Iconic Cairns Aquarium tourism site up for Sale

30 May 2023

In a rare opportunity to purchase into a business that includes sharks, turtles, snakes and crocodiles, Colliers have launched an international campaign headed by agents Stacey Quaid, Matthew Meynell, Karen Wales and Jason Lynch, seeking an investor for the Cairns Aquarium.

Completed in 2017, the three-story purpose built complex provides visitors with an educational and entertainment experience across over 70 displays showcasing the species, habitats, and ecosystems of tropical north Queensland.

Colliers Managing Director in Cairns Stacey Quaid said Colliers had been appointed by the Directors of Cairns Aquarium to seek expressions of interest for investment in the freehold land, business assets and business enterprise of Cairns’ only Aquarium.

“This is a real opportunity to purchase into not only an iconic site in the tourism hotspot of Cairns City, but the business as well,” Stacey Quaid said.

“The Cairns Aquarium houses one of the region’s newest tourist attractions with the purpose built facility contained within a 4,003m2 site offering 7,475m2 of total floor area.

“This successful all-weather venue provides guaranteed access and experiences of ecosystems seldom accessible in habitat providing a must see up closeup view of creeks and streams, wetlands and swamps, rainforest and forest floor, mangroves, the great barrier reef and the ocean depths.

“This is a highly successful enterprise that combines hands-on experience with education, conservation and social good, showing the best of our tropical marine environments,” said Mr Quaid.

Colliers National Director Investment Services Jason Lynch said it was a scalable business with capacity for significant admissions growth.

“After 6 years in operation, with increasing revenues and vigorous growth, the founding partners are now seeking expressions of interest for an investor to become part of this proven and successful business opportunity,” Jason Lynch said.

“It is a dynamically run business with consistent results and significant growth opportunity making it an ideal investment target.

“With over 1.5 million visitations since opening in 2017, and a continually updated offering, the Cairns Aquarium has become the must see attraction for visitors to the city and locals alike.

“The business has now seen 15 consecutive months of record trading results and is well on track to capitalise on the strong recovery in Queensland tourism currently being experienced and projected through the ‘golden decade’ leading up to the Queensland Olympic games in 2032.

“The specialised property offers a diversified asset with specifically made fixtures adding to the value of the property, it has 71 Aquatic exhibits, 10 zones, a turtle rehabilitation centre, a tenanted restaurant, souvenir shop, coral research centre and 14 water purification plant rooms.

“Ranked in the top 4 attractions in Cairns, this is a business designed to generate sustainable long term profits and growth,” Jason Lynch added.

Colliers Managing Director in Cairns Stacey Quaid said proving to be a popular tourist destination for international and domestic travellers, Cairns attracted more than 4 million visitors each year injecting a substantial $4 billion of spending into Cairns in 2022.

“Serviced by major international, national and state carriers, Cairns International Airport is accessible from all major airports nationally and from some regional airports. There are currently direct international flights from New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali and Papua New Guinea,” Stacey Quaid said.

“Cairns is also a major stopping point for the Cruise Ship industry with 85 berthings planned for 2023 and 119 already booked for 2024.

“This is an extremely rare opportunity to invest in an iconic site expected to generate continued strong returns,” Stacey Quaid added.

International expressions of interest will close on 22 June 2023 at 12noon.