. They can live for up to 14 years in captivity and 10 years in the wild, they’re usually seen on small islands and they have eyes that will make anyone’s heart melt.

Snakes

Pythons and snakes in general can be viewed in a negative light, as tends to be the case in the mainstream media, but they’re really gorgeous when you get to know them and appreciate what they bring to the world.

Kangaroos

These creatures are so majestic that we almost feel intimidated being in their presence. They’re just as valuable and important to the Australian people as the koalas, and when you meet one, you’ll quickly come to understand why.

There are water dragons, crocodiles, turtles - the list never ends!

How much do Kuranda Koala Gardens tickets cost?

There are a whole bunch of different package and combo deals on offer that we’ll touch on later, but with respect to the actual general admission tickets, we’d say it’s pretty reasonable.

The park entry will cost A$20 for adults which counts as those who are 16+ in age. Children can get in for A$10 but must be accompanied by an adult during their visit, whereas infants can get in for free (0-3 years).

Oh, and the family rate of two adults and two children comes to a comfortable A$50.

How long does it take to get to Kuranda Koala Gardens from Cairns?

The trek to arrive at Kuranda Koala Gardens isn’t actually that much of a trek at all, and in fact, we really like the roads needed to arrive at the final destination. It offers up a great look into how the venture from city to wilderness really begins from the gateway city of Cairns to the natural wonders of Kuranda.

The overall distance is around 30km so, on a good day, it should only take around 35 minutes to make the trip - although that could change depending on how busy the traffic is.

What are Kuranda Koala Gardens’ opening hours?

Kuranda Koala Gardens tickets can actually be booked within certain time slots on their website, meaning there’s never a risk of it getting too crowded or busy. The park is open between the hours of 10am and 3pm from Monday to Sunday, although that can change depending on late notice COVID restrictions or perhaps national holidays.

Are there any other fun theme parks in Cairns?

There are so many other wonderful parks in the nearby regions to enjoy from Cairns to other interesting parts of the great north - better known as Queensland. In terms of combo tours, though, the majority focus on Kuranda specifically.

Friends in the Rainforest

Kuranda Koala Gardens is so chilled out and relaxed that it can be easy to fall into a trance of pure ecstasy and joy. So then, it only makes sense to enhance that further by throwing in Birdworld Kuranda too - which is right next door.

Kuranda Wildlife Experience

We have three wildlife attractions for a really suitable price here with the Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary all being on the to do list. From free-flying animals to a tropical wonderland unlike any other, these spots really are special.

Kuranda Explorer

There are plenty of ways to travel around somewhere as magical as Kuranda and that’s why the Kuranda Explorer package is so perfect. This includes admission to three great attractions - the Koala Gardens, Birdworld Kuranda and Kuranda Riverboat. The latter runs 45-minute rainforest river cruises that go all the way across the Barron River.

Travel tips

Koala bears are absolutely adorable and seeing them up close should be viewed as a real honour. Unfortunately they can also scare quite easily and get defensive if they feel it’s necessary, so make sure not to do anything that may upset or otherwise disturb them.
It’s all well and good to just come and see the Koala Gardens but as we’ve already noted, there are plenty of other fascinating sights to be seen around the Kuranda area. Therefore, we’d recommend doubling or even tripling up on your visit, making the most of the entire area in the process.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, there’s a chance the following activities will be unavailable depending on when you’re planning to visit: animal talks from experts and koala cuddles - although a koala pat is still okay.