Birdworld Kuranda, A Cairns Family Attraction, Queensland, Australia
Located beneath the rainforest in the heart of Kuranda is Birdworld, one of the largest free-flight aviaries in Australia. Housing the largest number of co-habiting bird species anywhere in the world, Birdworld Kuranda is sure to delight bird enthusiasts, families and nature lovers.
More than 500 birds from around the globe live at the sanctuary, which is a pleasant 30 minute drive from Cairns Tropical North Queensland, and among these are 75 different species of the most spectacular birds, 56 of which are native, living in the safe enclosure, including vibrantly coloured parrots, inquisitive lorikeets and the large elusive cassowary.
Endangered Amazonian Macaws soar over the treetops of the rainforest canopy, with their dazzling blue, gold and scarlet colours enchanting visitors. A photographer's dream and terrific family outing, Birdworld Kuranda allows visitors to get up close and personal with birds of all shapes and sizes, who often find a feathered friend or two nestling on their shoulders as they wander through the lush, tropically landscaped sanctuary.
Birdworld Kuranda was designed and built in 1995 in Kuranda, designed to showcase birds in their natural environments without cages, creating a truly interactive and pleasant experience for patrons. It is this interaction and ability that allows visitors to get up close to the birds, which makes Birdworld Kuranda a photographer's paradise, and the perfect family getaway. All birds in the sanctuary fly freely, and hand-feeding is also permitted, with many of the rainforest birds being friendly and eager to receive a snack! Birdworld Kuranda provides bird food for purchase when visitors arrive. All birds have had regular contact with humans, and as a result are very tame.
A tumbling waterfall connects the two lakes that play home to waterbirds such as herons, stilts, ducks, kingfishers, and the unique Australian Black Swan. Visitors can walk along meandering boardwalks throughout the rainforest ambience at Birdworld Kuranda to view the vast array of bird life. Sun Conures, kookaburras, galahs, macaws, and lorikeets also fly above the canopy, and finches can be seen scurrying around the rainforest floor.
Another outstanding Birdworld Kuranda denizen is the endangered avian giant - the Cassowary. Cassowaries which can grow up to an astounding 2 metres in height! There are 25 species of birds in the sanctuary that come from vanishing rainforests around the world, including the Daintree Rainforest from Tropical North Queensland. The opportunity that guests have to befriend these rare animals is truly a unique and charming experience.
The best times to see the birds are usually in the morning (when it is less crowded) or in the afternoon after lunch. Guided tours are given in English at 11:15am daily, and all visitors to the bird sanctuary are given a free copy of a very helpful and informative bird guide, with coloured pictures of birds to help with identification. The sanctuary can provide guided tours for all group bookings, and is a non-smoking facility with wheelchair and disabled access. There is an information centre, picnic area, coach parking, kiosk, and souvenir shop. Birdworld Kuranda can provide guided tours for all group bookings as desired.
Birdworld Kuranda is open from 9.00am to 4.00pm daily, 7 days a week. The sanctuary is nestled within the Heritage Markets and connected by walkways to both the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Koala Gardens, so why not see all wildlife sanctuaries at once?
Getting There
Birdworld Sanctuary is located on Rob Vievers Drive in the Heritage Markets Kuranda. Kuranda is a pleasant 30 minute drive up the Kuranda Range from Cairns, although the most popular way for visitors is via the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cable Way and the Kuranda Scenic Rail
Opening Hours
Birdworld Kuranda is open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Kuranda Tours | Coach Tour | Wildlife | Aboriginal Culture | TW | R1B
- Departs From:
- Duration:
8.5 hours (approx)
(1) Coach up the mountain and coach down the mountain perfect for those guests scared of heights. (Guests self driving from Cairns Northern Beaches can be met at Freshwater Train Station) (2) Visit to Rainforestation Nature Park (3) 30 minute Aboriginal cultural tour (4) 45 min to 1 hour Amphibious army duck tour (5) Choice of afternoon in Kuranda (No Free Entry to Butterfly Sanctuary) or stay at Rainforestation Nature Park and upgrade to lunch and other park activities.
Kuranda Coach Tour | Wildlife Park | Butterfly Sanctuary | Aboriginal Culture | TW | RBB
- Departs From:
- Duration:
8.00 hours (approx)
Kuranda tours & attractions (1) Coach ride up the Kuranda mountain range from Cairns hotels and resorts around 8.30am (self drivers in northern beaches can be collected from Freshwater Train Station) (2) Return coach back down the mountain range. (3) Visit Rainforestation Nature Park (4) 30 minute Aboriginal Cultural tour (5) Amphibious Army Duck Tour (6) Choice of bus trip to Kuranda Village to see Butterfly Sanctuary and spend time in Kuranda Village (7) Optional lunch at Rainforestation Nature Park instead of Kuranda visit.
Kuranda Train | Skyrail | Cheapest Combo Deal In Cairns | A1/A2/A2OW
- Departs From: Cairns
- Duration:
Varies depending on how long you’d like to explore Kuranda – between 2.5 - 5hr. Refer to options in departure details.
Budget Kuranda tour with Free Kuranda Boarding Passes 10% discount Birdworld, Koala Gardens, & Butterfly Sanctuary (1.) Multiple choice of times for coach pick ups from Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels. (2.) Multiple choice of hours to spend wandering the beautiful village of Kuranda. (3.) Skip the queue tickets for the train seating and the skyrail (4.) No upgrade options available for this budget tour This is the cheapest best value combo package you will find for a Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Rail tour anywhere. There simply is no better Kuranda tour deal around!
Kuranda Tours SELF DRIVE | Kuranda Train | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway | Kuranda Village | VSD
- Departs From:
- Duration:
Varies depending on option selected
(1.) Self drive Kuranda tour. Park your hire car at Skyrail and hop the coach transfer to the Freshwater train station (2.) Free Kuranda Boarding Pass 10% discount Birdworld, Koala Gardens, & Butterfly Sanctuary. (3) Skip the queue Skyrail & Train tickets with pre-allocated seating and pre-allocated carriages (Upgrade options for the Skyrail Diamond View gondolas and upgrade to Gold Class carriages on the Kuranda train) (4.) Choose to spend 2.5 or 4 hours in Kuranda Village (5.) Skip the queue tickets for the Skyrail Rainforest cableway gondola ride down or up the mountain (6.) Kuranda boarding pass including a map and information about the region. Available in foreign languages
