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Built in 1987
Paul and Sue Wright conceived, designed and built the sanctuary, which opened in the centre of Kuranda in 1987. By the sanctuary’s own account, it set a Guinness World Record in 1989 as the largest butterfly farm in the world.


A laboratory for every butterfly
All the butterflies are raised in the sanctuary’s own laboratory, from caterpillar to pupa. It breeds about 30,000 caterpillars a year and sends about 24,000 pupae to the aviary, where butterflies are released every day. Since 2005 visitors have been able to watch through viewing windows.
The sanctuary today
The CaPTA Group, founded by Charles and Pip Woodward, became a partner in 2004 and took full ownership in 2007. A bridge and gazebo, a fairy garden and a food plant walk were added in 2015, and a new wheelchair ramp in 2023.

