The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary's 3666 cubic metre aviary is home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies, all local to the area, including the electric blue Ulysses butterfly and the largest butterfly in Australia, the Cairns or Australian Birdwing.
The landscaping within the aviary is often remarked upon, especially by keen gardeners. Much care has been taken to create a natural rainforest environment, with special attention to the needs of the Ulysses butterfly. Hence there is both a rainforest under-storey and canopy, as well as a running stream, complete with waterfalls, creating a natural looking and feeling rainforest setting.
The aviary was opened in 1987 and has been visited by over a million people since. The butterfly's beguiling aerial dances, their tendency to land on brightly coloured clothing, has inspired and delighted young and old alike.
As the butterflies are all rainforest species, the aviary is designed to re-create their natural habitat, complete with a running stream and the correct food plants on which the female can deposit their eggs. These eggs are collected regularly by staff, and taken to a specially-designed laboratory where the caterpillars are raised until they pupate and eventually emerge as fully formed butterflies - ready to be released back into the aviary. This intensive handling over many generations has resulted in the sanctuary’s butterflies being far more "domesticated", hence their propensity to land on people.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
8 Rob Vievers Drive
Kuranda Qld 4872
Australia
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
8 Rob Vievers Drive
Kuranda Qld 4872
Australia
