Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is a must-do when visiting Kuranda!
About the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to over 1,500 brilliant tropical butterflies.
This is the largest butterfly sanctuary in the Southern Hemisphere!
While you are in the Sanctuary, enjoy close-up encounters with these beautiful butterflies.
Also, you can learn what plants attract butterflies to your garden.
Butterflies and Moths
First, look out for the most beautiful blue butterfly, the Ulysses Butterfly. With a wingspan of 100 mm to 130 mm.
Next, watch out for the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly. Its vivid green and yellow wings make sit easily recognisable. The Cairns birdwing butterfly has a wingspan that can measure up to 18 cm.
Then, be on the lookout for the Hercules Moth, the World’s largest moth.
This butterfly sanctuary is designed to replicate the butterfly’s natural Rainforest environment.
Along the way, take a look through the microscope to see the amazing wing structure.
Next, check out the Silk Moth Caterpillars and how they spin silk to make their cocoons.
This activity is suitable for all weather conditions.
Next, stop by to see Rainforestation and see the Pamagirri Aboriginal experience.
Highlights
- Largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia.
- Over 1,500 butterflies including Ulysses and Cairns Birdwing
Included
Included in your Butterfly experience
- Starting with FREE guided tours included in the cost of your admission. Next, learn about the butterfly’s life cycle and elaborate courtship rituals.
- Then see the world the way a butterfly does in the UV light display!
- Entrance into the Laboratory. Learn all about caterpillars as you see them in their various stages of development.
- Use the sanctuary’s state of the art microscope. Next, Using the lens, you will see the intricate details of the butterfly’s anatomy. The microscope is easy to operate for all ages!
- Entrance into the educational exhibits. Then watch the Cairns Birdwing emerging video, and the silk moth Caterpillars live display.
- Entry into the butterfly museum. View 584 different butterfly species from around the world!
What to bring
- Be sure to wear your brightest pink or red shirt to attract the butterflies!
- Comfortable shoes
- Camera
- Hat and water
How to get there
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is located at 8 Rob Veivers Drive, Kuranda Village.
Self Drivers
Start travelling North from Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway and crossing over the Barron River.
Next, continue through roundabouts past Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob.
Then at the Smithfield roundabout, veer left to the Kuranda Range along the Kennedy Highway.
Along the way, stop off for great views and photo opportunities at the Henry Ross lookout.
After continuing passing over the Barron River Bridge and turning left following the Kuranda Village signs.
Then take a left-hand turn into Rob Vievers Drive and arrive at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
Train and Skyrail
Choose the free shuttle or a leisurely walk when you arrive on the Kuranda Skyrail or the Kuranda Train.