‘Want to return’: Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome’s owner indicates interest in attraction’s return

After the announcement that the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome at the Reef Casino would close, the business’s owner has indicated hope for the popular tourist attraction’s future.

The operator of the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome has indicated interest in bringing the popular tourist attraction back to the Reef Hotel Casino should circumstances allow.

The attraction, located at the Reef Hotel Casino but operated by the CaPTA group, has hosted at least one prime minister, thousands of beaming tourists and one very scared Bob Katter.

It includes a high ropes obstacle course and zip line above enclosures full of wildlife, including Goliath, a 4.1m estuarine crocodile.

The Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome will close on October 8. Lucy Miller on the zip line. Picture: Pasco Rogato

Required maintenance on the building’s dome forced the attraction’s closure as no workaround – contractors on the tools while dodging koalas, crocodiles and zip-lining tourists – was deemed to be feasible.

The attraction’s last day of operations is Sunday, October 8.

But CaPTA’s director of sales and marketing Ben Woodward said the business’ owners were interested in bringing the attraction back once the maintenance works were finished.

Goliath the Crocodile. Picture: ZOOM Wildlife Park

“We would be very keen to (return),” Mr Woodward said.

“It’s a case of how long the maintenance work would take.

“We’re certainly keeping our relationship with the casino … we want to return.”

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison holds Holly the black cockatoo on his arm during a visit to the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome: Brendan Radke

Mr Woodward said the business had been thriving prior to the announced closure and many people were sad to hear operations would cease.

But he stressed the building’s structure was currently sound, and that anyone who harboured safety concerns need not worry should they want to visit the attraction prior to the October closure.

“The next five weeks are an opportunity for us to celebrate the memories of (the attraction),” Mr Woodward said.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter grabs a pole after overcoming his fear of heights to zip line over Goliath, the 4.1m crocodile at Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome. Picture: Anna Rogers

“I’d like to reinforce that the building is structurally sound and the attraction remains fully operational until closure.”

Following the acquisition of the Cairns Wildlife Dome in 2005, the vision for the Cairns Zoom attraction was conceived by the late tourism pioneer Charles Woodward in conjunction with his son Michael.

The Dome itself was established in 2003.

Goliath, the 56-year-old crocodile, makes a snap choice for his pick between 2016 mayoral candidates Bob Manning and Jim Brooks. Picture: Justin Brierty

Construction of the facility commenced in April 2012 and the attraction opened eight months later in December 2012.

The wildlife within the facility will be relocated to wildlife parks in the region, including Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas and Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda.

In March 2022 former Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a visit to the wildlife sanctuary while on federal election campaign trail.

In February 2020 Kennedy MP Bob Katter braved his fear of heights and zip-lined over Goliath to promote the need for a federal government safety fund for the Far North’s tourism industry during the Covid pandemic.

In 2016 Goliath made a Cairns Regional Council election prediction by snapping at mayoral candidates.

Originally published as ‘Want to return’: Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome’s owner indicates interest in attraction’s return