About

The Cairns Wildlife Dome is a spectacular all-weather wildlife exhibit, encased by a 20-metre high glass dome on the rooftop of the prominent Reef Hotel Casino, right in the heart of Cairns. Visitors are immersed in a rainforest environment whilst parrots, cockatoos, lorikeets, and other birds native to the Wet Tropics region fly freely around, with the opportunity to observe free-roaming rainforest wallabies and bettongs, and curlews, frogmouths, kookaburras, frogs, turtles, pythons, crocodiles and lizards.

Complimentary guided tours and animal presentations take place throughout the day, providing an interactive learning experience about rainforest wildlife and superb photo opportunities.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN EXHILARATION
The Wildlife Dome is an immersion exhibit, which means the birds and most of the animals can roam free within the confines of the large aviary enclosure. This allows more interaction between humans and the environment.

The Cairns ZOOm takes this to a higher level (pun intended) by having visitors experience a challenge Ropes Course at different heights within the Dome so that birds and tourists can interact, appreciate and be educated about our native fauna while having an exhilarating experience.

Cairns ZOOm includes a number of different elements which challenge participants personally, physically and mentally. Challenge ropes courses encourage creative problem solving – thinking “outside the square”; teamwork and co-operation and also challenge the individual to push their own boundaries and comfort level. Ropes courses can create a great sense of achievement in the participant when they complete the course and is therefore a positive and fun experience.

OPENING HOURS

The Cairns Zoom is open from 9am to 8pm and is fully equipped with adequate lighting, offering Cairns visitors and locals an exciting new evening activity. In close proximity to the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns ZOOm is an ideal evening activity for passengers returning from the reef at the end of the day.

HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS

Cairns ZOOm utilises a continuous belay system on the challenge course. All participants will wear a harness which connects them to the safety cable system, which is extremely safe as the customer is not able to disconnect themselves from the course at any time.

SUITABLE FOR ALL NATIONALITIES

The ZOOm experience reduces or negates comprehension problems caused by language barriers. The safety video utilises international symbols to emphasise dos and don’ts much the same as an airline safety card. Similarly internationally recognised signage is placed throughout the park.

SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

Nearly everyone has an adventurous streak and will want to experience Cairns ZOOm at some level. There is a minimum height restriction of 120cm for the Mid Zoom Course and minimum 140cm for the Hi Zoom Course but so children as young as 8, and adults as old as 98, are able to participate in Cairns ZOOm. For the younger than 8, and older than 98 market, the Cairns Wildlife Dome will still maintain itself as a fantastic experience with its wildlife presentations and exhibits whilst their friends and family are “ZOOming”.

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY

The course is graded and colour coded much like that of a ski course, where participants at different levels of fitness and aptitude can choose their path. Participants are able to select a more difficult route or opt out of an activity segment altogether. The course is designed to allow participants to pass at certain points.

THE ROPES COURSES

There are 65 different crossings to be named after relevant Australian animals, for example “The Wombats Tunnel”.
At the start of each crossing a sign will display a photo of the animal and offer an educational challenge in relation to a unique attribute or ability of that animal.

THE ZIPLINES

There are four Ziplines throughout the high course with varying heights and lengths.
The main attraction is the Zip line which takes participants over the top of the Crocodile territory which houses Goliath, who at almost 4 metres is the Dome’s largest inhabitant.
Goliath’s shallow pond restricts how high he can jump out of the water, coupled with a 7metre high Zip line ensures Goliath poses no real threat at all to the participant’s thrilling ride.

THE ZOOM VIEW – INTERNAL WALK

Take the Spiral Staircase; located in the centre of the Dome all the way to the top!
This staircase provides access to the Power Jump, as well as both the Internal and External Walks.
Participants follow the winding steps getting a gradually higher perspective of the birdlife resting in the tree tops.
Platforms also surround the staircase providing breaks between elements on the Zoom High Course.

Once at the top, the Internal Walk allows participants a bird eye view of the interior of the Cairns Wildlife Dome.
From 15 metres above the Wildlife Dome floor, participants can view many enclosures on display including the Koala Habitat, Freshwater Crocodiles, and the home of Goliath, the Dome’s resident 4.2 metre Estuarine crocodile.
This Interior Walk also provides an excellent viewing platform to watch the Mid and High ropes courses and zip lines of the Cairns ZOOm.

To return to the base level, visitors have the option of taking the Spiral staircase back down or making a controlled descent from the Powerfan back to the base level.

THE DOME EXTERNAL WALK

The External Walk is an exhilarating scenic walk around the outside perimeter of the Cairns Wildlife Dome providing the only elevated 360° view of the Cairns City, the Pacific Ocean, Trinity Inlet, the Cairns Marina, The Esplanade, and the mountains of the Lamb Range.
Participants are safely attached on the ‘SafeRoller’ as they walk along a 60cm (2ft) platform without handrails.
Viewing areas at each of the four corners of the Dome allow participants to stop and take in the views and let others securely passed.

THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE

The spiral staircase is more of a challenge than you may expect. Spiral staircases make the most use of space by tightly wrapping around the centre spire, but this also makes them more difficult to ascend. There are platforms at regular intervals up the staircase to stop and enjoy the view, catch a breath, or shake off the dizzies.
These platforms are also connecting points for some of the Rope course elements and zip lines.