Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

  Australia

• Queensland: 
Cairns,  Queensland

Description: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia, and prides itself on providing a quality wildlife experience in the heart of Kuranda.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary's 3666 cubic metre aviary is home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies that are hand reared on the premises. All are local rainforest species, including the electric blue Ulysses and the majestic fluoro green Cairns Birdwing. Both these and the smaller but equally colourful species, provide visitors with the unique experience of being surrounded by these habitually elusive wonders of nature.

The aviary was opened in 1987 and has been visited by over a million people since.

The butterfly's beguiling aerial dances and their tendency to land on brightly coloured clothing, has inspired and delighted young and old alike.

Highlights: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary's laboratory is essential to keep the aviary full of butterflies. In the wild, of all the eggs laid by a female butterfly on her food plant, only 2% of the caterpillars in the wild will succeed to become adult butterflies. Laboratory staff, however, consistently have a success rate no lower than 80%.

Caterpillars are easy prey for birds, and other larger insects, and are also exploited by certain wasps who will deposit eggs into a caterpillar, thereby utilizing it as a host for its young. Furthermore, some species of caterpillars easily fall victim to viral or bacterial diseases.

The laboratory is run under strict quarantine. Entry is limited to laboratory personal only, who observe strict hygiene regulations whilst carrying out their work of caring for the caterpillars.

Food plants are changed daily to ensure that the caterpillar's diet is as close as possible to that which it would find in the wild, and the areas where they live are kept sterile.

Entry includes a free guided aviary tour (not available separately).

Behind-The-Scenes Laboratory Tour for pre-booked groups of 6 or more people available at an extra cost (price on application).

Special Offer - 4 Park Pass

Upgrade from the Big Nature Package and visit 3 other attractions (Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, The Rainforest Habitat, and Cairns Wildlife Dome) at a special discounted price.

The 4 Park Pass is ideal for families or the self-driver, and also includes fantastic discounts around the region including Mobil Fuel, McDonald's and other restaurants and cafés. Valid for 6 months, people can use their pass to visit all of the parks in which ever order they wish. The Pass also doesn't have to be used on consecutive days, so people are free to fit in their visits with their own holiday arrangements, at their own leisure.

You'll Save
Adult                      $80 per person       $26.00
Child   (4-14 years) $40 per person       $13.00
Family (2A & 2C)    $200 per family       $65.00

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

The CaPTA Group's Mission Statement: The CaPTA Group operates highly successful tourist operations in and around Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. Locally owned and operated by the Woodward family of Cairns, the name stands for Cairns and Port Trips & Attractions.

Year Founded: 1976