A beginning in 1987
Paul and Sue Wright opened the sanctuary in the centre of Kuranda in 1987, having conceived, designed and built it themselves.
The breeding laboratory
Every butterfly in the aviary starts life in the sanctuary’s laboratory, which can hold up to 4,000 caterpillars at a time. Pupae are moved to the aviary, and new butterflies are released there every day.
A sanctuary today
Since 2007 the sanctuary has belonged to the CaPTA Group, a Cairns family business founded by Charles and Pip Woodward. Visitors still see the laboratory on the guided tour included with admission.



