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Best Things to Do in Great Barrier Reef Area, with kids
Esplanade is 94% Kids-Friendly
Children up to 12 enjoy Muddy’s water playground, Fun Ship climbing zones and the shallow lagoon, with lifeguards, BBQ tables and toilets nearby, though weekend crowds may lengthen play waits.
Recommended visit duration: 22 hours
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Cairns Aquarium is 92% Kids-Friendly
Kids up to 12 can handle sea stars at supervised touch tank, follow lively shark talks, use family tickets and pram-friendly paths; all exhibits are indoor and climate-controlled.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Average price
US$ 33.33
Details
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is 92% Kids-Friendly
Kids up to 12 thrill at snake shows, pat wallabies, climb the free adventure playground and eat from a child menu; flat paths, stroller hire and change tables support an active, safe full-day visit.
Recommended visit duration: 3-4 hours
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Average price
US$ 28.28
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Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is 92% Kids-Friendly
Kids get a zero-depth sandy zone, lifeguards, adjoining Muddy’s splash playground and shaded BBQ lawns, so families can spend hours safely, though parents must supervise open water.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
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Cairns Koalas & Creatures is 92% Kids-Friendly
Children up to 12 enjoy interactive water zone, lorikeet feeding, supervised reptile handling, family ticket savings, and birthday packages; safe flat paths and toilets support an easy half-day visit.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Average price
US$ 12.22
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Airlie Beach Lagoon is 91% Kids-Friendly
A shallow kids’ pool, fenced playground, lifeguard patrols, and free BBQs create a safe, activity-filled setting that keeps children up to 12 entertained for most of a day.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Queensland Museum Tropics | Townsville is 91% Kids-Friendly
Hands-on Sciencentre games, crawl-through shipwreck sets and school-holiday reef talks keep 5–12-year-olds busy for hours, free entry saves money, though galleries can be crowded in peak breaks.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Goomboora Park Adventure Playground is 91% Kids-Friendly
Kids up to 12 have rope climbs, twin flying-foxes, AR treasure hunt, splash pools, toilets and picnic shelters; parents must watch closely because the creek and playground are unfenced.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Fig Tree Play Ground is 90% Kids-Friendly
The rope bridges, slides and 15 m tree walkway are designed for 4-12 yr olds, with shade, BBQs and toilets close, so active kids are safely entertained for hours.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
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Cairns Museum is 90% Kids-Friendly
Free scavenger hunts, audio trails and craft workshops actively engage children under 12, and a value A$30 family ticket helps budgets; the compact building limits stay length.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
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Average price
US$ 9.32