Can I hold a koala in Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, Queensland?

It is possible to hold a koala in Cairns at the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome. Alternatively, koala cuddles at the Kuranda Koala Gardens in the Atherton Tableland are a half hour drive away.

No matter how many times you say koalas are incredibly sleepy, or prone to catching chlamydia, visitors to Australia think the dozey marsupials are incredibly cute. And for many, cuddling a koala is a major reason to visit Australia.

To book tickets for the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, click here.

The reality is that actually cuddling a koala would be a terrible idea. Giving one a big hug would be incredibly distressing for the koala, and koalas have very sharp claws. You’d probably end up with your arms half-shredded.

It is possible, however, to hold a koala. But holding a koala is only legal in some Australian states. Luckily for visitors to Cairns, Queensland is one of these states.

Hold a koala at Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Done

The easiest place to hold a koala in Cairns is at the Reef Hotel Casino in the city centre. At the top of the building is the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, which boasts of being the world’s first challenge ropes course inside a “wildlife immersion exhibit”. As you can probably guess, this isn’t exactly the charming piece of natural Australia you might be hoping for. If it’s natural far north Queensland you want, try the Cairns Botanic Gardens.

Still, if you really do want to combine a koala cuddle with ziplines and cargo nets, then your dream has come true. Entrance to the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome costs $26, and it’s another $27 to get your koala photo. Tickets can be booked online.

Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance

From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.

Hold a koala in Kuranda: Kuranda Koala Gardens

The other option is to head to Kuranda in the Atherton Tableland. Kuranda is a half hour drive away from central Cairns, and is an undeniably touristy village with several mediocre mass market attractions. Amongst these merely passable things to do in Kuranda is the Kuranda Koala Gardens. It’s by no means one of Australia’s great wildlife parks, but you can see wombats, quokkas and wallabies there.

Koala in Kuranda Koala Gardens near Cairns in Queensland — The Kuranda Koala Gardens is one of the best bets if you want to hold a koala in Cairns, far north Queensland. By David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

And, more importantly, Kuranda Koala Gardens lets visitors hold a koala. Entrance costs $20.04, and expect to pay another $20 for the koala cuddle photo.

Most visitors head to Kuranda via the Skyrail cable car or Kuranda Scenic Railway. But the smart option is to tackle it as part of a day out in the Atherton Tableland. Hire a car – car rental is cheap in Cairns. Then visit the Cathedral Fig in Danbulla National Park, do some tastings with local food producers and spot a platypus in Yungaburra.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.