Visitor Information

Experiences

Plan Your Visit

Located on conveniently in the heart of Kuranda Village, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the leading and a must-visit destination. With a range of immersive environments and animal encounters, there is something for everyone. Visitors can plan their day by taking advantage of the park map, admission prices, accessibility information, and more. 

Opening Hours

Open 7 days a week, 9.30am - 3.30pm. Closed on Christmas Day.

All you need to know

Make your visit to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary an unforgettable experience!

Dive deeper: Take a 30-minute guided tour through our enchanting flight aviary and learn about the amazing butterfly lifecycle.

Share the magic: Pick up a unique souvenir or gift from our shop - from colorful clothing and informative books to mementos that whisper of fluttering wings.

Extend your adventure: After your butterfly encounter, explore the delightful cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Or, embark on a short 5-minute drive to Rainforestation Nature Park for delicious lunch options and refreshments.

Celebrate in style: Create a truly special occasion with our butterfly release packages. Imagine your wedding vows exchanged amidst a kaleidoscope of wings, or host a ceremony marked by their graceful dance.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is more than just a visit – it's an experience. Don't miss out on capturing memories that will flutter in your heart long after you leave.

Accessibility Information

For guests with limited vision, we offer guided tours tailored to your needs. Please enquire at the front counter upon arrival, and our friendly staff will be happy to organise a tour experience for you.

Additionally, a short audio tour is available and can be downloaded directly to your mobile device. This self-guided option provides key highlights and descriptions to help you explore at your own pace.

Important Information for Wheelchair and Mobility Device Users

While we strive to be accessible and include ramps between the aviary and the laboratory, guests should be aware of the following conditions that may present a challenge:

  • Uneven Paths: Some sections of the aviary paths are made of concrete but feature an uneven surface due to the natural setting. Some paths within the aviary are narrow and may present a challenge for turning large wheelchairs or mobility scooters, potentially requiring guests to follow a forward route.
  • Slopes and Gradients: There are areas that involve slight to moderate slopes/gradients. Visitors using manual wheelchairs may find that significant physical strength or assistance from a companion is required to comfortably and safely navigate the entire aviary route, particularly on sloped and uneven sections.

Our Recommendation

We strongly encourage visitors with specific mobility concerns, particularly those using larger or heavy-duty wheelchairs/scooters, to:

  1. Contact Us in Advance: Reach out to us here to discuss your specific mobility needs.
  2. Companion Pre-Check: We recommend that the companion of the visitor take a quick look at the path immediately prior to entry to assess the conditions and decide if they are comfortable with the required effort.


We are committed to continuous improvement of our facilities. Our goal is to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all who visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

How to Get Here

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is located at 8 Rob Veivers Drive, in the heart of Kuranda Village, only half an hour from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. It is only a short walk from the Kuranda Skyrail Terminal and the Kuranda Scenic Railway Station to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Three hour parking is available across the road from the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and around Kuranda Village. All day parking is available in the Kuranda library carpark (a 2 minute walk) which also caters for caravans and campervans.

Popular Day Tours:

Tropic Wings Tours and Charters provide daily Kuranda tours to suit everyone.


Directions from Cairns to the sanctuary by car

  1. Departing Cairns accommodation, travel North on Sheridan Street.
  2. As you pass the airport on your right, Sheridan Street becomes the Captain Cook Highway and you will soon cross the Barron River Bridge.
  3. Continue through the Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob and Caravonica roundabouts.
  4. At the Smithfield roundabout turn left onto the Kennedy Highway, passing Smithfield Shopping Centre on your right and join the Kuranda Range.
  5. You may wish to stop at Henry Ross Lookout for a scenic view of Cairns and the coast.
  6. From Henry Ross Lookout, continue on the Kennedy Highway passing over the Barron River Bridge.
  7. Follow signage and turn left into Kuranda Village.
  8. Turn left at Rob Veivers Drive to arrive at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Mareeba / Tablelands

Smithfield / Cairns City

Barron Falls

Kuranda

Rainforestation
Located at 1030 Kennedy Hwy, Kuranda

Kuranda Scenic Railway Station

Skyrail Kuranda Terminal

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Rainforestation Shuttle bus

While you’re in Kuranda, why not visit our sister park, Rainforestation Nature Park?

You can catch the regular shuttle bus to Rainforestation, departing from right outside Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

We offer a regular shuttle between Rainforestation Nature Park and Kuranda attraction, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Shuttle Bus Rates

Adult Return – $15
Child Return (4 – 14 yrs) – $9
Family Return (2A 2C) – $39
Adult One Way – $9
Child One Way (4 – 14 yrs) – $6
Family One Way (2A 2C) – $24

Shuttle Bus Timetable

To Rainforestation:
(From Butterfly Sanctuary)

10:45 am
11:15 am
11:45 am
12:15 pm
1:45 pm
2:15 pm

Shuttle Bus Timetable

From Rainforestation:
(To Butterfly Sanctuary)

11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
12:45 pm
1:30pm
2:00pm
3:00pm (also drops off to Kuranda Rail)
3:45pm (also drops off to Skyrail)

What you need to know

Creating Lasting Memories

As they are often in motion photographing butterflies can be a rewarding and challenging experience. However, with a little patience and some practice, you can capture stunning images. To photograph butterflies, you will need a camera with a good lens. A macro lens is ideal for this type of photography, as it allows you to get close. However, you can also use a telephoto lens if you are not able to get as close to the butterflies. When photographing butterflies, it is important to be patient and wait for the butterflies to come to you.