- The aquarium was constructed in 2017
- Tourism has picked up significantly post-pandemic
- 119 cruise ships are expected to dock in 2024
A unique opportunity to make a splash in Cairns has come to market, as the Cairns Aquarium seeks an investor.
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.
The international campaign is headed by Colliers agents Stacey Quaid, Matthew Meynell, Karen Wales and Jason Lynch.
Heading for warmer waters
The Cairns Aquarium has recorded over a year’s worth of growing results, with the pandemic now well in the rear view mirror.
“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,” said Colliers National Director Investment Services Jason Lynch.
“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.
“Ranked in the top 4 attractions in Cairns, this is a business designed to generate sustainable long term profits and growth,” Jason Lynch added.
Setting sail
The region is also set for continued post-pandemic renewal with the cruise industry gathering steam.
“Cairns is … a major stopping point for the Cruise Ship industry with 85 berthings planned for 2023 and 119 already booked for 2024,” said Quaid.
Quaid also noted that Cairns is 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,” added Quaid.
The property
Cairns Aquarium was completed in 2017, and is a three storey complex that includes over 70 displays including sharks, turtles, snakes, crocodiles, and more.
“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,” said Quaid.
“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 Quaid.
International expressions of interest will close on 22 June 2023 at 12 noon.
