The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary provides a world-class wildlife experience in the heart of Kuranda. The all-weather experience is home to over 1,500 magnificent tropical butterflies. All butterflies in the sanctuary are local rainforest species, while the undisputed stars are the fluoro green Cairns Birdwings. Wear something bright (red, white or hot pink are best) and let these beautiful creatures flutter all over you. Knowledgeable, friendly guides offer free 30-minute tours of the aviary throughout the day. Guided groups are kept small to maximize the experience on the day. Guests can learn to identify each of the butterfly species, as the guides explain a butterfly’s life cycle and its behavior.  Entry also includes a guided food plant walk, which educates about the food plants grown on-site that are used to feed the caterpillars. Enjoy a 30-minute tour of the breeding laboratory, which houses up to 4,000 caterpillars. An opportunity to view first-hand the breeding laboratory through special viewing windows, where you will see the caterpillars in their varying stages of development. Watch as the laboratory staff collects eggs daily and “hand-raise” the caterpillars right through to the chrysalis stage, until they are released as beautiful butterflies into the sanctuary.