As you continue your walk, keep your eyes peeled to the right. The Cairns Aquarium should be quite easy to spot with its modern architecture and large, striking signage featuring the logo of a sawfish. The building itself is large and impressive, showcasing a modern facade with glass elements, likely giving you a glimpse of the wonders within even before you step inside.
Now, let's dive into what makes this spot so spectacular! The Cairns Aquarium, which opened its doors in 2017, is truly a splash of aquatic magic in the city. This public aquarium houses more than 15,000 animals across 10 ecosystems. Imagine it as a watery Noah’s Ark, but without the sea-sickness!
The $54 million, three-level facility in Queensland spans 7,800 square meters (or about 25,600 square feet for those playing along at home), and it boasts 71 tanks. Among them, you'll find an ocean tank holding a whopping 1,800,000 liters (480,000 US gallons) of water - that's basically enough to fill over half a million bathtubs!
You'll also see Australia’s largest freshwater tank with 400,000 liters (110,000 US gallons) of water, a deep reef tank, and the world's first true tidal motion tank. It's one of the few aquariums where you can gaze upon endangered or rarely seen species like emerald tree monitors, Jardine River turtles, ribboned pipefish, freshwater sawfish, and even scalloped hammerhead sharks. It's like having a front-row seat to Nature's Greatest Hits!
But it's not just a feast for the eyes. The aquarium is an interactive research and education center, home to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where they help our flippered friends get back on their fins.
A bit of trivia to impress your fellow travelers: In 2018, the Cairns Aquarium bagged the Master Builder Queensland award for Project of the Year and the award for Leisure Facilities over $10 million. So, it's not just cool; it's award-winning cool.
Now that you know what's in store, get ready to be mesmerized by the underwater marvels as you journey into the depths of the Cairns Aquarium! Happy exploring!
