Where are the best zoos in Australia? We’re so glad you asked!
Whether you’re eager to admire some native Australian animals or exotic, worldly creatures, Australia’s many zoos and wildlife parks have it all. Families from Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, and anywhere in-between can effortlessly appreciate creatures such as lions, elephants, kangaroos, koalas, rhinos, dingoes, echidnas, and many more.
Plus, with animals encounters on offer, the experience becomes all the more memorable. If you’re eager to spend an exciting day at on of the zoo with the whole family, here’s a list of the best Australian Zoos And Wildlife Parks for kids to enjoy.
This detailed post will help you choose the best zoo in Australia for your kids (and for you too!)
Queensland zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Australia Zoo
Undeniably one of the most popular and possibly the best zoo in Australia is Australia Zoo. Located along Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah on the beautiful Sunshine Coast it is one of the most visited zoos in the world! Not only is Australia Zoo home to impressive mammals, birds, and reptiles, but also a collection of education classes and events that kids are sure to love. To find out more about the offering available at Australia Zoo or to buy tickets online, head over to the website.
RELATED: Our friends at Families Magazine know how to get your kids into Australia Zoo for free – click here.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah QLD 4519, Australia
Website: click here
David Fleay Wildlife Park
The David Fleay Wildlife Park is located in Burleigh Heads along the Gold Coast, housing a collection of animals to admire. This includes creatures such as owls, pythons, pelicans, goannas, cassowaries, eagles, wallabies, crocodiles, kangaroos, dingoes, emus, koalas, and plenty more. Children under 4 years of age can even enjoy the park for free. Head to the website for more information.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: Loman Lane, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220, Australia
Website: click here
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Also situated along the Gold Coast is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, with plenty of animals to see and experiences to have. Guests can catch a glimpse of creatures such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, emus, echidnas, wombats, birds, and more. Guests can also look forward to close encounters with echidnas, koalas, dingos, and possums.
All your animal favourites are here; you can cuddle up to and have your photo taken with a koala, get up close with crocodiles, hand-feed the many friendly kangaroos and much, much more.
Be sure to stay around for the daily Rainbow Lorikeet feeding – one of the main attractions – with two demonstrations, morning from 8am and afternoon from 4pm.
To learn more about the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, head to the website.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (8 am to 5 pm)
Address: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223, Australia
Website: click here
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located in beautiful Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane is the ideal place for a thoughtful, enjoyable and educational family outing. This venue has been a Brisbane institution since 1927 and is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Lone Pine is open over Christmas and New Year!
If you have small children, tweens or teens with an interest in animals (so – basically all of them!) you’ll find yourself spending hours in this wonderful place without even realising any time has passed.
The facilities that the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has put in place to cater for family groups and people with differing abilities and needs. This mean that this Brisbane attraction is a completely inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy themselves.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket QLD 4069, Australia
Website: click here
Darling Downs Zoo
The Darling Downs Zoo is home to a vast collection of creatures for families to see, including monkeys, baboons, parrots, emus, turtles, lions, and more. Plus, visitors can also look forward to up-close encounters with lions, marmosets, meerkats, and zebras. To find out more about prices, head to the Darling Downs Zoo website.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 4 pm)
Address: 21 Baines Rd, Pilton QLD 4361
Website: click here
Wild HQ
Wild HQ, at the home of the Big Pineapple, is an excellent way for families to get up close and personal with animals from all walks of life. They host exciting and interesting animal experiences designed for the whole family to enjoy. This is a relative new-comer to the Australian zoos list, being a re-purposed version of the old Alma Park Zoo. To find out more information, head to their website.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9am to 4pm)
Address: 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye
Website: Click here
SeaLife
Previously known as “Underwater World”, this must do experience gives families the change to wander with awe as they explore the hidden worlds under the sea and in our rivers. There are animal experiences available (including a not to be missed seal show) and you can spend as much time as you like gazing in wonder at the exhibits that are constantly being updated. Our favourite? Check out the beautiful jellyfish!
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9am to 3pm)
Address: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Website: Click here
REEF HQ, Townsville
Wow! What a day out! This is the world’s LARGEST living coral reef aquarium and it’s designed to excite and engage. There are daily talks and tours included in your entry price as you explore a 2.5 million litre coral reef exhibit. It’s peaceful, tranquil and serene – the perfect trip for little explorers!
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9.30am – 5pm
Address: Reef HQ Aquarium is located just off the Strand on Flinders Street. It is located close to the SeaLink ferry terminal and next door to the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Website: Click here
Cairns Aquarium
Explore 10 amazing ecosystems and over SEVENTY different habitats! You’ll be introduced to 15,000 aquatic animals. Relax in blissful air conditioning and gorgeous surrounds right in the heart of Cairns and don’t miss out on the daily shows and presentations.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm
Address: 5 Florence St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Website: Click here
Australian Capital Territory zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Canberra Reptile Zoo
As the name suggests, the Canberra Reptile Zoo houses plenty of reptile creatures for parents and kids to appreciate, with more than 50 species to see. This includes pythons, bearded dragons, turtles, goannas, and more. Prices start from $16 for adults and $10 for children, while kids under 4 years of age can enter for free. See the website for more information.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (10 am to 5 pm)
Address: O’Hanlon Pl, Nicholls ACT 2913, Australia
Website: click here
National Zoo and Aquarium
The National Zoo and Aquarium is home to an impressive collection of worldly animals to see, including red pandas, cheetahs, rhinos, emus, alpacas, alligators, tigers, monkeys, dingos, otters, koalas, and bears, just to name a few. The zoo also offers plenty of close encounters with animals such as rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, tigers, white lions, sun bears, meerkats, and owls. Educational experiences are also available. Entry prices start from $44.50 for adults and $23.50 for kids. The zoo offers a number of exciting animal encounters that guests can undertake. Go into the enclosure with unrestrained big cats with the Meet-a-Cheetah program, or take advantage of limited opportunities to get up close and personal with red pandas, otters, lions, monkeys or owls.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 5 pm)
Address: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2611, Australia
Website: click here
Canberra Walk In Aviary
Bird lovers? Perfect! Take the family to this huge privately owned walk-in aviary where the friendly free flying birds can be observed, photographed and yes, even fed! This is an awesome stop for those families who just love our flying feathered friends. It’s highly educational and a fantastic day out for all concerned.
Hours: September to April: 10am-5pm. May – August: 10am-4pm. Open every day of the year (weather permitting) except Christmas Day.
Address: Gold Creek Terrace, 119 Kelleway Ave, Nicholls, ACT 2913
Website: Click here
New South Wales zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Along with Australia Zoo, Taronga Zoo is probably one of the best zoos in Australia! In fact, if you are only going to do one zoo in Australia, then this would definitely be my choice. Divided into eight zoogeographic regions, the 28-hectare (69-acre) Taronga Zoo Sydney is home to over 4,000 animals of 350 species. It has a zoo shop, a cafe, an information centre and views over the Sydney Harbour to die for!
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 4.30 pm)
Address: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2611, Australia
Website: click here
Symbio Wildlife Park
Symbio Wildlife Park is a family owned and operated zoo located on the Southern outskirts of Sydney in the the suburb of Helensburgh.
Symbio is set amongst 16 picturesque acres of manicured gardens where visitors can get up close and personal to all their Australian and exotic animal favourites. Cuddle up to a koala for that once in a lifetime iconic Aussie selfie, roll around on the grass as you feed, pat and interact with a large mob of kangaroos.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9:30am – 5pm
Address: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh NSW 2508
Website: Click here
Auburn Botanic Gardens
The Auburn Botanic Gardens is not only home to a lush, vibrant landscape for families to explore, but also a wide range of creatures to see. This includes kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and more. Plus, the gardens also offer playgrounds and Japanese gardens, with free entry on offer. Head to the website for more information.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: Chisholm Rd &, Chiswick Rd, Auburn NSW 2144, Australia
Website: click here
Billabong Zoo: Koala And Wildlife Park
Located in Port Macquarie, the Billabong Zoo: Koala And Wildlife Park is home to a plentiful array of creatures, great and small, for families to admire. This includes cheetahs, foxes, dingoes, kangaroos, cassowaries, crocodiles, koalas, lizards, meerkats, monkeys, and more. Many animal encounters are also available with cheetahs, koalas, meerkats, snakes, red pandas, and snow leopards. Prices start from $34 for adults and $19 for children between 3 and 15 years.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 61 Billabong Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia
Website: click here
Australian Reptile Park
The Australian Reptile Park is located at Somersby on the Central Coast, New South Wales. It is about 50 kilometres North of Sydney, and is just off the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway. The park is home to a variety of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, American alligators and crocodiles. This is a low-key, must-do experience for families of wildlife warriors and enthusiasts!
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm
Address: 69 Pacific Hwy, Somersby NSW 2250
Website: Click here
Birdland Animal Park
The Birdland Animal Park is home to plenty of animals for kids and parents to see, including deer, kangaroos, wombats, and more. Up-close encounters are also available with wombats, snakes, and koalas. Entry prices start from $26 for adults and $14 for kids between 2 and 15 years, while kids under 2 years can enter for free. For more information, head to the Birdland Animal Park website.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 4 pm)
Address: 55 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay NSW 2536, Australia
Website: click here
Wild Life Sydney
Wild Life Sydney houses a collection of Aussie creatures to admire, including wombats, koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, wallabies, snakes, quokkas, and more. Families can also look forward to a variety of unique experiences, such as breakfast alongside koalas and a private dining experience surrounded by Australian animals. General admission starts from $35 for adults and $24.60 for kids. Head to the Wild Life Sydney website for more information.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (10 am to 4 pm)
Address: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Website: click here
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Koala Park Sanctuary Pennant Hills
The Koala Park Sanctuary of West Pennant Hills is the perfect spot for families to admire these Aussie icons. Plus, with other Aussie animals such as wombats, kookaburras, cockatoos, emus, and kangaroos, there’s plenty to see. Koala presentations, dingo presentations, sheep shearing, lamb feeding, and more experiences are regularly held throughout the day. Head to the Koala Park Sanctuary website to plan your visit.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 84 Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125, Australia
Website: click here
Mogo Zoo
The Mogo Zoo is situated along Tomakin Road, housing a wide variety of worldly animals for families to enjoy. This includes African lions, cheetahs, monkeys, deer, ostriches, giraffes, zebras, meerkats, snow leopards, rhinos, tigers, gorillas, and more. Guests can even get up close with some of the animals through encounters with lions, tigers, red pandas, squirrels, rhinos, meerkats, and more.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 222 Tomakin Rd, Mogo NSW 2536, Australia
Website: click here
Northern Territory zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Territory Wildlife Park
The Territory Wildlife Park is home to a range of creatures to admire, including pelicans, kookaburras, wallabies, snakes, echidnas, emus, crocodiles, and more. Parents and children can also enjoy a variety of animal experiences, such as the pelican brekky and woodland wallaby walk. Entry prices start from $37 for adults and $18.50 for children between 5 and 16 years, while kids under 5 years of age can enter for free.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: Cox Peninsula Rd, Berry Springs Darwin NT 0838, Australia
Website: click here
Alice Springs Reptile Park
With plenty of scaly creatures and up-close encounters on offer at the Alice Springs Reptile Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The facility is home to a wide variety of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, goannas, and more. Admission prices start from $18 for adults and $10 for kids. Head to the Alice Springs Reptile Park website for more information.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 5 pm)
Address: 9 Stuart Terrace, The Gap NT 0870, Australia
Website: click here
Alice Springs Desert Park
The Alice Springs Desert Park is an environmental education facility and wildlife park in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is sited on 1,300 hectares, with a core area of 52 hectares. Here you’ll find amphibians, a variety of birds, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles! It’s a great place to explore.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Address: 871 Larapinta Dr, Alice Springs NT 0871
Website: Click here
Crocodylus Park
Though there are many alligators and crocodiles to see at Darwin’s Crocodylus Park, there’s plenty more on offer. The park also has tigers, lions, monkeys, baboons, water buffaloes, dingoes, kangaroos, lizards, snakes, birds, meerkats, and more. Families can also have encounters with meerkats, monkeys, snakes, and tortoises, or feed the tigers. For more information on pricing or to plan your visit, head to the Crocodylus Park website.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 815 McMillans Rd, Berrimah NT 0828, Australia
Website: click here
Crocosaurus Cove
Home to the CAGE OF DEATH (sounds scary but super safe), Crocosaurus Cove is sure to delight the whole family. Sink your teeth into viewing the BIGGEST crocs you’ve ever seen from a comfortable (yet still spooky) distance. Located in the heart of Darwin, this is a KILLER experience not to be missed.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9am – 6pm
Address: 58 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0800
Website:Click here
Victoria zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Sea Life Melbourne
Sea Life Melbourne is the perfect place for Sydney families eager to see a vast range of marine creatures. Kids and parents can see sharks, penguins, crocodiles, stingrays, seahorses, sea stars, and a collection of vibrant fish species. General admission starts from $33.60 for adults and $22.40 for kids. Head to the Sea Life Melbourne website for more information.
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Hours: Monday to Friday (10 am to 5:30 pm) Saturday and Sunday (9:30 am to 6 pm)
Address: King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Website: click here
Melbourne Zoo
The Melbourne Zoo plays host to a countless array of creatures for families to see, such as lions, elephants, monkeys, kangaroos, and more. Animal encounters are also available with creatures such as lemurs, giraffes, kangaroos, tortoises, meerkats, and seals. To purchase tickets or to find out more, head to the Melbourne Zoo website.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Website: click here
Ballarat Wildlife Park
Creatures great and small are of abundance at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, with emus, koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, cassowaries, crocodiles, snakes, wombats, reptiles, and more on offer. Parents and children can even look forward to close encounters with koalas, dingos, snakes, wombats, cassowaries, kangaroos, and more. Admission prices start from $35 for adults and $19.50 for children between 5 and 15 years of age. See the website for more information.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 250 Fussell St, Ballarat East VIC 3350, Australia
Website: click here
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Open Range Zoo is an African themed zoo in Werribee, about 32 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is part of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board or ‘Zoos Victoria’ which also includes Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
Get your discount tickets here, and an overnight experience here
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9am to 5pm)
Address: K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030
Website: Click here
Healesville Sanctuary
Kids? They’re FREE on weekends! This is a haven for Australian wildlife with over 200 species on site. You’ll only be travelling abut an hour outside of Melbourne to take part in this awesome Australian experience. It suits ALL ages from teeny to teens.
Get your discount tickets here
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm
Address: Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777
Website: Click here
South Australia zoos & wildlife parks for kids
Adelaide Zoo
Animal experiences are of abundance at the Adelaide Zoo, offering families the opportunity to get an up-close look at koalas, meerkats, penguins, lemurs, tree kangaroos, squirrel monkeys, wallabies, and more. Plus, with a countless assortment of activities and experiences hosted every day, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. See the website for more information or to plan your visit.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 5 pm)
Address: Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: click here
Monarto Zoo
The Monarto Zoo is located along the Old Princes Highway in Monarto, with plenty of exciting animal experiences for families to choose from. This includes the Giraffe Safari, Cheetah Experience, Meerkat Mingle, Meet The Chimps, Rhino Interactive, and more. Adult entry prices start from $37, while children between 4 and 14 years are only $20. Head to the Monarto Zoo website for more information.
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Hours: Monday to Sunday (9:30 am to 5 pm)
Address: Old Princes Hwy, Monarto South SA 5254, Australia
Website: click here
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
The Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary has plenty of exciting animal encounters for parents and children to choose from, ranging from koala encounters to snake encounters. For general admission, prices start from $19 for adults and $12 for children on weekends. On weekdays, adult and children prices are only $10 and $5 respectively. See the website for more information or to book an animal encounter.
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Hours: Monday to Friday (10 am to 4 pm) Saturday and Sunday (10 am to 5 pm)
Address: 47 Stock Rd, Mylor SA 5153, Australia
Website: click here
Western Australian zoos & wildlife parks for kids
This is a top spot in Australia for whale watching, so keep an eye out for whale watching tours and discounts as they pop up seasonally! Below you’ll find the year-round places to get your peepers on some critters.
Perth Zoo
The Perth Zoo is home to a wide range of worldly animals for families to see, such as lions, zebras, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, penguins, sun bears, otters, tarantulas, swans, and more. Close encounters are also available with some of the creatures, like rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lemurs, lions, and more. Entry tickets start from $33 for adults and $16.50 for kids, while children under 4 years of age can enter for free. See the website for more information.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5 pm)
Address: 20 Labouchere Rd, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Website: click here
Caversham Wildlife Park
There’s plenty to see and do at the Caversham Wildlife Park – home to animals such as quokkas, kookaburras, koalas, echidnas, emus, wallabies, and more. Families can look forward to the many daily attractions, such as the Farm Show, Molly’s Farm, Meet The Wombat And Friends, and more. Admission prices for the Caversham Wildlife Park start from $30 for adults and $14 for kids between 3 and 14 years. Head over to the park’s website to plan your visit.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (9 am to 5:30 pm)
Address: Unit B/99 Lord St, Whiteman WA 6068, Australia
Website: click here
AQWA The Aquarium of Western Australia
This is a storied aquarium with a cafe featuring a walk-through underwater tunnel & interactive touch pool. Fabulous for a great day out (in air conditioning, woo!) that’s as educational as it is fun. An awesome underwater adventure awaits your family as you explore the amazing world of under-the-sea.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (10am to 5pm)
Address: 91 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025
Website: Click here
Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre
The Armadale Reptile Centre is a zoological garden in Armadale, Western Australia that focuses on herpetology and wildlife native to Western Australia. There’s a wide range of animals and animal experiences available on offer here that are sure to delight everyone in the family!
Hours: Monday to Sunday (closed on Wednesdays) (10am to 4pm)
Address: 304-308 S Western Hwy, Wungong WA 6112
Website: Click here
Cohunu Koala Park
Cohunu Koala Park is a wildlife sanctuary on 14 ha of bushland at Byford, near Perth, Western Australia. It features not only koalas, but also dingoes, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, eagles, wombats, echidnas, black swans, cockatoos, and lifelike replicas of dinosaurs.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (10am to 4pm)
Address: LOT 103 Nettleton Rd, Byford WA 6122
Website: Click here
Broome Bird Observatory
Free entry! Here you’ll find a large aviary display manned by a large number of friendly, knowledgeable volunteers. This is a great spot for bird spotters and feathered fans in your family.
Hours: Monday to Sunday (8am to 4pm)
Address: Crab Creek Road, 25km out of Broome
Website: Click here
