Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia
Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia

Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner

Outty Ranking 57 4.8 · 21 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $109
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

57/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner worth booking?

Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner is a 1.5-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $109 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
57 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (21)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$109 per person

As the sun goes down on the Great Barrier Reef, a whole new world awakens. Corals glow, colourful reef fish seek shelter and predators begin their night hunt. At the same time, coastal forests stir with life, as reptiles, amphibians and insects emerge from their burrows to seek out food in the safety of the shadows. Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness. Complete your evening at Squire's Loft Restaurant with a perfectly matched dining experience while you enjoy a stunning sea life backdrop.

What you get

    About this experience

    As the sun goes down on the Great Barrier Reef, a whole new world awakens. Corals glow, colourful reef fish seek shelter and predators begin their night hunt. At the same time, coastal forests stir with life, as reptiles, amphibians and insects emerge from their burrows to seek out food in the safety of the shadows. Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness. Complete your evening at Squire's Loft Restaurant with a perfectly matched dining experience while you enjoy a stunning sea life backdrop.

    What's included

    Included

    • 1.5 hour guided night tour with a wildlife educator
    • Dinner
    • Exclusive after hours Aquarium entry

    What you'll see and do

    1. Cairns Aquarium

      Night at the Aquarium gives you a glimpse into the unique world of the region’s nocturnal creatures and their behaviours as they move about in the darkness. Complete your evening at Squire's Loft Cairns Restaurant with a perfectly matched 2 course dining experience while you enjoy a stunning sea life backdrop.

      Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Cairns Aquarium

    5 Florence Street, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Cairns Aquarium · 5 Florence Street, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Cairns Aquarium

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 2Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 3Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 4Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 5Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 6Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner in Cairns & the Tropical North, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    9 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    21 verified traveler reviews for Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    18
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Gesine_K · September 2026

    Aquarium is a winner

    I loved the aquarium and it's massive tanks and beautiful exhibits.🐠 This would be perfect for people who are not able to go to the GBR. 🐙 The aquarium boasts live corals, quiet amazing. 🪸 5 stars for the aquarium itself. We had a private tour booked. The guide was not very engaging but very knowledgeable. A lot of info but presented in a school master way, not much personality. We heard applause from the other tour group, so it depends who you get as a guide. I would not choose the meal deal, very brown food. It took ages to come out and you had to ask for each glass of table water. Why not put a bottle on the table? Definitely visit the aquarium!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving us a review for your night at the aquarium tour! We have an incredible team of wildlife educators that all have different styles of presentation and they are all extremely knowledgeable of the aquarium and the wildlife within it

    via Viator

    mack831 · July 2026

    Something fishy

    Great experience, admission process a little slow, due processing number of visitors in a short time, but crowd size was right per tohr group

    Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving us a five star review! We are very pleased to hear that you had a wonderful tour!

    via Tripadvisor

    bendalong · July 2026

    Amazing and enjoyable tour highly recommend

    Loved this tour our guide was amazing. Very informative and extremely passionate about her job. Would highly recommend the tour at least. Dinner was also very good

    Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving us a five star review! We are so pleased to hear that you had a wonderful tour and we will make sure to pass on your lovely review

    via Tripadvisor

    FarAway47123038862 · January 2025

    Night at the Aquarium - thoroughly recommended!

    This experience way exceeded expectations. Jordan, the Marine Biologist who ran the tour was brilliant - the additional knowledge imparted massively contributed to the experience. Booking through the Aquarium meant that our table for dinner was right next to the aquarium

    Response from the operator: We are very pleased to hear that you had a wonderful night at the aquarium tour! Jordan is one of our passionate marine biologist and will be very pleased to hear that you had a fantastic time on her tour! Thank you for your five star review! 🐠

    via Tripadvisor

    beckahc · December 2024

    Amazing combo deal!

    Absolutely amazing combo deal! The tour and our tour guide, Makayla or Kayla I think her name was, had an amazing vibe and explained everything really well. This is one of the best aquariums I have visited, so much to see. The dinner at Dundees Restaurant was amazing too, the meals were small but I don’t eat much so that’s okay, but they tasted amazing! We will be back!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for this five star review on your night at the aquarium tour! We are so pleased to hear that you had a wonderful tour with one of best guides Makayla! We will be sure to pass on the lovely message to her! 🐠

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Price range
    $109 to $159
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    7
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Cairns Aquarium, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.1.

    See everything Cairns Aquarium runs

    Why this scores 57

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)81
    Review evidence (18% weight)41
    Booking momentum (14% weight)32
    Value for money (12% weight)3
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)58
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.

    How much does Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner cost?

    +

    Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.

    Is Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Fun, Falls and Forest Day Trip from Cairns, Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Tully River Full-Day Rafting: Cairns, Mission Beach or Self-Drive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    Included: 1.5 hour guided night tour with a wildlife educator; Dinner; and Exclusive after hours Aquarium entry. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    The experience starts at Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence Street, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cairns & the Tropical North. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner?

    +

    Across 21 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner.

    Pick your date