Australian Butterfly Sanctuary – Kuranda

4.5

from A$25

1 hour 30 mins

Kuranda Village

All Ages

Experience the Southern Hemisphere's largest butterfly aviary in Kuranda, with 1,200 tropical butterflies, breeding lab tours, educational exhibits, and immersive gardens. See butterflies up close and learn about their lifecycle and habitat.

Adult $25 | Child (4-14) $15 | Family (2 adults & 2 children) $65

Key Highlights

Largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere
Home to 1,200 tropical butterflies
All-weather experience in Kuranda
Guided tours in the breeding laboratory with up to 4,000 caterpillars
Educational exhibits including Mini Beasts and Silk Moth caterpillars
Access to a free downloadable audio tour
UV Room lets you see through the eyes of a butterfly
Museum displays featuring butterflies from around the world
Food plant walk showcasing caterpillar food host plants

What’s included

Entry to the aviary and garden areas
Access to educational exhibits and museum displays
Viewing of the breeding laboratory and caterpillar stages
Free downloadable audio tour

Overview

Experience the vibrant world of tropical butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda, the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere. You can walk along scenic boardwalks and enjoy the sight of 1,200 butterflies fluttering freely around you, all within a lush all-weather environment.

Join a behind-the-scenes tour of the onsite breeding laboratory, which houses up to 4,000 caterpillars at various life stages. Witness the process of hand-raising caterpillars from eggs to chrysalises, before they emerge as butterflies released into the aviary each day.

Discover more about these fascinating insects at educational exhibits, including a chance to observe butterfly wings under a microscope, view Silk Moth caterpillars and the enormous Hercules Moth, and explore the Mini Beasts display. The museum offers butterflies from around the globe and unique features like the UV Room, which lets you see the world as butterflies do.

Stroll along the new food plant walk to learn about the vital host plants used in the laboratory. The sanctuary combines interactive learning with close-up encounters, making it a memorable visit for all ages in Kuranda.

Commonly asked questions.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is a rainforest butterfly attraction in the heart of Kuranda. It is home to more than 1,200 tropical butterflies and features a large free-flight aviary, gardens, educational displays, a breeding laboratory and a range of interactive butterfly experiences.

You can see the main attractions in around an hour, but there is no need to rush. The sanctuary recommends allowing additional time to explore the exhibits, while visitors can also stay for much longer if they wish.

They might! The butterflies are free-flying and may choose to land on visitors, but this cannot be guaranteed. Wearing bright colours such as red, pink or white can increase your chances of attracting their attention.

The sanctuary is home to many tropical butterfly species, including the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly and Cairns Birdwing. You'll also have opportunities to learn about other local species and their life cycles throughout the sanctuary.

Yes. Admission includes access to the guided experiences, including a complimentary guided tour through the flight aviary and breeding laboratory. Guided tours operate throughout the day and are available on request.

The breeding laboratory gives visitors an opportunity to see how butterflies are raised from eggs through the caterpillar and chrysalis stages before being released into the aviary. The sanctuary breeds its butterflies on site rather than collecting them from the wild.

Yes. Children can explore the free-flight aviary while learning about butterflies, caterpillars and the rainforest environment. Educational displays, the Fairy Garden, UV display and live breeding exhibits provide plenty to keep younger visitors interested.

Yes. Photography is encouraged and the free-flying butterflies provide excellent opportunities for photographs. Be patient and allow the butterflies to come to you rather than trying to chase them around the aviary.

The sanctuary provides wheelchair access, although some areas of the natural rainforest environment may present challenges for visitors using mobility devices. Ramps are provided between the aviary and laboratory, and visitors with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to speak with staff when planning their visit.

The sanctuary is located at 8 Rob Veivers Drive in Kuranda Village, making it easy to combine with other Kuranda attractions. It is within walking distance of both the Skyrail Kuranda terminal and Kuranda Scenic Railway station.

Yes. Its central location in Kuranda makes it particularly easy to combine with a Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Kuranda Scenic Railway experience. Both the Skyrail terminal and railway station are only a short walk from the sanctuary, making it a convenient addition to a day exploring Kuranda.

Additional info by the operator.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is an all-weather attraction, suitable for visitors year-round. Facilities are designed to provide an immersive and educational experience for all ages, with a focus on local and exotic butterfly species. Located in the heart of Kuranda, it's easily accessible within the village.