Updated in October 2026, this Cairns Koalas and Creatures guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Cairns Koalas and Creatures is an all-weather wildlife attraction at The Pier on the Cairns waterfront in Queensland. Five habitat zones introduce Australian wildlife, and you can hold a koala for a souvenir photo. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, adult admission costs $21 and includes re-entry for four consecutive days. A package with entry and a koala holding photo costs $64.
Quick facts for Cairns Koalas and Creatures
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | The Pier, 1 Pier Point Road, Cairns City, Queensland 4870 |
| Opening hours | Open daily, 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Adult admission | $21 |
| Child admission (4 to 14) | $13 |
| Family admission (2 adults and 2 children) | $55 |
| Entry with a souvenir koala photo | $64 adult, $56 child |
| Ticket validity | The day of purchase and four consecutive days after |
| Koala holding sessions | 9:30, 10:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 16:30 |
| Typical visit | About one hour, longer with a photo session |
| Phone | +61 7 4020 8200 |
Why book Cairns Koalas and Creatures tickets?
- 🐨 Hold a koala: Several sessions a day let you hold a koala or pose beside one on a branch.
- 🔁 Four extra days of re-entry: Your admission ticket also works for four consecutive days after your visit.
- 🌏 Five habitats in one place: Great Barrier Reef, mangrove, rainforest, woodland and outback zones fill the attraction.
- 🐍 Reptile photos: Handlers let you pose with a snake or a blue-tongued lizard.
- ☔ An all-weather attraction: It is in the Pier Shopping Centre, so rain does not change your plans.
Ticket prices for Cairns Koalas and Creatures – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars, include GST and are valid until 31 March. Children’s prices apply to ages 4 to 14.
| Ticket | Adult | Child | Family (2 adults and 2 children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission | $21 | $13 | $55 |
| Admission and souvenir wildlife photo | $64 | $56 | Not available |
| Private Wildlife Experience (one hour with a keeper, photo and a five-day return pass) | $164 | $156 | Not available |
| Multi Park Package (one entry each to four CaPTA wildlife parks) | $115 | $69 | $299 |
| CaPTA Group Annual Pass (unlimited entry for 12 months) | $170 | $100 | $440 |
Photo experiences need admission. A standard 6×9 koala photo costs $43 and a large 8×12 photo costs $53. A standard reptile photo costs $28 and a large one costs $38. A set of three standard photos (a koala and two reptiles) costs $83, or $103 for three large photos. Every photo package includes a printed photo and a digital download.
Locals receive 20% off general admission with the code KOALALOCAL and a local ID. Seniors with a seniors card receive 20% off entry. You can book through Viator for an admission ticket.
Five great things to do in Cairns
- 🐠 See marine wonders at two Outer Reef hotspots – on a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise.
- 🌿 On a day trip – explore Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
- 🚞 Combine the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – on a day trip to Kuranda.
- 🚣 On a full day rafting adventure – tackle the white water of the Tully River.
- 🌄 See giant trees, rainforest waterfalls and crater lakes – on an Atherton Tablelands day tour.
Opening hours for Cairns Koalas and Creatures
The attraction opens every day from 9:00 to 17:00. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. Koala holding photo sessions run at set times, and a perch photo session runs at 11:30. Some sessions run only in peak periods, so check the booking page for dates.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Koala holding photo sessions | 9:30, 10:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 16:30 |
| Koala perch photo session | 11:30 |
How to get to Cairns Koalas and Creatures
The attraction is inside the Pier Shopping Centre at 1 Pier Point Road, along the Cairns waterfront. On foot, it is close to the Cairns Marlin Marina and the city centre. By car, parking is available at The Pier.
Parking at Cairns Koalas and Creatures
Parking is available at The Pier Shopping Centre. Check the charges and time limits when you arrive. The attraction is an all-weather venue, so you can plan a visit on any day.
How long to spend at Cairns Koalas and Creatures
Allow about one hour to walk through the five zones. Add time if you book a koala holding session or a reptile photo. Your admission ticket also lets you return for four consecutive days after your first visit.
Accessibility at Cairns Koalas and Creatures
Cairns Koalas and Creatures is wheelchair accessible. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Minimum height and age limits apply for koala photos, and the wildlife keeper decides.
Local visitors with a Companion Card receive one free entry and one entry at the local rate. Non-local Companion Card holders receive one free entry and entry at the standard rate.
What to see at Cairns Koalas and Creatures
The five habitat zones. The attraction travels through the Great Barrier Reef, mangroves, rainforest, woodland and outback. Each zone shows how wildlife lives in that landscape.
The koalas. Three resident koalas live at the attraction. You can see them up close.
The koala photos. Several times a day you can hold a koala, or pose beside one perched on a branch. Staff take the photo for you.
The reptiles. Experienced handlers introduce snakes and blue-tongued lizards. You can have a photo taken holding a reptile.
Cooee the Koala. The mascot guides an educational trail through the zones. Signs explain how to protect and preserve the natural world.
The Private Wildlife Experience. A one-hour private tour gives access to the koala enclosure with a keeper. It includes reptile encounters, a souvenir photo and a five-day return pass.
Practical visitor tips for Cairns Koalas and Creatures
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Photo sessions have set times. Book tickets in advance to secure your preferred time. |
| Use your four extra days | Admission includes re-entry for four consecutive days after your visit. |
| Check the height and age limits | Koala photos have minimum height and age rules set by the keeper. |
| Ask about locals and seniors | Locals and seniors receive 20% off general admission. |
| Compare the multi-park package | One package covers four CaPTA wildlife parks across the region. |
Frequently asked questions about Cairns Koalas and Creatures
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Cairns Koalas and Creatures opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adults pay $21, children aged 4 to 14 pay $13 and a family of four pays $55. |
| Can I hold a koala? | Yes. Koala holding photo sessions run several times a day, with minimum height and age rules. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Cairns Koalas and Creatures is wheelchair accessible. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | You can buy admission on arrival, but advance booking is recommended for photo sessions. |
Things to do near Cairns Koalas and Creatures
Cairns Marlin Marina: A working marina on the Cairns waterfront next to The Pier.
Reef Fleet Terminal: The departure point for Great Barrier Reef boats in central Cairns.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon: A public swimming lagoon on the Esplanade foreshore in central Cairns.
Cairns Aquarium: An aquarium of Great Barrier Reef, outback and rainforest species on Florence Street in central Cairns.
Tomb of the Pharaohs: An ancient Egypt exhibition on Lake Street in central Cairns.
Alternatives to Cairns Koalas and Creatures
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas: A wildlife park with koalas, cassowaries and crocodiles in Port Douglas.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures: A crocodile and wildlife park on the Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: A butterfly house in Kuranda, in the hills behind Cairns.
Rainforestation Nature Park: A wildlife and rainforest park in Kuranda near Cairns.
Kuranda Koala Gardens: A small wildlife park with koalas in Kuranda.
More Far North Queensland travel
Other Far North Queensland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
- Cairns Museum visitor guide: Including entry prices, hours, parking and what to see inside.
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway visitor guide: Plan your trip on Australia’s longest cable car ride.
- What to expect on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
- What to expect at Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls in the Atherton Tablelands.
