Tomb of the Pharaohs and Cairns Aquarium Combo

Two museums, two worlds, one afternoon in the city center.

A combo tour of two Cairns attractions: the Tomb of the Pharaohs, an indoor exhibition of 11 life-sized Egyptian tombs filled with hieroglyphics and over 450 museum-quality replicas, and the Cairns Aquarium, home to more than 16,000 marine animals from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics. Both sit within walking distance in the city center. Entry to both is included. The day takes 2 to 3 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tombs and Aquarium in Cairns

• Visit Tomb of the Pharaohs exhibition
• Explore 11 ancient Egyptian tombs
• See hieroglyphics and burial treasures
• Walk to Cairns Aquarium nearby
• Discover marine life from Great Barrier Reef
• Enjoy shark feeding show at 11am

The experience

The Tomb of the Pharaohs sits in the heart of Cairns, air-conditioned and indoors. You walk through 11 recreated tombs and temples, each one filled with hieroglyphic wall inscriptions, engraved plaques, mummified human and animal remains, and over 450 replica items: goldsmithed in Egypt using traditional methods. The exhibition moves through some of the most decorated burial chambers of ancient Egypt, so the detail is dense and the scale is real.

From there, the Cairns Aquarium is a short walk away, still in the city center. The building holds over 16,000 creatures from two World Heritage areas: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. You get close to the ocean's largest predators and can touch creatures in the marine touch tank. A shark feeding show runs at 11am daily, and the aquarium runs other presentations throughout the day. Families with children from age 3 onward find things to do at every tank.

Both venues are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are nearby if you need them. The whole combo is designed to fit into a single afternoon without backtracking. The two buildings are neighbors, so you move between ancient Egypt and living reef without leaving the city center.

What’s included

• Admission to both the Tomb of the Pharaohs and the Cairns Aquarium.
• access to the marine touch tank at the aquarium.
• the 11am shark feeding show.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tomb Of The Pharaohs

Is this one for you?Both venues are self-guided and sit within walking distance in the city center, so you move at your own pace between ancient Egypt and the reef without needing transport or a guide: ideal if you want to linger at the tanks or tombs that hold your attention longest. The combo works for families with children from age 3 up, history lovers, and anyone curious about both cultures in a single afternoon.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's inside the Tomb of the Pharaohs in Cairns?

The Tomb of the Pharaohs holds 11 life-sized recreations of ancient Egyptian tombs and temples, each filled with hieroglyphic inscriptions, burial plaques, mummified remains, and over 450 museum-quality replica items made using traditional Egyptian goldsmithing methods.

How many animals are at the Cairns Aquarium?

The Cairns Aquarium houses over 16,000 marine creatures from the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, including large ocean predators and rare animals you can interact with up close.

Is there a feeding show at the Cairns Aquarium?

Yes, the Cairns Aquarium runs a shark feeding show at 11am daily, plus other presentations throughout the day.

How long does the combo tour take?

The full experience of both the Tomb of the Pharaohs and the Cairns Aquarium takes 2 to 3 hours total.

Are both venues accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, both the Tomb of the Pharaohs and the Cairns Aquarium are fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible surfaces and transportation options nearby.